F40 cutaway article for Motor1 -- enthusiast help needed

Why not impress your readers with some F40 technical specifics not usually published in the mainstream?

For example the fact that there are 2 basic types of F40, USA-spec and European/Rest-of-the-world spec.

USA production spanned from early 1990 to late 1992 Eu/ROW spec production started late 1987 to late 1992.

USA F40s have aluminum gas tanks with twin fuel pumps mounted within the tanks, Eu/ROW cars have rubber fuel cells which require replacement each 7 years with externally located fuel pumps.

USA F40s have 2-piece seats with reclining backs and a passive restraint system. Eu/ROW cars have single-piece seats.

USA F40s have a final drive ratio of 10-29, Eu/ROW cars are rated at 11-30.

USA F40s were the first car to utilize metallic (titanium) based catalysts to allow faster warm up and greater resilience.

USA F40s have a 'secondary air injection' for emissions that can be heard at each start up.

USA F40s had to pass DOT front, rear & side impact tests. These include the 2.5 mph front and rear tests. Accordingly the bodywork is strengthened.

With respect to the gear ratios, the differences are as follows:

First gear - 1:10.707 (USA), 1:10.069 (Eu/ROW)
Second gear - 1:6.628 (USA), 1:6.262 (Eu/ROW)
Third gear - 1:4.745 (USA), 1:4.463 (Eu/ROW)
Fourth gear - 1:3.724 (USA), 1:3.501 (Eu/ROW)
Fifth gear - 1:2.965 (USA), 1:2.787 (Eu/ROW)

 

The image attempts to show a Euro spec car and an early one at that based upon the number of louvres in the engine cover.

Paul

 

Without seeking to appear rude, should you really be writing an article on the F40 when you don't really have even the most basic knowledge of the car.

It is how misinformation gets spread.

I would suggest publishing any draft here before you go live.

A topic which has never really been addressed in an article is the make up of the actual composites used in the car, there are threads running in this section with up to date facts on the matter.

 

Agree with Paul. You have some real experts here, you should identify them and seek their guidance.

I would also read up on many threads and actually I think I'd also go see if you can't find some more books/ information on the car. There are some things that jump right out to my semi trained eyes:

Agreed but isn't this the prototype spec? I thought all production F40s have the following:

* Production car Engine Cover 11 Louvers (5 per side and one in the middle bottom)- the prototype has 20 I believe.

* Production car rear lower side gills number 4. Prototype has 5.

* I can tell right away this is not a USA car as USA cars have added black bumpers on the front and rear. This car lacks that feature- very easy to spot on the rear.

* Fuel tanks are curious as I would EXPECT the prototype to have the bladders but I don't KNOW. As mentioned before, the USA car would have aluminum tanks and the ROW (rest of world) car would not.

* Also early cars had the slatted door insert as I think an option, but the USA cars missed the first 3 years of production 87-89). So far as I know they never had this as an option, however cool looking it is!

Ferrari F40 Prototype (1987) ? Old Concept Cars

 

Prototype.

 

No, Eu/ROW-spec Prototype, I cant see clearly but it looks like those are the shrouds within which the fuel cells/bags are housed.

 

You did the right thing and you've probably come to the best possible resource anywhere, which only shows you want to get it right, never mind Paul, he means well but he has no sense of humor

 

There can be nothing worse than reading an article and then cringing at the content when clearly the author has not researched correctly. The questions you were asking appeared to indicate only a basic knowledge of the car you were reporting on.

Hence why I opened my message as I did, make it a feature that all will enjoy reading, which is why I mentioned debunking the myths about the way the composite body is constructed, you will be the first to address it in print.

 

I guess this is a text based exchange limitation but I see it from Paul's point of view. But no harm done so its all good.

One suggestion would be if you could find a way to talk with the people at Michelotto you might get some really insightful input. I don't have any contact there but they were involved with the F40 development.

Michelotto automobili -Progettazione, realizzazione e sviluppo prototipi vetture stradali e auto da competizione

 

Another area that might be of geeky interest is the engine management system: the Marelli Weber ECUs are actually very similar to those found on the Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4! One of the features is a "jump to light speed" mode which allows the boost to run at approx 50% more for 2 seconds under full throttle. If you time it right and hit boost and full throttle around 4k rpm, it's a life affirming experience.

Some useful details can be found on BIGTURBO.co.uk - ECU Tuning

 

Glad you understood where I was coming from Chris, quite surprised at Robs response to be honest. A personal attack on a member just voicing a concern but then him not actually helping you out with any info on the F40 either!

I started out as just an admirer of the F40 from the day they first appeared and have been updating my knowledge ever since, I wont ever become an owner, and certainly not an expert in any way so have to put my trust in writers when they report on the cars to gain any additional facts about the F40. I have read many a shoddy article in my time hence why I urged you to double check on any facts you listed in your report as it appeared you were not up to speed on the cars so misinformation could have slipped through the net, and often over time this then turns into fact via chinese whispers on the internet.

 

Heres a fun one- the seat belt "mouse track" system they use for the USA F40s was built by Singer- the sewing machine company!

 

No article on the construction of an F40 would be complete without mention of 'green glue'.

https://twitter.com/NickTrott27/status/605484529558646785

Unfortunately there doesn't appear to be any evidence of it in David's drawing.

>8^)
ER

 

Sweet F1 in the background; does Simon Kidston still own it?

 

Yes, chassis 007 does belong to Simon since early 2010.

EVO recently borrowed his F1 for their McLaren Mega Test cover story that was published in October.

>8^)
ER