Has any one done this, positive or negative effect on handling/looks and what makes of wheels?
Here is one link for your quesiton: http://www.vividracing.com/blog/vividracing-client-cars/ferrari-f430-with-jim-gainer-20inch-wheels/
You will loose some suspension performance with 20"s but if you use Michelin Pilot sport cups,Pirelli Corsa or Pirelli Trofeo you will have a nice handling and looking F car ...
Novitec NF3s. Taz Terry Phillips Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
+2. I was gonna say the same Terry, but didnt have time to find pics. The NF3 wheels are beautiful. Got to look at them/examine while I was at Novitec, Germany and they are really well made/designed. The best wheel for the 430 hands down. I do love some of the AV1 wheels but with those there is a fine line between pimped out and cool...
Are they a direct replacement or are other changes needed to accommodate the extra inch! Have to say they look great.
Russell- Direct fit, Ferrari only applications. Expensive, though. There was a used set in FerrariAds recently. Those would look good on my 575M, which currently has NF2s. 599 NF3s will not fit. 114.3mm bolt circle vs 430's 108 mm. Taz Terry Phillips
I have 20" wheels on most of my cars, no issues at all. You need to make sure you choose and great quality wheel with the correct offset so there will be no rubbing and you can turn the front wheels lock to lock with no fender well clearance issues. My cars are all lowered and I have no issues. Here are a few pics of my wife's 430 and my Scud, both on 20's, rears are 20x12.5 with 345's.. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I think the 430 can handle the 20s front and rear aesthetically quite well but carbon ceramic brakes help a lot. I cannot offer a comment on handling characteristics.
+1 on the Novitecs. I have had mine on the track with the 20" and handling is superb, although I can't compare the experience with the OEM 19" wheels. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Dennis- Would have loved the NF3s on my car, but could not swing the $10K+ for wheels alone. Those look great on your car, and I am normally a silver wheel kind of guy. Even us old farts recognize something pretty, though. Taz Terry Phillips
Thanks Terry. Fortunately, my car came with them. I wouldn't pay that kind of money for wheels either but to the previous owner (Tony Kanaan), it's just pocket change.
Dennis- I learned how to break in high performance cars from an Indy car driver, so your car should be pretty much indestructible. Breaking in consists of gradually increasing rpm at relatively low power settings and high rpm until redline is reached after several months. Lathes in the parts without putting a lot of stress on the bearings and valve train. Have used that technique for over a decade and it results in a car you just cannot break without mechanically over-revving it on a bad downshift, and that is impossible on F1 F430s. Congratulations on a great choice. $14K or so worth of wheels and tires just made the deal sweeter. Taz Terry Phillips
Novitec's look awesome. No argument there. But aren't they kind of heavy? I've picked up a couple of Novitec wheels and even the 19s NF2's were heavy as heck. Can't imagine what the 20's weigh.
The mods that TK did definitely made the deal sweeter, but I paid a premium for this car compared to what the going rate was for similar mileage & model year F430s. I think this was basic a Sunday cruiser for TK. Hey TK6, if you're reading this, feel free to chime in, and if you still have that Scud but are thinking of selling it, let me know!!