Rolling 308 | FerrariChat

Rolling 308

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by plahaye, Dec 7, 2003.

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  1. plahaye

    plahaye Rookie

    Nov 2, 2003
    48
    S La. swamp
    Full Name:
    Phil LaHaye
    Does anyone know of a source for 308 suspension upgrades such as thicker sway bars, springs, bushings, etc? My 1st track session in our 77308 GTB on Kuhmo VictorRacers(on original 14" wheels) revealed a ton of roll despite significant lowering of the car due to the lower profile of the tires. It stuck like glue in the tight sections despite the soft suspension but stiffening it surely will help. When the Miata and Honda guys are snickering about the "wallowing Ferrari" it is time to do something. Help!
     
  2. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
    Little Rock
    Full Name:
    David Jones
    There are a number of "upgrades" that you can do...
    But before you start you might put together a plan of attack
    and make a few decisions about what you want to accomplish with the car,
    like the ratio of street to track time the car will spend for example.
    I also have a 1977 308GTB and it has not seen the track because of the fact that all of the suspension bushings,
    shocks, springs, and such are all crap.
    Not because they were designed that way, but because they are now almost 27 years old.
    If you are tracking your car with R-tires and you have the original suspension components from 26 years ago, you are just asking for trouble IMHO...

    What 26 year old bushings look like.
     
  3. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
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    David Jones
    Worn 26 year old bushing...
    Just does not make for good track days.
     
  4. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
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    David Jones
    26 year old shock and bushing...
     
  5. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
    Little Rock
    Full Name:
    David Jones
    It's because of old age in your suspension componets that your Ferrari is wallowing like a pig...
    It sounds like your car could use a good going through.

    Old shock
     
  6. plahaye

    plahaye Rookie

    Nov 2, 2003
    48
    S La. swamp
    Full Name:
    Phil LaHaye
    Good point about the old bushings. Mine do not look quite that bad but replacing them would be the logical place to start. Any thoughts about using hard plastic replacements in lieu of OEM bushings and do you know of a good source for them. About frequency of track use, probably no more than occasional DE type events so handling on the street is more important.
     
  7. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
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    David Jones
    You might try this product from Energy Suspension...
     
  8. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
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    Full Name:
    David Jones
    Try some of the fine sponsors of this site for your parts needs...
     
  9. plahaye

    plahaye Rookie

    Nov 2, 2003
    48
    S La. swamp
    Full Name:
    Phil LaHaye
    I just took a closer look and yes, they are ratty. Time for new a new set of bushings.
     
  10. joeyy

    joeyy Karting

    Nov 11, 2003
    190
    long island
    Full Name:
    joe
    be careful not to make the car too stiff the car needs a little bit of roll for the tyres to work properly. unless you plan on using slicks which are NG for the street.
     
  11. 348 Turbo

    348 Turbo Formula 3

    Jul 17, 2002
    1,837
    You might want to give Norwood's a call. They do tons of this kind of stuff.
     
  12. pma1010

    pma1010 F1 Rookie

    Jul 21, 2002
    2,559
    Chicago
    Full Name:
    Philip
    plahaye
    I use my 308 on the track. I have upgraded to 16 inch rims with stickier tires, replaced all the bushings (control arm, steering, shock, ARB), replaced the shocks, upgraded the rear ARB to an adjustable 15mm/18mm and am looking at a custom front bar.

    Depending on how far you want to go, tradeoffs you are willing to accept, there are many different options to suit the wallet. Suggest you shoot Rob Schemerrhorn an email (sorry Rob, I am sure I butchered the spelling).
     
  13. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
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    David Jones
    Got this side licked...
     
  14. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
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    another view...
     
  15. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
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    One more...
     
  16. pma1010

    pma1010 F1 Rookie

    Jul 21, 2002
    2,559
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    Philip
    Dave
    Looks great. I don't know if you track the car, but if so leaving off the backing plates and routing some ducting to the inner hub/inside disc will pay dividends to avoid fade.
    Philip
     
  17. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
    10,213
    San Antonio
    Full Name:
    Russ Turner
    Dave
    Looks great - very inspiring.
    Guess I need to attack my suspension now!!

    Super job!
    rt
     
  18. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
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    From humble beginnings...
     
  19. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
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    could use a facelift...
     
  20. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
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    MMMM crud...
     
  21. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

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    this will be fun...
     
  22. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

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    it all comes apart...
     
  23. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
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    Starts looking good once it goes back together...
     
  24. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
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    getting there...
     
  25. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
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    David Jones
    closer...
     

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