thoughts on taking a 456gt "hardcore"

Hello, this is my first post on Ferrari Chat but I have been reading it for years. My relationship with Ferrari has been a bit of a roller coaster over the years. There was a time when I lived for Ferrari and everything it stood for. However a few years ago when they decided to stop the manual transmissions I swore I would never even look at a Ferrari again! I am as die hard a manual transmission fan as it gets (for road cars). I recently spent quite a bit of time at the 50th anniversary of the FCA at Road America and I was bit by the bug again...I guess I realized that I even though I despise the company for selling their soul that does not negate the amazing machines they once made. (Let me clarify here that I do not mean this as an insult to anyone who owns a flappy paddle Ferrari, I just see them as race cars. It really doesn't matter to me if I go 0-60 in 4.0 vs 4.5 seconds what matters is the feel, the sensation, the noise, and the feeling of accomplishment at driving a car that secretly wants to put you in a wall.)

Anyway my reasoning for this post is that I am in the position to acquire a 456GT (not an M) with a 6spd. It has the color combo I want and I am in the process of having two separate independent pre-purchase exams done on it. I realize that modifying a Ferrari can tread on purist's sensibilities but I have always loved the 456's shape and engine.

My question is this...Does anyone have any opinions or have any links that would be relevant to modifying a 456 GT to be more intense? I am particularly interested in getting the sound of the engine right (as in howling, make small children cry, v-12 loud) and possibly doing something with suspension to get it much more stiff. Obviously I like fast cars but speed is not my main concern with this car. I already have a Porsche 997 Turbo (manual trans) and a Corvette Z06 so I am very happy with where I am at with raw speed.

Thanks in advance and once again I apologize if my feelings about flappy paddles offend anyone.

 

Is there a reason you're going with a 456 for that purpose? I'd think a 512TR or 550 would be more suited to what you want as they're on the sportier side of the GT spectrum...

 

Opinions - of course: I own a 456M GT and what I let modify before I picked up the car was the reserved exhaust system (now TubiStyle Challenge) and the a little bit too inconspicuous wheels (now Speedline Corsa).

Regarding stiffer suspensions: be careful, the 456GT-body is not the stiffest construction. A too stiff suspension setup can have (under a long-term perspective and according to aggressive driving) a negative impact of the body.

 

Duesenberg, some of us share your feelings about the demise of the gated shifter and there’s been plenty of discussion here about that and an increase in the desirability of the silver ball… others think the next generation won’t want the stick because they won’t know how to drive one…HA

But, to answer one of your questions, for me at least, the 456 GT suspension, especially on the Hard setting, is as stiff as I’d ever care to have on the street. Works pretty darn good. The only reason I could see for making it harder is if you were going to track the car.

I’m particularly impressed by the car’s ability to hold the road at WOT when it hits the inevitable bump in the road. I think the car really shines in those circumstances and less wheel travel might mess up that attribute. You probably know what I talking about with your Z06…. BTW, I leave my damping on Soft. I think the computer takes care of changing the setting when needed.

Drive the 456 for a while and then decide if you want to mod the suspension….

Good luck on your quest…. Mark in Houston

 

Thanks for the opinion. Do you happen to have a recording of the Tubistyle Challenge exhaust on your car?

What is the stiffest suspension setting like in terms of body roll?

 

Another thing you might try is putting a 550 shock ECU in place of the 456 shock ECU.

at $400 its a cheap experiment. PM me if you want it.

 

The one thing I want from my '95 456GT is a better sound too. I would be interested in what you do if you get the car, from what I've read is to replace the centre pipe with dual piping and then different mufflers.

As far as the suspension, I'm happy to leave mine as is.

Keep us posted with what you are going to do.

Scott

 

I completely agree that the 456 is not the first car one would think of for my desires. In fact about two years ago I came a fraction of an inch from signing on a 512M (amazing car) but it failed the pre-purchase. I guess where I am coming from is I really want a V12 Ferrari to DRIVE! I have a wheaten terrier that goes everywhere with me (about 40lbs) he fits great in the back of my turbo. I work as a pro photographer and I do a ton of highway driving and more importantly little back-road country driving. I really want something I can throw a hundred pounds of camera gear in and roll!

 

Does anyone have a link to a GOOD recording of a straight pipe 456? Im thinking that may just be the best option....I guess the next step would be deleting the cats but I have heard that it may cause check engine lights....thoughts?

 

From what I can tell there are quite a few variants of TubiStyle exhausts for the 456...Does anybody have any experience with any of these...

Tubi Style / REAR SILENCER 456 GT (SET)

 

Changing the rear boxes and putting in an X pipe is the way forward (on my 550 at least). I don't know about making small childred cry, but you will definetely make them grin. A wheel upgrade would also be good.

