Is there a significant(noticeable) performance difference between the 308 GTS and the 308 GTS QV?
Welcome! Try doing a search you will find many threads about this topic. Although neither 308 is fast by today's standards a QV will have an advantage over a injected 2-valve engine. But older carbed cars can be just as fast as a QV. Matt
The short answer is not really, but there is a significact difference in the way they go about it. Dave
I urge you to read birdman's stuff and research what you need. After that send me a PM and you are welcome to drive my car (82' 308 GTSI) if you want. I just live over in Cumming! Good Luck Andy
From a slightly different perspective, while there's not a lot of performance difference, there are notable mechanical improvements in the latter QV machines. The QV is mechanically very similar to the 328, except short 20cc of displacement. So while the QV may not out-perform the carb'd cars, you can generally run them more -- even for daily use. (But you pay extra for the latter mechanicals and that added reliability.) (Of course, there will be exceptions -- which I'm sure several people will rush to point out. A well sorted carb'd car will be more reliable than a neglected QV, etc.) So how do you define "performance"? None of them are going to seriously challenge a tricked-out ricer at the red light grand prix (if that matters to you). None of them are going to blow off an Insight hybrid -- when you're both stuck behind a couple of gridlocked SUVs. But if your commute will support a car that slices and dices turns, you may want to consider opting for the later improvements. (And an aftermarket shopping kart repulsor beam. )
Look, both cars are slow by today's std.s .. I had a 2v gtsi (Usa spec) and it was real, I mean real slow... I loved it but soon started longing for a QV and the QV experience...if you just like the twisties..they are the same car...I know there should not be a real noticeble diff. in performance between the two cars on paper, but for me it seemed noticable...these cars are old so make sure you are comparing two good working properly examples...a particular car can be slow for lack of proper tune.
Recently bought my first Ferrari, a 308 QV. LOVE IT. Definitely better than the early (non-QV fuel injected) cars. I hear the older carbs ones are good too. At the end of the day, this car is "slow" by comparison to any new Ferrari and to many other new cars, too. That said, if all you're interested in is straight line speed, then you won't like this car anyway. For me (and many others) it's about the twisties, the history, the styling (308 is an absolute, unquestionable ICON of style --people ALWAYS recognize it on the street, whereas they don't necessarily recognize other Fcars), and the feel of Ferrari... NOTHING like it. I'd take my 240 horsepower 308 over a stronger subaru or honda or whatever ANY day (no offense intended to anyone). Hmmm. I think much of what I've said beside the point you're concerned about, sorry, just my reflections. Good luck on your decision.
I liked my 78 and I like my 83 for different reasons. The 78 had a smell and a sound that was fun. It reminded me of what the early racers must have experienced. When ever I got out of the car, I smelled like oil and fuel with the sounds of the webers in my ears. The 83 sounds different. More mechanical, not as loud, and not as tempermental. It warms up faster, it cools down faster. It does not have as much cowl shake and it's a more city liveable car.
just from this thread and birdman's site i have learned even more about these cars. thank you all very much. i can't tell you how stoked i am to learn and hopefully own one.
I am lucky enough to have an early carb 308 and a Mondial QV. (OK, the Mondial is the wife's but I drive it sometimes...!) The Mondial QV is heavier than the 308 QV and therefore slower, but the engine is the same, so I have considerable seat time with both engines. Here is what my experience makes me feel: There is NOTHING like a carb Ferrari when it is running right. The sound of the engine is like nothing I can describe. The far superior throttle response of carbs makes the injected car feel very "damped". The throttle response alone makes the carb cars feel faster. But the carb cars smell more of gas, are more tempermental until they are warmed up and produce noxious fumes if you have an early no-cat car. Once the carbs are dialed in, they are great, but most carb cars need significant carb work to get them right because they have been neglected. The injected cars (this goes for both 2 and 4 valve) are much more "modern." They start right up when it's below zero, they warm up and run more consistently from cold, they have a more consistent idle and the K-jet injection is very reliable. The QV's are as fast as the early carb cars, but in my opinion, not as much fun. They are better in traffic by a long shot. The clutch is easier and run cleaner so they aren't as stinky. If you want a daily driver, get an injected car. If you want a fun weekend car, get a carb car. And take the muffling out of the airbox. Birdman
Jawad makes some good points. As an example, the Pantera will blow the 308 and quite a number of new cars too off the road (not bad for a 32 year old car!), but it doesn't handle or feel like a F.
Okay, How? (I'll qualify this dumb question with the excuse that I have had my carb car so little time as to still be in the honymoon stage. Plus, searches I've done here produced conflicting flame wars about air filters.) Seamus
