1995 F355 GTS: Restoration and Major Service

I had to modify the new water radiator to fit the old hardware as the OEM radiator had captive nuts and this radiator didn’t allow for it. So I removed material from the bolt holes on the bottom, to reduce the length and allow the fitment of the original bolt and nut to secure the water radiator to the oil radiator.

All mounted up with a new Ferrari OEM radiator fan.
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That looks sharp!

Robb

 

Ofcourse I will have to change the left hand side radiator and will line that job up at the next major engine out service.

The car is running great at the moment. In the meantime I have already started my parts collection for the major. I look forward to getting the car to a higher level during that process.

It’s been almost 3 years (in June) since last major and that time has flown by. Not sure exactly when I will do the engine out but I want to address a few oil leaks, some more engine bay plating and refinishing of certain parts to get it like new. All in good time.

 

Thanks Robb!

 

I'm convinced Elliott blew his radiator up on purpose to have an excuse to clean that air duct

 

Pretty much hahaha. Just like I was praying for my vents to go just sticky enough, to justify sending them off to you! I can't handle the car not being close to perfect!

 

excellent work Elliott

 

Awe inspiring thread! Just bought my first Ferrari (95 F355 Spider) less than a month ago. Other than a 993, I’ve been a muscle car guy since a kid. I wasn’t too detoured from the maintenance heavy 355 reputation since I’m pretty mechanically inclined. (Restored several muscle cars and built a very capable pro-touring Nova from scratch). This thread has me almost looking forward to the next major in 2 or 3 yrs!

Great job Elliott! ...also to all the very helpful members on this forum. I’ll be watching!

 

very impressive work. I just bought F355 M2.7 GTS. I got so excited to do the same job. I will use your thread as good reference. thanks for sharing such amazing work

 

Yeah I understand what you mean about being excited for the major! If your mechanically inclined you will probably have more enjoyment from the F355 as it is coming of age where most of the components are old and requiring service on top of the usual maintenance that the F355 is known for. Congrats on your first Ferrari!

 

Perfect a 2.7 GTS! My pleasure to share the journey as others have done before me.

 

What do blown headers sound like and what are the tell tale signs in the engine bay? Want to make sure mine aren't blown!

 

There is a ticking sound, also there can be white dust or furry looking material on the engine bay and that’s the header packing breaking down and getting blown out the headers heatshield.

 

Really great thread! I have exact same yr/spec (vin 101817) as yours albeit with black interior and I too am the second owner of the car. I'm definitely going to do some of the things you've shown on here. Where did you get the new carpets?

 

Just got thru the entire thread so far...amazing work and amazing car. I hope to have mine in as good shape as yours one day. Do reach out if you're ever in the south of France...would be great to connect in person!

 

Carpets were sourced from the UK via More Than Polish.

 

Thanks! Likewise if your ever in Australia.

 

Elliott - they offer molded carpets?

 

Unfortunately not Dave just the floor mats he was referring to.

 

I want to get exhaust for my F355 GTS manual. I'm thinking of Capristo with cats delete pipe

1) i'm thinking to go without valve and have the system open all the time. Your thoughts ?
2) which type system i should get. i see they have 3 different versions. I want the one with sharp high pitch F1 sound or do they all sounds same once valve are open at WOT.

 

Capristo level 2/3 is the one to go for. I would run the car with a working bypass, and I would recommend the capristo bypass valve to match the exhaust. Open all the time is too loud for me and not how the car was designed to operate. You can run with no cats, I prefer hi flow cats so you dont have the smell and fumes. With a 2.7 you can run test pipes no problem.

 

+1

I replaced my gutted OEM cats this week with high flow cats. It's so nice to be able to stand near the car with the engine running without my eyes watering.

 

I am preparing to do a engine out maintenance on my 1995 F355 GTS
Among all the other normal parts changes I plan on doing the lower cam drive bearings
Does anyone know what this takes to do ??

 

You are planning to do them why? Don't fix stuff that's not broken.

 

The car has 43,500 miles on it and has no record of being changed, I will of course inspect them before I proceed, just wandering how difficult to actually change while doing a engine out service.