Tuning 430 C with GT Kit and Exhaust (pics)

Hello all.
I’m in the process of tuning my 430 Challenge car (GT Kit and Exhaust) to improve performance and make my car more competitive against a never ending march of newer technology from all makes. I thought you might find it interesting to follow along and enjoy the photos and results.

To hopefully establish some credibility, here is a little about me: I’ve been a track-rat for over 20-years with the following resume:

- Autocrossed a Celica GT in the late 1980’s
- Tracked a Porsche 911 in the early 1990’s
- Tracked a Ferrari 308QV from 1997-2001
- Tracked a Ferrari 355 Challenge from 2001-2006
- Tracked / raced a Ferrari 360 Challenge from 2006-2009
- Tracked / raced a Ferrari 430 Challenge from 2009 to present

I’m a driving instructor for FCA, PCA, BMWCCA, Mazda Drivers, and Chin Motorsports. I’ve been to Watkins Glen, Mid Ohio, Lime Rock, Mont Tremblant, Calabogie, Summit Point, VIR, Road Atlanta, and Sebring.

I’m a licensed racer and I’m one race away from winning the 2010 Mid-Atlantic Championship for National Auto Sports Association club racing (Super Unlimited Class – Ferrari 430c)

I love my 2007 430 Challenge and being a Mechanical Engineer, I enjoy the process of improving the machine and testing / tuning to optimize performance, stability and fun.

In 2010 I decided I wanted to invest in an aerodynamic package (GT Kit) and an improved exhaust system. I had attempted similar improvements to my 360 Challenge and it was good but I was looking for a better result. After a lot of consideration and research, I decided to work with Taurino Racing (Atlanta) to provide and install the systems on my car.

Two weeks ago I trailered my car from Virginia to Georgia to spend a day and a half with Andrea Taurino and his staff to consult about the car and do the install. Johan did an excellent and careful job on the install and was very helpful when explaining the adjustable elements. They also put my car on a set of scales and adjusted the corner weights and ride height to account for the additional downforce.

In addition to the GT Kit, I also replaced my stock headers with Capristo tuned racing headers, supplied by Taurino Racing.

VIR will be my testing ground for the improvements because it’s my home track and I have a tremendous amount of experience and telemetry there. In my future posts I will report my results.

Below are some photos from the process:
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WOW! Thank you so much for sharing! For tech geeks, of which i am one, this sort of thing is always a joy to follow. Best of luck with the endeavor

 

As an aside we have tons's of 430 GT2 spares including complete body molds and a complete car that we will be selling as surplus to our P 4/5 C project.

 

Nice, but definitely don't call a body kit an "investment"

Who do you compete against in SU?

 

Another cool build program to keep up with, good luck!

 

Fantastic endeavour! Taking engineering forwards as opposed to considering the product outdated. Motorsport is an ever evolving field, and I wish you the best against competition in your private tracking as well as in your professional racing.

Keep us posted with all the geeky, techy details. How much downforce is added with this new kit?

_J

 

Super Unlimited is a 'land of misfit toys'. This class is where you put the crazy machines that are typically too powerful or odd ball to comply with the weight/HP ratios standards in other classes. It's basically 'run what you brung'. In 2010 I've been running against one other 430 Challenge, Porsche Cup cars, amped-up corvettes, late model stock cars, and 500 hp Subarus.

I have my last race weekend of the season on October 9-10. After this I'll be able to report back on my laptimes, stability and overall feel with the new changes.

p.s. You're exactly right that no expenditure on a race car is an 'investment'. I've yet t make any money at this.

Two great quotes I've always liked:

"It's hard to do $10,000 damage to a Spec Miata or a Ferrari"

and

"It's absolutely possible to become a millionaire as a race car driver, but it helps to start with $20 million"

 

Paul great thread. Thank you for sharing.

 

Very cool. Please do post details after you run at VIR with the new stuff.

I would love to see data overlaid to show how the straightline terminal velocity is affected by the aero stuff, what the corner speeds are, and how much better the lap times are.

We put similar wing/splitter, from ANSA, on my 430C and picked up just over a second on a 1:15 track.

