Best single upgrade for a 308

Tommy,

My early 85 (MFG July 1984) has 3 belts on it, would that have been factory or a retrofit kit?

 

Probably factory. I want to say that the factory eventually moved to seperate belts on the alt and wp somewhere in the 84 model year and, of course, continued from there.

 

sounds about right, there are a variety of layouts due to the engine also being used in the Mondial, so there is 3 different crank pullies, alt pullies, 2 WP pulley dia's and two belt layouts all spread out between USA, Euro and Swiss. 83~84 is when things started changing up.

I've toyed with making a one size fits all serpentine belt layout, problem is cost vs sales. the timing belt pulley set I designed is not exactly a fast mover. hard to tie up that much capital at a time.

the wp,alt etc. pullies are aluminum with a powder coat or enamel type coating, over time and improper belt tension the coating starts to pit and in some cases the pulley gets warped that can cause problems with the belts. shredding, spiting etc.. the bearings in the tensioner also tend to get looked over.

 

a cheap low cost performance upgrade to my carby 308 - pipe in fresh air from the other scoop. i also have a true dual exhaust. the TWM throttle bodies and electromotive sure helps - but that is a lot of work and expensive - ask how i know. but it sure woke this car up! electromotive distributor too. and lighten the car up as best you can. i gutted the A/C system, light weight spare, no more stereo or speakers in doors. my aluminum radiator was a big improvement over stock for cooling.
appearance wise, go euro, i fabricated a split rear bumper out of aluminum and fiberglass. also made my gts louvers into gtb. 16 inch wheels and a SI clutch kit (less pedal force). birdmans fuse blocks.
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Hoverland mentioned a quick rack steeering. That sounds interesting. what exactly is it and where does on find such an animal.

 

Superformance in the UK sells them.

 

John,
When are we gonna race?!?!?!?

 

getting rid of the fugly flag mirrors!!

Lost

 

John,
When are we gonna race?!?!?!?


hi Mark, i just got my car off the jackstands and am tuning with the laptop. lets go for a drive soon!!!! hows your car running with the new exhaust? 2 black beauties cruising down the road - that'll turn some heads..

 

Best single upgrade for a 308?

A better driver.

Few would not benefit from handling these cars better. For 308s, #1 upgrade of those listed by a long margin. I still have a way to go, and that's the fun of it.

Does not apply to modern Ferraris (F1 included) littered with 'help me drive' equipment.

 

My car is on jack stands too. Our cars truly are twins!
I'm changing out the fuel pump. It should arrive today.
Car has a good bit more zip with the new exhaust. The dyno showed a 30hp loss and 15'lb of torque loss with all of the backpressure on the old, plugged exhaust....What I wouldn't do for your emission exemption!!!!

 

thats funny about your car, my mallory fuel pump was leaking so i replaced it too, and did the fuel tank hoses.
i was lucky when i purchased my car way back, i was grandfathered in for emissions, nowadays its 1975 or older i believe. i remember your 3.5 liter pulling like a mule!!! it would be interesting to compare the performance between our 308s.

what exhaust did you go with? i think you said you were having one fabbed up locally.

 

Yeah,
I just had Bud's Mufflers slap a Magnaflow on there with dual cats. $1,100 or so for everything. I can't see spending $3k+ for some of these systems I see people putting on their cars. I'd rather save the extra money for changing my rear bumper and valance to euro and have Glen paint it up new!
To each his own I guess.

 

Crikey I hope not Paul! At £300 each I'm hoping they don't wear out too soon, mind you I'm on a 3000 mile restricted mileage insurance policy so I should get a few years out of them....

 

Ok, I've changed my mine, I'm going with Supercharger.

 

I'm trying to remember the conversations I had, but I think there was talk of as little as 2K before they showed significant wear. But track time could have been a factor. The hearsay was enough to put me off but I'd be happy to learn the contrary.

 

What did you go to?

 

ME

 

Finally got my car aligned and corner weighted.

My order

1) 16 inch wheels:
2) Big brakes: Had a quick stop today and for the first time I felt confident the car would stop without my foot going through the floor
3) QA1s: With a setting of 4 and lowered the car is much more stable at high speeds. Drawback is I have the deep Euro valance which got whacked when I pulled it into my garage.
4) Close Ratio Rack: A little heavy at low speeds but great in twisites. Just have to get used to lessening my input. I am used to moving the wheel more for turns and I am oversteering the car.
5) LED interior light upgrade: This one could go to #1. I can actually see my dash at night.
6) Forza Radiator/Water Pump: Did this upgrade but the jury is out at least on my car. Defintitely have reduced temps but still not pegged right in the middle.
7) Nouvalari Exhaust. Lov the way it looks and sounds under aggresive driving. Probably should have picked up the Sport though as the Touring is a little too quiet. Was a little afraid it would drone over long drives.

Could not have done these upgrades without FChat's support and know how. So thanks!

Next up has to be a Supercharger. Maybe next year.

 

Suggest my controversial auto-bleeder mod to get that temp needle to point south all the time.

 

I thought long and hard about this. If there were just two things a person could to to their 308, I would recommend a programmable ignition system such as electromotive or a large aluminum radiator. Either of those items are big game changers.

 

accu sump oil system used to keep oil pressure in the motor when going around the turns

 

Maybe on a race track. Surely a baffled sump would suffice for a road car?

 

Redline 75/90 NS gear oil

 

Of course I am biased but a trip to Canada and leave your car with Newman for anything.