Gated 575m hot rod build

Hey, new poster to the forum from SoCal - thank you everyone for your informative discussions, I feel like I’ve already learned a lot exploring the depth of knowledge on this site.

I've been mostly a Porsche guy for the last 10 years and decided to try out the prancing horse. I was looking for something that I could take on weekend trips and to race weekends comfortably (I run a 997.2 4.0l cup w/ sequential) and daily drive around OC on occasion.

I tried all of the usual suspects (458, speciale, pista, F12, 355 6-speed) and settled on the Maranello for its usability, timeless looks, naturally aspirated motor, and the potential for a manual gearbox.

I stumbled upon this car and decided to give it a shot.

2004 575M Black/Tan, FHP, 6 speed conversion by GTO

Assembly No: 51902

In a short period of ownership there are many things that have endeared me to this car already, which I’m sure explains why this forum is so active with knowledgeable and experienced car people. In my eyes the Maranello is unique in that it has timeless styling, is modern (enough) to be very useable, has enough space for a passenger and everyones gear for a weekend trip, but has a short wheelbase, short gearing, and (relatively) small footprint that make it exciting at reasonable road speeds. Add in the Ferrari V12 and its a package that is tough to beat at any price - I think the market will come to agree in the coming decade.

However, all of my road cars have been “developed” (the term I prefor over “modified”) and so I have extensive plans for this car:

Exhaust: Have discussed w/ Fabio for catted headers back to Fuchs mufflers (may go with Fabios mufflers as well depending on how that turns out)

ECU tune: Have discussed with Sam (Trev’s associate) for their tune

Suspension: Looking for coilover set up (I enjoy being able to adjust damping/spring rates). The stock dampers feel very tired

Bushings/Mounts: They feel OK but curious if anyone has experience replacing or what the service life is

Steering: If possible would like to reduce the speed that assist cuts out at down from 35

Brakes: Considering ceramic brake options (I hate brake dust!)

Wheels: 19s on order from Wheel Enhancement

Seating: Looking for an option to get as low as possible with additional shoulder support (seems that period correct carbon backed seats are impossible to find)

Probably some other things that will come up along the way. Will keep you guys posted here - look forward to your thoughts and input!

PS if anyone has a recommendation for a shop in OC to help with these items please let me know!

A few pics of the car and a couple others in my collection, and a baseline dyno for reference in the future
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It is from Scottsdale - interesting history, I wonder if the previous owner is on here . . .

Yes it does have Daytonas as well, forgot to mention that.

Not planning to track this car, so was planning on keeping some kind of muffler behind the axle. Although I have seen on the forum that a straight pipe behind the cat can work. I think the option for quiet or loud is really nice to have in a road car so thinking I'll wind up there . . .

Thank you!

100% agree, I was struck by how flat the torque curve is as well, but wasn't totally surprised given how the car feels. The fact that the gear spacing drops the revs in to the sweet spot of the torque curve enhances that even further.

I drove a 458 back to back with it and although that is a magnificent car with an incredible motor its hard to compare a high-revving flat plane V8 with the driveability of the V12.

One thing I noticed was the fuel cutoff occurring around 7200 on the dyno (and 7400 on the road). Not sure if that is some dyno setting that I couldn't find or if it has something to do with the ECU reflash GTO did when they converted the car to manual. Any thoughts from the community?

Yes - will be at Buttonwillow next weekend!

Spec boxster class looks really fun, great racing!

Thank you!

Will PM on the coilovers.

On the swaybar, I read the thread about the 19mm vs 22mm you've been R&D'ing (I also spend time in Austin). Sounds like a fun project.

Im interested in playing with the sways (front too if that ever becomes an option) but want to get the rest of the unsprung set up figured out and use the swaybars to fine tune the car. Would second one of the posters' comment on adjustable endlinks, to that end.

Trying to go one step at a time on suspension tuning - the car is so comfortable and is so useable, I want to try to maintain as much of that as possible. Right now the car is pretty tail happy anyway, but thats probably because it has 5 year old tires lol.

