Greetings All: I am considering adding a Challenge Grill to my F355 for additional engine compartment cooling. I also would like to have it painted body color (Rosso Corsa). However, I am concerned with the develpment of fine spider web-like cracks in the paint between the ventilation holes due to heat, flexing, etc (similar to an over-taxed cross-drilled rotor). If any of you have done this, have you had this problem? If so, would: (i) the painting of both inner and outer surfaces of the Challenge Grill and/or (ii) the addition of a urethane-based, flex-additive to the PPG paint, possibly prevent this from occurring? Thank you in advance for any information on this issue.
There have been several on here that have painted their CH grills and I never heard of any problems----just a matter of the looks and whether you like it or not...
+1 ...... though IMO the black challenge grill adds an aggressive appearance to the giallo and rossa 355s .........
Thanks Guys! I didn't think that there would be a problem (I did a search and I couldn't find anything on it), but I just wanted to double-check. I would love to be able to do an A-B-C comparison between a "normal" Rosso Corsa F355, one with an unpainted Challenge Grill and one with a Rosso Corsa-painted Challenge Grill, but I don't have an extensive F355 .jpeg picture gallery, nor can I seem to find any on the net. I guess I just have to be decisive.
This site is an excellent resource for images of Ferrari's, 355's included. I have seen a rosso 355 with a painted grill posted here somewhere. Maybe try the 355 picture thread?
Thanks, Jim! I'll give it a shot before committing to purchase. P.S. I envy you living in New Zealand. It has to be one of the most beautiful countries in the World!
Jim, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! You just saved me from making a $3000.00 mistake! Unfortunately, that looks like SH_T! Almost as though the paint is "bubbled". So much for my brilliant "...paint the Challenge Grill idea". I owe you big, my friend!!
LOL, didn't want to rain on your idea but......... A picture is worth 1000 words as they say. Now, how about you buy a challenge grill, and I'll test fit it to my car just to make sure it fits correctly......
I have a first-born, 12 year-old daughter living with my ex-wife in Boston, Massachusetts who needs braces - that I could send to you via overnight delivery... Would that do, instead???
Thanks, Jim, but that would be totally unfair to you. I really would not wish my ex-wife on anyone, let alone an FChat friend! Seriously though, I really appreciate you finding and posting that picture. You could not be more correct - a picture is certainly worth a thousand words. Thank you for preventing me from making a very expensive mistake.
Sorry to say, but that decision was a no brainer. It would be an absolute waste of a challenge grille. Black is a nice contrast. I'm considering adding it to my Fly Giallo F355. Just have to find a reasonably priced one.
You are absolutely right, Gary! The lowest price I've seen on a new Challenge Grill is $1575.00 USD. Personally, however, I would pay the small difference ($1620.00 USD) and buy it from Ricambi just for the high degree of customer service and the security of knowing it will arrive in perfect condition. Which is something I can not say with many, many other Ferrari parts distributors.
Kudos to James for bringing that 'painted grill' pic to light. IMO the challenge grill should be black but I know not everyone shares the same taste.
Actually, Andrew, I did a little research and Ferrari has offered a body color Challenge Grill (CG) to its customers through its Scaglietti option program. That being said, after actually looking at the picture of the Rosso Corsa-painted GC (kindly provided by Jim), I do not like it at all and will, most-certainly, NOT be installing such a CG on my F355.
