HGTE: a must have! | FerrariChat
Buy

HGTE: a must have!

Discussion in '612/599' started by Ferrari 360 CS, Jan 2, 2010.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Ferrari 360 CS

    Ferrari 360 CS F1 Veteran

    Dec 4, 2004
    6,890
    Cape Town,SA
    Full Name:
    Jacques
    #1 Ferrari 360 CS, Jan 2, 2010
    Went for a spin in a 599 today fitted with the HGTE pack and having spent quite a bit of time in 599's even I was astonished at the difference this pack makes to what is already an exceptional car.

    First thing, the ride, yes its firmer than the standard car but by no means is it uncomfortable. Within 100 meters one is aware of the firmer body control, through corners there is next to no lean and whereis I sometimes felt the rear damping of the 599 was a bit soft the HGTE sorts this out and around a tight and twist road its simply astonishing, a car the size of the 599 shouldnt be as nimble as this but with the HGTE pack it feels more "racey" than a standard 430. There seems to be endless grip and the faster gearbox comes into its own, and yes the 15ms diff between standard and HGTE is noticeable, down changes are also smoother.

    Sound, the car had a Tubi on but it was decided to fit the whole HGTE pack and thus the exhaust, I have to say the sound is great, very nice and growly low down a nice scream at the top of the rev range.

    All in all I am tremendously impressed with the HGTE pack and feel if one wants the ultimate 599 this kit is a must have, it transforms an awesome car into a stupendous one!
     
  2. papataori

    papataori Karting

    Oct 24, 2007
    181
    Nashville, TN
    Full Name:
    Will
    #2 papataori, Jan 4, 2010
    Thanks for posting, Jacques. I enjoyed reading your take on the HGTE pack.
     
  3. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,195
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    #3 tazandjan, Jan 4, 2010
    Jacques- I think you have just about convinced me that if I can ever afford to get a 599, it has to be a 2008 or later so I can fit the HGTE kit. Or better, find one with it already fitted.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  4. 575Mike

    575Mike Formula 3

    Mar 11, 2004
    1,706
    Midwest
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #4 575Mike, Jan 4, 2010
    Here are pictures of one taken from my cell phone. Car is stunning!
     
  5. 575Mike

    575Mike Formula 3

    Mar 11, 2004
    1,706
    Midwest
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #5 575Mike, Jan 4, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. toparkt

    toparkt Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 20, 2006
    748
    orange county
    Full Name:
    Andrew Goetz
    #6 toparkt, Jan 4, 2010
    Is there a cost / retail amount for this upgrade ?
    (Assuming the car has ceramic brakes)
    I am currently shopping for a 08 - or newer 599
     
  7. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,195
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    #7 tazandjan, Jan 4, 2010
  8. Cariad

    Cariad Formula Junior

    Jan 1, 2006
    445
    Any F1 Circuit
    #8 Cariad, Jan 4, 2010

    $23,500 for the retrofit. Excludes interior ex factory
     
  9. Ferrarista3

    Ferrarista3 F1 Rookie

    Oct 30, 2007
    4,595
    MC/UK
    Full Name:
    Carlo
    #9 Ferrarista3, Jan 5, 2010
    Do you have any info on why earlier cars can't be fully upgraded?

    From what I understand, pre-2008 cars can be fully upgraded EXCEPT for the gearbox. Why is this?
     
  10. Hawkeye

    Hawkeye F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 20, 2009
    8,193
    #10 Hawkeye, Jan 5, 2010
    Could it be software and computer related? Thought my mechanic at the Ferrari dealer had mentioned that a 2008 gearbox was required do to something along this line.
     
  11. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,195
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    #11 tazandjan, Jan 5, 2010
    Carlo- Supposedly, the 2008 599 had some changes to improve its carbon footprint and fuel economy without compromising performance. Parts of the complete upgrade kit are only compatible with the ECUs from 2008 and later, although some parts are compatible with the 2007s as well. The complete upgrade kit is only compatible with F1 599s, too, based on Boardwalk's thread.

