308 GTsi: is there enough power to have fun?

Nice story The i's are plenty fast enough and reward skillful driving, as do all 308's.

But if your idea of "fun" is being the fastest in a 1/4 mile drag race, look elsewhere. It's not what these cars were built for and it's not why we own them.

 

On the open road - mountain drives - i used to be able to keep up with a 430, about 5-6 seconds behind... the 458 just increased the gap to 10 + ... the cornering in the new cars is phenominal along with accleration ... its fun to drive my 328 to about 6/10 - maybe 7/10th once in a while... but self preservation keeps me way below that now a days... maybe a spurt here and there. usually in the mountains its easier to keep up when rythm and driving can make the difference over power...

 

Just a common knowledge thing. Actually I was first told by Steve Ahlgrim way back when he was at FAF.

It was how Ferrari (and probably many other manufacturers back then) rated the engines. I don't remember the specifics but it was simply not a real world test. Something along those lines. You can't do it (whatever "it" was) and claim that number anymore by law I believe.

I just don't recall the details at this time, but, yeah, they really were 180-190hp motors over here.

 

has anyone ever put their 308 on a dyno after they restored the ignition advance with aftermarket ignition? that would answer the question. jon s

 

We are beating a dead horse here. Plenty of power in the GTSi to have fun - do Dino owners complain about lack of horsepower?

Driving a 308 isn't about power - get a Corvette for that. If you aren't an owner, drive one and then ask yourself if it has what you need to enjoy.

I own a Jaguar E-Type that I love, and since I have my 308, the Jag doesn't get the same drive time. The 308 is brilliant.

Disclaimer - I own a QV, but honestly, the power isn't that much greater to notice. IMHO horsepower is a bragging point...with this car, it's not that critical.

 

So how inflated are the QV, early carb, and emission carb cars? Its all relative anyway. Certainly not 50HP difference between a QV and an i. I think a lot of manufacturers play loose and fast with those numbers. But if they did it with an i, they did it with them all from 78 forward as they all are emissions cars and the motivation would be the same. The industry did change the standard back in early 2000s on how those measurements are made by manufacturers.

 

even the 208 N/A with 155 hp has enough power to have fun: just keep the throttle wide open. I drove a GTBi 2 valve: it's ok.

ciao

 

The QV numbers are quite accurate. I've dyno'd my car (stock euro except aftermarket muffler) and it was right in the range. A little more power than the factory stated in fact. I think the earlier cars horsepower claims were a bit less accurate.

As has been said, it really doesn't matter anyway.

 

Curious what your numbers were on your euro QV and what exhaust are you using? Are the Euro and US versions different exhaust/ignition/cam wise? Euro in my mind is probaby best case scenario especially with a better non factory exhaust. Pretty sure US has different ignition and exhaust. Do not know on cams.

I would think if one wanted to get to 4v stock levels with an i, you would likely need some cams, ignition, and exhaust work. Swapping ignition gives a nice seat of the pants improvement in throttle response and mid range pull.

 

Here's the thread on the dyno results.
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328/367751-euro-308-qv-dyno-results.html

 

Clearly the answer depends on your definition of "fun". If "fun" is the very quickest acceleration, then most likely not; after 30 or so years lots of cars, some very expensive, some not, can easily go a lot faster in a straight line. If "fun" is having a ball on a road with curves, then of course the answer is very much "yes"! Add the Ferrari heritage, the reasonable price (compared to most later Ferraris that go faster), the well-recognized relative reliability, the overall boy-racer great looks and feel, and what more could you want?

I've now got my '86 328 GTS to the point where I can have fun with it; to which I'm really looking forward. However from the time I bought it in mid-December last year to now- 1 July- took a while to amend the neglectful errors of previous owner's ways. No matter, I bought the car right, so it's OK. My advise, though, is to keep some of your cash in reserve for unanticipated maintenance even a good PPI wouldn't reveal. In spite of claims that the average Joe can do a lot of home maintenance, I suggest that many, many pitfalls await the inexperienced. I've been restoring cars for a long time- from the ground up- and every time each new make is a real exercise in learning something new. These cars (as all cars) have their own history of what to do & what not to do, even though the basics of mechanics are similar. In the case of my "new" 328 I chose to use a pro who's been doing this exact model for a long, long time, even though it wasn't cheap. As a result I expect to experience of reliability I wouldn't most likely have were I to do most of the work on my own, even with the many years of working on cars (mostly British) I have under my belt. So, I chose to concentrate to do the pretty straightforward work- redoing the entire interior, and some not too difficult electrical and instrument work- that I felt comfortable doing. I will add that I tried to watch each step the pro's did working on my 328, so I have some idea of what they did, why, & how. Not only "learn by doing" (my Alma Mater's motto!), but learn by watching as well. I also did a complete printout of everything available online regarding shop manuals, advisories, parts lists, and so on- which I keep in the luggage area in a closed binder. Just in case.

