About to pull the trigger on a '98 GTS, few Q's !

dont rush in
wait and get a top one

 

I am not sure the cost of the major service there, but here it is about $8000

I am sure you will get some 355 pro's shortly here telling you to see if the valves/headers and possibly cats have been fixed, as it is a problem on the 355 although I am not sure what year (which is why I said shortly someone here will chime in), I think it is at least $10,000 to fix this but again I am not 100% sure.

You SHOULD get a leakdown and compression test as well.

I will let others respond to the exhaust and other mods you asked about.

Good luck.

 

The best advice you can get is the name of a local 355 expert that can preform a PPI on the car for you.

That will answer all your questions.

Service history tells a tail too.

 

Congrats on finding a 6 spd GTS...they're rare.

As for 360 steering wheel....yes, they can be fitted. Cost? Sorry don't know.

360 Sport Seats can be fitted on a 355 as well. It's been done but most think they are too big/wide for 355's small interior anyways.

Do you know what is the production Month/Year on this car? There is LESS CHANCE of a valve guide issue if car is produced mid-98 or later. However, it's known that some '99 production cars also have suffered from those bronze valve guides. If car is going to need a engine-out major service anyway then valves can be done for not much more $$.

Check headers and cats to see if they've already been replaced. Better yet if they're aftermarket such as Fabspeed headers or Hyperflow cats.

Last but not least, are you sure you want Tubi's...? You might want to check out X-ost or Capristo for their famous F1 scream at 8500rpm .

Oh, one more thing...check to see if car has updated fuel line bracket? I know '99 cars have them but not sure about '98 cars. Or just keep a fire extinguisher on board ready.

Good Luck with purchase.

 

Kid-in-a-candy-store Syndrome. Wait for another one.

 

Good call Wax, that seems to be the case.

Clubber, don't be overcome by emotion, you need to be very careful when buying a Ferrari. Patience will pay off in the long run.

 

All good advice given above. The PPI is your best friend. Spend the money get get a complete one done including, at least, a compression test. Any issues, have a leak down performed. If your Tech has a borescope have him look down to the cylinders. If they put additives in the gas (e.g., ethanol. MBTE, etc.) in Turkey, have him pull the fuel filter and turn it upside down and bang it onto some paper towels - any black particulate matter comes out and you could have problems with degradation of the fuel pump rubber case/isolators which, in turn, can cause problems with the injectors. Listen to the headers with a stethoscope and check for black soot traces near the sampling bungs. A good PPI will save you $$$ in the long run.

360 Modena Challenge wheel with fit on F355 -cost $750.00 for wheel and $65.00 for the required Hill Engineering adapter (see Daniel at Ricambi).

Challenge Grill is approximately $1800.00 (see Daniel at Ricambi).

Ricambi Link for F355: http://www.ricambiamerica.com/parts_catalogs.php?M=FE&V=model&I=15

Tubi system approximately $2500.00, but I would go with Capristo.

Leave the seats alone. As previously stated, the F360 sport seats will not fit and aftermarket seats cheapen the interior of a Ferrari.

 

There's lots of points but start by looking at all the other 355 buying threads and at www.the355.com

There's a really good buyers checklist somewhere here too - found it in this thread http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91241

Valve guides in Europe seems to be less of a problem possibly due to different fuel characteristics

Many of the parts you will need can also be found in Europe/UK eg Eurospares or QV or even the official source https://www.ferrariparts.co.uk/Default.aspx