YELO 550 - a Tribute to Steve (GS) Johnson

3rd dash console switch from the driver is a dummy in my USA 550. It was used for something in my euro 550 but I can't remember what for. Anyway how about using a Ferrari switch? Also, remember that there is no cure for water seepage down the ECU plug and into the ECU. You might not want to strap that stuff to the ECU bundle.

 

Your hands sure look awfully clean for a car guy
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

IIRC, gs's switch cluster isn't stock, either!

 

Awesome! Are you getting close to driving it? If yes you need to be on the Indio Stooge list and make the trackday in November with Bill and I. That would be a great shakedown.

 

Just did that to mine as well. Huge difference.

Like the Boss 302 pic. Yours?

 

VERY COOL!!! Just about all that you can get these days are the HTGC 19.5mm sway bars. the FHP ones are really freaking hard to get.

FWIW, I have John's steering ECU and it's a game changer. You will love it.

 

GS, if you're planning to track your car, consider making a spacer for the brake pedal. It's not high enough for safe heel-toeing. See this thread: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/456-550-575-sponsored-bradan/7965-550-owners-heel-toe-5.html

Here's my 1.0 cm brake pedal spacer...

.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Barry,

Was 1 cm the perfect amount? To me there is no way to tell without trial and error. My foot-o-meter says I need more than 1cm? I can't tell. I made these ghetto spacers from 3/4" aluminum plate stock. So mine are almost twice the size as yours. What do you think? Could you us a thicker plate? 1st test will be late braking Plugzit at CVR in 3 weeks. I guess we will see. I spaced the clutch too. I think it will work better for when I LFB.

 

Cool on the FHP stuff. Are the springs FHP or made to FHP spec? They look real.


And Duh!!! forgot the spacer picture.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

FBB, for me the 1.0 cm spacer works well. I don't catch the top of my racing shoe under the gas pedal if I'm not precise with rolling the sole of my shoe, It feels like my F355 Challenge. But I can understand the trial and error approach using washers, like Dave suggested in the other thread, before fabricating a spacer. A thicker spacer might suit your 550.

 

These are standard fitment race springs. What's the Ferrari tax for the springs, has anyone considered getting the spring rates tested ($10-20)? Chances are they're repainted Eibach springs anyhow, ERS springs can be had for $50-100 each.

 

The spacer is vital, GS. My 550's previous owner had an off-track excursion at the Watkins Glen bus stop when his foot got caught under the gas pedal while downshifting. The entire lower half of the driver's side was rock-blasted. All that remains now is a scraped left front caliper...

.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

My mistake. Who's the OE mfr?

 

Vig- It is on the spring, Cagnola, Monza. The HGTC springs were made by Cosmo, also in Italy.

 

Fat Billy Bob - Carl please contact me regarding GS at 909 376 3652

 

Guy's I am very remorseful to report GS ( Steve ) Johnson passed away last Thursday morning. He was a good friend of over 25 years and partner in man car related projects over the years. We buried him yesterday in Lake Forest , Ca.

Dressed and ready for work, laid back down on the bed and never got back up. ME presumed a heart attack. He had no complaints about health and you can see how ambitious he was with YELO 550.

Just a very sad event in car guy land. We are all very shocked and saddened. His daughter chose to bury him in his IMSA racing suit with a model of the Yellow 550 some one in this thread suggested he purchase. He said the car was a keeper and that he would take it to his grave.

That said, I have been designated to finish the 550 for his daughter. If you look at this thread post #157, sad it is happening so early. We were partners in a couple vintage race car projects that need to be buttoned up as well.

A little background on GS :

He had 100's of cars over the years and handled many restorations to excellent driver quality to concours de elegance winners. He was an avid SCCA racer and won the SCCA rising star award. He went on to run IMSA for Nissan in a 300zx with Parnelli Jones, he raced against Paul Newman and was a trackside friend. He later went on to mentor PJ Jones. He was a consultant on Days of Thunder and mentored Tom Cruise for his driving in the movie.

He gave up racing around 1990 cold turkey after a bad crash he witnessed with a friend. He no longer wanted to take those risks and leave his only child without a father.

However, today was a different story as we were slated to complete the 67 Mustang Vintage racer and a 69 911 Vintage racer. he was excited about that, but not as much as finishing the YELO 550. He had a 330 that he loved a lot , but was forced to part with it during the downturn a few years back, he wrote a very long but awesome post about his first drive, something all car guys can identify with and IMO worthy of a repost in the Ferrari owners magazine.

This 550 was his dream car, he had done tremendous research on it. He consulted with all of you on this thread and was so grateful for the community here at Ferrari Chat. After partaking in other forums he was truly impressed with the generosity to offer help and the lack of squabbling that goes on here. His only drive in this car was from the shipping point to the garage, if you have followed the thread, you know he was on a mission. While he test drove a few cars during the hunt, he never got to enjoy this one in that way. But he always enjoyed two other things when it came to his personal cars. 1. The Hunt. 2. Making it as perfect as possible for the duty it would see. I think you can see that in his posts as well.

Typically he would have been 100% OEM for a car he intended to flip. This was not the case here, this was to be his hotrod 550 for life. There will be more little touches that show up in this build as I get things moving.

I and the family want to thank you all for the support, wisdom and encouragement you offered to GS. We hope his contributions helped others as well.

I am new to the 550 and Ferrari mechanics, but a darn good wrench on the domestics and Porsches. I intend to see his vision through and complete the car as he intended. I may need your help as well over the next few months. I intend to keep this thread alive as updates progress.

I know GS is up there somewhere swapping stories with the great car guys and racers of the past. GS Johnson 1952 - 2015 RIP.

 

RIP

 

This is the saddest thing that I have read on Fchat in a long, long time. Maybe ever. I am so sorry to read this. I loved this project and got a lot of Steve in his posts. He seemed like such a great, great guy.

It goes without saying: if you need any help finishing the car, please let me know and I'll help where possible. I am sure that the MSW guys, FBB, and many of the experts here feel the same way.