I was wondering if I could just pull the ECU for zero assist but hadn't gotten around to trying it. Will give it a shot! I do think having assist is pretty nice for parking lot work but otherwise have always preferred unassisted steering.

Thanks!

Thank you! You know how life is with a black car, tough to keep clean. But, to me it was always my favorite Maranello color so worth the effort.

 

nice to meet you Eric.

Love argento on V12 F cars . . .

Nice! Great to meet you. Yea, can't wait to see what its like with exhaust and tune. Based on what I've heard here perhaps it will get close to 500 whp. Though thats not really my goal, just getting the most out of what the motor has to offer.

The motor in the 550/575 seems that it may be to the 599/F12 motor what the Mezger flat six is to the 991 GT3 motors.

I have always loved pole positions and considered them here, but I'm concerned that the thigh bolster is too high for easy in/out. Another I've considered is the 996 GT3 clubsport seat, which has always been my favorite fixed back bucket seat.

Either way I was thinking the same thing on having them recovered in factory-spec leather to match. Agree on the headrest ornamentation, in my opinion always is the perfect touch to a nice pair of buckets.

Have you looked at these 599 seats on Ebay? I was considering them until I realized they are Cuoio, which could be perfect for you: https://www.ebay.com/itm/294551671702?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=1110006&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=20200818143230&meid=c440277006444aa784b24a76b198e577&pid=101224&rk=1&rkt=5&sd=153710730833&itm=294551671702&pmt=1&noa=0&pg=2047675&algv=DefaultOrganicWeb&brand=Ferrari&_trksid=p2047675.c101224.m-1&amdata=cksum:294551671702c440277006444aa784b24a76b198e577|enc:AQAHAAAA8Hfu33UHQ7b5PJ8ZY%2FcxAQAPlk1TXbZnPKh9I98PPkutt4NjfEek%2BoCLAsZCyIsANZ5zyYbgGXctjwwgzGnugofsRn5HhLfLpAL3aRY%2BvoilS4UGQ3yg7m7PrpccVRrnPX%2BTHceCv9EuSxQGdXd9MwE1mypB3rH0V2s8%2BHZpnF0QbmqF%2BQzRViYvQyHrXdWaNa%2Bxm7lpvkvNMuLdsszPjBh2lamXNmmGzbqrbJVmLZP3BketKF4VF0saEMYyBQBVp3vwuFArPHByGf636d2jgCYeIPopgQwoXpSAQ%2B0zOLjGQs8GeLYOfsWmGu4ffq3%2Bpw%3D%3D|ampidL_CLK|clp:2047675

Thank you - is Eric at GTO?

 

I tried pulling the steering ECU - a bit heavy < 5mph, but certainly livable. Ideal curve (IMO) would be a slow linear taper from 100% to 0% from 10 mph to ~25 mph.

Looking at the ECU, I'm not sure which version it is - none of the numbers I can read seem to match with what I've read here. However, looking at what seems to be the date code (39/02) makes me think that perhaps this isn't an FHP steering module? Any thoughts?


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I didn’t realize that first hand written number was a 1. Thanks @tazandjan!

 

Thanks @sammyf - the MSW curve is actually more assisted than FHP (assuming I'm interpreting correctly). I want to go the other way, something like the below (fat blue line added by me). Less max assist at slow speeds, tapering linearly to zero assistance around ~20mph:
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Guess I haven't seen enough euro handwriting. Learned the cross bar for sevens in engineering school, its an acquired taste lol.

Out of curiosity what was the rationale to talk you out of the BBK?

Doing some research on low-dust pad set ups, will let you know what I learn.

Nice! Decided just to have the car gone through by GTO considering they did the swap. They said it took a year to do and that they had to source each factory NOS part individually. So they know the car well! But do please tell me the name of the shop for future reference.

Will share pics of the wheels when they're here. I think they will suit the car nicely.

I heard these modular wheels go for an arm and a leg. Anyone interested in the set?

I will eventually try out some kind of side-mounted seat (most likely a recaro) to try to get lower in the car. But want to get the suspension sorted first so I know how much padding the seat will need.

I'm in Newport Beach when in CA as well