Any gutted out F430 track cars?

I've begun my search for a manual gearbox F430 coupe. While this car won't take the place of my 911 track car, I definitely plan to remove some weight as part of my project. The F430 won't be tracked, but I still want it as light as I can reasonably get it. Obviously the big electric seats will be the first to go, but what about sound deadening/insulation?? How is it applied under the carpeting? How heavy do you think the carpeting is? What can I expect to find under the headliner? How heavy are the door panels...especially compared to the Scuderia panels, which I assume are a direct replacement? I assume it has some big, complicated stereo with amps and subwoofers, etc. Is there any reason I can't pull it all out...or are other systems integrated into it (like nav.?) and is it better left in place. I don't need nav. in the car, so if that's the only reason, it can go.

All (or most) of this work needs to be reversible when the time comes to sell it.

Thanks everybody!

-George

 

Thanks guys!

It's too bad you can't get a manual gearbox 430 Challenge car that's street legal! I was figuring to eventually call Universal to ask about door panels...never thought about the plexi rear deck though...thanks!!

I must've missed the good threads in the 430 section. Doesn't surprise me though...I've been spending so much time online trying to find a suitable car and researching this project that I can't see straight any more! That, and maybe a couple too many drinks while I'm searching hahaha!

I'm hoping to keep things fairly simple in terms of removal and then putting it all back together when it's time to sell. Just stick to things I'm capable of removing/replacing myself...simple things like interior bits and insulation/sound deadening, etc...I wouldn't touch the ac components for example. I always take a bath on these projects, but maybe after 30 years of doing this I'll just take a quick dip instead of a full bath!

Thanks again!

-George

 

I saw a thread somewhere about a guy who converted a 360 to manual and was going to do a 430, so I guess it's been done. Probably cost a boatload though.

 

Yeah, I know what you mean thecheddar...I don't plan on opening the motor. I figure 500 hp is pretty good!

Hahaha, I've already been told to keep the interior "female friendly!!" Even though my girlfriend loves my 911 (gutted out track car), she never goes for rides in it because it's so loud, hot, uncomfortable....those are her words! She's a good kid, so I'll keep the Ferrari civil enough for her to drive in it. Unfortunately, Boomer the dog will have to stay home .....I doubt he'd enjoy squeezing behind the seats!

 

I want to make it more entertaining to drive. Isn't the Scuderia 220 pounds lighter than an F430. How many people buy one and never track it?

It's simple, you take two identical cars and strip a couple of hundred pounds out of one of them and drive them back to back. The lighter one will be more responsive in all areas.

I club raced my 911 for 15 years and when I was done I put a muffler on it and registered it...and still drive it. I stripped almost 300 pounds out of it when I built it...it totally transforms the car. That's the personality and dynamics I prefer in my fun cars...more of a sharp, razor edge type of personality (if that's what you want to call it). The funny thing is, I spent thousands of dollars on lightweight body panels, etc to lower the weight of the car....but never put myself on a diet....could've dropped another fifty pounds out of the car if I had just lost some weight! hahaha

You mentioned street race? I certainly hope you don't think that's my objective? I'm 52 years old...I think I've outgrown stuff like that! On the other hand, maybe its a fair question because if you ask my girlfriend, she'll say I'm pretty childish hahaha. Seriously though, I'm just a driver. I only attack on/off ramps and back roads if the conditions permit. Haven't had a ticket in years even though I'm pretty aggressive....and by aggressive, I mean in attacking the road, not any road rage kind of crap.

As for destroying the value of the car. Everything I do will be reversible. I wish I could say the same about what I did to my 911 race car though....it's a '77 Carrera 3.0...holes everywhere, welded in cage, interior bits tossed away when I built it 28 years ago. A nice Carrera 3.0 is worth good money these days and going up all the time....mine...not a chance! Bummer!! It's ok though, that car has given me more smiles than all the other cars I've owned combined!

I hope that clears things up a bit. I know the serious drivers here will understand my objectives with this car, but I'd like the other owners to understand me as well.

 

Yeah, I've actually noticed that I'm driving my 911 less than I have in the past. My problem is that I have (had) too many toys. That's why I've already sold two, and getting the third one ready to sell as we speak. I think I'll be ok if I have one toy (Ferrari), one track car (911), and my daily driver. Trying to divide my time between four toys became a bit of a chore, believe it or not.

As for the Ferrari, I don't see any difference between what I plan on doing and what a Scuderia is. I wonder if that's why Scuds have such low mileage?? Maybe the people who buy them don't like the rawness and don't drive them as much as they should? For me, personally, it's that rawness that I'm after! If Scuds came with a manual gearbox, I'd have one...since they don't though, I'm forced to make my own version!

 

I don't like the idea of the timing belt change every 30K miles or whatever it is. My mechanic said get a 430, so I'm listening. The Maserati is beautiful and sounds nice, but doesn't exactly have the personality that I'm looking for. Sure is good looking though!