Hi All, For fun, I thought I would start a thread asking people for what they think are the best "mods" to the 308, either to make them more reliable, more powerful for more fun in some way. I'm thinking of mods that are relatively cheap, but hey, it's just a thread, so put whatever you like! They don't even have to be mods, could just be repairs that people forget or don't realize they should do. (like replacing the missing foam on the hood to force air to pass through the radiator). I'll start with my obvious favorites: 1. Birdman Fuseblocks, of course! (You knew I would put that, right?) 2. Driving light/headlight mod to allow running lights without headlights up. 3. The Russ airbox mod (for carb cars) 4. Larger wheels (for those 14" and TRX cars) with modern rubber. I'm sure I'm forgetting some. Anyone else got any? Birdman
Definitly the headlight mod that re-routes the power through some relays & so increases the power to the bulbs but also protects the switch.
Bets mod is fusebox. NOT kissing Bman's butt as the PO of the car did mine for me years before Birdman offered it. Installing Birdman's fusebox usually solves 99% of electrical gremlins. Ok, am guessing 99%, but that number seems right when you see how bad the stock one are.
Hey Steven, you are right about that! When I saw your post I was shocked that you didn't say something like: new springs, new wheels, new brakes, new........ You get the idea! Your 308 has more mods than 95% of them! Birdman
1: Bypass the instrument lighting rheostat in the instrument panel. Panel is actually readable now at night! 2: Install foam around all sides of radiator like the Bman said. Don't bother with correct (expensive) Ferrari part. $5 solution from DoIt Center. My car runs so much cooler now! 3: Remove easily stripped POS inside hex caliper retraction screw covers from rear brakes and replace with these: http://www.performanceproducts.com/productpage.aspx?pid=100392&name=914%20Rear%20Brake%20Caliper%20Plugs&part=100913 4: Hill Engineering pedals and shift knob. BLING! 5: Porterfield R4-S brake pads all around. Less dust than stock. 6: DashMat - Glare is a thing of the past! You'll either love it or hate it. We do a lot of video so it helps a lot. - see here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106888&page=2&highlight=dashmat 7: Black lower lip if you have a deep Euro spoiler. Easier to touch up inevitable dings. 8: K&N air filter. Better suck, squeeze, bang and blow! Intake makes a nice rumbling whine now. 9: Not really a 308 mod BUT buy a Motive power bleeder if you do your own brakes. Makes it effortless!!!! 10: Aftermarket exhaust - I bought a Stebro since I didn't want to spend 10% of the car's value on a Tubi or Capristo! Still waiting on delivery - - may arrive here next week. 11: Make sure the hose that cools your right inboard CV joint & boot is actually there. Saves the hassle of pulling the axle for heat damaged boots on a regular basis (not fun!). See here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105954 12: Birdman's fuse blocks (still have to get those!)
I've been hearing alot about Birdman's fuse blocks. They're that good?? Looks like i got to get some of those. That way i can get down to Starbucks and meet the rest of the gang.
Actually, we already have a thread like this as a "sticky" in this forum: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103221
As many already know, I like a stock appearing car, although I dont really care about emission stuff or Fed bumper junk. So euro bumpers, etc. Mods like the fuse box, the gutting of the carb air cleaner are mods no one would know. Also, cams and pistons, porting and port matching, healthy exhaust. Lighting can be dramatically upgraded with either Cibie or Hella H4 headlamps, with Cibie being the better choice IMO. Another alteration would be using a relay to power the headlamps, even without better bulbs, as Verell has pointed out that all power is run through the headlight switch. Relaying off that circuit takes all the load off the switch, something none of us need trouble with.
I intend to install and electronic ignition system at some point. The cost is the same as a doing a major service on the ignition system anyway. Bob Wassam
Not really a "mod or tweak" but the relays are another source of electrical problems(20+ years old) and for about $100 you can change them all. (Rockauto.com) Combined with Birdman's fuseblocks , you can kiss 95% of electrical problems goodby.
Want more AC to shoot through your vents in less than 5 minutes of work? You can get more cool air through your AC vents by duct taping the two side hole cutouts in the fiberglass funnel hat sits right behind the plastic directional vents. The two holes are for air flow under the dash area for the foot wells. Precious cool air is escaping from these to openings. Who needs that! tape them up and more air shoots through the vents toward you where you need it most. Discovered this trick while cleaning out those annoying foam chunks behind the vents. I'll post a pic in its own thread for an example. Summertime is here!
CHRIS: Get Bman's fuseblocks. BIRDMAN: Have realized most fcar guys don't mod like i do, or drive on the track during downpours/rain like was doing yesterday at Lime Rock Park. Guess i have settled down in the reality that very few guys will every really get to taking their 3x8 on the track 5+ times a year (or 15+ like me). Sure the mods done to the car here are very useable, but EVERY 308 owner will benefit from your fuse blocks. FYI: Today at the track it appears the car is *almost* on par with the new Lotus in the twisties though my added weight (i think) is killing me, but i can outrun them ever so slightly down the Lime Rock Park straight CHRIS: did i mention get the fuse blocks. The 308 stock block is a POS, and my day job is in the electronics industry. The stock 'nipple' fuses in ANY car is BAD BAD BAD! You have low contact area and the mating is not tight/firm. Add to that the oriignal Ferrari design of MELTING board and you have a nightmare on your hands. Fortunatly not a fire, but the OEM needs to be changed. Not suggested, not a maybe, but NEEDS TO BE CHANGED (imho). (Humor, trying to make Bman happy) Oh, and yeah, mod everything else in the car you can
How about that! You're right! Sorry for the repost....I guess the stickies have been there so long that they are now invisible to me. Birdman
I agree completely! But some people prefer the simplicity of the points, so I didn't list that as a "must have." Electronic ignition is so much better though. Birdman
FYI: today http://www.ispexperts.com/limerock062406.wmv See my at Lime Rock in July for the big Fcar event
Right. See: 308/328 Headlight Shootout - The Results Are In! http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65424 As discussed in the thread: So you've bought a 308/328.......... http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103221
Chris, I know you have heard this from me before....but you can put it on my lift to do the bumper. MUCH easier! Birdman
