| Author | Message | ||
| Viken Bedrossian (Vikenb)
Junior Member Username: Vikenb Post Number: 155 Registered: 5-2001 |
>> Ah, ok. I've been meaning to ask, how are the sport seats? << I love them. They are quite uncomfortable on trips of over one hour but give all the support one needs for spirited driving. I would order them again if I had to get another car. | ||
| Brian Kennedy (Kennedy)
Junior Member Username: Kennedy Post Number: 67 Registered: 3-2002 |
Yes, I have the factory racing seats. Yes, they are very lightweight and look nice; and hold you better than stock, but not as good IMO as many aftermarket racing seats. Yes, I find them painful for my back due to the complete lack of lumbar support (negative support, IMO). I solved that using the "Adjustable, Leather covered, heated lumbar support" sold for $100 by Griot's garage, #77240 (800-345-5789 or www.griotsgarage.com). Yes, I tried many of the $3-12 lumbar supports available from Pep Boys and Wal-Mart... only one of them felt okay, but it didn't mount (it just sat there). For long trips, the minimal butt padding also gets to be painful... I haven't solved that one. Brian | ||
| Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
Junior Member Username: Manu Post Number: 189 Registered: 2-2002 |
I think Racing seats are a must in modern Ferraris. Cars like the 360 have so much grip, that, even with my limited passenger experience on track days, I've found that the lateral support cushioning on the standard seats can begin to give way. You guys are going to laugh now but, the racing seats also look great and and weigh next to nothing - the standard (electric) seats (especially in the 550) have something like 18 motors to power them around and weigh a SH*TLOAD. Red factory harnesses with the SF emblem along with two-tone sports seats look the absolute business. Incidentally - those of you who have racing seats in your Ferraris - are they factory? | ||
| Tino (Bboxer)
Junior Member Username: Bboxer Post Number: 77 Registered: 8-2001 |
I have a hard time coming to term with my seat selection. I love the way they look and feel at the track but on the road, my poor back suffers. I think the rear of the seat should be an inch or two higher, like the Barchetta seats. Here's a picture of mine.  | ||
| Ernesto (T88power)
Member Username: T88power Post Number: 336 Registered: 2-2001 |
I have the sport seats in my 360 and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have driven 360 with the "normal" seats and dont like it at all... Yes the sports seats lack some cushioning, but they are very confortable even for long trips (to me at least). Ernesto | ||
| Brian Kennedy (Kennedy)
Junior Member Username: Kennedy Post Number: 64 Registered: 3-2002 |
I have the racing seats in my 360... they have negative lumbar support (worse than none)... and minimal padding... so, my lumbar-support-craving back finds them quite uncomfortable. However, I've remedied that fairly well with an aftermarket adjustable lumbar pad... works pretty well for me. However, if I buy a new one, I may not go for the racing seats. Then again, I just might... the with-helmet headroom could be an issue... not sure. Brian | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Junior Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 53 Registered: 1-2002 |
Ah, ok. I've been meaning to ask, how are the sport seats? I'm asking b/c at a recent track day at Sears Point, I got a ride along in a f355 and 360, and found the regular seats to be a bit lacking in support. I imagine the sport seats remedy that for the track, but are they comfortable on the street? Care for a weekend drive down Ortega Hwy? Or maybe Julian? | ||
| Viken Bedrossian (Vikenb)
Junior Member Username: Vikenb Post Number: 154 Registered: 5-2001 |
>> BTW, are you in the San Diego area, I saw your 360 on 355F1.com, a local owners site. Beautiful car! << Thank you! I am just to the north in Orange County. | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
Intermediate Member Username: Bretm Post Number: 2433 Registered: 2-2001 |
There's always an ad in Forza for 360 challenge wheels. S.L. Competition USA (478) 929-9454 www.GaRedcars.com | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Junior Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 52 Registered: 1-2002 |
Viken, Thanks for clarifying, like I noted I wasn't sure if the CH's were available for the 360's, yet. BTW, are you in the San Diego area, I saw your 360 on 355F1.com, a local owners site. Beautiful car! Hubert | ||
| Viken Bedrossian (Vikenb)
Junior Member Username: Vikenb Post Number: 153 Registered: 5-2001 |
>> You can get the BBS challenge whells in a roade going version from TireRack.com << Those are not made to fit the 360 yet. The only BBS available for the 360 right now is the LM which is not that light. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Junior Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 51 Registered: 1-2002 |
