Lowering my Pista

You must think we are complete morons if you think we believe that the cars delivered to our dealers are set up as well as the cars that set the Fiorano times. And you must think we are even bigger idiots if you think nobody can do better than a "universal" setup made for everyday driving.

Let me paint a picture for you here. Now I will post what alignment specs my 488 Spider came with. Then you can tell me what the factory specs are okay. You are the Ferrari mechanic, please tell me if this is as it should be.

Front: Left Right
Caster. +04*53' +04*54'
Camber. -00*33' -01*08'
Toe. -00*13' -00*04'


Rear: Left Right
Camber. -00*55' -01*41'
Toe. +00*02' +00*13'
Total toe +00*14'

Also, remember that this is a LHD car, so one might take the road crown into account.

Now tell me, is this the best Ferrari has to offer? You know the specs, so post them please. Then you can show how well Ferrari did it.
And again, please answer my questions regarding brake deteriorating brake lines, bushes, battery etc.

Like SoCal said, Ferrari is lazy in many ways. I was at my dealers Monday, just to see what needed to be done to my Pista before spring. It sat 13 mm too high compared to factory spec in the back and about 11 in the front. As a mechanic, please explain to us what the negative effects of that is. Again, you are a certified Ferrari mechanic, so I take it you know what the negatives will be, correct?

If you don't answer any of this, I don't for one second believe you are a professional and certified Ferrari mechanic. You my man, have managed to properly piss me off. Put up or shut up.

 

No it does not compress them. When you lower the car on stock springs, you simply move the bottom spring perch down. Spring preload remains unaltered.

 

The man is clearly brainwashed, exceptionally arrogant, or maybe it's his father who's actually a mechanic - for Fiat...

The sad truth is, that when you speak to some that work for Ferrari, this is what we often are up against. This is why I get as little service work done at my dealer as possible - I simply don't trust the mechanics, and over the years have gotten good reason not to.
I did a new battery in my Lusso, and they made a big song and dance about how the battery is "programmed" for the car. I already know this is B.S, and I also know Ferrari Maranello have instructed dealers to fight harder against the use of non-OE parts. The battery thing is one of the latest creations. So, I asked them to show me how they program the new battery. Then their chief tech whom I usually get along fine with joined in and asked the mechanics to back off. He knows me, and he knows that I'm probably the last client at my dealer to try this with.

Wow, the soap box is on fire tonight. I think I need less coffee...

 

Not exactly. You do change the preload on the sway bars. Lowering will stiffen it up some.

 

Haven't had a Ferari that was not full of swirl marks, sanding marks or overspray etc.

One thing to keep in mind when dealing with the ride height. The car needs to settle. If if comes straight off the truck sitting 4-5 mm high, that might settle. It usually takes about 1500-2000 km all in all depending on driving style. The fact that the suspension needs to settle is common for all cars, and it is unavoidable. But after that, it should be at proper height. But my Pista sits at the 13+11 mm too high mark after it has settled. As for blocks? Never seen it on a car delivered, and I've seen a few. Maybe in the US where shipping takes longer, but I have seen my car come off the delivery truck and on to the dealer floor. No blocks there. It would be good practice for dealers to check alignment etc. but they are not obligated by Ferrari to do so. What should be obligatory was a complete alignment as part of the PDI and again after the first 2500 km or 6 months which ever comes first.

 

I couldn't possibly tell you the range of compression before you would compromise ride and performance. it could be 1 1/2" or 1/4". Probably safest thing would be ask Ferrari or an honest experienced technician. That would be your best bet.

 

You need to go for a drive... Have a drink... Get a good night sleep. Come back tomorrow. We appreciate you more than you know. Just take it easy.

 

Have you seen Frozen? Let it go! Let it go! I haven't but the song played for a consecutive 3-6 month period, it was hard to avoid.

 

You didn't specify if you wanted the Rally Pista or the Road and Track one.

 

I think this is a scooter rider.

