This will be long and ongoing, so buckle up and come back often... I've enjoyed connecting with so many Ferrari owners all across the world during my work the last number of years. I'm lucky to be able to travel and to be exposed to so much in my profession as a commercial location photographer. I'm very thankful to all the Ferrari owners that can meet up and talk shop over some great food. It's amazing to hear owners share a bit about what they love in the Ferrari world, and see some amazing cars. I've met some GREAT people and this year shows no sign of slowing down. I also have visited many Ferrari dealers, F1 races, and related businesses during these trips and try to tell a bit about what I come across and see with plenty of photos in sharing with the group. So look for more of that here... You may have seen some of my threads about recent visits to Schedoni, http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/ferrari-discussion-not-model-specific-sponsored-algar-ferrari/508096-roadtrip-schedoni-ferraris-luggage-candy-shop.html the Ferrari factory and museums, http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355-sponsored-bradan/483397-robbs-italy-trip.html numerous dealers and events, http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355-sponsored-bradan/464108-road-trip-ca-ferraris-us-60th-anniversary.html restoring our challenge car, http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/challenge-gt-cars/478487-robbs-f355-challenge-car-history-restoration.html and road trips and photo shoots to meet up with other owners. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355-sponsored-bradan/479910-roadtrip-cameras-heading-socal.html Hopefully the group finds these trips with the write-ups and posts interesting. I will try to keep updates here in this thread from now on so that it's an easy reference to find and provides lots to read and see - it will also be easy to avoid if that's not your thing. I have come to some realizations this year in particular thanks to my experiences with all these adventures and all the different cars along the way. I've driven or ridden in so many Ferraris these last years. It all started with Sherpa (Ryan) in Denver with his black 328 GTB over a decade ago - due to F-chat. Since that first ride, we've owned a 328 GTS and currently have three different F355's in the family garage. I've toyed with the idea of adding more variety like F430's or 360's, TR's and all the other v-12's. I like 348's and mondial cabriolets. I like the 458's and can appreciate the Dino's and other 308's out there. The F40 had the most brutal acceleration I've ever experienced in any car or marque, new or old. Our challenge car shared a bay with a LaFerrari and a Sergio limited... I met a 275 owner last week and had our cars side by side. I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed a 612 stick, and drooled over an Enzo in Modena. Amazing variety there. But given all those run-ins and many more, I have come full circle to decide that, yes... I will always own an F355. ...likely my yellow '95 Berlinetta. It will be my mainstay. I got the best of my heart and head together - and decided that there is really no greener grass anywhere you look, in the way I look at ownership experience and excitement. I also can't stop looking at the lines. So there may be other cars that float around our garage with a prancing horse on the hood but the F355 will always be family. I've put a lot of effort to get our cars restored with missing documents, accessories, and parts. It has been a lot of fun and worth the time and expense. I've been inspired by all the supportive owners who we post with each day. And now that I know the F355 is a keeper for me long term, I decided to take even more steps to prolong its health and up its enjoyment level while keeping all the original parts for completeness. There are many guys doing the same and my hat is off to you. It is a great exclusive club. Welcome to the party. Now let's get on with the adventures to share. Here we go. Robb Image Unavailable, Please Login
So in trying to get the most out of our long-term "family member" F355 and pamper her along the way, I took care of all the usual culprits. There wasn't much left to go after continuous work and touch up over 3 years on the F355. Recently, I added a Capristo stage 2/3 exhaust and couldn't believe how good it was. I talked to other members about their additional long-term needs with mine. My car's valve guides had already been replaced and the car is solid mechanically and aesthetically inside and out. So that left... headers. I spent a lot of time in the F-chat archives reading all about the issues and options. I had seen that one of the sponsors, Yellow Compass Group was offering some great introductory pricing on Fabspeed. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355-sponsored-bradan/507613-low-introductory-prices-all-fabspeed-products-yellow-compass.html I had good service and pricing on my special order from them on the Capristo exhaust, so I called Mike up again to get more info. Bang for the buck was unbeatable for their Fabspeed Headers pricing along with the warranty. I was leaning that direction rather than pay double that or more for a set of Tubi headers... I knew Fabspeed was very popular in the Porsche side of life, and wanted to get more information on their company and design for Ferrari... Ferrari's OEM header / exhaust design looked to be terribly put together with problems for every model. I was ready to put down the Visa card for my engine's long term health, but asked Mike if I might be able to visit Fabspeed on my next trip to Philly for an upcoming architectural photo shoot at the airport. I wasn't sure if they would do a tour, but like all the other places I call to visit, thought I would give it a try. Mike gave Fabspeed a call and arranged a tour for me. Thumbs up to Mike. Fabspeed was happy to give customers an inside view of their operations. On top of that, Mike arranged with Fabspeed to build my headers in front of me while I was there... I thought how cool that was and I remembered that while on a different scale - it was kind of like checking that box to help assemble your new corvette engine at the factory. Cool stuff indeed. Robb Image Unavailable, Please Login
I made it inside and took a look at some of their product displays - these for Porsche. Robb Image Unavailable, Please Login
The main lobby housed the first 911 that the founder (Joe) worked on with a performance exhaust. Robb Image Unavailable, Please Login
I met up with Alex Compton one of their account specialists who would guide me around the shop. I was impressed with how many models and marques they work with. Robb Image Unavailable, Please Login
Alex showed me an exhaust set-up for a 360 on display from the headers back to the muffler. Robb Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Robb, Your appreciation for the car, the brand and the finer details of all of this is awesome and I'm sure hugely appreciated by many here. I know it is by me. Mike
So Alex showed me their F355 product line and how parts are assembled with their welding jigs. Here are some sport cats. Robb Image Unavailable, Please Login
Closeup of the cat core. Alex said these were sourced from Germany. Robb Image Unavailable, Please Login
Here is their performance exhaust muffler for the F355. I'll be sticking with the Capristo on my '95 Berlinetta but I could definitely appreciate their work. Robb Image Unavailable, Please Login
Closeup of the forged x pipe. It was really cool to see the level of detail on the inside and out. I'm not a mechanical engineer but could appreciate the design. Robb Image Unavailable, Please Login
So while they were getting parts ready, I took a look around all the things they do there. There was Boxster spyder on their dyno. As an aside, it looked amazing with tan leather interior and sport seats... Robb Image Unavailable, Please Login
Headed around the corner to shipping and found new, and take-off parts being shipped out. Robb Image Unavailable, Please Login
cool post. if they build the headers in your presence ....try to take pics of the manufacturing process.