1,204 miles on the manual conversion Challenge Stradale so far, and I love it! | FerrariChat
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1,204 miles on the manual conversion Challenge Stradale so far, and I love it!

Discussion in '360/430' started by collegeboy, Mar 9, 2025.

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  1. collegeboy

    collegeboy Formula 3
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    Aug 25, 2007
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    Mikey
    #1 collegeboy, Mar 9, 2025
    Just a short post with a few pictures as I just hit 1,204 miles on the car since doing the conversion.

    Been driving the car every single chance I get, and have been absolutely loving it. It's crazy that after 3 years of fixing the car of so many issues, and then also doing a few mods to it, to just have it done how I want and working 100%. I hop in it when I want, turn the key, push the starter button, and it roars to life. A true dream come true for me to be honest, and I really still can't believe the car is mine. I go in the garage and just look at it sometimes and then go back in the house. Haha. Also by doing so much work on it myself, it's super cool to "know" what all I'm looking at when I look in the engine bay, etc. If that makes any sense.....

    Usually, I'll just take it for a short drive. Go to the gym with it, or go to the store with it. Anything to drive it. Then maybe every week or so I'll get to do a 20-30 miles cruise in it where it spends 1/4 the time above 4,000rpms and occasionally bouncing off the rev limiter. Love it! Then about every 2 weeks I always plan a drive with a friend to either go up to the mountains and canyon and zip around, or go to the north short to zip around. Either way, it ends up being a much needed amazing 80-100 miles drive each time. Plan on a mainland trip every 3 year major service as well so I can do a cross country road trip with it each time with either the wife, friend, or one of my kids as they get older.

    I've never owned a car before that actually feels like it loves to be driven hard. I actually enjoy cruising at 5,000 rpms for short periods of time and hitting the rev limiter in it. It's just plain fun, and again, it almost feels like the car wants that. While being reasonable of course.

    Anyways, I'm just rambling now. I'm loving the car. Have zero cares about miles and would love to actually have the highest mileage CS one day, although I doubt that will happen. I'll certainly be up there though eventually. More miles = more memories. Thanks everyone who helped me decide to buy it a few years ago, and also thanks to everyone who helped me with all my many questions over that time since I am mostly a DIYer.

    Take care everyone and get out and drive these cars!

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  2. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
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    Dominick
    #2 flash32, Mar 9, 2025
    That's definitely a beauty
     
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  3. MichaelMatic

    MichaelMatic Karting

    Dec 19, 2020
    164
    Raleigh, NC
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    Michael D
    #3 MichaelMatic, Mar 9, 2025
    I love the center locks and the conversion. You’ve done an amazing job on a gorgeous car.
     
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  4. DutchFerrari

    DutchFerrari Formula Junior

    Apr 7, 2022
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    Bollenstreek - Netherlands
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    Jeroen
    #4 DutchFerrari, Mar 10, 2025
    I definately recognise the part of going into the garage just to look at it, since we moved to the new house with a garage big enough to fit the F430, i do the exact same and occasionally just walk down to it and stand in the door opening and stare at it, or even pull out a chair and just sit and look
     
    NYC Fred, oc23, Bebs and 1 other person like this.
  5. Bebs

    Bebs Formula Junior

    Jul 12, 2010
    277
    London, UK
    #5 Bebs, Mar 10, 2025
    Same here!

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  6. Mel Spillman

    Mel Spillman Formula Junior
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    #6 Mel Spillman, Mar 10, 2025
    You guys are gonna make me cry!
     
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  7. collegeboy

    collegeboy Formula 3
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    #7 collegeboy, Mar 10, 2025
    LOL
     
  8. collegeboy

    collegeboy Formula 3
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    #8 collegeboy, Mar 10, 2025
    NICE garage! Next house I have got to build myself and seriously have a 5 car garage. So much more room!
     
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  9. Kevin Rev'n

    Kevin Rev'n Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Nov 29, 2009
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    #9 Kevin Rev'n, Mar 11, 2025
    Question, Why the front plate? On Oahu it's a 70 dollar pay only and not forced to fix it ticket that you might get every few years if that. The plate gives any radar gun an advantage so it's not the way to go IMO.
     
  10. collegeboy

    collegeboy Formula 3
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    #10 collegeboy, Mar 11, 2025
    I usually have it on and sometimes have it off (Like now it is off). It attaches with 3 screws on the underside with existing screws using the Fabspeed mount. I like it. It doesn't look as good with it on, but I don't really care. I like driving by police and them having nothing to pull me over for. I can have it on or off when I want, but for me I just usually leave it on.
     
  11. aventari

    aventari Karting

    Dec 9, 2010
    130
    San Diego
    #11 aventari, Mar 11, 2025
    I really identify with getting full enjoyment out of a car once you've done some major work to it and get a good idea on how everything works. It makes it less intimidating to drive hard and way less worry about breaking something because now you know how it's put together and that you can fix it
     
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  12. mchas

    mchas F1 Veteran
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    Oct 5, 2004
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    #12 mchas, Mar 12, 2025
    I’ve said it before but I truly think you have built the best Ferrari ever. Rare, beautiful, unique, raw, the perfect mix of modern yet still analog, and very driveable and enjoyable. Major kudos for doing all of this yourself and for driving it often and sharing the experience with others, including everyone here. My first ride in a Ferrari was a CS 20+ years ago when they first came out and I’ve loved them ever since. Can’t imagine what it must be like to experience a manual version! Enjoy every second of it.
     
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  13. veilstylez

    veilstylez Formula Junior
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    Jun 12, 2005
    990
    SoCal
    #13 veilstylez, Mar 12, 2025
    Im glad your loving it. You have the perfect car! And you built it the way you want it and did all the work yourself. Like mchas said....i think a manual CS is probably the best Ferrari.
     
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  14. collegeboy

    collegeboy Formula 3
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    #14 collegeboy, Mar 12, 2025
    Thanks all of you!
     
  15. 360trev

    360trev F1 Rookie
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    Oct 29, 2005
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    #15 360trev, Mar 15, 2025
    Probably one of my favourite CS's... well done Mike, glad to have helped with the software side of things too !
     
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  16. collegeboy

    collegeboy Formula 3
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    #16 collegeboy, Mar 15, 2025
    Thanks man. YOU are the reason I was able to even do most of my modifications and repairs. I appreciate it!
     
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  17. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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    #17 one4torque, Mar 15, 2025
    It really came together! Nice job,

    the car is yours now!

    I do the same thing after supper I slink out to take the trash out.. only to stop in the shop a enjoy my beverage and the view of my toys.
     
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  18. collegeboy

    collegeboy Formula 3
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    #18 collegeboy, Mar 15, 2025
    1,301 miles on the swap now.

    Gonna do an oil change, transmission oil change, and coolant flush somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 miles.

    I have Motul 300V engine oil in it now. I know it is excellent oil, but does not have the cleaners, etc inside it that street oils typically have, so I’m going to swap it out for Redline engine oil. Both are high performance Ester based oils. Then alternate every engine oil change between Redline and Motul 300V.

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