338/355 suspension compatibility

Most all the online info comparing 348/355 suspension geo says that they are the same basic geometry besides early 348s have a slightly different upper control arm location. That was the only real difference that I could find online. Both cars weigh almost the same etc.
Well the internet can be funny and lots of times just wrong. 355 rear shocks are about an inch or so shorter than 348 rears. Kind of a big deal if you are buying 355 coilovers for a 348. Easy to see if you compare rear shock top mount locations. It just won’t work. I knew I had an issue with my ride height and especially the lack of droop travel. No droop travel won’t work and might actually scare the poop out of you mid corner.

 

I decided on Nitron mainly because of my Lotus experience with them and because they have an awesome front lift system that’s light silent and quick. They didn’t market a 348 system but I figured their 355 setup would work (wrong). Lucky I bought the kit from a long time associate (Shinoo at Inokinetic in Temecula). Lucky because I knew I made a mistake and I knew he would help me fix it.
Also lucky that Nitron recently moved into a US headquarter in Murriera just up the street. After they heard about my issues( **** handling) they wanted to find out why. They had their main development guy fly over from England to check it out.

 

I could’ve told you 348 and 355 dampers aren’t the same .

I’ve met Shinoo and visited his facility in Temecula a few times. Even drove his Elise to test out his shifter. He’s pretty knowledgeable when it comes to suspension setups. Yes, Nitrons are popular amongst the Lotus guys. Pretty cool Nitrons are headquartered nearby now.

 

Took him a day to change the rear shock stroke and go to a 500lb rear spring up from the 450 I had, recalculate ride height calculate droop and up travel etc and have it back to me.
Wow the car is so good now, I ripped a bumpy tech canyon drive on my way home and the car just sucked up everything and grip was insane. Gone was the oscillating and mid corner wallow. Just sharp turn in and more grip mid turn, never missed a beat. Car absolutely rips now. Wow is all I can say, and I’ve recently had way newer and highly built sports cars.

 

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Dang it Ken I should have confirmed with you guys that have been there done that. I thought I had a good idea. I was wrong.
But!!! Now 348 people have a top notch system available that was not available before. Hope it helps somebody.

 

Image Unavailable, Please Login Thanks to the Nitron guys (Guy, Curtis, George) and to Shinoo at Inokinetic.
By the way I paid full price etc etc. Just sharing my experience.

 

Shinoo seemed to really like the 348 after trying it out, maybe some new products for these cars down the line.

 

It’s good to have local support from a well-known brand. Easier to tinker with different setups and fine tune.

MCS didn’t offer anything for a 348?

 

I’m not sure. I did read an old thread but I don’t know if anything ever came of it.
I did know I wanted nose lift. I don’t believe MCS or Penske or DeltaVee could help with that. Although Rob at DeltaVee was very nice to deal with. When I contacted him about some 348 stuff.

 

So your Nitrons were intended for a 355?

 

Planning to corner balance the car? If so, what shop did you have in mind?

 

You did well, OB! Enjoy the improved ride.

By the way, Rob Schermerhorn along with Jim McGee at Pocono Sportscar where I keep my F355 Challenge helped develop the 348 and F355 Challenge when they were at FNA.

Here's Jim with the first 348 Challenge...


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And reunited with my car, the first F355 Challenge...


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Look at that! He struck a similar pose.

 

Right, Ken. His car will need some tweaking after his suspension upgrade...


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I had mine done after my upgrade...


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I have that USAG Ferrari tool box in the backround.

 

FNA kept them well-supplied, FBB, as you are.

 

I just noticed that! I’ve been looking for that toolbox forever. Super rare. I gave up.

 

Darin was the best I have found. Many racers used him. I raced a 348 several decades ago. You want to go there with 1/2 tank gas and how the car is equipped and a paperback book or know your weight. You will either sit in the car and read a book as he works taking into account your weight in the car or place weights in the driver's side to simulate your weight. Do a little research on 348/355 alignment so you know how you want the car set up. For example you want OEM alignment and ride height? You like the ride height you got now but you are tracking the car. You want sharper turn-in so 1/8" toe out...that kind of stuff. If you really serious you should make at least one end of each sway bar adjustable or buy adjustable endlinks so you can properly corner balance the car. Because if you CB then reconnect the sways you will preload the suspension and mildly upset the new corner balance. Also learn a bit about corner balance so you can converse with Darin. For example 99% just go for 50/50 balance. That's perfectly OK for as best you can get equal right and left turns. But let's say WSIR a clockwise track is your home track and so you want speed in right turns over left turns. Your 50/50 cross is

876LF 844RF
775LR 740RR

Now take out some wedge in the RR and that will improve the right turn and put more weight on the RF balancing that out With the front axle now more equal in weight LF and RF and your straight line threshold braking has also improved. Wow two improvements for one adjustment. This will make your car faster on this track.

As a racer, I have my own scales and alignment tools and have not used Darin in over 20 years when he was still in Gardena. He is in HB now.

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Well guys I have a set of adjustable challenge end links and FHP rear anti roll bar. But they are for a 355 and I need the proper end link attachment points. 348 and 355 end links are different

 

Yes. Not many good options out there for 348s

 

You might be out of luck there. I’d think you’d need front and rear adjustable links if you are planning on fine tuning your corner balance.

 

Someone offered me one recently if you want the lead...

 

What country?

 

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