I bought steel brakes and test pipes from Taurino, and found them to be very helpful.

Mark

 

Still running the Challenge dampers?

 

I took the car to Mid Ohio last weekend to shake it down before my big trip to VIR this coming weekend. The car was PLANTED and it SCREAMED with the Capristo headers. I don't have good historic TraqMate data from previous years at Mid O so the best test will definitely be VIR in about 5 days. I was doing 1:31 on the 'pro' course at Mid O (no chicane after turn 1.

Below is a video of me passing a friend of mine at Mid O last weekend.

http://www.vimeo.com/15516397

Here is a picture of my home garage, me loading the car into the trailer for the trip to Mid O, and one shot on me on track.
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Wow, that Capristo exhaust really sounds great. Do you ever experience noise violations at any tracks you visit?

 

A few responses:

Yes, still running the stock Challenge dampers. I've thought about adjustables but $$$$$!

Yes, noise limits are a problem at some tracks like Mont Tremblant and Lime Rock, to name a few. Most, however, are ok with my loud exhaust. When I go to sensitive tracks I reinstall my stock Challenge exhaust.

A few more photos. I'm a geek too.
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This is becoming a new favorite thread of mine. Keep informing us, and make more videos!

 

Greetings all Challenge owners! Here at Taurino Racing, we've had a few inquiries recently about the products we offer for the Ferrari 430 Challenge car. We wanted to post here and let everyone know that we are here to answer your questions and offer support with our products. Products that we do offer to enhance performance have been tested and developed by Taurino Racing in conjunction with our home base Challenge Team in Italy (Malucelli Challenge Race Team). You can log on to http://Malucelli.it to view our portfolio in the world of Ferrari Challenge. Challenge cars that do not run in the Challenge series anymore can be modified to advance their performance for track and club events. For starters, we offer the steel conversion brake kit that is a complete fit for the standard Challenge car that will help you save money. Secondly, a low drag and high down force aerodynamic kit is also offered in a very lightweight complete carbon. Also, a complete Capristo Exhaust System from headers to the terminals. Please visit the links below to obtain more information on each product, and please let me know how we may be of assistance. Should you wish to contact us, our information is also below.

GT Kit (http://www.capristoexhaust.us/Ferrari-430-Challenge-GT-Aereodynamic-Kit-p/430gtaereokit.htm)

Steel brakes (http://www.capristoexhaust.us/Ferrari-430-challenge-rotors-pads-p/430%20chal%20brake.htm)

F430 Exhaust (http://www.capristoexhaust.us/Ferrari-430-Challenge-Exhaust-System-p/430chalexhaust.htm)

Office #: 770-536-1744
[email protected]

 

More videos you say?

Here's one I made from 2007. Still makes me squirm in my office chair when I watch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsga1BAA39A

 

Paul nice videos. You are real smooth out there.

 

Ace stuff mate

 

The car sounds great!

I stole one of your quotes. thanks

 

did you modify your bonnet yourself or is an after market?

 

I'm at VIR now. Big day tomorrow.

The front bonnet is a Michelotto product. The NACA duct feeds forced air into the stock air intake that feeds the cockpit. The interior gets pretty hot in the summer months.

 

Keep us updated, have a great weekend Paul! Videos being made?

 

Success??

 

I'm still at VIR for one more day (Monday) for a seperate event so I need some time to get back and look at telemetry data but here are some highlights from the weekend.

I won both sprint races on Saturday so I solidified my result as 2010 Mid Atlantic points leader for Super Unlimited class.

The car handled great in the high speed/aero parts of the track. I was trying to use up some old tires and I thought they were better than they were. I had some significant understeer in the low speed/non aero/mechanical grip portions of the track. It didn't take long to find out I had corded my front tires and this was keeping me from setting great lap times. I'll be back at VIR within a month and I'll be sporting much better tires so I can go for a personal best time with my new wing/splitter combo.

I did get some great in-car video so as soon as I have a chance I'll get it on YouTube or Vimeo to share. I great dicing on track!
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Must have been quite a scary feeling from those tires. Can't wait to see the rest of the results, thank you very much Paul