Euro 1977 308 GTB Steel -vs- US, 77 GTB Steel body | FerrariChat

Euro 1977 308 GTB Steel -vs- US, 77 GTB Steel body

Discussion in '308/328' started by rob58, May 3, 2025 at 11:46 AM.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. rob58

    rob58 Karting

    May 30, 2020
    121
    CT.
    Full Name:
    Robert Orris
    My questions are how the 1977 Euro version compares to the US version. Aside from the Euro GTB having the dry sump motor (F106 A) type. and the US (F 106 B) wet sump type motor. Is it true that both motors share the same Euro type aggressive cams for 1977?

    Next is it true that there are about 250 lbs. or more in weight differences between the two? If so, can you easily modify the US version to get very close to the Euro spec car in weight? Would it just be a case of changing out the US spec bumpers, their braces, etc for the Euro type bumpers? Also changing the exhaust system, and any air pumps for the non - Cat 1977 US version?

    Thank you, I would appreciate any insight, and advice.
     
  2. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 12, 2011
    692
    Omaha, NE area, US
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Can't comment on the specific differences between US and Euro version, but I've been keeping track of weight deltas in changes I've made, and thus far have removed over 200lbs (more than I weigh) from my US version '77, not counting the spare wheel. See the attached .pdf of my excel sheet.
     

    Attached Files:

    ggjjr likes this.
  3. ChevyDave

    ChevyDave Formula Junior

    Dec 21, 2019
    349
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Full Name:
    Dave W
    Steve,
    Where’d you source your Ti wheel studs and lug nuts? This is on my diet list as well.
    - Dave
     
  4. ZikZak

    ZikZak Karting

    Dec 18, 2023
    152
    Vancouver/Los Angeles/Miami
    Full Name:
    Dickie Maxwell
    This is a great resource, and I'm compiling my own list of weights as I remove/replace parts. I also went to an aluminum radiator, but I forgot to weigh the stock one - is your 23lb weight for the oem rad something you recorded yourself, or did it come from another source?
     
  5. Vonbarron

    Vonbarron Formula 3
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 26, 2014
    2,232
    Westside Mofo
    Full Name:
    S B
    Don’t forget the extra steel in the doors
     
  6. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 12, 2011
    692
    Omaha, NE area, US
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #6 bitsobrits, May 4, 2025 at 6:54 AM
    Last edited: May 4, 2025 at 7:02 AM
    Dave-they came from AcerRacing.com. You need the 70 and 80mm lengths due to the difference in brake disc top hat thickness front/rear.
    I didn't change to the Ti studs to save weight, I simply wanted studs/nuts, and found these. Price per pound saved is not very cost effective :)
    They also sell Ti wheel bolts in Ferrari spec.
     
  7. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 12, 2011
    692
    Omaha, NE area, US
    Full Name:
    Steve
    The weights listed I measured myself, most using a 100lb shipping scale (hence the round numbers), a digital bath scale for a couple of items, and a small digital postal scale for the wheel studs/nuts.
     
    ZikZak likes this.
  8. Dockboy

    Dockboy Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    May 11, 2013
    548
    Maryland
    ChevyDave and ZikZak like this.
  9. ZikZak

    ZikZak Karting

    Dec 18, 2023
    152
    Vancouver/Los Angeles/Miami
    Full Name:
    Dickie Maxwell

    For people looking at Ti wheel nuts, In some cases they can be heavier than aluminum; I bought a set for another car, and when I weighed them against a set of aluminum nuts, the aluminum nuts were actually lighter. I've found this to be the case in other small-part applications (for bicycles, for example).
     
  10. ChevyDave

    ChevyDave Formula Junior

    Dec 21, 2019
    349
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Full Name:
    Dave W
    Lug nuts? :eek:
    Man, you’re a braver soul than me.
    - Dave
     
  11. rob58

    rob58 Karting

    May 30, 2020
    121
    CT.
    Full Name:
    Robert Orris
    WOW!! This is outstanding data! Thank you. Have you noticed a performance increase?
     
  12. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
    Owner Project Master

    May 10, 2006
    17,757
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    John!
    I’ve converted two US spec 76-77 GTBs to Euro bumpers. I weighed them using corner scales that I know for certain were dialed in accurately.

    The engines are essentially the same these years, euro cars just had no sound deadening in the airbox while US cars did, removing that frees up some air flow, cams and compression are same. The dry sump engine is actually a bit heavier due to the tank and oil pump.

    The US cars rear and front structures have a bit more metal for bracing the impact bumpers, I’d say it’s around 20lbs total, mainly at the rear. The additional steel in the US doors for side impact weighs very little, maybe a pound or two as it’s just a piece of thin gauge steel bent in a U shape and tack welded to the inside of the door.

    parts removed and replacement:

    -Two air pumps and plumbing (around 50lbs)

    -Bumpers and front bumper shocks (rears bumper shocks were kept but pushed in) and replaced with fiberglass units which are actually a bit lighter than Euro bumpers. Net difference is just under 100lbs.

    -thermo reactor muffler (weighs some 100lbs) replaced with stainless Nouvalari on one and a custom unit on the other. Net difference about 70lbs.

    In the end both with about half a tank of fuel and spare tire weighed in at about 2850lbs. The net weight removed was on the order of 220lbs so it does make a noticeable difference in how they drive once the conversion is complete.
     
    ZikZak likes this.
  13. rob58

    rob58 Karting

    May 30, 2020
    121
    CT.
    Full Name:
    Robert Orris
    This is great information! My target car was a Euro 1977 308gtb. However, given this very interesting information on weight saving measures I am reconsidering, and just going for a US spec car! Does the Euro dry sump motor add any performance advantages? Last question: What does a 1977 Euro steel body 308GTB actually weigh?

    Thank you all very much! This has been huge!!

    Sincerely
     
  14. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 12, 2011
    692
    Omaha, NE area, US
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Intersting. How much fuel was in the car? Using my Proform scales, I got 2818lbs with the fuel gauge showing just over half, so about 60lbs of fuel.
     
  15. st@ven

    st@ven F1 Rookie

    Aug 4, 2008
    3,296
    Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Steven
    I wrote this here before sometimes but my '78 US GTB, when imported and registered was weight at 420KG or 3130 lbs , probably with half a tank of fuel.

    After my race-car conversion it was weight again on the same scale and it brought 1060KG or 2336 lbs, also with half a tank of gas.
    I added some weight to in a full steel FIA roll cage and a turbo-setup

    Sure i did some odd things but there's an awful lot of weight in these cars when stock. Btw the car is still registered and road legal
     
    Ferraripilot likes this.
  16. Dockboy

    Dockboy Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    May 11, 2013
    548
    Maryland
    Steve,

    About 1/4 tank. The scale was at the dragstrip.
     

Share This Page