575M - manual conversion/HGTC retrofit

My personal opinions based on my experience:

Go OEM conversion or don’t do it. My feeling now is that, while there may be some folks doing a good job with parts from scratch, if you are at all concerned about the future value of your car, I would strongly consider the lasting effect of recent high-profile meltdowns and lackluster auction results in the non-OEM conversion world. Plus, considering the cost that many of these places are charging, why not just be patient, pay through the nose for OEM if/when you find it, and have a car that is nearly 100% as if it left the factory? Assuming you’re not a flipper or a new-car-every-year type, you’ll be happier with it and I think much better off in the long run. People tend to throw the baby out with the bathwater, and I don’t think this will end up being any different years from now.

HGTC is a tall order, though I did manage to get HGTC rear springs to compliment my FHP fronts. Same rate for FHP/HGTC rears, so no difference there. They are being installed on my car right now. I’d also consider the MSW sway bar and steering ECU, both of which I have (former being installed, latter has been on for some time and I love the difference - will report soon on bar). Cheaper and far easier to source than FHP/HGTC, so instant gratification. Enjoy the sharper car and if you ever do happen to find OEM, you can always slap that on relatively easily and inexpensively. That’s my plan, but I’m an idiot who paid over $1,000 to make sure his shift gate is OEM - the last little detail of the conversion. Ok, compared to Ferrari pricing, that’s a steal (thanks @Quicksilver!)

Bottom line - know what you want, stick to it no matter what, make it happen, and you will LOVE the car. I can honestly say that there isn’t another Ferrari this side of a 275GTB I’d rather have. I’m fully expecting the springs and sway bar to tighten things up JUST enough that everything I love about the car is that much sharper while all of its character remains.

Man, I was being nice and patient up to now…

 

Oops, I tagged someone who hasn’t been here for five years…@Qksilver is what I meant. Carry on, carry on…

 

A factory made 575M with manual and FHP is uncommon in the US. There is a red/black one in my garage that the wife will likely sell after I'm dead. At age 80, likely sooner than later. It's high milage so I told her keep it serviced and wait 10-20 years but who knows.

 

I own both a 575 and a 575 HGTC right now. Honestly, there's not enough of a difference between them to justify the effort. It's not like you're going to make a 575 drive like an 812 or even a 599. Not even close.

 

Right on!

My go-to kit these days, especially for recording, is a Jasper shell 80’s burnt orange square badge kit. Three different kick sizes, different tom depths (I lucked out and found a kit with standard depth toms), and just bought a super rare burnt orange 6” concert tom to add to the shell bank.

I’ve always LOVED Gretsch’s purple lacquer. Such a sharp looking kit!

 

Nor should anyone WANT to, IMO.

 

Depending on how you want to use the car, you may not need the fhp or hgtc upgrades. My 2002 was a soft mess when I first got it and I was intent on converting it to fhp. Once I replaced the original shock ecu 183960 (a must) and changed to the fhp steering ecu, the handling was transformed, and I was more than satisfied.

If you have another lightweight car with tighter handling, the 575 gives a nice contrast with a comfortable suspension that fits its personality. If this will be your only sports car, the full fhp/hgtc upgrade may make sense.

 

Good points.

 

I have an Exoticars OEM converted 575 w/ factory FHP and Fabio's full system. Couldn't be happier with the result - the car is spectacular. Exoticars is a small shop, likely similar to who you may end anointing to do you project, so forget timelines and just let them work their magic. Because a properly installed OEM conversion is a work of art and worth the wait. I have a line on some critical factory parts that I can connect you with if you plan to go that route.

 

I too went this route and my car was delivered back into my summer garage, but I have yet to make it there to actually push in my new clutch pedal, hopefully in the next couple of weeks. I started talking to brogenville and got his parts list, but with Exoticars in my backyard here, he recommended I just go to them direct which I did. It was about 2.5 months from when they took my car to when they gave it back, and just slightly above the originally quoted list price as they came across a few bits and pieces that could have been replaced. Before I did that, I also did the 183960 swap, the MSW steering ECU, and the new MSW rear sway bar. Fabio's exhaust is all I'm missing, but looking forward to driving this whole setup shortly. I really wanted a 575 versus a 550 though, but when you add up the bills for a quality starter 575, do a fresh service with belts and tires, buy and install the goodies, and then do the stick swap, you are right around $200k.

 

Good deal vs sending a 964 and $1.5M to Singer. I'll take a gated, Pininfarina designed, modern classic V12 Ferrari with 6-1 headers and modern ecu tuning and over $1M cash vs one of those all day every day...

I would like ceramic brakes though. CC Terry.

 

FOR…REAL!!!

Don’t get me wrong, I love 911s, but I do not get it. Give me the properly modded mighty Maranello any day.

 

My understanding is indeed that the 575 have been improved over time, but my 2002 575 was really terribly soft (far softer than my previous regular 550); for me at the time it was absolutely mandatory to upgrade the suspension to HGTC (with also upgraded brakes and exhaust, it was then as good as a 575 could be).

 

I don't think I would change anything about my 575 (2004, FHP, Factory manual). It does have Tubi back boxes which I am happy with and are probably a tad louder than HGTC exhaust. Although if I were offered a straight swap with an otherwise identical HGTC I would take it.

575 and 550 drive deliberately differently to the much more aggressive and dynamic V12 two seaters that followed. Maranellos have a dual character. I am a big 812 fan but it's a different type of car, more akin to a 458 than a 575. 599 is quicker and slicker than a 575 but you wouldn't want to buy a 575 and wish it were a 599, it's like ordering fish and saying it will never taste like chicken.

I love the manuals on these cars. I would look for a high miles 550 over a converted 575 if budget is an issue. Or a manual 612. They drive really well and have two extra seats. I know they are in a different forum but for me they are four seater Maranellos.

 

575 is such a great car, the favorite of my small garage. I just came back from a drive, it really is special. I paid more attention to my regular suspension. There is a lot of road feel and the handling feels “alive”, twitchier than modern cars. There is slight body roll and lift with acceleration, but I enjoy it, adds to the feeling of power, like a powerboat!

I collected the fhp springs and roll bar for my car, in case I change my mind or pare down my garage in the future, but no plans for now to put them.

 

I will have mine back very soon, I will give a report on how big the changes are. Like you, I do not expect the car to be razor sharp and I do not dislike the way it is (was). I’m just looking for subtle improvement and the best version possible of my car.