430 - Skyhook Bypass Solutions... | FerrariChat

430 Skyhook Bypass Solutions...

Discussion in '360/430' started by MichaelMatic, Nov 23, 2024.

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  1. MichaelMatic

    MichaelMatic Karting

    Dec 19, 2020
    166
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Michael D
    I've had a set of GMG springs that I planned on installing in my F430 for the past year, but kept putting the install off while I got other things done on the car. Well, the time is here, the car is on jack stands, and I found a set of KW V2 for sale so a change of plans. I think subconsciously I was trying to avoid using my ebay special spring compressor.

    Now, I need a way to bypass the Skyhook ECU. I found the following potential solutions...

    1) According to this thread on maserati life (https://www.************.com/threads/skyhook-eliminator.129460/) it's possible that a 2.4ohm resistor at the connector would work. I think I would like to try this, but does anyone know what type of 2-pin connector is in the fender well so I can buy a spare pigtail to test the resistor on? I have attached a pic of the connector.

    2) Someone on the maserati forum said that simply unhooking the Sachs skyhook module would work. Any truth to this? I figured that would instantly trigger a code(s)?

    3) Turn off skyhook with an SD3. Not an option for me as I don't have access to one. I have a Launch X431, but I don't think it's much help here.

    4) K-sport has bypass modules (resistors in a tube?) for each corner of the car for $430.

    5) Scuding Swiss has a bypass module for $310.

    Has anyone tried simply unhooking the Sachs ECU? If not, maybe we can ID that female connector and I can give the resistors a whirl on a spare connector/pigtail to see if they work.

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  2. Lambertos

    Lambertos Karting

    May 6, 2018
    54
    Michigan
    Full Name:
    Lamberto Smigliani
    I think the scuding swiss module does just that. It will bypass the system at the head unit. But just a question, why wouldn't you want the active system? It makes freeway drives more comfortable and really does a good job in wet conditions. Race is essentially hard setting, but you might consider keeping it.
     
  3. MichaelMatic

    MichaelMatic Karting

    Dec 19, 2020
    166
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Michael D
    Fair question. For me, the F430 is a weekend, pure experience, single purpose car. A slightly firmer ride is ok with me for the short drives on backroads I use it for.

    If I hate the ride quality with the KW’s I’ll return back to the original plan of GMG springs on stock struts, but I don’t think that will be the case.

    I was planning on using the scuding swiss module, but if I can ID that harness connector a $15 pigtail and $5 pack of resistors is worth a try.
     
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  4. mwstewart

    mwstewart F1 Rookie

    Feb 5, 2014
    2,759
    England
    Full Name:
    Mark
    Are the KW's adjustable?
     
  5. MichaelMatic

    MichaelMatic Karting

    Dec 19, 2020
    166
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Michael D
    They should be adjustable for compression and rebound, but I will confirm that once they arrive next week. These looked to be new old stock Novitec/KW. It’s hard to find specifics online since they were discontinued for V3s with HLS.
     
  6. boostedt0y

    boostedt0y Formula Junior

    Dec 25, 2014
    801
    Bay Area, CA
    with good dampers, the ride quality will be better than stock. I did custom Penske two way coilovers on my scud and doubled the stock front spring rate and 1.5x the stock rear spring rate and the ride quality is more complaint than stock in bumpy road mode. I used the ksport kit to avoid the dash light.
     
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  7. sammyf

    sammyf Formula Junior

    Aug 13, 2004
    260
    Northern California
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  8. MichaelMatic

    MichaelMatic Karting

    Dec 19, 2020
    166
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Michael D
    Awesome, thank you! I’ll be in touch soon for an ECU tune.

    I’ll update the thread with whether the resistors work or not.
     
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  9. jo.e

    jo.e Karting

    Jan 6, 2017
    202
    Germany
    Full Name:
    Jochen
    I have installed the KW V3 (not V2, as this is not available for the F430) and am very happy with it. The original suspension is very soft, but still bounces very hard on hard and short bumps because it can't handle them well. The KW is much more harmonious and comfortable on short bumps such as potholes because it has an additional valve in the damper which allows more flow. At the same time, however, it is significantly firmer in the low-speed range of the damper (changes of direction, bends, etc.) if required and shifts the limit range and performance into a new world. The car no longer sits up, even when driving low over bumps. Rebound and compression damping are individually adjustable, so you can set everything individually. However, the suspension is delivered with a basic setting from KW, which is suitable for most people. KW has tested this on its own suspension test bench.

    Where did I get the information? Novitec has taken it out of the program, but KW is now working very closely with me in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. We often install the suspension on cars and the number is increasing. You have to disable the electric dampers. There is an additional control unit from Nocitec, but it doesn't always work correctly on newer model years. The Scuding Swiss control unit probably works well. KW will be getting my car at the beginning of next year for a new decommissioning development, because they want to do it internally and already have experience with it.


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  10. sparetireless

    sparetireless Formula 3

    Nov 2, 2003
    1,587
    how much are shocks? $$
     
  11. MichaelMatic

    MichaelMatic Karting

    Dec 19, 2020
    166
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Michael D
    That’s great to hear! I started the install today and got the front/rear setup to the values recommended by Novitec/KW in the manual. They state an adjustment range of 6.1-7.1 inches from the center of the lower mount to the top of the spring perch. Any idea where the car in your photos is set to? I’ve only done one corner so far so adjusting them right now wouldn’t be too bad. I’ll probably end up pulling them in/out of the car with some trial and error to get the ride height right.

    Btw, I also have a yellow car with flat gunmetal wheels… just in a coupe. Your car looks great!
     
  12. GogglesPisano

    GogglesPisano F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 13, 2022
    3,105
    East Bay, California
    Full Name:
    Joe
    I didn’t quite follow. Is KW working on integrating the factory damper controls with their shocks? I have the HLS system which came with new springs but didn’t want to swap out the shocks as I like the concept of dialing in my ride from the steering wheel.
     
  13. Cknkeyasen

    Cknkeyasen Karting

    Nov 28, 2023
    58
    Dallas
    Full Name:
    Cliff Nkeyasen
    how low did you drop?
     
  14. jo.e

    jo.e Karting

    Jan 6, 2017
    202
    Germany
    Full Name:
    Jochen
    I don't know how much it costs in the USA. You should contact the dealer in the USA, if there is one. I can only speak for Germany, Switzerland and Austria and, thanks to my efforts, it now costs around €2,000 less than it used to at Novitec.

    Thank you for the compliment! How you set the thread in advance is slightly different for every car. I measure the height of the original vehicle as it was before and then measure the removed dampers. Then I adjust as I think, of course within the adjustment range specified, and then I drive a few kilometers and measure again. If necessary, I then unscrew the wheels again and adjust the height once more. You can do this with the bike installed.

    I have replaced the complete KW V3, including all the dampers. These are not electrically adjustable. That's why there are no plugs. So you have to trick the control unit of the suspension. If you only have the HLS2, i.e. the lift, you don't have to do this because you keep your electric dampers. That's not an option for me, because it doesn't really improve the performance.

    I always measure from the center of the wheel to the edge of the fender. Here I have 33 cm at the front and just under 35 cm at the rear. This also corresponds to the minimum height specified in the certificate for German approval.
     

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