I drove a 456 and next to the 550, it felt lethargic. I still think it is a beautiful car and the 2+2 appeals to me, but perhaps consider a 550, or at least go drive one...for research!

 

I know it is childish (I don't really care) but I absolutely live for pulling up next to a snot box (ie a Toyota Prius) and revving the snot out of my cars...It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!

I have never driven a 550 and I am kind of afraid to do so....I know I really should get the 2+2 and if I drive the 550 I may get weak...

 

Could I make a pitch for a 550 as suitable for your mission profile? You would be surprised at how much luggage you can cram into a 550. If I can fit a set of golf clubs in the trunk and a second set in the rear parcel shelf, surely you can fit your camera gear and bunch of tripods? Maybe even a change of clothing too! If you ditch the spare wheel in the trunk, you'll have even more room. Your terrier would fit just fine in the passenger seat, and you'd still have a ton of space on the floor of the passenger seat to jam more stuff. With a good exhaust setup, you'll scare - or delight - everybody within a hundred meter radius. I have to say though, be nice to Priuses and Leafs. They're our carbon offset.

My 550 is my daily driver - suspension in soft mode for our bumpy crappy roads, x-pipe + tubis, 19" Hamanns. Looks great, sounds fantastic, fun as hell, very practical - I take one of my kids to school every morning in a Ferrari child seat (airbag deactivated), which I can just throw into the rear parcel shelf if I have an adult passenger. Any of the new sports cars with their flappy paddles, trick diffs, modern technology like torque vectoring, ESP, EBC, ABC, DEF, XYZ, etc. are faster than my car, but it matters not because I'm laughing my head off as I drop it down a couple gears (manually! matching revs! heel & toe!) and listen to the exhaust echo off the mountain roads.

Try one....I suspect you'll love it.

 

DuesenbergSJ, jznd said ditch the spare tire. I may be mistaken, but you won't have one....See:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/456-550-575/372763-456-spare-tire-kit-about-%24100.html

I too bought the 456 for my dog.... see my avitar....his carrier fits in the back seat....he's only 18lbs though and rides on the passenger floor....Ice chest, tools, luggage and spare tire all fit in the trunk... more space in the other back seat w/ wife in front and a place to stow a Flat.... god-forbid....

See previous post on suspension....But, to further answer your question, on Hard, body roll is nothing. Makes my previous V-12 BMW 850 feel like a boat....

Regards....Mark
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Following a vid with the TubiStyle mufflers, enjoy it!

Regarding stiffer suspension: I guess Mark gave the right answer. Also for me the suspension is stiff enough, especially in the stiffer mode, then the body roll is minimal (in the 456M you can choose between two modes). But for cosmetic reasons you can lowering the car a little bit, the suspension is adjustable.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSqVvFSGUYY]Ferrari 456M GT - TubiStyle exhaust muffler while driving - YouTube[/ame]

 

Daniel, what model are those Tubis?

 

Hi Mark,

I am very interested to know more about the 850 next to your current 456 besides it rides like a boat. Please elaborate about the feel, handling, growl as both cars are of equal caliber.

Thanks

Michael

 

These Tubis were produced in 2009 with a stamped remark "only for competition". I have purchased these in 2011 from my Ferrari dealer and not direct from the producer TubiStyle. Therefore I don't have a precise product/serial number.

For a colleague we tried to organize in Switzerland an other set last year also for a 456, but we weren't successful...

 

Didn't know this...can you deactivate the pass airbag in the 550?

 

Yes, but I have to admit that I didn't do it myself. Just asked the service manager to do it when my first kid turned 2.

 

Genius! my little one turned 2 today and he is a car nut! If I can get him in the front of the 550 he is going to go nuts!

 

The modifications I made which suit me are -Tubi exhaust, Hammond wheels 13" wide at the rear. The cars drives very well on the street and is so controllable on track days. Dont lower the suspension its low enough as is. I too often but a 105lb Bernese in the back,cant do that in a 2 seater.

 

Tubi and different wheels, that is to say, different from OE wheels, and you should be set. With lots of highway driving, the Tubi's should be perfect for a great exhaust note that won't drive you nuts.

Changed my wheel/tire combo from OE wheels and Nittos to 550 wheels and Contenental Extrem Contact DWS. Will bet there is a weight savings of 8 to 10 pounds lighter/wheel and the driving difference is simply wonderful.

DJ.
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Sure! Let's start with stripping the interior, dump the rear seats & put some buckets. Weld a roll cage, switch out the suspensions for some adjustable, lowering springs, do an equal length header-back system with 2.5" pipes, retune the ECU & have fun Oh yes, upgrade that dreadful radiator too!