F355 Challenge suspensions

I was under the impression the challenge was not electronic but not sure?

 

yes, that is the one. I can take a picture of the one I am working on for you but I am very sure that is the Challenge part.

 

Yes, that's a Challenge part. Here are the front assemblies for my 1995 F355 Challenge.

Are you sure you want to ride around on 2200F/900R lb springs?
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A far better option IMO is to get the sport suspension package from Rob at Deltavee. My re-valved shocks and new springs should be delivered tomorrow and I hope to be back on the road next week. Can't wait

 

It will improve handling on a track. On the street it will jar your molars out. The ride will be super stiff.

 

The shocks might work ok with the stock (road) springs for a stiffer ride without being as harsh. I'm not sure what the damping difference is, but they should bolt in and work properly with the stock springs and shock ecu.

 

My F355 Challenge still has the Challenge struts but with aftermarket springs. It rides and handles amazingly well.

 

It will make the car respond faster to steering input because the suspension will more quite a bit less (travel). This may or may not be a good thing depending on how much attention the driver is paying to the car at every instant.

It will lower the center of gravity, which will add traction to the inside tires in a turn, which in turn, adds to lateral acceleration (i.e. cornering speed.)

It will allow any <up> bumps in the paved surface the car travels to reach the undersides of the car much easier. Each such upset will definately hurt the handling of the car. You may even pin the car on a speed bump if you are lucky. It will definately chew up the paint, front and rear fascias, and the under trays on street surfaces.

 

And did you notice the shiny silver metal box looking thing in Barry's lower right of the picture? If you run a stock 355 you really need to add those stiffener plates to the shock mounts or you rip the stock metal apart. Barry can probably direct you to his thread on that if you continue down this road.

 

Right, FBB. You've got a sharp eye!

My 1995 F355 Challenge didn't have its front shock mounts modified in 1996 as Ferrari specified, perhaps because the owner raced it just occasionally during the 1996 Ferrari Challenge Series. The shock mounts are just 1.5 mm thick on 1995 cars. That was changed for MY1996 with thicker shock mounts.

My car raced in the Challenge Series until the F355CHs were retired and then went on to race in SCCA. As a result, my left front shock mount developed some cracking. These threads describe the repairs and addition of Challenge support plates:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355/403961-my-track-day-experience-2.html

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355/430621-h-r-versus-fiorano-springs.html
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Right, Mitch. That's just what the Challenge shocks and springs, suspension, alignment and slicks do for the car on the track.

Pocono, Lime Rock and New Jersey Motorsports Park are within "commuting" distance. Driving on side streets and through towns is a chore. Once I'm on the highway, the car is more comfortable. Being stuck in traffic on a hot summer day is uncomfortable without air conditioning.

I have the car trailered to Watkins Glen. That would be a 4.5 hour drive. I take the 550 or the 951 and enjoy the scenic route up to the Glen.
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