Lowering your 430 | FerrariChat

Lowering your 430

Discussion in '360/430' started by Gary(SF), Oct 17, 2006.

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  1. Gary(SF)

    Gary(SF) F1 Rookie

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    Gary B.
    #1 Gary(SF), Oct 17, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Here's a photo from a track day last week at Infineon (Sears Point) that highlights why you don't want to go too low with the 430. This is in the carousel, a 4th gear downhill left hander, and take a look at the ride height as the car is compressed at the bottom of the hill under 1.2 g cornering and compression load (according to the car following that had some form of data logging). My car was lowered about 1/2" from stock.

    Please excuse the excessive digital camera noise, a friend shot this with another guy's camera and accidentally set the ISO to 3200.

    Gary
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  2. PorscheFanatic

    PorscheFanatic Formula Junior

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    #2 PorscheFanatic, Oct 17, 2006
    Thanks for sharing Gary, looks amazing.
     
  3. WyattH

    WyattH Karting

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    #3 WyattH, Oct 17, 2006
    Glad to see you aren't running aggressive aftermarket wheels. :)
     
  4. 12:03

    12:03 Karting

    Dec 11, 2005
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    #4 12:03, Oct 18, 2006
    Gary do you think that anyone could get under this same cornering load on the streets? If you never had the opportunity to track it? From your post, are you implying that you feel your car is too low?
     
  5. RC33

    RC33 Formula Junior

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    #5 RC33, Oct 18, 2006
    Wow, the car looks great when compressed, did it actually scrapped the ground?
    What is the height difference between the Euro and US spec?
     
  6. Fistacuffs

    Fistacuffs Guest

    Oct 12, 2006
    29
    West Haven CT
    #6 Fistacuffs, Oct 18, 2006
    wow im surprised that 1/2 inch from stock would make that big of a difference i though the euro spec 430's are already 1/2 inch lower then us spec?
     
  7. Gary(SF)

    Gary(SF) F1 Rookie

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    #7 Gary(SF), Oct 18, 2006
    To try to answer all the questions: no I don't think it's too low, I just wouldn't go any lower, track or not. And it didn't touch anywhere in that corner, although the nose would lightly "tick" under max braking for the turn 11 hairpin where there was a small bump in just the wrong spot on the track. I believe I'm at Euro ride height right now. And if you reach this kind of cornering load on the street you are crazy. :)

    Gary
     
  8. Juan-Manuel Fantango

    Juan-Manuel Fantango F1 World Champ
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    #8 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Oct 18, 2006
    Maybe a question based in ignorance, but perhaps it is the spring or strut setting/strenght? Did you change springs and struts?
     
  9. SoftwareDrone

    SoftwareDrone F1 Veteran
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    #9 SoftwareDrone, Oct 18, 2006
    But I get this kind of cornering load on every street corner!
     
  10. F430OZ

    F430OZ Rookie

    Apr 24, 2006
    37
    #10 F430OZ, Oct 18, 2006
    How is lowering the F430 actually achieved ? Does this involve any compression of the spring ?

    Would lowering have any effect on ultimate spring compression under load (as in this pitcure) or would this occur regardless of the static ride height ?

    In the picture I would suggest that this car is on the suspension travel stops anyway.
     
  11. tedwentz

    tedwentz Karting

    Aug 29, 2004
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    #11 tedwentz, Oct 18, 2006
    My F430 front underpanel just kisses the ground under the heaviest braking at two places at Summit Point. The car is set to the standard ride height with the mannetino in the Race position. I certainly wouldn't want it set any lower with the standard springs.
    As a matter of fact the front will kiss the ground when coming down off of certain yumps on public roads.
    Lowering the car would require stiffer springs to keep her off the deck, but that would spoil the nice supple ride.
    TW
     
  12. the_jay

    the_jay Formula 3

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    #12 the_jay, Oct 18, 2006
    You are crazy^10!!!
     
  13. LUCCA-7

    LUCCA-7 Karting

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    #13 LUCCA-7, Oct 18, 2006
    Looking good G.B. . . . See ya soon !!!
     
  14. Gary(SF)

    Gary(SF) F1 Rookie

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    #14 Gary(SF), Oct 18, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The 430 (and the 360) have coil-over suspension, so ride height is set by adjusting the spring perch on the threaded portion of the shock body. Compression of the spring is necessary, and most shops choose to remove the shock/strut assembly and work with it off the car.

    My car was not on the stops in the photo. You can always tell when a car hits the stops in a corner, and it's not a nice feeling at all. I must have been close, but not quite there.

    Gary
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  15. lawwdog

    lawwdog Formula 3

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    #15 lawwdog, Oct 18, 2006
    Amazing what your car can do with an instructor behind the wheel eh Gary !!
    I see a white helmit in the passenger seat..... :)

    By the way..an F-1 car does better on the approach to that turn...too much rear-end dancing trying to heal toe for a lower gear before you set up for the turn-in.

    Bustin your nuts as usual...

    Mario

    P.S. I didn't see you on Columbus Day???
     
  16. RP

    RP F1 World Champ

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    #16 RP, Oct 18, 2006
    Note to self: remember not to buy a tracked Ferrari.
     
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  17. lawwdog

    lawwdog Formula 3

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    #17 lawwdog, Oct 18, 2006
    There is nothing wrong with a tracked Ferrari....better than a Starbucks trophey car!!!
     
  18. RC33

    RC33 Formula Junior

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    #18 RC33, Oct 19, 2006

    Does the suspension feel 'softer' after you lowered it to Euro Specs??
     
  19. Gary(SF)

    Gary(SF) F1 Rookie

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    #19 Gary(SF), Oct 19, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    That's my son in the right seat :)

    I was there on Columbus Day, must have missed you.

    Gary
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  20. Gary(SF)

    Gary(SF) F1 Rookie

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    #20 Gary(SF), Oct 19, 2006
    No, it feels unchanged.

    Gary
     
  21. Gary(SF)

    Gary(SF) F1 Rookie

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    #21 Gary(SF), Oct 19, 2006

    Of course you should do what makes you feel comfortable, but I think a couple of track days on year on an unmodified car, if you use reasonable care and don't let the red mist descend so you start missing shifts or trying too hard, are not a potential problem for a future buyer at all. What a shame it would be if Ferraris were never put on the track.

    Gary
     
  22. lawwdog

    lawwdog Formula 3

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    #22 lawwdog, Oct 19, 2006
    I should have been more clear...I saw the car..not you personally.
     
  23. MufflerMan

    MufflerMan Formula 3

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    #23 MufflerMan, Oct 19, 2006
    Gary, I have seen your car at Infineon and love the lowering job. Very tastefull and not overdone, 430's must be lowered. Much to high stock.

    Mario couldn't find you on Columbus day because he was to busy trying to hide the British vehicle he brought (his trophy was at home).
     
  24. Houston348

    Houston348 Formula 3

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    #24 Houston348, Oct 19, 2006
    Starbucks trophey car..... so true...... awesome
     
  25. F430OZ

    F430OZ Rookie

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    #25 F430OZ, Oct 19, 2006
    Thanks Gary - The pictures tell the story - much appreciated.
     
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