My 355 mini-Restoration story

Fab,
I think we all understand how frustrating it is waiting for work to be done (no worries). Sounds like the shop is really trying to make everything right in the end for you.
I hope you’re able to get the Fabspeed pipes fixed in a timely manner. Is it Fabspeeds fault? Are they willing to compensate you somehow or send you new pipes?

 

Well, the angle on both pipes is different so it's clearly a manufacturing defect but I haven't contacted them yet because I'm in a hurry to get this done.

My friend has a shop and hopefully he can fix it or bend it for me somehow.

 

I would still call them and get some $$$ back.

 

I feel your FabSpeed pain. I had alot of problems with their stuff too.

see here http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=140936453#post140936453

 

Good to know about he fabspeed headers not being direct bolt ons. Fabspeed claims the prodcut bolts right on... (as advertised) so it would only be fair that they should cover the additional cost for proper fitment by the mechanic/ adjustments made by welder. You should not be the one stiffed with the extra cost. I know that's just in an ideal scenario and will never happen, but still if you pay 3k for headers + 15% Duty + shipping...I would expect em to fit right and I'd be pretty pissed off if they didn't and on the phone to Fabspeed right away.

 

At first, I kind of let it go and it was a little more work and didn't think much of it and tought my mechanic was exaggerating but the car is now in a different shop and there are some issues being pointed out by a real Ferrari specialist.

I sent Fabspeed an email and I am certain they will take care of me, they have been very professional and courteous right from the start and they are a sponsor here so I'm pretty confident we'll come to an arrangement that will be satisfactory.

I'm waiting for their response, I'll let you know what they say.

 

Good stuff. Lets see what they come back with

 

Hi Fab,

Great work, I look forward to seeing around this summer.

Lino

 

Final Restoration budget

-air vent cover for interior: 150$
-major service kit: 830$
-fuel regulators: 620$ for 2
-cv boot kits: 160$
-thermostat: 145$
-oil filter: 25$
-alternator pulley: 50$
-Fabspeed headers, bypass cats and sec. bypass + ceramic coating: 5400$
-powder coating covers: 0$ (Friend of mine, no charge)
-New wire Set: 425$
-head cover gaskets: 15$
-Refinish mags: 700$
-New air tire valves: 50$
-New CV boot heat shields: 200$
-Carbonio carbon Fibre Door sills: 500$
-Stainless Steel Ferrari engraved sill inserts: 125$
-Mirror switch face plate: 28$
-Stainless steel Passenger Footrest: 100$
-HVAC Panel Replacement: 80$
-2 blank Keys: 32$
-5 Aluminium Wheel - Seat Inserts: 40$
-Engine Bay lateral right side protection: 140$
-Door key lock gaskets: 40$
-Euro directional white clear front lights: 275$/pair
-Wheel center caps: 130$
-Valve stem tire caps: 6$
-2 new Muffler clamps: 20$
-New OEM windshield: 1000$
-Labor to replace windshield: 500$
-Full paint and color change: 7500$
-Skid protectors: 150$
-New leather for dash: 175$
-leatherique treatment and dye: 300$
-cleaners/solvents/paint to refinish sticky interior: 120$
-New air bag sticker, paint sticker, wing badges, tire pressure sticker, pininfarina badges: 75$
-New hood struts rear: 60$/pair
-Replacement rear OEM grille cover: 250$
-2 hydrographic carbon fiber dip kits: 200$
-caliper stencils: 10$
-New Kenwood eXcelon XR-S17P speakers: 200$
-New Power steering reservoir: 40$
-Ssnake oyl seat belt repair and new retractors: 250$
-Driver seat mechanism repair: 120$
-Shampoo/steam carpeting: 60$
-3M protective film Clear Bra (for stone chips): 180$
-hi temp paint cans: 30$
-Powder coating various parts: 50$
-Fix leather toolcase buttons: 6$
-Nouvalari SuperSport Exhaust: 1400$
-New carpet retainer clips: 20$
-Ferrari seat belt cushion pads: 10$
-Brake cleaner: 7$
-New Hankook EVO tires: 910$
-Various small parts, gaskets, handle & switch holder from Ricambi: 20$
-Fuel filler guard: 30$
-New air hoses: 110$
-New 3 switch holder for top & seats: 30$
-New wiper caps: 3$
-New tonneau leather cover clip button: 15$
-fan sensors, plenum chamber gaskets & misc. parts: 200$
-new cavalino steering wheel centre emblem: 10$

Mechanic costs:
-prepare the car for inspection: 125$
-oil change: 125$
-Labor for major engine service kit: 2400$
-Other labor (fitting fabspeed, change extra parts): 600$
-Refinish clutch: 500$
-injector test: 200$
-miscellaneous costs (silicone, brake fluid, etc...): 50$
-Labor (install exhaust, remove & reinstall detailed engine parts 7 calipers, replace steering reservoir, change tires & other misc. work) 1020$


TOTAL: 29547$

Obviously, there's always going to be more to do but this completes the restoration part.

