Lowered 550 needs help | FerrariChat

Lowered 550 needs help

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by DPA360, Mar 23, 2017.

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  1. DPA360

    DPA360 Karting

    Jul 16, 2007
    109
    #1 DPA360, Mar 23, 2017
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2017
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/292045839780

    Hey guys what do you think of these springs? Has anyone ever heard of this company? Drove the car this weekend and it felt too bouncy and bottoms out occasionally when driving hard. Was originally going to keep stock springs and just send shocks out to delta vee for rebuild and re-valve and also the shock repositioning possibly along with these springs? Thoughts? Will springs help? Confused:( lol
     
  2. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 10, 2003
    21,653
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Juan Sánchez Villa-L
    i saw that listing...

    w/0 getting on the horn and finding out what they exactly did you would be guessing.

    were the spring rates copied form FHP or HGTC specs (of which i could never officially find) or did they guess ?

    to my knowledge, i have never heard of anyone having any issues with the 550 suspension (just the 575). not sure why you would have been bottoming out......
     
  3. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 10, 2003
    21,653
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Juan Sánchez Villa-L
    wtf... that should be what they did... you would be guessing
     
  4. DPA360

    DPA360 Karting

    Jul 16, 2007
    109
    #4 DPA360, Mar 23, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I agree 100% i thought possibly one of us has heard of this company or used them before to make a custom spring for some feedback. car is bottoming out in rear and bouncing a bit due to me lowering the car about an inch all around. Wheels may not be everyones favorite but i like the look and would love to keep them with a good ride obviously:)
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  5. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    26,292
    socal
    That problem can easily happen yet easily be prevented with proper emperical math followed by testing. Even big names get it wrong.
     
  6. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    37,985
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    #6 tazandjan, Mar 23, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    If a Ferrari is lowered too much, the shocks can get out of their optimum operating range and the result is less damping and bottoming more easily. I would check ride height the correct way and set her no lower than about 10 mm below the FHP ride height. Personally, I probably would not go lower than FHP, but my Maranello has to go up driveways, etc. When adjusting ride height, a 4 wheel alignment will be required.
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  7. DPA360

    DPA360 Karting

    Jul 16, 2007
    109
    Agreed! I dont believe im too low but i possibly could be. I did get a 4 wheel alignment and corner balance after lowering. Will doing the Ferrari 550 shock mount modification service at delta vee help with the shock travel? or does that only help with sounds and other issues. What can be done to improve shock travel, lastly will rebuilding and revalving shocks help or is the main problem theres not enough shock travel.
     
  8. DPA360

    DPA360 Karting

    Jul 16, 2007
    109
    Your right unfortunately I dont have that answer. lol Do you know anyone in LA that would be a good referal to bring my car to for an opinion
     
  9. Canuck550

    Canuck550 Formula Junior

    Sep 8, 2015
    462
    Incognito
    Full Name:
    RJA
    My car is lowered similar to yours, based on your picture, which is not accurate by any means....I feel it may be lowered too aggressively, the car was really harsh upon hitting rough roads, not bottoming out though

    Had the front bushings replaced, front shocks rebuilt, also added new 19" rubber on 3 piece modulars. It has improved ride quality immensely, does not bottom out still
    Mind you this is based on about 2-3 kms of testing as maintenance is performed in my Canadian winter and have yet to fully experience the ride yet

    On my way Monday, for a full corner balance, alignment, camber caster blaaaa
    My intention was to understand how low I am vs stock (non FHP model) and make a call from there to adjust, its a 50Km drive to the race shop so I can feel the suspension to make a call and not ruin my new Michelin Super Sports

    PM me if you want a follow up post change-up of the suspension setup, I do not track my car and have no intention of making this a super stiff ride, my goal is to have this a GT that will eat tarmac and not lose my fillings, while maintaining an aggressive stance

    Considering lowering car to FHP specs as Terry has mentioned
     
  10. Classic Oldtimer

    Feb 3, 2017
    63
    What I cant understand if you want a "KIT-CAR" just go out and buy one ----
    they are "Cheap"
    Dont mess with a perfectly good Ferrari ---------- just drive it and be happy!
    Regards Oldtimer
     
  11. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,166
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Barry Wolinsky
    Let Rob Schermerhorn at Delta Vee Motorsports help you get this right.
     