So give it your best shot, don't expect more than the car can offer (which is a lot!) and good hunting! After all that's the fun part, isn't it!

Cheers,
Rich

 

Personally I think the Ferrari 308 QV is the most beautiful Ferrari out there. ( As far as classic Ferrari's anyway ) The design is breath taking , but the performance ?? I know we're talking about the early to mid 80s , but to be honest with you that really hasn't been that terribly long ago. I know automotive technology then wasn't as good as now , but it wasn't that less either. What I'm trying to say is this. For such a beautifully designed sports car in a great decade of sports cars Ferrari could've done a little better engine wise for the 308 QV. At least 300 horsepower with 215 to 220 pounds of torque. 240 horsepower with a 192 pounds of torque just isn't enough for such a impressive looking car as the 308. At the moment I'm in the process of owning my first 308 and I'll spare no expense on getting 300 horsepower with 215 pounds or more of torque out of the engine

 

Its easy to get that power

My Euro QV punches out 440rwhp assisted by a turbo. 614nm of torque (452 ft pounds). Easy horsepower, big turbo lag but insane kick when the boost cuts in. There are some others around punching out way bigger numbers so the engines to have the ability

 

Thanks, Van, for resurrecting an interesting thread.

Matt

 

Wow !! Now that's impressive for sure , but a little too much for my taste in a 308 . The most I'll go with in horsepower is 350 , and 230 in torque. But regardless ... It definitely sounds like you've got a 308 that means business my friend. A definite Highway Star.

 

Your welcome. Matt I've got a deep passion for Ferrari. I can talk about them day and night

 

79 - 82 were the worst years for any car in the US and the 308 was holding its own against competition such as the 911 and Corvette. The idea that 308’s are “slow” I think is because of its looks. People are thinking Boxer or Countach league but the 308 was an evolution of the Dino, a nice little GT sports car with plenty of spunk. I lusted for one for years and when I finally got one it was pretty much exactly what I thought it was going to be.

 

I agree the car is gorgeous , but not enough spunk to fit the look. Ferrari could've done better on the engine. At least 300 horsepower with 200+ on torque

 

Road test figures for 0-60 and 1/4 mile times for a 1988 328 and our '16 Hyundai Santa Fe are within 1/10th of a second for both tests. SO... as others have said, it depends on what you mean by "fun?" If "fun" means you need to out-drag a soccer-mom in her SUV, then chances are you won't have fun. The good news, of course, is that you WILL eventually outrun her if the cops don't catch you first!

 

Try a 60 - 120 run and see who wins. Again, go back to 1982 and keep it in context. What could you have bought then that would put the 308 to shame?

 

It's not 1982 any more. People are used to "more". I worry that I will be underwhelmed by my future 308 given my 4 door daily driver has 444bhp - but they're not comparable. 0-60 and 1/4 mile times are cool for drag racers. I'm not a drag racer. I want my 308 to be a road going go-kart for fun roads with a raw sound that will surpass my current 3.0 twin turbo... I'm not getting it for the traffic light grand prix...

 

There are several cars in that time era that would leave the 308 as if it were just sitting steal in the road. Many of them American muscle cars. Like I've said many times . The 308 is a extremely beautiful car . It's just too bad the engine wasn't as impressive as the cars body

 

Frankly, I think you will definitely be underwhelmed if you are buying the car as a road-going go-cart. A Subaru WRX will do that job much better. Now, if it's head-turning you are after, and/or you just want an old, really cool car that can be a lot of fun to drive, the 3x8 is just the ticket! Seriously, if you are interested in any sort of performance car - for it's actual performance by current standards, not it's appearance - I'd say you won't be happy with a 3x8.

 

I have an M3. That's enough road-going performance for me. By road-going go-kart I meant something that handled well, and that NA V8 behind my head would be music to my ears, and yes - the old cool car factor is a part of it. A Subi WRX or similar has zero appeal to me.

 

Your right, it’s not 1982 anymore and Ferrari doesn’t build 308’s anymore. As for “American muscle cars” take a look again at what was available stock off the showroom floor in 1982. The Corvette had 200 hp out of a 5.7 liter engine.