I just love to fool around with new ideas for improving/enhancing the 550 experience Everything I've done is reversible/removable and nothing shows from outside except for the rear license plate frame which has the reverse sensors incorporated. Heres a list of things Ive done to my 550 so far Modified shock mounts for better ride and no actuator wind-up Self bleeding steam line for improved cooling Switchable CD changer/IPod input for radio via dummy switch on dash Three button remote unlocks/disarms, opens trunk, garage door opener Hot switchable stock to FHP steering assist via Sport switch Center resonator delete with Bradan straight pipes to stock mufflers Xenon HID low beam headlight conversion Coil on Plug ignition system Hard wired remote Valentine1 display Never droop passenger side sun visor Canton Mecca replicable cartridge oil filters with remote pressure sender Back up sensors in license plate frame, the display is on the dome light 575 engine mounts CF cup holder in place of ashtray Hard wired Garmin Nuvi with ecoRoute What have you guys done to your cars?
H&R wheel spacers Double adjustable moton shocks Eibach springs Stroth dual shoulder HANS specific harness Harness bar SRI supremo gold connector kit Skunkworks switchable FHP for street , non-assisted for track Skunkworks no drop sun visor Sticky race tires 265f/305r Central muffler delete straight pipes oem exhaust wired open Projects under consideration: Skunkworks cop Skunkworks modified fob to bypass immobilizer for unsecured pushbutton start for Conversion to full race car. I think there is an easy 500lbs that can be gutted from these cars. I think a 3000lb 550 converted race car is possible with not significant costs like carbon parts.
1999 550 1.0 cm brake pedal spacer for safer heel-toe maneuver Grid to replace louvers in the front aerodynamic bottom Burns Stainless 321 SS straight pipes to replace the center resonator 19.5 mm HGTC rear anti-roll bar
FBB, my next event is Pocono Raceway July 2-3. I'll let you know. After that, New Jersey Motorsports and Watkins Glen are on the schedule. The F355CH is a blast on the streets! I still can't believe Classic Coach found me a street-legal one. Barry ps. you forgot to list your center resonator to straight pipes conversion.
Dave, My compliments to the Maranello Skunk Works Team. If I didn't have the F355CH, I would be proceeding with the Switchable FHP Steering ECU Conversion but with the optional separate switch to isolate the Normal/Sport Mode switch. Barry
Current: H&R 15mm Rear Wheel Spacers OS Giken Triple Disk Clutch w/Hill Release Bearing CNC 5/8" Clutch Master Cylinder & Reservoir Larini X Pipe Mille Miglia Exhaust SRI Silicone Hose Kit 575 Engine Mounts HID Low Beam Conversion Skunkworks COP Conversion 575 Waterpump Pulley 575 Waterpump Impeller Steam Vent Line Skunkworks Rear Shock Mounts Canton Mecca 6 1/4" Full Flow Oil Filters Skunkworks Switchable Steering ECU's Skunkworks Fob Replacement with Remote Trunk Release Future: Skunkworks Front Shock Mounts & Prototype Hydraulic Front Lift Kit Skunkworks (Aerospace Logic) Catalyst ECU Replacement in place of ashtray Skunkworks Prototype Returnless Fuel System Skunkworks Prototype Shock ECU Skunkworks Prototype Steering ECU with custom map Skunkworks Prototype PWM Controlled Electric Fans SRI Gold Connector Kit SRI plated timing sprockets w/welded fences Hill Tensioners & Bearings (if/when available) Center Console Relocated Oil Sender CWWHK's LED Conversion No Droop Passenger Sun Visor Fix Capristo Exhaust Tablet Based Infomedia System
John, Great muffler! I have the Mille Miglia on my 308 GTB. Currently, my 550 is set up with a 2nd generation Tubi. My 550 is nearing 70,000 miles. Along the way, my small diameter coolant hoses were replaced with silicone hoses. Barry
Between Dave, FBB & me we're always finding something that needs sorting, or we think could have been done better Barry, they're certainly a loud set of mufflers, aren't they? When I had the Mille Miglia + straight pipes on for a test, it would wake my wife and probably the neighbors too whenever I started the car in the early morning, as well as setting off other car alarms as I drove by. The MM + X pipe blends the notes on both banks, sounds better to me and doesn't wake up the wife or neighbors. I've got the Capristo's sitting here waiting to go on, so it'll be interesting to hear the difference with them with both the X and straight pipes. I've been trying to get some exhaust recordings with a GoPro Hero2, but haven't mastered the art of getting good sound without objectionable wind noise yet.