  12. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

    Aug 8, 2002
    4,134
    Bay Area Calif.
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    Dave
    No, and I know this because I developed that modification and sold it to DeltaVee
     
  13. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    26,292
    socal
    I have owned 2 maranellos. I still own 1 maranello. Each has had stock shocks, ferraridriver's now delta vees maranello skunkworks shock mods, and moton double adjustable shocks with my own spring rates and spring lengths. I race corvettes, raced a 348 ferrari, and occasionally track 550s for some excercise. So if you would like a non-professional's opionion I'm happy to give you one. Also, the stooge ferrari group is going to chuckwalla valley raceway for a casual trackday in april which you are welcome to attend. I'm near redondo beach. Always happy to meet another ferrari driver. Be warned if you come and meet us we usually make you go to lunch and eat alot of mexican food.
     
  14. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    26,292
    socal
    Also bottoming out might not be running out of shock travel. It could be bad shocks and worn or missing bump rubbers. The youngest of these are 16 years old. Contrast that with us club racers who will rebuild shocks every year. So a proper shock done by delta vee may indeed solve the problem and if that does not having stock springs and stock ride height. Rob can also get you new springs for the stock shocks. He is very good at talking to you to understand what you are trying to achieve. He will pick springs and revalve the schock to your desires. When you talk to him be truthful to his questions and you will get good results. He did the combo on my race 348 and it was transformative.
     
  15. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    37,985
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    FBB- Rob is the real expert on this subject, no doubt.
     
  16. DPA360

    DPA360 Karting

    Jul 16, 2007
    109
    I will call him monday to go over my options, Thanks!
     
  17. DPA360

    DPA360 Karting

    Jul 16, 2007
    109
    Sounds great! ill take you up on that, you can let me know your thoughts, and i love me some good mexican food;)
     
  18. 777boy

    777boy Rookie

    May 19, 2009
    40
    UK
    Full Name:
    Sean McCall
    I have an FHP car. It bottoms on bumpy UK roads due to the lower ride height. Its all a bit too hard for UK roads really, but hey. Has an aggressive feel to it. I prefer the ride of my HGTC 612, but the 550 has stacks more character and looks the b@£$$%cks. It'll be at FoS at Goodwood this year. Sean.
     
  19. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    37,985
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    Sean- You may not be feeling her bottoming, but metal to metal contact of the shock mounts.
     
  20. Canuck550

    Canuck550 Formula Junior

    Sep 8, 2015
    462
    Incognito
    Full Name:
    RJA
    After completing front end shock and bushing rebuilds along with new tires on all 4 corners, with the recommendation of FBB, Carl, I sought out a race proven alignment specialist in the Toronto Area.
    Scott at Can-Alignments name kept coming up through, forums, web and race community, as far as Michigan!

    My car was set up too low in the front along with way too much camber and toe in, it was way too aggressive for both track or street, corner balance was off approx 1%.
    I would lose fillings on bumps, thought it was too harsh and the turning radius seemed off

    According to Sott, the best solution is a track solution which will also work well for the street, assuming you are not on rough roads.
    We decided to set it up for me in the car only (this is how I drive most times)
    With Scott's 30 years of on track experience and performing these changes to lord knows how many Ferrari's, whom was I to disagree, so I went with his recommendation.
    He raised my ride height in front, along with minor adjustments to the rear, I am still dropped vs the manufacturer spec, he put the comer balance within .1% and went with a more neutral stance on camber and toe in

    The car is total transformed, it does not have any harshness over bumps, and for my application (non-race) it’s perfectly suited for the streets, rough or smooth roads.
    I am extremely happy with the results, it feels like a new car at both low and high speeds, even low speed turning radius seems shorter and smoother

    Hope this helps you

    Ron
     
  21. girgio

    girgio Rookie

    Dec 5, 2016
    4
    Good morning, I write from Italy,I have a 550 Maranello like yours (1996), unfortunately you do not turn. Why not get Gasoline (pumps do not light)
    I Verified:
    The electric voltage to the spark plugs is OK; relays C and D work and move when you turn the key; The inertial switch is OK; The CHEK is OK on the multi function display; The gasoline pumps do not light, the electric voltage arrives for a moment and then does not reach there.
    Can you help me? Thank you
     
  22. DPA360

    DPA360 Karting

    Jul 16, 2007
    109
    #22 DPA360, Mar 30, 2017
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2017
    Thats great!! Congrats, I think I will do the same by rebuilding shocks and possibly re-valving for a bit sportier ride and raise it just a little and hopefully I will be all good as well.
     

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