F360 Spider owners: Plexi center, safer view without the net

Hi guys, I do not know about you but the net on the central piece was very annoying to me. I removed it and i get 2 holes with tubulance in the cockpit (Pic 01)! So? i decided to replace it with Plexiglass, so i removed the net by pulling out the rubber border from the aluminum frame, then cut a plexiglass piece of the same size (Pic 02). I removed the plexi protection sheets, protected the border with blue tape, and glued it to the back to the alu frame using silicon (Pic 03). Then, from Michaels (or hobby lobby) a rubber sheet with sticky back, cutting a thin 4mm border to hide the plexi sides. At the bottom, a wider stripe 20mm was used in double to create a water seal similar to the net one. The end product is shown in (Pic 04). And the result is shown in (Pic 05)... I love it... I can easily and SAFELY back up, I can see who is behind my back (specially if it is an unmarked cop vehicle)... looks sleek , what do u think? did anybody do that before? is there a factory glass piece?...
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Hi,

Interesting project - Thanks for posting. BTW, mine also "lives" in the bag with the seat covers - I removed it long ago.... Question:

Doesn't it generate more wind noise than the two little holes? [It's quite a "paddle" up there after all - Probably steals 2-3mph from top speed ]

Also, I'm hoping you used "lexan" (TM somebody!) - It won't shatter should anything hit it.....

Again, thanks for sharing,
Cheers,
Ian

 

hmmm.... testing was done all the way to 140mph... vibration + the silicon gave up! i will use tomorrow a better glue + invent something... I might end up packing it with the seat covers
will kjeep u posted.. cheers

 

Cool beans! Now you can easily see the rollers on the cop cars behind you!

 

BRAVE project!

Seen one on new Scuderia Spider w/o frame at:

http://www.ferrariworld.com/events/ss16m/index.html?language=it

 

The 430 spider has a plexiglass clear centre wind deflector. Would have thought it would fit the 360 though I've not looked too closely at the mounting points on my car.

 

Here's a pic of mine.
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Thanks... Great link for a great bullet... probably my next car next year ! The silicon glue was not a good idea so i am replacing it with a glue gun... to be continued ...

 

Interesting idea and creative skills. However, I am wondering doesn't it affect the air flow drag when travelling at high speeds? It reminds me of the effects of aircraft air brakes used on jets. I believe that is why Ferrari and others like Porsche, Benz, etc. used mesh screen to allow minimum air flow rather than completely block it to reduce drag and also decrease fuel econ inefficiency.

 

hi guys... the solution was : 1- to use super glue instead of silicon. in case needed, future re-installation of the original net may require more work to clean and repaint the alu frame. 2- use electric tape at the top of the 2 inserts so the plexi would not rattle (except above 120mph ). It is worth it ! I love the results... i can see!.
One new problem erupts though, the glare in the rear view mirror when the sun is at a certain angle... solution to be cont'd !

 

what u said is true if u are always cruising at high speeds. I notice abnormal behavior beyond 120mph. Remember drag is proportional to Velocity squared. So the faster you go the more u need to reduce drag and consume fuel to overcome air resistance. Since we occasionally go beyond 120mph, both factors become minimal. To me, seeing through the central portion with my rear view mirror or when in reverse, was a much more important and safety factor. So i either had to remove the central piece or modify it. Regarding, bloccage of air flow, remember that the 2 large nets behind the seats are still there, so only the central piece is blocked. Air drag would be barely affected as the air, when blocked would go to the easy flow (side nets) if it needs to. Regarding fuel efficiency... hmmm... i think none of us think of that when buying a Ferrari cheers

 

The one in the 2008 F430 Spider Plexiglass doesn't really add anything except vibration when looking through the rear view mirror, most people have simply removed theirs for daily use

 

Well ultimately u may be right... Since the 360 spider is attractive for its beauty too, i found it sexier with the central frame, that is why i tried to keep it. It is so pretty now with the frame and the plexi! see the pics...Removing it is always an option too... later when i need a change! cheers
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Very creative... Thank you for sharing!!

 

has anyone ever even TRIED the plexiglass insert from the 430 in the 360?

 

Every single time i drive my Ferrari , I thank God i did this project... You cannot believe the level of comfort and safety i gained. Not a single problem with the plexiglass. When i look at similar cars with the net still there , it reminds me of how miserable i was trying to look in the rear view mirror + if the top is up, heyheyhey forget the rear view mirror.
I highly recommend this to anyone with a 360 spider!
Cheers everyone

 

Hi

How do you remove the wind deflector?
Mine seems solid and I dont want to break it
Is it just pushed in , or is it fixed in somehow?
Will consider mod if I can get it out

Regards
Steve

 

I had some of these produced, frameless. They are a big improvement, but not perfect. I still have a few.

 

It is amazing what a difference this makes in rear view comfort. I have one that 348 Turbo made and it works pretty well. Don't know if F430 windstop will fit, and on Ricambi America you need to call for a price/availability quote (item 37). http://www.ricambiamerica.com/parts_catalogs.php?M=FE&P=&V=diag&I=114267

 

How do you even get to the bolts that hold it in and the LH and RH lateral windstops....?
Anyone have any instructions to get to them?

 

I've got one fitted to my 360, it fits perfect.

 

How were you able to fasten it? From the parts diagram, it looks like the pins are short and there is some kind of fastener underneath.

 

It's a straight swop, it just fits in place of the normal mesh deflector, no additional fasteners are required.
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Nice! Thanks.

 

How much did the 430 part cost you?