    I believe there are threads here covering what parts of the kit can be used based on the Assembly No. or Serial Number (last 6 of VIN) of your car. I have not done much research on it because the 599 is so far out of my reach right now.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  12. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,195
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    #12 tazandjan, Jan 5, 2010
    Carlo, Chad- Looked a little more and it appears the performance kits can be retrofitted to Serial Number 156938 and later 599s. Other parts of the kits appear to be compatible with earlier 599s.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  13. Ferrari 360 CS

    Ferrari 360 CS F1 Veteran

    Dec 4, 2004
    6,890
    Cape Town,SA
    Full Name:
    Jacques
    #13 Ferrari 360 CS, Jan 7, 2010
    This car is a late 2007 model and as far as I know all the upgrades have been effected including the quicker gearchange software.

    Took the car on a 200 km round trip yesterday, the other cars were a Scud and a California and the route was a mixture of highway(acceleration comparisons between the 8s and the 12) and mountain passes.

    Around the pass is the 599 is simple phenomenal, it grips and grips and body roll is much reduced even when really flying around corners. We got held up at the bottom of the pass and still could catch the Scud before the end, yes the lighter car has advantages but the power of 12 cylinders really makes its presence felt on anything resembling a straight....and the sound well, its safe to say the mountains were alive with Italian music....Stability under braking is much improved and the great thing is the front suspension is full adjustable, on this car there is a possiblity of going a bit lower at the front.

    On the way back we tried the Cali and thats another story but perhaps the HGTE kit is best summed up by our local importer who was with us "The 599 with the HGTE kit feels much like a Scud over this type of road".

    Will upload a video at some stage.
     
  14. Ferrarista3

    Ferrarista3 F1 Rookie

    Oct 30, 2007
    4,595
    MC/UK
    Full Name:
    Carlo
    #14 Ferrarista3, Jan 7, 2010
    Jacques, how did you like the HGTE exhaust (which is actually specially produced by Tubi for Ferrari) compared to the old Tubi system?
     
  15. Ferrari 360 CS

    Ferrari 360 CS F1 Veteran

    Dec 4, 2004
    6,890
    Cape Town,SA
    Full Name:
    Jacques
    #15 Ferrari 360 CS, Jan 7, 2010
    Its much quieter and less in your face at low speeds where at say 2500rpm the Tubi was had a very loud resonance. Overall I think the HGTE exahust is quite tuneful, much more bass than either the standard or the Tubi exhaust, will post up a vid of a drive with the windows closed to give an idea.

    Cruising the HGTE us definately quieter whereis the Tubi was always there with you but could on longer trips perhaps be too loud.

    Which do I prefer....not sure yet to be honest!
     
  16. ILLUFA

    ILLUFA Karting

    Jul 27, 2006
    114
    Indonesia
    Full Name:
    H
    #16 ILLUFA, Jan 10, 2010
    Hi Taz,

    Are you sure that only '08 and above can be fitted with the HGTE kit? How much is the kit by the way?

    As always, thanks a lot.

    Cheers.
     
  17. baron

    baron Karting

    Nov 2, 2003
    92
    #17 baron, Jan 10, 2010
    I feel that the 599 with HGTE has tighter handling with a little less body roll. I don't feel that transmission or revised engine mapping to be much different. I was hoping that the HGTE exhaust would be much louder, but that is not the case. It is probably no more than 10-20% louder than stock at the most, which is too subdued for me. I do like the HGTE wheels compared to the pentagram though
     
  18. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #18 PAP 348, Jan 11, 2010
    Thanks for sharing guys! :D:D

    It sounds like the 599 HGTE is the "one" to get! ;);)
     
  19. shane905

    shane905 Rookie

    Jan 27, 2009
    16
    #19 shane905, Jan 19, 2010
    Are the new HGTE tyres run-flats?
     
  20. Hawkeye

    Hawkeye F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 20, 2009
    8,193
    #20 Hawkeye, Jan 19, 2010
    If memory serves, I had originally ticked the box for Bridgestone Run Flats but was notified that this system was NOT available on HGTE rims and had to choose between Pirelli or Goodyear.
     

Share This Page