Has anyone installed Skid Plates?

Hi, my new 458 is arriving next week and do need to install Skid Plates -so far I have only been able to locate the "bolts" from Fabspeed, has anyone else installed skid plates and where did you buy them? Thank you.

 

i have local dealer install it for me .....

 

+1. They are a must IMHO. Dealer installed mine upon delivery.

 

If you are referring to the front skid plates, my local dealer installed it for me. It's a really clean invisible look with a high strength composite front that will resist most skids. Most importantly it will protect the front.

 

Warning!! I had skid plates on my 430 and 360, they were great. I thought I would need them and before my car came, made arrangements to have the Fabspeed bolts installed. Once the car was on the lift, it became clear this is not a solution, Why? Where the bolts attach is "weaker" than the bolts themselves and if the bolt(s)catch it will rip out the undercarriage. There are more expensive "flat" skid pads which cost more but avoid any potential problem.

However, my 458 has been left a stock height without a problem and especially with the lift (which I purchased) can get up steep driveways.
Best

 

I saw those and wondered about them but decided to get the flat ones instead. No issues and I don't think I've ever hit the skid plates yet.

 

Not unless you lower it

 

I have the lift also on my 458 Italia and also ordered it on my Spider. I have a steep driveway approach and have had zero issues.

 

I put skid plates on my F430 and they did help. I never put them on the 458 and never had a problem.

 

I have skids on my wife's F430 and on rare occasions they do make contact. The 458 doesn't have them and I have not had a problem.

 

Have you tried Premier Motorsports in Culver City? I know they used to do them for F430.

 

i was planning to order my 458 with the "lift option".
after testing a 458 on my driveway, i was surprised to find the front end seemed to bottom out less than my 430.
i no longer plan to get the front end lift option on my new vehicle.

 

Thank you all for the feedback and conclusion is that nobody has yet made skid plates for the 458 as what Hill and others did for 430 and 360, and it also sounds like there is less of a need for undercarriage protection on the 458.

Now just need to sit back and be patient until it arrives in a few weeks.

Thank you, y'all.

 

That's not what the posters on this thread is saying. Simply avoid the "stud" style as they do not offer much protection. Instead go for the full front skid plate that most F dealers offer. It will be the plate made by Premier. They sell them to most F dealers. I have that plate and I don't recall it costing more than about $700 supplied and installed.
That is what most people in this thread are talking about.
If you don't do it you risk damaging a very expensive front bumper, quite easily.

http://premiermotorsport.us

 

+1...I have and highly recommend the front skid plates on the 458.

 

I installed the pucks from fab speed, four across the front and four at the back located at the base of the diffuser. they are titanium and come w hardware. VERY easy install and dont require any cutting or drilling unlike the skid plates. my car is also lowered and even lowered the car still has plenty of clearance.

 

If you have lift no worry if not, for under or close to $1,000 put Premier on and don't worry again. Best

 

Thank You for the introduction to Premier Sports as they seem to be the only party making the skid plate, which I have now purchased and will install. It is different than skid plates for 360 or 430, as this one is 1 long piece only.

Thank you for recommending.

 

I installed the titanium pucks from Fabspeed, my car is very low and they have come in handy a few times when pulling out of a friends driveway!

 

Sorry for refreshing this thread!

I lowered my 458 Italia with Novitec springs and since that I am touching the road sometimes, especially with high speed on the highway when there is a bump.

I found the Fabspeed pucks and I found the homepage from Premier.

Do the Fabspeed pucks really help against my problem?

Where can I find a picture or drawing of the Premier-product? The homepage doesn't show anything.

Thanks for your help in advance!

Regards - Webber45

 

I had a set made by Thomas at Ferrari of Atlanta. The fit and finish is fantastic. While the 458 hits much less than my CS, it has saved me more than once. Well worth the cost.

 

Dealer tells me ground clearance on 458 is 6.5". My 360 is 4.8" and very rarely scrapes.

 

I was surprised Ferrari of San Diego installed them for free with all their 458's for 13 it's a nice treat I like it

 

My one is lowered!

 

The 458 does sit higher than the earlier cars but, if you hit, it will cost you more than just paint: Like RBK said above, the screws that hang down are mounted in thin aluminum that can easily tear out if they hit the road. To repair means bumper off and minor welding/frame work! I make skid plates that will not reduce your ground clearance and protect the hardware with deep set counter sink stainless hardware. If you want some before and after pictures e-mail me [email protected]