1995 F355 GTS: Restoration and Major Service

Thanks, I really appreciate your kind words.

 

The 95 Challenge cars suffered suspension support mount flex and were subsequently upgraded for the later cars (possibly 96 onwards) The standard 5.2 cars were upgraded too.

My car having travelled 50,000 kilometres is starting to show signs of fatigue and stress cracks as shown in the photos. This is only on one side at the moment.

Because I want every part of this car 100% sorted, I have ordered left and right hand side updated Challenge suspension support mounts, which are double the thickness.

I will need to find a suitable workshop to carry out the swap, once completed I will be confident that this problem has now been properly addressed with factory parts upgrade.

Whilst I was thinking suspension I had been eyeing off a Fiorano kit upgrade and have ordered front and rear Fiorano springs, and front and rear Challenge sway bar sets with the upgraded bushings.

Once the parts come in I will document the installation and get the cars ride height re set and 4 wheel alignment.

I will have the front wheel arch areas repainted in the correct black when the car is on the hoist and suspension removed for spring installation.

I look forward to feeling the difference!

And if you have a 95 car please check the suspension mount support for any signs of fatigue.
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The bumper spacing can be adjusted, my body shop re-gapped it when they painted the front bumper. They use spacers to the right gap I'd assume. I have seen Ferrari techs use a spacer on the rear bumper for gapping.

 

For a change I replaced my challenge grill for the original coloured panel.

It was quite scratched and to get it to match the rest of the swirl free paint, I did a 2 stage paint correction and followed up with Kamikaze paint sealant. I like both looks, and always preferred the challenge grill but now I'm not so sure.

The challenge grill was not an option for 95 model year so for originality the stock panel is the right choice.

The rear bumper is coming off for a repaint soon, due to rock chips and to repaint the black air outlet which has bubbled from heat off the muffler. I will get the rear panel gaps perfect then.
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Another little often overlooked part refurbished today. The air pump for the bypass vacuum and air injection system has a small filtered cage to stop it from ingesting road grime.

I removed the filter housing and replaced the old filter with new air conditioning filter trimmed to size, it came up a real treat.

Should help prolong the life of the pump and it looks a lot better when viewed from the engine bay!
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Gave the car a wash and decided to remove the stick on Scuderia shields. I like the shields but seeing as they are the stick on type (I also have yoshi metal shields) I decided to try the original look and get some extra points come concours time. The car looks great either way. I think I prefer the clean look.
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Polished up the very tired looking original exhaust tips. No plans to swap it out yet but it will be ready for install when I get the urge.

On long drives the Tubi Evolution even with cats is a bit too much drone for me, the up top scream though kinda makes up for it though...
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A box of goodies showed up today!

Fiorano spec front and rear springs and a pair of 96 Challenge OEM suspension support mounts to stiffen up the front end and update the 95 thinner prone to cracking versions.

Also pictured is some Hill Engineering tools, the spark plug removal tool, and the oil filter tool, for when I do my own servicing.
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Thanks, I'm still up in the air about the grill. I like both looks. The red is classier and more classic, the challenge looks more aggressive and both widens and lowers the car visually- plus lets more air out.

With exhaust, im tossing up between a Capristo and a Mille Miglia. The best 355 I have ever heard had a Mille Miglia and it has the same setup as a Capristo with customisable stage 1 with an essentially open straight through exhaust on bypass.

Here is a video of a Mille Miglia fitted:https://youtu.be/13My5qwGu1g and this one:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfI_1mI-dKw

 

Cheers Pap, I'm enjoying getting this car up to speed. Couldn't buy one when new so I will try my hardest to get the next best thing 😃.

 

What level is yours Steve? There are 3. I want no drone at all. The Tubi already is perfect on bypass and idle- but around 3-4000rpm it drones pretty badly. I was told level 2 is the sweet spot.

 

Within the month. I have been quite busy working on 2 other 355's. Doing an engine out on one which has been fun.

I need to find a good welder, I will remove the arms and shocks and have the car fixed at my friends workshop. It looks to be quite a big job to remove old mount and weld in new one.
Will have to paint and stone guard the area too.

 

Ferrari 355 GTS Exhaust, Ferrari 355 GTS Muffler - Mille Miglia - High Quality Performance Exhaust

I have been told $2900 AUD installed. My Tubi evolution is around $5000 excluding installation, so if I make the switch I should be able to part out the Tubi which is like new for the Mille Miglia.