575 F1 non FHP driving impressions

henry- Have only driven the FHP version, which handles as well as my C6 Z06s on smooth pavement and rides much better. Upgrading to FHP is not too expensive (~$3k without steering ECU,~ $850), so I would not worry about it. All you need are springs, rear anti-roll bar, and Pagid brake pads and you can live without the pads, which squeal an acceptable, to me, amount. See earlier threads.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

henry- No.

Taz
Terry phillips

 

I had a 03 575 non FHP and currently have a SA with the GTC package. While I prefer the handling of the GTC/FHP, I took my non FHP to two tracks and had a lot of fun with it. I did not feel the extra roll or pitch was excessive.

My 0.02. YMMV

Mario

 

Henry- FHP was an option on the 550 first and was available throughout 575M production. Our friend Gary has it on his very late 2005. You can buy Pagid 4-4 racing pads and put them in standard 575M calipers for essentially the same braking performance. They just need to be properly bedded.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Henry- Throughout production including the 2005s. Not sure about the Superamerica.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Same here. I ran my non FHP 575 at Pocono and didn't feel I was missing much if anything in the twisties. Not as nimble as my 430 but that was expected. I suspect the non FHP issue has been overhyped a bit.

 

Lou- Would be fun to try both and see the differences. My local technicians also take care of a 550 and they say my FHP is a completely different beast. It does ride stiffly, though, and some might not like it for that reason. Still way better riding than a Z06 Corvette.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

For 2005 the package included CCB's and was referred to as the HGTC .

 

Drew- FHP was available concurrently with HGTC in 2005. Gary (see HGTC thread) has one built in March 2005 with FHP. HGTC included the FHP suspension mods (springs, rear anti-roll bar). See the same thread for lists of everything included in both packages. Lot of difference between $25K and $4K option packages. HGTC included a lot of equipment besides the CCM brakes.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

And the FHP included more then just springs and anti-roll bar. Its my understanding that the differences between FHP and HGTC handling packages it the HGTC also included the CCB's and what I left out in my prior post, the sport exhaust.

 

Drew- Go look at the lists I posted and you will know for absolutely certain. We know exactly what was included in both packages. FHP included a steering ECU, which was incorporated into normal production in late 2004/2005, and red brake calipers with Pagid 4-4 brake pads, which obviously were not included in the HGTC package. The 19" wheels were a separate option for FHP, included in HGTC. Look it up.

Here, I will make it easy for you. The only thing HGTC needed from FHP was the springs and rear anti-roll bar and mount.

Taz
Terry Phillips
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I've been out of the 550/575 game for quite some time. I even forgot about the 19" modulars! Thanks for the info. Terry

 

iirc 575 non fhp porposes at speed

 

iirc 575 non fhp porposes at speed

 

Drew- Glad it helped. Nippy just sold his set of modulars in the last day or two. $7500-9000 seems to be the going rate.

Lou- Thanks for the information. Have not tracked mine at all. A lot of the complaints on the non-FHP 575M came from British magazines. Motor Trend and R&T did not have much trouble with the non-FHP 575Ms they tested. Best advice is probably to try the non-FHP 575M and then if unhappy change the springs and rear anti-roll bar. Probably the vast majority of drivers would prefer the better ride on the base Skyhook suspension over the slightly increased handling but stiffer ride of the FHP.


Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I bought a 2005 575 with 6k miles last year which had no FHP. I had just sold my 550 and assumed that the 575 would greatly out handle my old car. But like someone mentioned previously, the car porpoised very bad at higher speeds when hitting a dip, not very comforting to say the least. So I couldn't live with it so I bought the whole FHP parts list from Ricambi except the wheels and brake stuff, I added the Brembo GTS kit which is much larger (same size as the CCM system) and I had a custom set of 20" wheels made that look similiar to a modular factory wheel, but in different offsets. I had left the original brakes on for awhile, but they looked puny behind the wheels, and the stock brakes did not stop very well either (I have a Z8 with the Brembo's so I knew how the car would work if I added them, and they don't squeak or create much dust). I have to say the FHP setup is much better than NON FHP, I would not buy one without it. Now after spending all that money (I added those high flow cats and x pipe from that English company, their name escapes me at the moment)
I'm going to buy a 599 shortly, so look for my car on Dupont or Auto trader one of these days. I love the car but the 599 "feels" better to me for some reason and the economy isn't really affecting me luckily (yet)

Thanks, G

 

Hi Tazandjan,

from the part lists you posted it looks like the FHP and HGTC packages have completely different setup's. The numbers are not matching.

I mean in regard of the suspension, naturally.

I drive a 575 with FHP and my impressions are that the car rides very soft in standard mode and pretty hard in sport. Anyway, I dont like to drive fast with the sport mode cause the feeling on the steering disappears, so I never know what the wheels are doing.
Someone else has this impression too?