F550 Maranello Sport Suspension

My 2000 F550 Maranello has 12k miles on the odometer. I've had the car for 18 months after putting 800 miles on it last summer and having just completed a nearly 1,500-mile road trip. The cars runs beautifully and everything else works, but when I activate the sport suspension, the indicator light comes on without any discernable change to the damping. I'm aware the control units (on top of the shocks, I believe) can be replaced, but I read somewhere that they can also be rebuilt.

Does anyone have experience with this problem and possible remedies, recommendations, etc.? Thank you.

 

Chris- Numerous 550 owners have stated there is little difference between Normal and Sport with the Bilstein shocks. Probably most notable when cornering hard or braking hard.

 

once again Terry is right

 

Chris, you might not feel much difference when driving on roads but the difference is noticeable when tracking your car. For example, you'll notice a delay is ASR intervention and compensation by your active damping system for track surface irregularities...


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Barry

 

I thought the traction control on my 550 was perfect for the track. It didn’t start to kick in until it needed to. A F550 is heavy car with so-so brakes. I felt the abs pumping more than once. This is where I’d put my money. Of course, the harder the pads, the greater the squeal.


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Dale, I still had traction control in Sport Mode, but there was a slight delay before it kicked in. I would drive in Normal Mode until I was familiar with the track and then switch to Sport Mode. In either mode, the 550 gives you just enough time to realize you did something wrong allowing you to correct before traction control intervention.

It's been over ten years since I last tracked my 550. My F355 Challenge doesn't have traction control, just ABS.

Barry

 

Truth is a Shark is not a track car. Mine always did best on big long sweepers. It would settle in and go.

 

Yep! You and I have learned this...


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What about a 550 with FHP?

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/how-many-550-with-fiorano-handling-package.499916/



Same goes for the 355. Difficult to discern between sport and comfort mode unless you really get on it, but 355 guys with FHP say they can tell right away between sport and comfort.

 

I made a few modifications to my non-FHP 550. I replaced the stock 17mm rear anti-sway bar with a 19mm HGTC bar and added the Maranello Skunkworks switchable steering module. The car ran off the stock steering ECU in Normal mode and switched to the FHP steering ECU when I put the car in Sport mode.

I never had the chance to fully test this setup on the track as the F355 Challenge car came my way.

 

As Barry says, the reality is a Maranello is a sporty GT for the street. I know Fat Billy Bob modified one for the track, but it was a lot of work. These cars are like tools, use the right one for the job.

 

The units on top of the shocks can be rebuilt/repaired

https://www.captainzcnc.com/

 

I've had this done by the captn

7 years going strong

 

Thanks, Terry much appreciated.

 

Thanks Barry. As TX Forever said, I realized pretty quickly that it’s a very special GT and not a track car. I love my 2011 911 Turbo S (and agree with the scalpel vs. carving knife comment) and, to be honest, even more so my 5.2L R8 6-speed, but the feeling I get from driving the 12-cylinder, normally aspirated, analog Maranello is just awesome. With an interior that is the perfect evolution of old school in a body covered in Giallo Modena and - for me, at least - it’s the complete package.

 

I've noticed little difference in regards to handling. But it makes a substantial difference with the ASR intervention. With Sport off, the ASR interferes too much (imo).

 

Thanks, Jeff. I appreciate the confirmation. One less thing to fix. Now, if I can just get the window in the driver’s door realigned to eliminate the gap at the trailing edge all will be perfect…….for now.

 

Good to know, Jeff, I was also worried my ASR was going to need fixing at some point..

 

I have the same issue and been told by my mechanic that the window regulator can be adjusted to eliminate the "gap" at the back of the window. will have it done over the winter