 

I very much do the same. And I like going to me dealer quite a lot. We usually have a great time, and I rarely get into heated arguments. I do it if something gets way off like when a mechanic tried to pull a fast one with the battery, that's why the service manager stepped in. We have an understanding so to speak. I buy cars, do events etc. and have the simple service stuff done so it's in the books and they earn on that as well. They know I run different brakes and have tyres done elsewhere etc. because I have had bad experiences and demand better. They know why and we are usually on so friendly terms that they don't mind asking for my input on things. While they did not like my ST brakes from a business standpoint, I also got a lot of positive feedback from both sales reps and shop guys who thought they were cool and wanted to know more. They have been quite honest about the fact that other clients have been asking about alternatives for batteries, brakes etc. It's very much a situation where the dealer tries to please the client, but also have to please Maranello.

My issue is more when you meet the "wall of arrogance". Then I get pissed and then I'm very firm in my ways. I run my cars hard enough to know whether or not things are up to par, and they know I know my stuff. I can go through a set of tyres in two weeks and pads in less than a month. For those who change pads every two years or less, I understand why they think it's fair to want those clients to use OE brakes - I use OE on the Lusso. But when it's a car that is tracked or driven hard, they seem to be more onboard with the fact that I look elsewhere and don't want FAVT on pads and tyres - and they know my local race shop do a better job of mounting tyres etc. It was a bit of a struggle to begin with, but what they have realized is that they get more from me by treating me well and listening, than they do by trying to play games. And they have also realized that I was honest when I said that I was using other things because I went though wear items like dirty socks. It's a give and take situation.

I just wished it was a bit more geared towards clients needs - a more modern way.

 

LOL

 

Here's what I found on the 488 Spider. 4-5 mm lower(where I currently am now) changed nothing. Tried 10 mm and that was noticeable. Not huge but it was there. Spoke at lenght to Mario Rill from Novitec about this about a year ago, and in his opinion, it really started to get firm when going below 20-25 mm. This is of course from spec height.

 

He also thinks that Ferrari still dominates F1.

 

So basically, compressing by almost nothing and you will be feeling it. An inch (25.4 mm) and you are pushing it or past pushed.

 

I agree, Like it should be. But it seems more beneficial for Ferrari to void your warranty by blaming any little aftermarket upgrade and they would save millions world wide in what could be originally their fault. But according to others, Ferrari is perfect, so it must be ours for installing high (better) quality upgrades.

 

I guess you didn't know. They dominate the middle third (not really) but a solid middle of the pack... eh...

 

95% of the times it is, and I am very happy with my dealer. But it has been a struggle to get to this stage. And I can't deny that it does bother me a bit that it had to be so difficult.

Porsche do a lot of odd things too, but they also know they have a great business because of the popularity on track and with "the drivers driver" type. Ferrari could easily take part in this and add to their business. Many choose not to buy and run Ferraris for this very reason - they don't want the hassle. I mean, at the very least let people choose the pads they like and make wear sensors readily available. Otherwise people do like I have done and made an adapter. Guess who earns the money when I need wear indicators. Yep, Porsche...

When I get on here and run into a guy like this mechanic or whatever he is, I see the embodiment of what's wrong with Ferrari as a whole, and what needs to be changed. That level of arrogance and ZFG attitude is exactly why I sometimes get set off and pull out the soap box. Like you said, we pay a hell of a lot of money for our cars, so it is perfectly fine to demand a high level of service and that things are as they should be.

 

Heh, the only thing I have a warranty void on is the parts I replaced. Here's what's funny. My HEL lines was replaced under warranty. They simply agreed that it made no sense for them to replace the lines with new OE lines as the same would happen again. Had them replaced and I got the costs covered. I guess they thought it would look worse if I had a major crash due to a failure in their brake lines lol.

 

I was going to say, to reach the level that you have, must not have been easy. And humbly and genuinely, I consider myself in the group of probably never getting to that level. And in fact, although I agree with you that is should not be this way; you are part of a very select few. So, cherish and protect what you have. You earned it.