My New '92 512TR! Pics + Questions...

Apologies for having taken so long in posting some pics of my new '93 512TR as promised (sorry I messed-up the year on the thread's title). Gosh, do I L*O*V*E this car!!! 12 Cylinder Ferraris are for sure a world apart. I've taken some pics today during lunch... sorry... car is dirty but I have been having so much fun driving it and learning the way it handles I have had no time for a proper detail or clean-up.

She has 15K miles, with the 30K service already done. Handles so amazingly well no words here can describe what this car delivers. Looks new in & out, feels fresh from the factory every second I am behind the wheel! This is both the monster and the beast together in one

I have a few minor things inside the cockpit that need fixing, and one mechanical issue I would like to collect some input on. As far as the cockpit goes, there a couple burnt bulbs on the main instrument cluster and the clock is dead on the smaller center console. I'd like to be able to replace the mini-bulbs and check-out what's up with the clock. The issue is I have positively no clue on how to remove the clusters... I see no screws anywhere that could hint on their removal from the dash. Also, I purchased a new slick shift gate but the screws to remove the old one are partially covered by the main plastic cover, that I also don't know how to get out. Any hints on how to get these parts out?

Now on the mechanical side of things. Basically, getting the the car started is a nightmare! A full cold start in morning can take up to 15 or 20 tried till the battery is about dead and the starter is about to melt down. But once the engine starts, it works like clockwork. A warm start will take a good 2 or 3 attempts. Either way, once the engine starts, it runs like clockwork (I detect a very minor miss once in a while on idle, that could hint maybe sparkplugs or a wiring issue but it so negligible that I think I am just being choosy).

I left her at San Diego Ferrari/Maserati for a full diagnostics on the start-up problem, and after 5 days I got a (a bill, of course) and a "there's nothing wrong with it"!... well then... let me go burn the starter!...

Any ideas on what I should look for? I'm a total newbie on the 512TRs and don't have the first clue on where to start troubleshooting this. The engine is flawless when running (I've put just over 1200 miles on) and the performance is simply fantastic!!! I have a tubi on it and the music is... well, just that... music

Thanks for any advice and input guys. Its difficult to try and describe a car that feels so perfect, timeless and unique. I positively love this machine. This thing rocks beyond my dreams!
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Simply beautiful machine!

 

Thanks GDThree

 

Wonderfull, drive it in good health!

 

Thanks racerx3317! Took me 14 years to be able to finally afford one, but worth every minute of the wait

 

for sure 512 TR rules ;-)
I just have mine since last sunday...
Could you please post some pictures of your interior ?

 

Beautiful TR!! Congrats.
Nice detail shots. I love those.
The shields look good on a 'rossa... the area framed by the door seam, the beginning of the side-strakes and the front wheel makes for a good spot.
Good goin'

Boy, that car is wiiiiide. Every time i see one the width always is visually striking.

Congrats again...

GT

 

I love the 512 TR...it's my favourite model of the Testarossa !
Congratulations...but personally i don't think it's normal that a cold start requires 15-20 takes.

Do you have intention of change the battery or the starter?

 

your engine cover was also painted to match the body color, like those of F512 M...

Shields looks great...

My 512 TR starts without any problem in 1 or 2 second at first try cold or hot...what's your serial number ?

Mine is from march 93, It's a euro version with ABS and her number is #96432.

 

If your starter cranks for every take, then it is not starter problem. Check the ignition coil first. If ignition coil has electrity during first crank, then go on to replace the fuel filter and fuel pump.
You have a shiny new Tubi muffler! Do you like the sound?
Mine is RED 94 RHD, w/ABS #98494

 

The Tubi is fantastic. Incredible tones throughout the engine's RPM span. I cannot imagine this car without it! Thanks for the tips. I will check the coil and fuel pump first, but, if they are faulty why would it take several cracks before they get going on start-up only and then work well once the engine is running? I'd think a faulty coil and/or fuel pump would also eventually show signs during normal engine operation. As for the fuel filter, I'll check it also. The only time I had a fuel filter replaced though the sign was the opposite... the car would start-up normally but choke if pushed hard or revved at higher speeds starved by the restricted flow of fuel...

I like the Challenge wheels on your F355 I've been trying to find a set for my TR but they are almost impossible to find.

 

Congrats on your purchase!!! It is a good looking 512TR with the matching hood/paint instead of the traditional black.

