Just walking around my newly acquired 348GTS I'm confused about the rear track width. The wheels are definitely well within the arches and the track width seems the same as earlier 348ts etc. Having read all the threads (I think!) everyone seems to talk of a track width increase which started with the Challenge, got carried on into the Spider and was 'probably' on the European 1994 GTB/GTS. Looking at the downloaded Ferrari manuals, the ts, tb, Spider, GTS and GTB ALL have the same 1578mm rear track width! Some threads talk of 1993-on wheels having larger offset, needing different lugs etc. The spares manual I have also lists no difference in the wheels across the years! There are definitely pics of 348's around where the standard wheels fill out the rear arches. Are they all running on spacers? Can anyone dispel the myths and show some facts? I'd certainly like those rears to move a bit outboard! Image Unavailable, Please Login
And what does the rear track on your 348GTS measure? IME, the odd error does occur in F documentation (and especially on items that get updated on a model rather than at a new model introduction). For example, in the late US 5-lug TR OMs (which are specifically dedicated to the 1989 and 1991 model years, respectively), the "wheels" sections still reflects having the single-lug wheels (both the illustrations and the written instructions) although they do show the distinction correctly in the TR SPC. Perhaps in the case of the 348, F didn't even want to continue to make the old design available (i.e., if you've got the "old" set-up and damage a wheel, F would prefer you buy the complete "new" set-up). What's the print number (XXX/YY) of your 348 SPC -- is it from relatively late in the series production?
Steve, I take your point on the manual - it's an electronic version which even has a 348ts coversheet but does indeed show the spares for a Tipo "H" engine (=GTS). On scrutinising the wheel section more diligently, there are two rear wheels available - 156242 for USA and Canada; and 136547 for other countries. Both are 9"x17". USA get different rear wheel lugs too! Rest-of-the-world use the same lugs front/rear. Aha! This seems to imply an offset change to the rear wheel for the American market? I can't measure the car at the moment as I'm in the wrong country! Looking at the works original brochure for the Spider, GTS, and GTB, the Spider rear wheels definitely seem to fill out the arches more. Maybe Spiders got wider American rear wheels? (If my hasty assumptions above are correct).
I thought those years also had a wider rear track? I just went ot Paul Hill, Hill Engineering, F-chat sponser, and bought the 35mm rear wheel spacers to achieve the wider stance. Best mod I made to the car so far!!! The look from behindm," FAT." Fills the well perfectly and looks awesome now. The car just didn't looked right maybe even weird looking with the tire set so far in the rear wheel well? I actually noticed better stability at higher speed turns as well. They are cheap too. Congrats on the car, nice looking! Mike
This from : http://www.ferrariclub.com/faq/348versions.html 1994 Ferrari 348 GTB and GTS The GTB/GTS was introduced in March 1994 in Geneva. This model was never sold in North America, but was available in most, if not all, other markets (Europe, Japan, etc.). It had "348 GTB" or "348 GTS" badging on the rear decklid, and Speciale paint with chrome Cavallino's. I suspect, but cannot confirm, that it probably carried over the other Speciale improvements that were used on the CH and Spider (although the increased track width was not carried over, with some of these cars going into the Challenge series). It also had the "H" version engine, with longer intake manifolds, and possibly some fuel delivery modifications. This engine never went into North American cars. I've just got a 92'tb and agree with you over the rear wheels - they are a bit far in. I'm gonna go for the Hill 25mm spacers to take it to Spider 1630mm track (1578 std). Chris.
Hmm.. that last thread seems to tie up with the findings. Anyone know how the Speciale and Spider got their extra track width? Spacers? Hub thickness change? Different offset rear wheels? I can't believe Ferrari changed the entire rear suspension geometry, wishbones etc.! I'd like to go a "legal" way to increase width. Non-approved spacers tend to be very easy to detect (like following an accident) and tend to have the negative effect of invalidating insurances etc. if you're unlucky!
An extra 25mm offset on the wheels I'm told. The correct wheels are probably the best way to go (like you say, it will look 'right'), though obviously not cheap.
I know that the '94 348 Factory Challenge cars here in the US had the original rear wheel width, which was narowwer than the '93 SS version and the subsequent Spyder. Why Ferrar decided to go backwards, especially with the CH model, is beyond me.
With "width" do you mean "offset"? So the plot thickens ... This means that a nice set of rear spider wheels off eBay will wider the track, be "Ferrari approved" and be bloody expensive? Drew ________________________________________________ .....Ferrari drivers don't do speed humps......
