Sea foam tech | FerrariChat

Sea foam tech

Discussion in '365 GT4 2+2/400/412' started by Timp, Feb 2, 2007.

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  1. Timp

    Timp Rookie

    Oct 8, 2005
    42
    A couple of weeks back I asked for help finding some 'sea foam' colored leather for my 1978 400A. ( Its the one shown a while back in Forza ) I'm still looking ! But the chat evolved into some topics on what I've done tech wise on the car since having it. I needed to confirm details before sharing so couldn't answer all questions then but can now. One key point, most the improvements were done by Dan at Dream Cars in SoCal. I'm not the tech head, but wanted to share what I've learned. I use the car as a daily driver. here's what has been done:

    1. Changed the alternator to the 90 amp version of the alternator for an 84 Audi Quattro. This made a huge performance difference for my 400 which has only one alternator as standard. Apparently you have to specifically ask for the 90 amp when chasing this down. This completley eliminated problems I was having especially stalling in slow traffic, and has made performance 'crisper' in general. I still have to rev it up to 3000 rpm or so to get it to start charging which generally wakes the neighbors, but there's a fun side to that !

    2. Put a Jaguar XJR torque converter in. Unfortunately I burned out the last torque converter driving the auto as a manual. This converter is rated for a higher torque than the origional so should survive better. I now drive with the shifter in 2nd for around town then drive for highway.

    3. Put a Trans-go shift kit and a new GM 400TH auto transmission. This allows for crisp 1st to 2nd shifting to be at 4500 rpm and 2nd to 3rd at 5000 rpm when I push it. For slower driving it shifts at as low as 2500 rpm, somewhat 'mushier' than I would prefer, but acceptable.

    4. ATE super Blue Racing brake fluid. A bit difficult to find but this is a high boiling point brake fluid. I had a scary moment driving in the Malibu mountains doing too much braking on very steep downhill and my brake failed. Luckily I was able to spin the car and stop with no damage, but am happy to have made this change for the future.

    5. Ceramic ATE Matric brake pads. More aggressive than stock, I wanted insurance on the braking side. I now have very solid braking.

    6. My dash lights were very dim so I bi-pased the potentiomter in the dash. Very easy and satisfying !

    7. All new hoses stopped annoying oil leaks.

    8. New Pirelli's. I know this isn't stock, but they are available and I think look very good because of the very large Pirelli graphic that looks deliciously Italian !

    9. Getting through SMOG was a trick. Worthy of a chat over a drink sometime. It invovled using some BMW 7 serries CATS, with some smart welding, so they might be conveniently detatched ......

    10. Re-built start motor. Not a big deal but apparently quite a b....ch to get to with my carbureters. Maybe its easier with injectors.

    And now I'm having a wail of a time driving around. She's been quite reliable so far and I'm looking forward to future improvements as I learn more.

    Cheers
     
  2. Timp

    Timp Rookie

    Oct 8, 2005
    42
  3. dstacy

    dstacy F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 23, 2006
    11,998
    GMT -5 & GMT +1
    Full Name:
    Dave
    A very good bit of info. Any major issues with the connecter?

    Yep, the starter removal is really tough. Most of the time you have to remove the header.
     
  4. Timp

    Timp Rookie

    Oct 8, 2005
    42

    For the alternator, you need to swap the belt wheel for the origional, otherwise my understanding is that its pretty much a swap in. Hope this helps.
     
  5. aidanparte

    aidanparte Formula 3

    Jul 18, 2004
    1,231
    Damn, that is a beautiful car, and great photos.

    Thanks for the useful information. How are the brake pads noise-wise?

    I put Pirellis on my 400 and think they look great, too.

    Aidan
     
  6. aidanparte

    aidanparte Formula 3

    Jul 18, 2004
    1,231
    Dave, you just can't stay away from the 400 forum! When are you getting your next one?

    I put your old one into SportAuto yesterday for the valve job and some other maintenance.

    Aidan
     
  7. dstacy

    dstacy F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 23, 2006
    11,998
    GMT -5 & GMT +1
    Full Name:
    Dave
    <laugh> I sure miss driving a front engine v12. If it hadn't been for the sunroof and my height you may have never owned your car.
    Next one? Oh who knows. As you are well aware of, nice ones are so hard to find.

    Since it is at Bill's why don't you let him play with the adjustment on the tranny modulator to help with the kickdown you mentioned? Easy to do, just pull off the hose and insert a screwdriver.

    HEY!!!!!!!!! Aidan would you walk next door and take a peek at the Mondi Cab he has? Red/Tan car. Helen has been looking at it. I'm afraid the interior has been beaten up pretty bad from the sun.
     
  8. Timp

    Timp Rookie

    Oct 8, 2005
    42
    The brake pads do squeek when warm sometimes ... apparently there's a foam plate of some kind that can reduce this that Dan is looking into.
     
  9. lazaruslong

    lazaruslong Karting

    Aug 9, 2006
    86
    Talked the other day to a mechanic specialized in GM automatics, about pros and cons with shift kits. He was very firm on Trans Go, being absolutely the best. He proposed, as I explained that I wanted higher shift points, irrespectively of throttleangle, to install a adjustable vacuum modulator, which raises the shift points across the line. If I understood him correctly it doesn't change kick-down values, to change that you need to change the kick down detent regulator
     
  10. aidanparte

    aidanparte Formula 3

    Jul 18, 2004
    1,231
    Dave, no problem - I'll take a look at it when I go to collect my car (probably in 2 weeks). I'll take it for a drive as well, perhaps.

    Aidan
     
  11. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,338
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    After seeing the car I could help with leather, maybe..

    Did you reach Veteran's Trim in Houston?
     
  12. Timp

    Timp Rookie

    Oct 8, 2005
    42
    Thanks ! Yes I did but they didn't have any sea foam green .... shoudl I try again ?
     
  13. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
    79,338
    Houston, Texas
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    Bubba
    no, they have pretty good inventory ovesight...books and books and book of samples....................going back decades.

    Only different if you are standing there with a sample......maybe.

    We found a Rolls Royce blue carpet that was 'close enough' for a Boxer.....
     
  14. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,338
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    You should maybe try the new Classic Department at the Factory then..

    Not the cheapest way to buy a cowhide...fo' sure!
     
  15. Tarek K.

    Tarek K. F1 World Champ

    Sep 7, 2006
    10,788
    Cairo - Egypt
    Full Name:
    Tarek K.
    Very clean car.
     
  16. Timp

    Timp Rookie

    Oct 8, 2005
    42
    I'll see if they"ll work from a color matched photo....thx
     

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