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Good Ferrari Technical Books?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Private_Joker, May 3, 2007.

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  1. Private_Joker

    Private_Joker Formula Junior

    May 2, 2007
    271
    718 and 978
    Full Name:
    Tom
    #1 Private_Joker, May 3, 2007
    I'm trying to learn as much as I can about Ferrari's in general, technical knowledge of how they work, the different types of suspensions in the different models, what sensors do what in which cars, how to service each, etc... As much technical/model-specific information as possible. Does anyone know of any good books including such information? I'd rather not buy a FSM for every Ferrari in history, so I was hoping to find some sort of technical encyclopedia dedicated to the cars. The only books I seem to find regarding ************ about the race history and model history, but nothing about working on them. Even if not books, does anyone know of any websites that would have such information? Thanks for any responses.


    -Tom
     
  2. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
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    The Bad Guy
    #2 ernie, May 4, 2007
    Hang out in the f-chat tech section. You won't find any "good" Ferrari technical books. As for a good website, your on it pal.
     
  3. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
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    Russ Turner
    #3 snj5, May 4, 2007
    Ernie's pretty much right - there are not many pure technical tomes.
    One book you may want to see that addresses hard core mechanical specs and inner workings is "Ferrari - Guide to Performance" by Allan S. Bishop available through Motorbooks. It DOES NOT address modern cars with electronic fuel injection, but for everything before it is a nice general guide.

    If you have some money, the definitive technical history to engines and chassis (as well as history) is the Ferrari Opera Omnia series by Automobilia.
     
  4. Private_Joker

    Private_Joker Formula Junior

    May 2, 2007
    271
    718 and 978
    Full Name:
    Tom
    #4 Private_Joker, May 4, 2007
    Thanks a lot for the replies, and yes, I'll be sure to stick around here. As for having money... Hehehe... let's go with no. No job, in school, can't even afford to insure my Z so that's garaged until further notice. Either way, I'll be sure to scrape up any of the books that I can manage, the suggestions are appreciated.
     
  5. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
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    Russ Turner
    #5 snj5, May 4, 2007
    How could I forget?
    The books you want to start with and are reasonably priced are Keith Bluemel's excellent comprehensive model reviews:
    "Original Ferrari V-8"
    and
    "Original Ferrari V-12"

    These may well be enough for what you want.

    www.motorbooks.com or at any Barnes and Nobles
     
  6. Private_Joker

    Private_Joker Formula Junior

    May 2, 2007
    271
    718 and 978
    Full Name:
    Tom
    #6 Private_Joker, May 4, 2007
    Awesome. Those 3 were actually ones I had considered, but didn't know if they were worth the read (original V8/12, and Ferrari guide to performance). Once I can swell up $250 and get myself in a financial situation so that I can put it towards things besides my credit card, I'm definitely going to buy Ferrari Opera Omnia, that seems to be exactly what I'm looking for.
     
  7. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ

    Jul 22, 2004
    32,215
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    Furman
    #7 furmano, May 4, 2007
    Though reading a website might not be as enjoyable as flipping through a book on the couch, ernie is 100% correct. Go to the Technical section below and start reading through some pages. The technical information passed around often is from people who have been working on Ferrari's for over 10-20 years.

    That said, Ferrari's generally aren't modified so you won't learn much about how to tune a stock car or improve it's performance. Ferrari has done that for you. But you will learn more about how they work in stock form by reading through the Technical and various Models sections than any book that I know of.

    -F
     
  8. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2001
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    Steve Magnusson
    #8 Steve Magnusson, May 4, 2007
    Unfortunately, the OMs and WSMs are about all there is available -- As a new FML subscriber, I naively wrote a letter to Gerald Roush in the late 80s/early 90s asking for more "technical" content, and he indicated that he'd be glad to include more, but that it just doesn't exist. The good news is that the OMs contain a lot of technical information (not just "how to operate" stuff). Go to Steve J.'s site and download/read the 328 OM and the 308GT4 WSM for a flavor:

    http://ferrari.jenkins.org/books/

    The only other F "technical" book that I've come across is:

    GB progetti N. 10 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1992
    (chronicles of a project: FROM THE FERRARI TESTAROSSA TO THE 512 T.R.)
     
  9. Private_Joker

    Private_Joker Formula Junior

    May 2, 2007
    271
    718 and 978
    Full Name:
    Tom
    #9 Private_Joker, May 4, 2007
    I'm aware, and that's what I love about the cars. I've always held the firm belief that Ferrari had discovered the perfect mixture of precision and passion, but, being in school for Automotive Tech, I'd love to be able to work on them in the field. Anything to get me a head start is what I'm looking for, so I don't go in there knowing nothing but domestics (in the US) and Japanese imports, as that's all I've really worked on because they're all I can afford. Ferrari is a completely different animal, until recently I didn't even know what a dry sump oil system was(they never expect you to deal with that when working in the field). All of this help has been greatly appreciated, and I'll be sure to look through those manuals and buy as many of the texts as I can afford. Thanks again.
     

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