TODA TAKE Spec 355 rebuild | FerrariChat

TODA TAKE Spec 355 rebuild

Discussion in '348/355' started by Future ferrari collector, Sep 9, 2020.

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  1. Future ferrari collector

    Oct 12, 2006
    1,795
    Hi guys,

    Been years since I've posted. Had a catastrophic bearing failure on my car which necessitated a full rebuild.
    TODA had always been on my mind but no one in their right senses would spend that amount unless they really had to. Other option was to send the engine over to the UK (Foskers and DK engg came to mind) but, for all the effort and cost, I was gonna get back a factory spec engine.

    So that's how this engine ended up in Japan for a full makeover... Anyway here's a pic of that bearing which started it all. A very very rare failure from what I hear.
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  2. Future ferrari collector

    Oct 12, 2006
    1,795

    Attached Files:

    Bobby_P, ernie, Qavion and 1 other person like this.
  3. Future ferrari collector

    Oct 12, 2006
    1,795
    The spec I chose was 12:1 TAKE spec supposedly giving out approx 450hp but has to run on min 100 octane which I believe is 96 RON in the US. Boostane supplements pump gas and so far so good. No knocking or anything of that sort.

    Dealing with TODA - Not so easy as I'm a native English speaker so I communicated via email and phone with one of their reps, who tries his best at English which isn't bad. They are one of the most professional shops I've ever dealt with. Extremely meticulous and constantly updating info to me all the time.
    Note that they were dealing with a partially damaged engine and everything had to be re-checked, vs re-building a good stock engine into a TODA spec.

    Time and $$$ - Ok this is the part that probably scares most folks... Total time taken was about 7 months as it involved shipping back and forth plus ordering of parts from the UK as the inspection uncovered damaged parts. $57k for whole job which only includes the TODA kit and labor.
     

    Attached Files:

    ernie, 308 GTB, mclaudio and 2 others like this.
  4. Future ferrari collector

    Oct 12, 2006
    1,795
    Sound wise - Its a little louder than my previous but unmistakably a 355 sound. Running the same exhaust set-up, Fabspeed headers, straight pipe and a tubi box.

    First drive - Had to be gentle while doing the break-in period but first impressions straight out, more torque throughout the range and better seat of the pants pulling from 4k onwards. Not done above 6k but feels more spiritedly when approaching that range.
     
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  5. MAD828

    MAD828 F1 Rookie

    Oct 8, 2011
    2,639
    Sydney
    Full Name:
    Elliott Caras
    Wow thanks for sharing, have always loved Toda from my Honda S2000 tuning days. Not much information in English about the F355 Toda spec engine.
     
  6. Future ferrari collector

    Oct 12, 2006
    1,795
    https://www.toda-racing.co.jp/en/product/piston/f129b-strokerkit.html

    That's how I started off. From there it was via email direct to their rep which dealt with me from start till finish.
     
  7. MAD828

    MAD828 F1 Rookie

    Oct 8, 2011
    2,639
    Sydney
    Full Name:
    Elliott Caras
    What are TODA’s recommendations for timing belt intervals?
     
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  8. bcar1

    bcar1 Karting

    Aug 2, 2017
    224
    NYC
    Full Name:
    Bob
    Wow this is awesome- any dyno runs? More photos? What was the extent of the engine damage from the bearing failure?
     
  9. Kokose7en

    Kokose7en Karting

    Dec 5, 2019
    209
    SF Bay Area
    Very similar to Porches IMS Bearing Failure. A ball bearing used for a gear reduction component running the camshaft. Except rather than a sealed bearing like Porsche, this is already oil fed... could I ask what your mileage was on the car when this bearing failed?
     
  10. OCKlasse

    OCKlasse Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 5, 2006
    711
    Newport Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Brandon K
    WOW! My dream build!

    Do you plan on going on the dyno once the motor is broken in? I've been going through a complete motor rebuild as well, and going the Toda route was certainly tempting...
     
    taz355 likes this.
  11. mclaudio

    mclaudio Formula 3

    Dec 13, 2003
    1,274
    Seattle area
    Full Name:
    Claudio

    Really appreciate you sharing such info. Any plans for a dyno run? Is rev limit (after break-in) different from stock?
     
  12. tres55

    tres55 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2012
    3,573
    Canada
    I'd also love to see a dyno result. If it's actually 450hp at the motor should be close to 400rwhp would be worth it IMO.
     
  13. nismodrifter

    nismodrifter Formula Junior

    Jun 11, 2008
    548
    YYC/YVR
    Full Name:
    Navdeep
    Yes yes yes!!! I too have followed TODA from their Honda builds. Keep us updated!
     
  14. MOSS

    MOSS Formula 3

    Apr 28, 2004
    1,629
    Is that about right on a rear engine? It varys a lot on the front engine calculation. I have seen dang near 100hp from crank to rear tires.
     
  15. tres55

    tres55 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2012
    3,573
    Canada
    15% loss would put it around 380rwhp which would make for a quite a bit more fun 355 considering they're stock around low 300rwhp.

    If it's a forever car that you don't plan on selling...I'd do it for sure.
     
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  16. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
    Sponsor Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 28, 2018
    5,728
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Eric
    Guess is depends on the cost. For example, 30% more than OEM rebuild sure no brainier. 5X the cost of OEM rebuild.... one need to do a gut check there. That said... its fantastic.
     
  17. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    13,689
    San Carlos, CA
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Le
    $56K, gulp !
     
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  18. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2007
    6,823
    Lake Villa IL
    Looks like nice stuff! But I guess it should be for that coin.

    You're running stock engine management or did they set you up with something else? I would think aftermarket would be needed to get the most out of this.

    Even with stock cams an F355 could benefit from a raised redline. (Well, if it stayed together that is)
     
  19. Jackie and bill

    Jackie and bill Formula Junior

    Nov 29, 2014
    795
    GB
    Full Name:
    William
    Great thread, thanks for posting this.
    It's great that some one has actually done the conversion and is posting on here. :)
     
  20. tres55

    tres55 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2012
    3,573
    Canada

    It is a lot...but I bet in the next 5-10 years it will be a fraction of what a good example of a 355 will cost. So if it's your forever car...might as well enjoy it now.

    I know people that have spent double just restoring a car that looks and runs nearly identical to when they started. :D
     
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  21. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    13,689
    San Carlos, CA
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Le
    I sold my forever car (95 berlinetta) and now looking for my next forever car.
     
  22. Future ferrari collector

    Oct 12, 2006
    1,795
    Still 3 years.
     
  23. Future ferrari collector

    Oct 12, 2006
    1,795
    The engine was running well, still using original valve guides with good compression all round and no smoke on start up. Recorded 99,800km or 62k miles before the bearing failure.

    Damage were bent valves, some scoring on parts of the crank, had to re-con the oil pump and it snapped my prop shaft.
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  24. Future ferrari collector

    Oct 12, 2006
    1,795

    Yes in time to come, I'll like to see what the dyno says. Pity that the engine wasn't on the dyno just before and after the rebuild. Would have been a more accurate reflection of what I actually get out of TODA. Now its just seat of the pants feel of the before and after effects.
     
  25. Future ferrari collector

    Oct 12, 2006
    1,795
    We kept it stock. That said, the engine is basically a blue printed unit now and I'm quite sure it could do a bit more revs. Out of the box from Japan, it came well tuned and we didn't need to do anything.

    Also note that this is the mid spec tune, TAKE as they call it. There's the ultimate MATSU tune which I didn't take up as street reliability was upmost importance rather than full on performance.
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