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Selectible steering ECUs

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by ferraridriver, May 14, 2012.

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  1. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

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    #1 ferraridriver, May 14, 2012
    Several months ago I bought a FHP steering ECU for an obscene amount of money. I liked it straight away but maybe not all the time. I got to thinking about it and thought it would be cool to have both ECUs, stock and FHP available and be able to switch back and forth while driving.

    The sport switch seemed the obvious choice so I, with the help of Eric355, an electronics wizard in France, and cribbj, dove into it. It wasn't easy but we've finally figured it.

    The prototype cost were very high, lots of trial and error, so we decided to make up a total of ten units with the hope of recovering development costs. Four of these are gone and there are six left.

    You can use the stock setting for easy cruising or by togling the sport switch enjoy FHP steering for spirited driving, it's now your choice.

    The whole thing is plug and play except for one wire under the console which must be tapped and a diode pack inserted. Everything else fits in the fuse panel area.

    This will work in the 550, 575, 456M, and 456 and the price is half the cost of a FHP steering ECU.

    If you have any interest in one of the remaining six units please PM me for details
     
  2. Cribbj

    Cribbj Formula 3
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    #2 Cribbj, May 14, 2012
    Just to echo what Dave said about liking the FHP ECU, but not "all the time".

    Having had this setup in my car for a few weeks, I definitely prefer the switchable feature in lieu of FHP full time. FHP has its place, but it's a bit heavy for tooling around town. Going lock to lock multiple times, winding through a neighborhood at fairly low speed, you quickly realise that your 456/550/575 is not some nimble little Dino, but a 3500+ lb GT, so it's nice to be able to switch back to a higher level of power assist whenever you want. Wiring this into the SPORT switch was a brilliant idea that enables you to change on the fly.
     
  3. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 fatbillybob, May 14, 2012
    I have this new Steering ECU setup. It is extremely well made with easy install and no foot print making your car not stock looking. It is also convertable back to stock in about 5 minutes. but once you have it you are never going back to stock. There is nothing more cool than having your sprot switch have the added function of switching steering ecus. People better jump on this fast. When they are gone that's it. You will not be disappointed.
     
  4. joakim_adolfson

    joakim_adolfson Karting

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    #4 joakim_adolfson, May 15, 2012
    I though the 456 used an older system which isn't compatible with the FHP box or am I wrong?
     
  5. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

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    #5 ferraridriver, May 15, 2012
    I believe this will work on cars from assembly number 19290, it may work on earlier cars as long as the steering ECU is a ZF Servotronic with the part numbers 7038 900 XXX
     
  6. joakim_adolfson

    joakim_adolfson Karting

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    #6 joakim_adolfson, May 16, 2012
    I gather from Motronic 5.2 then (basically from the US version/GTA).

    Do you have a picture/product description or similar?
     
  7. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

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    #7 ferraridriver, May 16, 2012
    Yes, If you send me your email address I will send you a MS Word doc. of the installation instructions with pictures. I can't attach in PMs and its too long to post here.
     
  8. echo220

    echo220 Karting

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    #8 echo220, May 27, 2012
    I'm interested. Can you PM me the word doc to consider. Thanks
     
  9. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

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    #9 ferraridriver, May 27, 2012
    I can't attach to PMs, if you PM me your email address I will send it to you in MS Word and PDF
     
  10. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
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    #10 fastradio, May 27, 2012
    Me too...and could you please include membership info for the Maranello Skunk Works?
     
  11. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

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    #11 ferraridriver, May 27, 2012
    As I have pointed out in several posts PMs do not allow attaching and the doc. is too long to post. I need email addresses to send info. If you PM me your email address I'll send the info.
     
  12. drake123

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    #12 drake123, May 27, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  13. 308 GTB

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    #13 308 GTB, May 27, 2012
    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEdBndu0YUM[/ame]




    :D
     
  14. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

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    #14 ferraridriver, May 29, 2012
    Just in case there is some confusion about what this kit includes, it includes everything, You get a harness with sockets, relays and an FHP clone ECU already mounted, all the necessary terminals and a 19 page instruction document with pictures. All you have to do is plug it in and insert your original ECU in the socket on the harness. One wire to tap into under the console and all the rest is plug and play.

    The cost is still less than half the cost of a FHP ECU alone.
     
  15. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 fatbillybob, May 29, 2012
    Guys, when these are gone they are gone never to be produced again. If you even think you want one you should buy it now. Even if you want an FHP ECU 100% of the time in the stock location you can do that for 1/2 the cost plus you get the relay bus thrown in as a bonus. You just can't go wrong. Only 10 550's will have this modification. I'm using this relay bus in my 550 and it is perfect and better than Ferrari could have produced OEM. When you see the quality that Ferraridriver has put into this product you will be impressed.
     
  16. ddnguyen

    ddnguyen Karting

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    #16 ddnguyen, Jan 21, 2013
    I just had this installed this weekend and all I can say is that you can have your cake and eat it too! I didn't realize how overboosted the regular steering is until you flip it to the FHP setting.

    The fact that you can flip it back to standard at will for half the price, it looks 100% stock, and you can remove the installation in about 10 minutes is great.

    Like FBB said, RUN do not walk. I am so glad I was able to get one of these before Dave ran out of them. Something cool about having one of only 10 cars with this mod.

    I now have the following Skunkworks mods on my 2001 550:

    - Switchable FHP ECU
    - upgraded rear shock mounts
    - sunvisor fix (in progress since UPS damaged the package)

    Dave has also been nothing but helpful and gracious in helping me deal with UPS for my sunvisor that was damaged during shipping.

    Thanks again Dave and Skunkworks team for the great product.
     
  17. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

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    #17 ferraridriver, Jan 21, 2013
    Duane, Thanks for the kind words :)

    To clarify a post of mine above, this will not work in a 456 but it will work in a 456M. I installed one in a 456M last month.

    There are only two units left then they're gone forever.
     
  18. 308 GTB

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    #18 308 GTB, Jan 21, 2013
    Now there is only one left.

    Thank you, Dave.

    Barry
     
  19. 308 GTB

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    #19 308 GTB, Jan 21, 2013
    And thank you too, John.

    Barry
     
  20. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
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    #20 fastradio, Jan 21, 2013
    PM sent...
     
  21. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

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    #21 ferraridriver, Jan 21, 2013
    They're all gone now,

    Thanks guys.
     
  22. 308 GTB

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    #22 308 GTB, Jan 21, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    David,

    It looks like you and I are in for a treat!

    I don't track my 550 anymore now that I have the F355 Challenge. But just the other day, I drove both back-to-back and thought how nice it would be if I had the same steering feel in the 550 that I have in the F355CH. I already know how the Challenge car's steering feels on the road. Now I'll have a similar effect in the 550.

    Barry
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  23. 308 GTB

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    #23 308 GTB, Jan 21, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  24. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

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    #24 ferraridriver, Jan 21, 2013
    And they're all bigger than you! ;)
     
  25. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
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    #25 fastradio, Jan 21, 2013
    Absolutely! I considered this mod months ago and never go around to getting back to Dave. But, if there was a complaint that I could possibly have with the 550, it would be that the steering is just a tad to light for my taste. So, I am very much looking forward to this mod. By the time Spring actually gets here, she'll have her major service completed and all the rubber junk in the fuel tank replaced! Yippee...as they say.
     
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