A 348s engine-out service, some refurb, and some tasty mods

very nice write up...

 

Superb work. Out of interest where did you obtain the silver crinkle spray from? Its tough finding anywhere this side of the pond.

 

That is some awesome work. Congrats on your success, Matt!

FWIW, if your new chips are burned on faster EPROMs the idle will likely be a good bit tamer than it is now. I got a set of the late chips for my car that were burned on more modern EPROMs and when I went to install them I found that my '91 (which has had a lot of updates done to it) not only had the late chips, it also has the late ECUs. But I went ahead and installed the new chips anyway and it totally transformed the idle. Actually, it's kind of disappointing because it runs so smoothly now that it sounds less racey, but it's obviously running better so it's a definite win.

I haven't noticed any difference in sound at high RPM though, but I'm not good at A-B comparisons unless you can switch back and forth instantly so I might not notice. In any case, it's likely your car will sound less raucous at idle with the new chips.

 

Thanks, guys

The silver on the intake manifold assembly is actually original finish. It cleaned up quite nicely with some cleaners and scrubbing. I had planned on possibly re-spraying the silver, either a coat over the existing texture, or stripping to metal, and had found one that was a good match to stock. I think it was a rustoleum silver ceramic exhaust paint that had the closest tint and fine metallic. I can check from the box of tester paints. It's not a wrinkle, and therefore it would have to go over the original texture or use a fresh black wrinkle base underneath a silver top coat. The original paint supplier in europe subscribes to the latter black texture coat method for their supplies in spray can format, can't recall if their spray gun products follow the same.

Yes, that's what I've heard. It's currently on an 'unknown' set of aftermarket chips, so we'll see if there are any changes at idle with Tim's chips. I have the stock originals reserved in the car's binder, but haven't put them in for a reference point.

 

Wow, fantastic results! ....... looks like an engine area restoration .......

 

Really nice work!

 

I really enjoyed reading through this thread, as I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the 348 and its servicing. Thanks for documenting it all. At first I wondered what the big deal was about dropping the engine and changing a belt and tensioners. Now I see why it can cost $10-15K at a shop or dealer. So much other stuff to do while you're in there...

So now that it's been a few months, have you had any issues? How do you like the exhaust? And the Challenge chips?

 

No issues, and the Capristo with test pipes sounds fantastic. Even with the valves closed, it is quite loud, let alone with them open. It really transforms the car, with a ripping shriek up to the redline. I actually haven't made my way around to installing Tim's mod Challenge chips yet, in place of the aftermarket ones in there currently.

 

WOW awesome write up and I am impressed with your ingenuity and detail. Are you a trained Ferrari mechanic? Excellent work and well beyond my capabilities.

Need some video of this new exhaust!

 

Excellent job

 

Cool thread!

 

Thanks, guys.

No, sir. Just a lifelong car/restoration enthusiast that plays engineer during the daytime.

A decent video setup and some clips are on the to-do list this season.