You can get the BBS challenge whells in a roade going version from TireRack.com, they are the BBS CH's, and are available in 17, 18, and 19 inch diameters. However, I'm not sure if they are available or comaptible offsets and bolt patterns. Click the link below: http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/DisplayWheel.jsp?wheelMake=BBS&wheelModel=CH&wheelFinish=Bright+Silver+Paint | ||
| Randy (Schatten)
Member Username: Schatten Post Number: 280 Registered: 4-2001 |
Nunja - if you are interesteed in Kinesis, HRE, Hamann (19" wheels) or even Volk - throw me an email or give me a ring (512.947.1729) and we can discuss wheel options. | ||
| Brian Kennedy (Kennedy)
Junior Member Username: Kennedy Post Number: 63 Registered: 3-2002 |
I think you can get "unauthorized" versions of the Challenge wheels through BBS retailers. Bobby Archer Motorsports in Ft Worth, TX, has installed some. Not sure if they have DOT approval, but I suspect so. | ||
| z. b. (Cheeseman)
New member Username: Cheeseman Post Number: 5 Registered: 4-2002 |
the challenge wheels are not dot approved and getting a set is very difficult(i.e. you cant get them from ferrari unless you buy a challenge car) sac or volk are your best bet | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
Intermediate Member Username: Bretm Post Number: 2423 Registered: 2-2001 |
SAC http://www.sacwheels.com makes some wicked light rims for a 360. When you first go to their website the one on the 360 is like 18lbs or something nuts like that. They used to always have ads in Forza. | ||
| Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
Junior Member Username: Manu Post Number: 184 Registered: 2-2002 |
I have always assumed nothing is likely to be better than the Challenge BBS rims for the 360.....how much do they weigh? I think one-piece Magnesium Alloy Race wheels from Speedline Corse are also a good bet. | ||
| James Dixon (Omnadren250)
Junior Member Username: Omnadren250 Post Number: 165 Registered: 7-2001 |
I have 19' volk racing TE37's on my supra in black and they are an amazing wheel. They are light as hell, and very strong, as I have had no problems with them on the crappy, pothole infested roads. I forget the actual numbers, but I think my wheels weighed in the area of 18lbs per wheel. James | ||
| Brian Kennedy (Kennedy)
Junior Member Username: Kennedy Post Number: 60 Registered: 3-2002 |
Yes, the Kumho ECSTA V700's are DOT R-compound tires that fit the OEM wheels... I have them on my 360 right now. Also, the new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup's are R-compounds in the same size. My point was that when I invest in wheels, I'm going to invest in as wide of wheels as will fit on my 360... much wider than the OEM wheels will fit fine. I think you can put more like 10" on the front and 13" on the rear! But if you did, there are no R-compound tires except Hoosiers! So, I am waiting for wheels until there's a tire option that will allow me to fully utilize those great big wheel wells. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
New member Username: Hugh Post Number: 48 Registered: 1-2002 |
Brian, The Rays Engineering/Volk wheels are and were designed and manufactured w/ road racing in mind; first and foremost. So, there should be no incident w/ using them on the track or auto-x. Of course if you go off track or hit a curb, etc., there is nothing to say that you won't damage even an OEM wheel. And while these wheels may be magnesium, they are forged. A tried and true method w/ in metallurgy for retain rigidity and strength. While I would say if you have $3800 to spend on rotors, ok. But I would suggest looking into floating or 2-piece rotors first, where you retain the same thickness of the rotor, excepet the hat is made of aluminum or some other perhaps exotic material. Which allows you to save on unsprung weight while not minimizing the heat capacity of the rotors by shaving them. Also, w/ regard to the carbon brake discs/rotors, while these may sound like a good idea, it would be good to point out that these will have to be used in conjunction w/ custom pads for carbon/ceramic rotors, which will significantly reduce replacement options. Although, w/ the nearly minimal wear on carbon pads/disks this is a tangential issue. The more important fact to remember is the heat range of these disks, and weather or not such brakes would even be safe for use on the street. Most carbon/ceramic disks don't get warm well into temperatures that OEM brake systems begin to fade when they reach such temps. Meaning that unless you are braking hard all day every day that you drive your car, you won't be getting the full utility, if any, out of these brakes. Also, cold braking would be severly comprimised w/ such a setup, causing them to require great care when first taking the car out onto the street. Also, I believe the Kumho ecsta v700's are R rated and DOT/street legal, no? | ||
