tracking my 328 gts

I am considering going to the track this coming spring, I have heard that because it is a wet sump system I shouldn't track the car. It can cause engine faliure because it is not set up for tracking. Should I reconsider taking my car to the track?

 

I can't answer your question from a technical point and I may be wrong about this but I can't imagine this Ferrari - borne and bred of racing heritage - is not suitable for track use. Besides that, I don't see how the average recreational track day driver (I track my bikes so I know what track days are about) would place such demand as to detriment a 328 (as compared to very aggressive street driving). That is unless - on a sump-unrelated issue - the driver has no regard for redlines and clutches. I have seen photos of 328s on the track, but maybe they've had a sump modification if this is in fact an issue.

 

Depends on your experience . . . plenty of guys track with no issues . .. my car is an '81 and I'm running slicks but I'm starting to see suspension parts fail . .. no engine issues but I do have the upgraded baffle (which you shouldn't need in a 328) and have to run a qt over full to prevent starving at full tilt . .. you should consider a cage if you get to this point which will also be my next upgrade unless I switch to a different car . .. serious possibility of that right now also.

Sean

 

A dry sump is definitely better for tracking but I think the wet sump 308's had more of a problem than the 328 (some oil pan baffle redesign, I believe). Basically, if you see your oil pressure dropping off a lot in curves you're pushing your luck. If not, you're probably okay.

A dry sump 308 GTB would be the best car of this series for tracking.

 

There was a problem with early 308 wet sumps and all the oil moving to one side under high G loads, but this was cured in later cars. I've tracked QV's and 328's quite a bit and never had an oil starvation problem. I will add that 328's have better oil cooling than 308's (and some later cars for that matter). Some people have had troubles with suspension parts when running slicks, but you can run it all day without fear with street performance tires.

Dave

 

I have have been instructing for the Ferrari Club for a long time and the 328's make great track cars. That being said they are old cars. You have to make sure everything is up to snuff, hoses, belts, suspension bushings etc. My recomendation is buy a used Miata for the track and beat the death out of it and once you are sure you know what your doing take the 328 out for a bit.

 

I've been tracking my 1984 308QV for around 15 years, usually 2 or 3 times per year. No issues related to the track.

Here's FCA's pre-track checklist:

www.fca-se.com/tech.htm

and another good read:

www.fca-se.com/TrackReadMe.htm

 

You will have no issue with oil starvation with the 328. The 328's have a sump, baffle & pick up tube design that addresses the problem of the earlier 308's right turn lateral g starvation. If your concerned, run the oil a 1/2 to 3/4 qt high. I did this at track days for 2 years with no issue before I upgraded my sump baffle .

Other advice (from experience):
Switch to porterfield R4-s brake pads, braided ss brake lines and Motul or ATE high temp fluid, it makes the car SO much better and controlable on the track. Run your tires (street tires) at 35 lbs +/- front and rear. This may be more than you run on the street, but once they heat up on the track, they stick just fine, and you will avoid rolling onto the outside edges and ruining your tires quickly (like I said, experience). If your 328 has great paint, and your concerned about chips, be sure to tape all of the vertical surfaces on the front, and the areas just behind the tires. the "flowing" surfaces will be fine, but the leading edges, vents etc. really take a hit if your on a track with sand, debris etc. (flame job optional, see pic ;-) looks a little dorky on the track, but next show weekend you'll be happy you did it. Be sure your front and rear wheel bearings are in good shape, no side play. Again, the 328's are top of the model design upgrade chain, and don't have the same (or at least less of a) rear hub issue as the early cars.

Your gonna get hooked on the experience, so be prepared. You will not believe what capable track machines the 3x8's are in the turns.

Enjoy the track !!

-Lou
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Sean,
Don't put a cage in your Ferrari. Just buy an old race car for track days. After my first year of tracking my Ferrari I said to myself "ya know it's going to be expensive if I hurt this car"

I went on e-bay and picked up a 1978 Porsche 924. Actually it was a package deal: Two race cars both had cages and racing seats and belts, one had a motor and one did not. Got those plus 6 sets of tires, 3 sets of rims, two extra doors, 4 extra fenders, one extra hatch, a 4 speed trans in addition to the 5 speed that is in the car, all for $2,500.00.