 

Here's a few pictures of the last work that was done on the car:

-Reinstalling calipers, plenum chambers and engine parts that were detailed
-Replace wiper caps
-Installation of Nouvalari exhaust
-install new tires
-install new tire center caps
-fix radiator fan (center joint was broken so the motor was turning but the fan was not. glued it for now, hope it holds)
-change cracked inserts on 1 wheel
-Fix handbrake switch
-etc...

I must say that Ralph at Monaco Prestige really took good care of me. He saw how anxious I was to get the car and how depressed I was getting from all the delays so he worked all weekend to make it happen and I am eternally grateful.

He also charged me a lot less than what I expected based on the hours he spent on my car, refused my tip when I tried to give him a little extra and called me the next day to see how the car was doing.

Seriously, if you're in the Montreal area, try servicing your car at Monaco Prestige once and you'll keep going back. He specializes in italian exotics and the webpage is www.monacoprestige.ca

(I am not affiliated with this business, I'm just a very happy customer)
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Finally finished the restoration and I was able to enjoy the car this week. Below are pictures of the car completed 100% and a video of the sound produced by my Nouvalari exhaust which I absolutely love....

I would like to thank all you Fchatters who helped me out with all your suggestions and guidance. All the people and sponsors who chimed in and checked back often. I never imagined I would create the most popular thread in the 355 section of Fchat when I got started with this blog. I also never imagined I would go this far into the restoration which is why I wrongfully titled the thread "mini-restoration".

I got to know so many of you and I am proud to call you friends. I also learned a lot very quickly and was able to help others with my own advice once I began knowing what I was talking about.

One thing that surprised me is how many veteran fchatters with lots of knowledge who seem to post in many threads avoided posting in this thread....kind of weird? perhaps a little jealousy? I'm not sure....Fchat is a really awesome place but sometimes the atmosphere here can get a little passive-agressive. Anyway, I'm certainly not complaining with 50,000+ views and almost 500 posts so far. Thank you Rob Lay for making this "thread of the month"

I'm not going to mention all the fchatters who helped me because the list would be too long.

A special thank you to the following local establishments:

-IMAC Auto
-Lancia Body Shop & Restoration
-Monaco Prestige
-Artitalia Group
-Club Fiat Montreal

I've waited all this time and promised myself I would add it to the registry until the car was done. Well, it's done now so I've proudly added it to the registry today.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piJP0zU8kUw[/ame]
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final pictures
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What did they do in all of this?

 

Looks awesome, Fab.

Well done, sir.

 

I can't even begin to tell you how much help I've received from all my friends in the club. I am forever grateful to them, a great bunch of guys....

When are we taking a drive together? Weather forecast looks awful for the next few days......maybe next weekend?

 

Great Job bro. Enjoy. Love the tunnel blasts.

 

Your car came out great congrats and I love the video hard to beat the sound of a 355. I think I saw this car for sale awhile back at Inskip Porsche in Warwick.

 

Congrats! The car looks and sounds incredible.

 

SCWHEEEEEEEEEEET!

 

By far one of the best 355's I've seen. I know this was a lot of work on your part as well as big $$, yet you came out smiling!

Well done!

 

Congrats! Very nice work. Very classy modifications.

Quite a spectacular change in this car! I am a big fan.

Can you post some close ups of your door sills now that the car is back together? Want to see how they turned out.

Thanks!

 

Ask and you will receive.....
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Yeah... those look fantastic. Thats going to be my first mod I think

 

Are you still going to add the subwoofer? I'm anxious to see how that turned out. Overall very well done and congratulations. It's been fun to watch the journey

 

Fab this has truly been a fabulous thread. You've spent the money but look at what you have created - near perfection. I hope it give you many years of trouble-free and highly enjoyable driving.

BTW, what's going on with Bruce and the steering wheel airbag?