Pap's going for a drive

No probs Ian.

Yes the car uses Hill Engineering (UK) spacers designed specifically to run these wheels on the testa. Centre spigot pics up the wheel so no additional load on the studs. Spacer has the same centre spigot as the hub to carry the wheel properly. Studs are genuing factory items of additional length. 12.2mm on the front and 22mm on the rear.

http://www.hillengineering.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=14&osCsid=0250ecd1b5ee913acb5f849170104c08 gives the required info on the Hill Engineering product.

I've had them on the car for 10 000 kms now including two 2 day track meets with no issues at all. I have kept a close eye on the studs for stretching etc and have found no indication at all that there is excessive load on the longer studs. I always torque the studs which also makes it a simple task to keep a vigilant eye on things, but so far none have come loose at all.

The studs are factory 355 on the front, and not sure what the rears are from as I purchased the entire kit from Hill Engineering.

I've seen a couple of Jap kits that don't come close to the UK quality. I've also seen a kit where short studs were captive in the spacer and then new studs bolted into the spacer. This keeps bolt length shorter but I would always prefer to bolt into the Ferrari hub than an aftermarket spacer.

 

What's that blue bucket?

 

A bucket-o-bolts to be exact mate!

 

i would have said a bucket of crap, but pap's too polite, as always.

 

Wow, quite a business they have, must be a lot of 348/355's running around with spacers fitted. I'd still be a bit nervous about the insurance situation, spacers are technically an illegal modification, no matter how well engineered. I agree that the 512TR wheels give the car a big lift though.

Does the 512TR have longer control arms to locate the uprights further out or is the chassis wider?

 

Bang on Ian. I used to run 12mm spacers in my GTS Coupe in order to get 4 degrees of neg chamber. I was told while on the road it wouldn't get insurance. Fortunately when I did prang it they didn't pick it up.

 

careful discussing that kinda thing on the net...never know when big brothers watching :/

 

How did that make a difference to the camber?

And why did you want -4deg?

 

Happened years ago. Had R spec tyres on etc. They did a full investigation as they thought I had pranged it on the circuit then driven it to a remote road. Fortunately for me it just happened that one of the head guys within the insurance company was at Winton at the time. I didn't know he was an insurance guy at the time. I had diner with him after the race day. Best witness ever.

 

With the modified suspension (yes insurance company knew) not enough clearance.

Why the chamber, to help with cornering speeds. I use to do track days. Found 3-4 degrees was best.

 

My car is engineered with the 18" wheels and kit. When it came into the country and had to pass ADR's the wheels and spacers were inspected and written into the engineer's report with Insurance in mind, so all is good.

 

Roll bars too small
Springs too soft
Or both.

 

Everything was changed jm. Bushes, roll bars, shocks (fully adjustable for bump and rebound), springs the list goes on. 7.5 litre baffled sump, oil to water heat exchanger...........

 

forgot the K frame as well

 

holey ****, you have a head like a skinned cats arse.

Ivan Milcat get to you?

 

Pretty in pink, hey?

 

not pink....embarrassment pale is more apt!

 

Hmmmmmmmm.......................4 deg is still a shirtload.

I assume you used a pyro?

 

To measure tyre temp? or am I missing your point?

4 degrees is actually quite normal. My car was pretty much set up like the HSV's for the GT Championship. Hence modifying the K Frame as well.

I got to the point where I was throwing thousands of dollars for fractions of a second. At that point I gave up as at the end of the day I was only doing sprints.

Thats why I was originaly going to race my 308 as you my have seen in postings in the 308 section. I was told my car is in good nick and therefore should keep it as a street car.

I have decided to do that and am currently deciding what type of car racing I will get into.

Big reply sorry jm.

 

Sorry Brett, my mistake. When you said GTS I automatically thought 308GTS (it is F-Chat, after all ).
It wasn't until you mentioned K frame that I twigged.

Wouldn't have any idea on settings for taxis, so ignore previous comments.

Yes, Pyro for tyre temps - never leave home without it

 

hahaha...that's funny.

 

No probs jm. I think the 308's you only run about 1-1.5 degrees. I'll be setting mine up for track days when I get it back. Can't wait.

Trust me it was no taxi by the way

 

when's that going to be btw?

i remember the dino owner telling me "6 more weeks" for the last two years.

 

Agreed, taxi operators in Germany would refuse to drive a car with trailing arm rear suspension, that was obsoleted by Opel in 1990 but still happily dished up to Australian consumers until 2006.

 

harsh but fair!

Ian dont forget they DID update it with VX (?) with the "control blade" revision

read - an extra link that deformed the bushings to give a less ridiculous rear camber