| Brian Kennedy (Kennedy)
Junior Member Username: Kennedy Post Number: 56 Registered: 3-2002 |
Has anyone weighed the stock wheels? They look pretty light... not much metal there. Yes, reducing unsprung weight is worth a lot. And wheels and rotors have most of the weight. Rather than mega-buck carbon fiber disks, you can buy lightweight disks from Brembo. Brembo offers race rotors that have a higher heat tolerance while being lighter-weight, shaving 25# total off the four wheels (6# of unsprung rotational weight off each wheel!). They run $3800 for 4 rotors. Unless something better comes along, that's what I'll be buying to replace mine, once I burn through them (almost surely this year). Call James at Norwood's, 972-831-8111, and tell him I sent ya. On wheels, if you go lightweight, make sure you still get good strength. Some of the super-light wheels were built for drag racing, and will not hold up to big lateral G's or hard impacts. I've always loved Forgeline... lightweight and super strong. I think they'll make most any size, but I honestly haven't checked yet. On wheels, I'm waiting for the tire manufacturers to start putting out some wider 18" tires with R-compounds. (Yes, Hoosier has some, but Hoosiers aren't suitable for the street.) | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
New member Username: Hugh Post Number: 47 Registered: 1-2002 |
Nunja, The TE37's are a great wheel, they are forged, hence very strong and very light. And as an added bonus, they are the wheel of choice for the 360 Modena's used in the GT300 class of the JGTC, as seen here: http://www.jgtc.net/race/gallery/gall2001/013gallery_ph/013_360a.jpg Other ways to reduce weight overall would be: lighter brake calipers, lexan engine cover/hatch, a lightweight-possibly titanium exhaust system-, replacing your seats w/ carbon/kevlar shelled counterparts, and at this point you get into ideas that begin to limit creature comforts like: stereo, a/c, p/s, and all the amenaties. But, starting w/ the wheels, possibly calipers, and moving to the seats would be a good way to reduce weight. And, if you can find a well made engine cover out of Lexan, as used on the Challenge and N-GT cars, then go for it. BTW, I think TE37's on a Modena would look awesome. What color 360? | ||
| L.C.Plester (Lcplester)
New member Username: Lcplester Post Number: 42 Registered: 2-2002 |
The other way to drop unsprung weight is to fit carbon fibre brake discs, although they are very expensive (but the weight saving is HUGE!). A friend of mine fitted one set for his 996 Porsche and I believe he paid in a region of $13.000,- for the full set. He said it was completely different car after that and the steering was very responsive - nothing he had ever experienced before. He also had around 650bhp in the engine, so I bet the whole car was very responsive  . BTW, those discs had 300.000km warranty (187.500 mls). Vice versa, I used to have magnesium wheels in my C5 �Vette (factory option, made by Speedline in Italy), they were lighter than the normal ones, but I could hardly tell the difference (in driving experience) compared to stock wheels. Regards, LC | ||
| Patrick R. (Patrickr)
New member Username: Patrickr Post Number: 7 Registered: 4-2002 |
Nunja, You are right on the unsprung weight idea. How the wheels are made, what they are made out of, and whether or not they are more than one piece (like three piece HRE wheels or one piece racing wheels) all affect the weight. I can't give you specific information but I do know that magnesium wheels are some of the lightest wheels you can get. There is a magnesium wheel option for Corvette's. This wheel weighs considerably less then the other wheel options offered. When comparing the weight of the wheels on my car to the magnesium wheels on my friend's, the difference is amazing. Also, to save more weight, the 2002 Corvette Z06 wheels are forged. The 2001 Z06 wheels were cast. The forging process saves a pound or two on each wheel... they are also stronger. Hope this helps! Patrick | ||
| Nunja Bitness (Jaxfl)
New member Username: Jaxfl Post Number: 36 Registered: 11-2001 |
Do you guys know what the stock wheels weigh on the 360 coupe? One great way to improve performance without hindering reliability is reducing unsprung weight. I've heard that every unsrpung pound saved is like 7 lbs. being taken off of the sprung weight. A company called Volk Racing has a TE37 model forged wheel that is super light. I wonder how much weight could be saved by finding the lighest after-market option. Any thoughts? |