As far as the clock, I think if you get underneath, you'll see there is hole - and through the hole recess, there is a nut that is holding up the instruments(clock, fuel, oil temp) up. It's only accessible by a deep socket(9mm?).

On the main instrument panel(Tach, and speedometer), I think that requires a whole dash removal - obviously something you don't want to try just for a few bulbs.

I would just get the starting problem fixed and enjoy the car, and work on the other issues later.

Good luck.

 

Like the painted hood.

Noticed there wasn't a model "512tr" identified on the rear valance.

 

Love the car !! Enjoy her in good health !!

 

Several cranks might be due to the fuel inside the fuel line has been looped back into the tank. Normal car has the fuel line still full of fuel after the engine is shut off, which makes the engine starts right away as starter turns/injector sprays fuel onto the cylinders.

A looped back or empty fuel line might take 5-10seconds or few long cranks to fill up the fuel line and gets the first squash of fuel into the cylinders. You might also want to have a qualified mechnic to check fuel line for leakage before ordering a fuel pump.

My 512tr is currently at ferrari dealer installing a new Tubi exhaust. I will post some my pictures after I get my car back on Friday.

Yes, the Challenge rims are no longer available. Sometimes you can find them used on ebay.

 

Beautiful Car!!! I have always love the 512's. Been in a V8 Ferrari and V12. Very different cars. I love the V12's better since been in those longer than V8's...

Congrats! Enjoy her!!

 

Yes, the Red Hood was an eye catcher for me when I found this car. I looked for over a year till I found this car. As for the the 512TR Emblem (which is made of metal), it was rusting on one end and (after a lot of work as the 14 year-old double adhesive was very sticky) I took it out to replace it with a new one. Now that I see the car without the it, I actually think I like it better... cleaner look. It still has the Testarossa emblem on top (which is made of plastic instead of metal I think and looks very faded as well).

Thanks Big red!

Thanks for the tips. It actually makes sense. That could explain why the longer the car sits, the longer it takes to re-start. Are you saying basically that the fuel pump (I think there are two) have some sort of a valve that prevent the gas in the line not to be looped back when the car is not running and that they can get faulty on that while still pumping the gas normally during operation? You'll love the sound of the Tubi... it makes it a totally different car. Pictures please when you get it back!!! As for the wheels, I actually found a Japanese company that makes perfect replicas of them, but, they need 25 orders at a time for each manufacturing batch, so... I am waiting for the queue to fill up if I don't find a used set somewhere else.

Thanks ferrarikid35. V12 Ferraris are indeed a different breed and the tone/feel/power delievery accross the RPM range of the 5 liter on the 512TR is simply phenomenal!

 

It could be a faulty item that lead to fuel being looped back into the tank or somewhere else when the fuel pump is not under pressure. Just a wild guess. I first said fuel pump because my 00' S500 had the same problem of cranking 2-3 times during morning start-up. Dirty color fuel poured out from my fuel filter during fuel filter removal. I had to replace my fuel pump because the fuel filter clod the system for extended time which lead to overloaded fuel pump. Replaced the fuel filter and fuel pump cured my problem.

Your fuel pump might still be ok. Change the fuel filter first since that is the normal replacement item.

 

Beautiful car. JC, is the 'testarossa' emblem on the engine cover original on the TR?

 

The car looks great. Good luck and enjoy it. Why does the car have the Testarossa name ?

 

Bought it like that. I have seen most 512TRs with the Testarossa on the hood (also on the engine's head of course).

 

I know there is a fire hazard on all the 308's regarding fuel lines simply breaking down, I think if I invested this much in a car, i'd replace all the fuel lines, too.

 

There is a recall for 512TR’s fuel lines, the details of which can be found here: http://199.79.180.162/prepos/files/Artemis/Public/Recalls/1994/V/RC-94V131-NN.PDF

Here are some relevant quotes from the recall documents:

“On vehicles with vehicle identification numbers between 86815 and 98741 the metal fuel supply line banjo fittings may fracture if the nut attaching the lines to the fuel filter is tightened in excess of the required torque. Should such a condition occur, the result would be leakage of the fuel from the fractured line.”

Parts- the new lines are identified with yellow zinc steel and by the following Part Numbers:

148843 right side
148844 left side

Note: the old lines are blue anodized aluminum.

 

Yeap, my chassis number is in the group and I do see blue anodized aluminum lines. I'll call the dealer tomorrow to chech if the recall was done or not. Thanks for the info!!!

 

Looks great! Excellent choice!! Congrats and enjoy!!!