Hi all, Have a new 430F1 (Nero) with race seats and steel brakes, arriving in a few weeks. I will be looking to do a few trackdays, here in the UK. In the past I have had a number of 911s (Gt2/GT3RS) which have always performed well on track. Have just gained my novice race licence, and intend to start racing in some format in '08. So my social trackdays will be on a minimal basis. Questions.. How close can I get the 430 setup to perform like the Scud, on track? I will look at brake upgrades, as discussed in another thread. Also geo setup, how aggressive can I run the camber. Tyre choices, understand the Scud will run a 235 front for more bite. Apart from the cosmetics, I think there is a minimal difference between a 430F1 wirth race seats and decent brakes.. and the Scud. A good chunk of weight saving will be the A/C delete, which most people will not choose. Comments please! Rob
Get the car, get to know the car and its limits, then see what you want to upgrade... Btw your F430 sounds wicked. Black with race seats, that's bad ass.
Get a Scud! No CCBs, more weight, makes it tough to come as close to the Scud as you want. Whats the waiting list like in the UK for the Scud?
I did not order the 430, it was earmarked as a demo car at my dealer. I managed to convice them to sell me the car. I rang around several dealers, looking for a Nero/nero F1 car. This one was specced with race seats and a few bits and bobs.
I have paid 141k sterling (280k US) for the 430.. Scud in Uk is 172k base.. 180k (360K US ) with a few bits. I could prob get one in 09, if I am lucky. I am convinced that with a good geo, sticky rubber and decent brake setup.. the 430 could get close to Scud lap times. IMO Rob
No way......different electronics setup and different F1 gearbox. Shift time has been reduced from 150ms for the F430 to 60ms for the 430 Scuderia.
It is not possible to convert a 430 to a Scuderia as there are simply too many parametres to juggle with. The most notable are the e-diff with the f1 trac esp, the rigidity of the chassis, the aerodynamics. A 430 suffers from several issues (on a track). The front end tends to divorce itself from the rear end and is fairly softly sprung. As a result it is not just a question of camber (and toe in, for that matter) but also of shock absorber and spring set up. Once you have got that right you will need to upgrade the brakes. The standard brakes will only last you a track day before being warped and in need of changing. You can get very good results with steel brakes (AP racing with floating calipers) and you might actually consider coming down to 18" rims so as to hace a better choice of rubber. Tyres: the best 19" available is the Pirelli P Zero "C" - if you can find it. Noël Racing near Aix en Provence (Jean-Christophe Noël) does superbe work and I have seen and driven a 430 prepared by them. Amazingly good compared to the "original" car (on a track). Bear in mind, that the minute you start the process you risk your warranty being null and void.
Guys, I understand that the suspension setup on the Scud is the same as the 430, the new independant suspension setting is so that you can set a fast shift pattern with a soft suspension setup. This would only benefit on a bumpy road or maybe at the Nordschleife. On a smooth track like Silverstone or Spa, there would be no benefit from the independant setup. As far as the 150ms vs 60ms shift changes.. very marginal peformance increase, unless you are Schumacher. The main differences on a regular trackday, will be in suspension <setup>, brake durability and tyres. I understand the Scud comes with Corsa system tyres, which were a standard fit on my 996RS. These are a vast improvement over the P zeros on a 430. If Toyo come up with an R888 that will fit the 430, then there will be a lot more potential grip (esp at the front).
Rob, I was told stickier tyres on a normal 430 will confuse the E-Diff and knacker the handling. If thats not the case run Corsa C's, but they only come in 235 front and 295 rears. They work well on Hudsons Strad in the dry but are as good as useless in the wet.... FWIW I think for track work you would have been better with a Strad, theres one at Meridian with 280 miles on it.....
Cheers Adam! Yeah saw the 280 miler, but think it was 130k..ish, so not cheap. I did not go for a Strad for 2 reasons.. 1. Did not wanna buy a used car, with uncertain history. Having seen a number of rebuilt GT3/RS, there is always the possibilty of buying a track damaged/repaired car. 2. Am selling my 997RS because I don't intend to do the massive trackday calender, I have been doing for last few years. I bought the 430 out of desire, but fancy doing a few trackdays.. so I can take a few GT3/RS boys, that have been giving me some stick. Having just got my Nat B licence, I intend to start racing.. prob with a few arrive and drives next year. If I get the bug, then will buy a Cup car in '09, and do the Porsche Open. Rob
Why don't you talk to Ferrari UK about getting an old 360 Challenge car The Fiorano Ferrari guys will look after it for you and it's going to quite cheap (~£50,000 with some spare parts iirc) Having done a Fiorano day, I thought the 360C car was better than the 430 Or else do the expensive thing and buy a 430 Challenge car
Doug, this is just an exercise in trying to get the most out of the 430, for a few trackdays. Also will enjoy taking a few of the "RS boys" on track, that have given me stick over the 430 purchase.
I was just doing a search on brake upgrades & came across this thread, You probably have sorted out the upgrades to make your new toy handle better on the track by now, but thought I would post my experiences and maybe get yours back in return. I have done a number of track days in my 430 now, I had another set of race wheels made, 19 x 8.5" fronts & 19 x 11" rears, the extra width made a difference, I have Hoosier R6 for them in 235 x 35 x 19 & 295 x 30, I have had no issues at all with the e-diff or anything else. Just about to change my worn out OE Pirellis for street use to the Toyo R888 you mention, I have heard great reports on them, all the top cars run them in the Targa Tasmania (tarmac rally) event here in Aus. I upgraded to a stiffer & lower springs and run 2.75 of neg camber front and about 2 at the rear for track days. New endless pads in street/race Type R compound, I am finding this was a major improvement but still only get 8-9 laps then they really go away, also terrible squeaking on the street (suspected this would happen), I have also cracked a front rotor, so now I am really thinking of upgrade to either Brembo 380mm fronts with 6 piston caliper or StopTech all round, as direct replacement to OE size with Pagit race pads for track and street pads for street use. I would be interested in your experiences on the brake upgrade if you proceeded.
"430F1 vs Scud" is not as same as "LP560-4 vs Superleggera"......Dont be confused mate!!! Ferrari is supplying Different cars on different price. If you prefer Scuderia's performance, why not you buy one instead of a standard F430. It will be better deal than any aftermarket modifications, IMHO. G/L P.S. Go check at www.ferrari.com - Factory Tech stat would tell the story clearly.