My 3 Maranellos: 1. 550 ROSSO X-STRAIGHT CENTER PIPES TUBI REAR PAIR MUFFLERS FRONT GIRO DISK ROTOR H&R SPACERS FRONT 15MM; REAR 30MM STEREO HEAD UNIT NGK IRIDIUM SPARK PLUGS 2. 575 ROSSO STARIGHT NON-X CENTER PIPES FROM 575 GTC TUBI REAR MUFFLERS IN PAIR FAB HIGH FLOW CATS BREMBO 6 PISTONS FRONT AND GT 4 PISTONS REAR SET GTC SUSPENSION ECU ON ORIGINAL FHP SUSPENSION WITH WARNING LIGHT ON STEREO HEAD UNIT H&R SPACERS 15MM FRONT; 30MM REAR 3. 550 TITANIUM FAB HIGH FLOW CATS X-STRAIGHT CENTER PIPES STRAIGHT THROUGH REAR END PIPES IN PAIR CUSTOM MADE ULTRA LIGHT RACING SUSPENSION (I HAVE SHOWED TO FBB) BREMBO GT BRAKE SYSTEM ULTRA LIGHT WEIGHT ENKEI WHEEL FRONT(18LBS) REAR(19LBS) ONE DRIVER SIDE BUCKET SEAT INSTALLED(8LBS); NO PASSENGER SEAT STEREO REMOVED A/C REMOVED FOG LIGHTS REMOVED XENON HEADLIGHT INSTALLED TOW HOOK INSTALLED NGK IRIDIUM SPARK PLUGS Car orignally weighs 3730 lbs with nearly empty fuel in tank... Now weighs 3470 lbs with nearly empty fuel tank... Imagine a 550 Maranello diet down 250 lbs with race ready suspension, on the track it transformed to a whole different animal... simply amazingly fun to drive on the track... Alex Lin
I had a concours judge encourage me to enter my car. I mentioned that there were several modifications that would result in so many deductions that there was no point. He protested, saying that there are a lot of allowances made. I ticked off all of the mods to my car and when we got down to 80 points he stopped me and agreed. I stay in the wash and shine section. Maybe I'll win the people's choice some day.
I admire what you're all doing. They're loud OK, John. I can understand your need to switch to X-pipes with the Mille Miglias on. I've had some success with the Micover windscreen for reducing wind noise: http://www.amazon.com/Micover-Stickover-Windscreen-Motorsports-On-Board/dp/B00533YQVI Cute demo video here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m1GIV4ALZTT2FO/ref=cm_ciu_vr_moJA93KB0X70H9 But with the windows open on the track, it's only partially effective. I mount the GoPro on the rear windshield. It seems that all the wind is aimed right at the camera. Barry Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thank you! We need that encouragement, particularly since we seem to be losing money at a faster rate every day. Prototyping stuff gets expensive 'cause it seems the junk pile is always 3x to 4x as big as the finished product pile. But at least it's more fun (for us anyway) than losing it at Vegas, or the lottery..... Barry, let's join this GoPro thread: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=348994 - I'd really like to discuss these audio issues in more detail.
That's where it belongs, Dave. And it's got those big Novitec brakes making the car even better! Barry
That's how it is in the beginning, John. But I think the modifications you're all coming up with are sensible and something the Factory should have done originally. You've added, in essence, a manettino dial to the Maranello, amongst other things! OK
Yeah! But that video with Olivia sold me on this and now it's on for good. I think I have to cut off the tag. That might be causing some flapping noise adding to the wind noise at speed.
FBB, the F355 Challenge has the 550 beat on the road course. I wish it had the acceleration and speed of the 550 on the long straights. Barry Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