It was halfway accross the country so I did not even haul the motorless car home. Just told previous owner to scrap it.

I painted it and have been putting money into it but I'm still well under $10,000 and now I'm racing it.

(how much are suspension parts going to cost?)

 

Cool ! Great deal. Yes, the "track specific" low dollar car VS the classic Ferrari seems to be the natural progression of the F-car track junkie (I'm there now !) Sean has 2 though, so one might become "the track car", thats what I would like to do also. A rough beater GT4 or older308, 924 or 928 Pcar, maybe Spec Miata? Especially after seeing a recent track day tragedy happen.

 

As to the advice about the brake fluid be aware that if you run the racing brake fluid the the AP600 or the Motul 600 they collect they are designed for racecars that flush the fluid every time the car goes on the track. They collect moisture faster and don't lubricate the seals as well as the street fluid. On racecars with hydraulic master cylinders I run the cheapest brake fluid I can buy for the clutch. Not much heat in the clutch slave/master cyl and they stroke further than the brakes and we don't bleed them as much as the brakes.

A cheap prepared racecar will be much safer with all the safety equip and probably much faster than your 328. I do have fun tracking my 328 once and a while and I love the car but it's no racecar

 

76 glass wet sump, took mine to Mosport this past year, and ran perfect. You only have to worry if your car is not up to date on maintence....after 20 plus years on a 328, you need a few things looked at for sure ot make sure you have a afe run. After you pass the inspection and get the green light to go, just remember the car belongs to you, and that there is no money at the end of the track event....any breakage will cost you
Go out and have some fun after you get the car checked out, dont listen to the nay sayers of the wet sump...it runs perfect.

 

As noted, the issue with the wet sump is oil starvation in high G turns, mostly to the right (tight right hand turns) with the older 308 engines. There is a modified baffle system that is easily installed in the older engines that fixes the problem. I installed one in my '78 308, and a buddy installed one in his '83 QV. It did fix the problem for both of us. No more oil pressure dropping to zero on the track or doing auto-crossing.

As for driving it on the track, DO IT!! It is super-fun to track these cars. Just remember, it is not a high HP modern car. You really have to drive these cars, you can't just rely on the horsepower to pull you on the straights. But these cars, the 3x8s, handle great in the twisties and are just a blast to drive.

If you are serious about racing, I mean really racing, forget the 328. Go get yourself a real race car that has been track prepped, with plenty of spare parts, that will be cheap and easy to repair, and won't put you in the poor house if you have to junk it. Otherwise, if you just want to do track days with local clubs, have some fun driving your car at speed, and sharing the experience of being out at some great tracks with friends, enjoy your 328. The were built to drive, so don't be afraid to drive it.

p.s. One thing -- if you do end up doing a number of track days, get a harness bar or harness anchors installed so that you can use a 5 or 6 point harness, and invest in a good helmet and a HANS device. Even in an HPDE, you can get going fast enough to do some serious damage to yourself, and a HANS device could save your life. But you need a racing harness to use one, it won't work with regular seat belts.

 

I agree with Steve and Lou. Go out and have fun. Drive safely!
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When did the 308QV got the baffles?
My -85 Euro have baffles, one of the last though, ch 59023.

I would not worry about tracking the car from a mechanical point of view, as long as brakes, tires, suspenssion, belts etc are in good shape.

 

I have a '73 911 that's a dedicated track car that will dust 360's and Z06 Vette. . . that being said my 308 is more fun to drive.

Interesting development over the past few days . .. looks like I've acquired a certain 348 track car in need of some repair that already has a cage.

C'ya at the track

Sean

 

Ulf,

Cars must pass a required tech inspection to be allowed on the track.

Barry
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I knew those F40's were overrated.

 

Agreed.

 

Hi Ulf,

Although the tech inspection is very thorough at the track, I brought my car into the shop a week before track day for the inspection. It had been 3 1/2 years since my major service and if anything needed to be done it would be possible to do so and avoid the possibility of inspection failure on track day.

Barry