Does the 80-82 308s have less power than the later ones or earlier years.?
Under-powered but under-priced, too. I had a 1982 GTSi as my first Ferrari and loved it. Now, a Honda Civic could beat me out of a light, but it was ME driving the Ferrari. If you only have a little to spend ($20K-ish), go ahead and get the 80-82 model. You will be fine, just don't expect to be driving a rocket. They are still GREAT cars and the workmanship and styling is timeless. Go for it!
Yes, less power, but... cheaper AND... if you take the emission's junk off (mine has headers and exhaust), they get back up close to what the other years have (or so I've read).
So an 83 has alot more power than the 82? What did they change. Sounds like an 83 QV would be the one?
Yes, it is 260hp I think 328=260hp QV=235hp GTB/Si=205 76-77=240 (but that is only in perfect tune, 220-230 in more realistic) 78-79 =220??? I see them claimed at 240, but they don't have the 240hp cams they have polution cams, so my guess is 220 in perfect tune and 200-210 on any given day. They are all nice so you can't go wrong. Basically, the more power it has the more it costs. The injected cars are the most drivable (80-up), just turn the key and go. The car carb cars sound cool, but are more bother.
The best of the 308's for speed and reliability are the 1985 models. Ferrari seemed to have gotten a lot of the earlier problems worked out by this time and with 255HP they are fast enough and handle really well. I have a 1984, but upgraded the belt system to that of an 85, pulled off the cat, and have a Tubi exhaust. The result is probably an additional 10-15 HP, better fuel economy, and a much better sound.
I owned a '82 308GTSi. Wonderful Ferrari. The problem is not just power as supplied by the factory but additional ballast the US cars had to deal with. If I recall correctly about 300 extra pounds. Returned my car to Euro specs less cams. Euro bumpers front and rear, exhaust etc. Performance and power comparable to early carb 308's. Undervalued Ferrari.
The early carbed engines in euro tune have the most mystique of any 308 motor, IMO... What's the deal with Michelotto cams on these cars? Obtainable ? There was a two part Forza article on 308 engine building...last year, late spring/early summer. Teaches how to upgrade a carb 308 engine to 290 reliable hp... To me, the essence of a 308 is to be carbed, just like the Boxers. EFI seems more suitable to cars like the 328 and Testarossa....no flames please..just the attitude of these cars, IMHO.
Euros had 270hp over the 260hp of the North American version...but if this is a "converted" car for use here in the USA, then who is to say, what the hp output is...depends on the conversion process (if any). Could be more, or less hp than a USA model. 10hp is not a huge deal...
Though the 80-82 cars where rated at 205hp, same as the carb 78-79 cars, it was rumored that they were really putting out around 180-190hp (based on period acceleration tests). I have not seen a 80-82 dyno'd to say for sure, but the 78-79 carb cars ARE putting out around 205hp, seen a few of those dyno'd.
I wonder where my car would fall in the horsepower spectrum. It's a 1981 with no emissions equipment, Flowmaster muffler, converted to 42 mm Webers, 10:1 compression ratio, cleaned up heads, stock cams and MSD ignition (single distributor). It's the only 308 I've driven so I have nothing to compare it to. Oops, I think I just thread jacked.
I agree, BUT also add very underated for the "Fun Factor" With a 2 valve you can still light the tires,feel the G-forces as you accelerate, hear the symphony of music behind you from the engine bay, Get the sun on your face (GTSi), the loads of people saying "nice car" as you pull to a stop light,and get pulled over by your cities finest for driving a bit too fast over the posted speed limit. You dont need 4 valves to do all of that. But if you got the extra $$$ in your budget for a 4 valver, Go "4" It Just dont think you losing out on the Ferrari experience by going with only two valves and 205 horses. Others my dispute my opininon, but I hope we will all agee that what matters the most is not the number of horses under the rear bonnet, but the One horse with the yellow background on the front of the car. Mark PS: Please dont hate this car because it is only a 2 valver. Embrace it for it's world class style, and dynamic racing heritage Image Unavailable, Please Login
Mark: What are those wheels? They look sharp! I also like the QV-ish contrasting paint you've done to the fender louvers.
I agree too! Nice wheels...the beauty of the 308's design is that it is timeless. I was in the market for a 328 when I found my 2V 308, I saved $15-20K which I will use for my garage update. The appeal of the carb car? relative simplicity of the car's systems, and of course, for me, the color combo. Also, the car has a sound with the Webers that's hard to beat! Here's my sled:vSophia2VPeterB. calsam, my $.02: if I had to do the quest/purchase thing all over again, I'd definately get involved with a club and TAKE YOUR TIME looking. Scan the ads in the newsletters, go to some events and this way you'll get to look touch, feel and drive, as well as chat like here. In addition, you might even find a car from a club member who might want to upgrade their car! I'm in the FCA, and the group is great! Funny, our NWFCA guys all communicate here on F-chat for drives, events, etc. I did okay with my '78 USA 308 purchase of nearly 2 years ago from a F-car dealer. However, my lack of intimate knowledge of these cars did reduce my bargaining power, and I encountered LOTS of little nuisance problems I had to correct after the purchase. Water under the bridge. Thankfully I'm pretty handy with "the wrench," and I found a great independent Ferrari repair shop to ease the $$$ outlay.
Mike, The wheels are 18" ENKEI RP05, (limited edition not in production anymore) so it would be very difficult to find them new around here, I think you might have some luck in New Zealand. The center caps are from a 360 challenge,they snap right in. and Yes I ripped off the QV styling on the louvers by painting them black myself. Oh, lowering the car about 2 1/2 inches doesnt hurt to fill up the fender wells to keep it looking sleek. Mark
