Manual Top Kit Build

I've completed about a month of 355 ownership .... still in the WOW mood, even though I've experienced a few " Top Issues ". For any 355 intersted, I will be working / developing a manual / emergency kit. Having access to to a full machine shop , metal fabrication equiment and engineering, I look forward to the challenge.
Any input from Spider owners would help with the project, with the overall objective to provide all participants with such a kit.
Comments / suggestions are welcomed !

 

Welcome to Ferrarichat mate. Sounds like a cool project you are getting into. The top operation on my car works correctly most of the time, barring a quick realignment every now and then.

Throw up some photo's of your new toy

 

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I would be very interested! The 355 spider top design has to rank as 1 of the more poorly executed Ferrari concepts! Just my opinion.
The 348 design(manual) is far superior. Your challenge may be the lever required to initially move the top up or down. Please keep me updated.

 

The specific problem that I currently have is the following :

1) Top hydraulic mechanism works with the exception of the cycle that retracts the frame allowing it to fit behind the seats.

2) Per other chat threads I filled the fluid reservoir, as it was low, I'm pretty sure there is a leak somewhere in the pump due to residue noticed in the center tunnel.

3) I removed the right & left shoulder bolts to the scissor type assembly, allowing me to manually assist the top actuators allowing the correct attack angle ...after the top has been positioned in the open position, I re-installed the shoulder bolts , this allows the top to close properly.

4) I did notice that after leaving the car sit for about a week with the top up, the opening cycle worked fine ????

Either way ..... it is a bit of a turkey shoot, thus the idea to design a kit that would allow the use of " manual " power on various " problem cycles. I have purchased a spare pump from Rick Moore in San Diego for testing and or modifications, A hydraulic pumd is a hydraulic pump, with no reason to be so expensive to rebuild.

Pictures or descriptions of various problems with other 355s would allow me to understand the various failure points from other owners and implement possible solutions.

We build driving simulators utilizing various types and sizes of motors. Some with plenty of torque in a small form factor. It is my initial belief that the hydraulic rams can be replaced with 12VDC electric motors, similar to those used for seat mechanisms, sequence and timing through a PLC ( programmable logic controller).

I will follow-up with pictures and video clips, and look forward to others with interest to do the same.

 

I have had my beautiful 99 355 spider for a few weeks. I am into it for quite a bit and some of the work includes the top. I replaced the seat track and motor on the driver side and the top was bled and checked. As soon as I got it home from the shop it just gives me a long series of beeps once in the half down position when I actuate the top switch.

Questions:

Can I make it a manual top?
Does anyone know about the seat motor so I don't have to buy the whole track from FNA?

PS I am in love even if she is going to break me and leave me alone and naked. (the car FYI).

Adrian

 

Thats not the only thing the 348 is superior on but you will learn in time....

 

I would put a deposit down tomorrow for a solution to the top problems!!

 

I would prefer a manual top.

 

only way to go....imo

 

i can put down my manual top in about 4 seconds, compared to about 30 seconds (if it works) in my friend's 355