308 with a 355 Motor

I guess it's true, nothing is impossible like the guy with the 12 cylinders project. Yesterday I stop by the Black Horse Fshop in Los Angeles and was surprise to see this, a 308 with the 355 motor and transaxle/transmission. I was talking to the technician who put this together and he said that the convertion was easy the only hard part is installing the twin turbo, but once that was sorted away he said the performance is superb in a way that it can keep up with the 360 Modenas without any problem. I know they need to do something about the wheels or the rear fender panel but that's yet to come.

What's everyone's thought about this?
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Cool, but then I often like these "wolf in sheep's clothing" kind of affairs.

I'm guessing that the turbos will melt out the tail lights.

 

I'm sure they'll think of something

 

i would think a 308 with a 355 engine should be able to keep up with the 360 no problem without turbos. adding turbos should put it into supercar performance, blowing doors off a 360.

 

That's ExcelsiorZ's car..he posts here all the time...

 

There are a lot of ratty 308s available. Why spend to restore when you can "upgrade" for a lot less. I'm sure there will be plenty of unused parts to sell (during and afterwards) which can help finance the project.

Personally, the turbos are a bit much for a 355 motored 308. Plus, in this case, you have the wheel/body mods to contend with. But, I think the engineering for this is awesome!

 

Where do you even find a used 355 motor? I've always wanted to build a *project* using a Ferrari engine.

 

The engine looks like it belongs in there. Love too see the details of how that 355 sub frame is fit in the 308 frame.

 

Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/maserati-ferrari-engine-and-gearbox-kitcar-kit-car_W0QQitemZ220417758944QQihZ012QQcategoryZ122136QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ferrari-355-Engine_W0QQitemZ120419858659QQihZ002QQcategoryZ161425QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ferrari-360-engine-display-or-repair-348-355-430-328-NR_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33615QQihZ020QQitemZ300314702712QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

And here's a 355 right hear you in Madison, WI
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230212978147&rd=1

 

+100 without a doubt!

 

An email I received march 2006 from fchat member Tristam Buckley (some will know him...)

And

 

Wow! That's a 358 GTO with composite panels. I wonder what's the plan for front suspension/brakes and if it's a 6-speed. It could a good looking GTO re-body and with an engine to match. Please ask the guy to fit in Tubi with straight pipe or something, that car will scream!!! Personally, I would lengthen the wheel base a little bit more.

 

No shortage of dummies driving beyond their abilities. As long as the nose takes the hit, you've got your engine.

I agree w/ the sentiment that it's a bit of overkill. I'd wonder about traction issues w/ that much power. Also--I'd hope htey were beefing up the rest of the car to handle that power.

Regardless--sick project. Certainly is ambitious. I'll be curious to see the rear bodywork.

 

For ******* ' s sake why?

Frankenstein.

 

I agree. I never liked the look of the sideways engine in the 308. Seems too much like a front wheel drive set up mounted in the back. He needs to re-badge it to 308t (cinque valvole).

 

Because the 308 is a DOG in power compared to even a basic modern sports car? Maybe the guy will track the car and graduated from the 308/Miata club? Hey, i did thoough got real and used a Formula 2000 as my track SCCA race weapon

 

OK where the hell do you put the golf clubs??????????

 

It would be a lot easier to put in an all aluminum small block ford stroked to 347 with a bunch of go fast bits - same power with 1/3 the price and no turbo lag...

In any case, interesting project there. No doubt the concours wine-and-cheese crowd will sneer at it however.

 

That's an excellent point. He should have done this to a GT4, then the clubs could go in the back.

 

I think he would have to remove the back seat in that case, but at least you would get to hear more of the engine!!

Aaron

 

Passenger side

 

Because if people didn't try to improve and expand on another's design we would all be driving Ferraris' that looked and drove like the Trabant 601.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

The waiting list for a Trabant was much longer than for a Ferrari

 

Who cares what someone else thinks about your car?

I have been tossing the idea around in my head for some time now, just need to find a 308 GTB derelict enough to sacrifice it.

I don't think the turbo's are needed, and I certainly wouldn't have chosen a GTS for this conversion, but man, all that space in the back is screeming for exactly this.

 

I think its an awesome idea. You know we all have at least thought about how great it might be to have a 355 motor singing back there. I never imagined with turbos though! Bravo, i'm glad there are some interesting projects going on here.