Euro 308 body structure | FerrariChat

Euro 308 body structure

Discussion in '308/328' started by DonB, Aug 26, 2019.

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  1. DonB

    DonB Formula Junior
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    #1 DonB, Aug 26, 2019
    The height of the trunk in a Euro car is different from that of a U.S. car (U.S. car is shorter by almost 3"). Would anyone know if it is because the body structure is different, or is it because there's a thick layer of insulation in the U.S. car, to protect the trunk from the heat from from the catalytic converters. Specifically a 1979 GTB.

    By height I mean the distance from the bottom of the trunk in the center section to the zippered cover.
     
  2. ferrariowner

    ferrariowner Formula 3

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    #2 ferrariowner, Aug 26, 2019
    I believe it is the latter. The US cars have insulation in the bottom of the trunk to protect the area from heat from the Cat converter.
     
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  3. GordonC

    GordonC F1 Rookie
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    #3 GordonC, Aug 26, 2019
    Trick question - the height of the trunk is different because of the catalytic converter clearance, BUT the body structure is different as well - the frame tubes aft of the rear suspension that brace the rear body structure and bumper are thicker and heavier on the US 308s.
     
  4. DonB

    DonB Formula Junior
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    #4 DonB, Aug 26, 2019
    So does that mean that the steel floor of the U.S. trunk physically sits higher than a Euro model thus making the height less?
     
  5. derekw

    derekw Formula 3
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    #5 derekw, Aug 26, 2019
    Yes. The cat cars have several layers of fibreglass, rock wool and steel plate so a few inches less height inside the trunk. I would guess 10-15cm less.
     
  6. Dal308

    Dal308 Karting
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    #6 Dal308, Aug 26, 2019
    Are pre cat US cars the same as euro cars?
     
  7. GordonC

    GordonC F1 Rookie
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    #7 GordonC, Aug 27, 2019
    The same trunk height? (I don't know), or the same rear frame structure supporting the rear bumper? I also don't know for certain, but I would guess that the pre-cat US cars, with the heavier longer bumpers, would have the stronger thicker frame structure vs. the thinner, lighter Euro frame structure as in the QVs.
     

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