Which Suspension Mode is Sport? | Page 2 | FerrariChat

Which Suspension Mode is Sport?

Discussion in '348/355' started by sgtpeper, Jun 22, 2020.

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  1. 355OXO

    355OXO Karting

    Apr 16, 2006
    198
    UK
    Full Name:
    Simon
    I have had 3 F355 spiders, to date I have never been able to tell the difference between soft and hard. I always find the amber orange suspension light annoying as it looks like a fault light. I only turn it on to see if it works and then turn it off immediately.:)
     
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  2. Sancho22

    Sancho22 Karting

    Oct 24, 2018
    178
    Northern New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Laszlo Szanka
    yeah I can't tell the difference either in my 95 Spyder.
    My wife likes spirited drives so I don't even try to switch to comfort any longer...
     
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  3. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jun 11, 2004
    10,629
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    John Kreskovsky
    And that is exactly why these threads come up periodically. May I submit that the only thing the switch really does is turn the light on or off. :rolleyes:
     
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  4. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,166
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    Barry Wolinsky
    John,

    The F355's Suspension Control System is an active damping system which is an exceptionally well-thought out design despite dating back to the 1990s. The system is preserved on my F355 Challenge which is still set up as it was when it raced in the Ferrari Challenge Series. SPORT mode allows my car to utilize its various sensors and suspension ECU to make continuous changes in shock absorber damping which allows for maximum tire contact patch time on the track surface. This is particularly evident at Sebring International Raceway where several corners are very rough, eg. Turns 17, 1 and 2.

    Full expression of the active damping system would not be obvious to most drivers who casually drive on well-paved roads.

    Barry
     
  5. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2004
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    John Kreskovsky
    Yes, but Barry, my point was that you can't own a Ferrari without a sense of humor. 35 years of ownership has taught me that. These car can make you laugh or cry. I'd rather laugh. :)
     
  6. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
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    I understood your humor, John. I just wanted to expound a bit on the Suspension Control System and what it does. Over the years I've read comments such as "when in SPORT mode, I can feel if my tire has run over a quarter" and "I don't see much of a difference." The F355's active damping system really works well in spirited driving and even in extreme driving on tracks. I consider it a sort of safety system and a precursor to similar systems on more recent car models.

    The Owner's Manual only tells a piece of the story. The Workshop Manual has 15 pages devoted to the subject replete with graphs that Qavion linked to.

    Our F355s don't have traction control. My 550 has a SPORT switch and a first generation traction control (ASR - Anti-Slip Regulation) which works in parallel with the suspension setting system. ASR in the 550 is not as intrusive as in later models.

    Barry
     
  7. zstyle

    zstyle Formula Junior

    Jun 28, 2007
    531
    Fountain Hills
    Full Name:
    Jon
    Basically: driver faster, brake harder, corner sharper and you'll see the difference.

    This is with the assumption the vehicle has stock wheel and tire aspect ratios. Adding spacers, for example, will soften the suspension.
     
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  8. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
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    Yes, that sums it up, John.

    In reference to tires and spacers, here's a table that summarizes factors that affect oversteer and understeer:
     

    Attached Files:

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  9. taz355

    taz355 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 18, 2008
    5,942
    Indio Ca/ Alberta
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    Grant
    Are you sure your wires are not switched on the switch so on is off ha ha
     
  10. TrojanFan

    TrojanFan F1 Rookie
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    Nov 17, 2008
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    Peter
    Mine in a '98 with the shock symbol.
     
  11. ThatFlyGuy

    ThatFlyGuy Karting

    Jul 10, 2020
    78
    Toronto, Canada
    Full Name:
    Cy Sawyer
    Best explanation ever! lol.
     
  12. ThatFlyGuy

    ThatFlyGuy Karting

    Jul 10, 2020
    78
    Toronto, Canada
    Full Name:
    Cy Sawyer
    Good to know as my first Ferrari ('98 355 f1) arrives on Monday! This thread was freaking me out.
     
    Qavion likes this.
  13. The Outcast

    The Outcast Formula 3

    Apr 19, 2011
    1,561
    Royal Oak Michigan
    My 1999 car had the shock absorber, not the sport.
     
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  14. Doramon0720

    Doramon0720 Karting

    Jan 17, 2015
    92
    Rancho Palos Verdes
    Full Name:
    Steven
    Maybe only on the F1 ones. My 1999 has the sport sign. I think it also makes the shifting quicker...
     
  15. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
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    Jun 14, 2011
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    Tim Dee
    also depends if the plug is on backwards then it's backwards

    have your girl hit the switch and see what direction the motors turn
     
  16. Skippr1999

    Skippr1999 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 22, 2009
    4,209
    ‘98 F1 with Sport sign.
     
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  17. ThatFlyGuy

    ThatFlyGuy Karting

    Jul 10, 2020
    78
    Toronto, Canada
    Full Name:
    Cy Sawyer
    Also '98 F1 with "SPORT" on the switch. It turns Sport on with an indicator on the dash.

    It looks to me just reading through this thread that the F1 cars have Sport while the 3 peddles have the shock icon.

    Am I wrong?
     
    Qavion likes this.
  18. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2004
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    You are correct, AFAIK.
     

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