My 355 mini-Restoration story

I know what you mean, you could go for the other green I described, it is quite nice actually - Although red is the "classic" Ferrari color.

 

I was about to have a different response, then I saw your location (and your use of the word "workshop")

BRG - Heh.

 

+1 from experience and the pay me later is a very hard pill to swallow, I still haven't managed to completely swallow it

 

Spot on with your guess partner. I owned a BRG DB7 a few years back.
But i suppose one has to have traditional Aston in BRG at least once. So i can understand the man wanting a Rosso Ferrari.

 

For proper spark plug wires, get the set from www.kingsborne.com They make a reproduction set using the same Beru connectors on each end, just like the originals. I believe they are only $400 or there about. Much less than oem.

If you try to make your own, good luck. Just make sure to use 7mm wire. You will have a bear of a time making 8mm fit inside the valve covers.

 

Are you actually looking at the individual primary tubes, or are you looking at the heat shield that covers the tubes? To answer your question regarding life expectancy of factory manifolds, I can at least offer the approximate replacement mileage from my car (97 F355B)

Replacement set #1: Installed at approximately 12,000 miles (covered under factory warranty)

Replacement set #2: Installed at 39,000 miles. Used JP rebuilt manifolds from Ricambi.

If I had to do it over again, I'd probably just pay the extra money for the ceramic coated headers from Fabspeed and never worry about the problem again. Nothing wrong with the JP rebuilds -- they are certainly less expensive -- but the downside of using a rebuilt unit is that the heat shields cover up the repair job, so there's no way for you to tell how many tubes they replaced.

 

is the windshield cracked? if not, why not polish it, eastwood (if i remember right?) or a well versed detail shop, has special polishing compound that can make it like new, and even if a detail shop charges $200, it's less then 1/3 of a new one

good thread by a fellow canuck!

 

Good thread. Will be keeping an close eye on this one.

Look forward to the end result

 

I think it has the white spots inside the glass, between the layers.

 

I have been holding out since the fall of 2009 for replacement headers that Dave Helms has been designing/testing. You would be doing your Ferrari a great service if you considered those as well. In case its not obvious Mr Helms is the one behind the Gold Connector kits. In the mean time have your current headers smoke tested and also pay very close attention to the air injection rails. While you have the original headers on the car if your car ever doesn't sound normal or stumbles on idle or all of a sudden temporarily idles fast, park it as soon as possible and re-check your manifolds and air injection tubes. If you don't do this you may be allowing serious damage to occur on your engine. Not trying to scare you or anyone else just save you from what happened to me. I was extremely careful with paying close attention to the condition of my stock headers while waiting for new and improved replacements to be available but the stock headers expired on me unexpectedly and now I have a lot of damage on my engine.

 

Well, I think welding thicker material on the headers is a double edged sword - while it may stop the headers from causing a leak - it also may allow pieces of the broken runners (when they break) to travel inside the headers and end up in really bad places...

The Idea of ceramic coating the headers could definitely extend the life - if done properly (i.e. coated inside and out with the proper stuff) it can limit the amount of heat that is transmitted into the pipes.

I still see changing to aftermarket headers as the best solution, it will increase the reliablility and the re-sale value as well as allowing you to sleep better.

 

My 348 has the same problem.

Where did you find the windshield for $675????


Kai


Is it 2012 yet?

 

Euro spares used to, they still might.

 

Can you post a pic of it?

 

Great thread, I also think that your budget will get surpassed quickly, but I can't help but think that it will be worth it.

Good luck.

 

Thanks but that's not even close to $675...

eBay is $899 plus $150 shipping.

I'd pay $675 plus shipping if I could.

Kai


Is it 2012 yet?

 

There is no way you will find a new Sigla(OEM) for $675....maybe a used one but doubt it.

The company that made these windshields is no longer in business...they were bought out by Pilkington and they ran a small batch using the Sigla TM but don't know if any are still available.

There are some Asian windshields out there that will fit 348/355 at a good price but I bet money that the laminating plastic will go south really quick and that there may be other issues.

 

That is NOT good news.