What's Best Year for 355 and Why???

Oh boy, here we go again.....

 

Id go the early 95 model.

Dont ask me why.

 

95 but Im partial

 

95 but Im partial

 

Easy..............95 spider.

 

First year of the F1----1998!!!!!!!!!

 

1997 Nero/ Nero Spider w/manual 6-speed and capristo...

 

Earlier models are said to have a bit more power (5?) with less stringent emissions controls. Late '98 and '99 can expect to have fewer 'issues' as things that were uncovered along the way were fixed / upgraded. Plus with the later years you can get an F1

 

What year? '95

Why? OBD1

 

+1

+1

+1

 

-$

-$

-$

LOL!!!!

 

MY99 6speeds GTB, last year and rare to find 6 speeds for that year!

 

A few of the *early* 1995 355's that were built in 1994 had dual fuel pumps (later 355's had just 1), neoprene head gaskets (thermo barriers), dual MAFs with dual air inlets, no air bags (less weight), and no power steering (less engine drag, less weight).

This is *not* to say that all 1995 355's were built like the above. But a few were.

...and they scream. Less to go wrong with them. Less weight. More power.

Consider, they had OBD1 computerized fuel injection, which means that they only had 1 O2 sensor on each side of the engine. This is less weight and less complexity. Plus, that particular ecu was Motronic version 2.7 which is easily tunable for more power via a chip swap.

Later 355's (with the exception of some Challenge versions) had Motronic 5.2 OBD2 systems (1 MAF, 4 O2 sensors) and the extra weight of power steering and air bags (and air bag collission sensors).

 

'87

 

There is no such thing as a neoprene head gasket/thermo barrier on a 355 and all US cars had air bags so there wouldn't be any savings of weight because all the cars have the same disadvantage and even so very negligible anyway. Power steering might way 15lbs. Not much of an advantage there either
Also 2 extra 02 sensors are not going to add weight, more than a few ounces at best so there wouldn't be any gain there either. The difference between OBD1 & 2 would hardly be noticeable on the street. All of the cars have the same possible problems, there is not really one better than the other, other than personal preference of colors F1 or coupe or soft top.

 

I agree maybe a 89 at the limit. Tone

 

No problems with my 95, more power from the dual air intakes, the 2.7 runs a little richer meaning cooler cylinder and head temps, probably why they have less valve issues

 

As long as you don't mind being passed by a mini van mom full of kids or some secretary in a Mustang

 

.

 

More people read this thread than just Americans, and there is no limit in the thread topic to just American versions of 355's.

Nor is the air bag weight and complexity "negligible."

You've got multiple air bag collision sensors, dual air bags, heavier steering wheel hub, a couple hundred yards of added electrical wiring, and an air bag ECU (which is easy to fry if you jump start a 355, by the way).

 

Nope. It isn't just the power steering rack (which weighs more) or just the power steering fluid (which weighs more) or the power steering reservoir (which weighs more) or the hydraulic lines (which weigh more) or the power steering pump (which weighs more) or the added power steering belt (which weighs more) but also the fact that the power steering pump is a 1.5 HP drag on the engine.

Less power. More weight.

 

Nope.

The OBD1 M2.7 has less wiring (translates to less weight), fewer sensors (no intake air temp sensor, half the O2 sensors, etc.), and fewer restrictions on adding power.

In contrast, the OBD2 M5.2 spends a great deal of processing time looking at pre-cat versus post-cat O2 sensors, and gives priority to better emissions. The secrets to tuning M5.2 are largely in the dark, too.

Certainly the single MAF on the M5.2 restricts power, as do the post-cat O2 sensor feedback loops.

 

+100.... ....You have made some great points there ND !!! Now who wants to buy my 1997 so I can get a 1995 !!