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348 at high speed

Discussion in '348/355' started by Saint Bastage, Oct 11, 2008.

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  1. Saint Bastage

    Saint Bastage F1 Rookie

    Jun 1, 2007
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    Connecticut
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    #1 Saint Bastage, Oct 11, 2008
    As many of you know I recently replaced 4 tires on my 348SS. I wanted Michelins, went for Bridgestones, and settled for Toyo's because nobody seemed to have my size. The new tires are on and seem quite reasonable through the twisties. Sidewalls might be a little to flexible but overall not bad.

    These tires are supposed to be exactly the same size as my previous set but clearly are not. The car is a little higher. That is to say, I don't scrape the spoiler on the driveway any more. I now have that problem with floatyness at high speed. Its a Serie Speciale with the lower front spoiler and splitter which was originally added to the car to prevent this issue. Anyway, Has anyone experimented with some additional ground effects such as the installation of an additional splitter mounted out of site? Seems like a good Idea but then, someone would have thought of it.
     
  2. Kds

    Kds F1 World Champ

    May 1, 2003
    10,994
    Canada and Brasil...
    #2 Kds, Oct 11, 2008
    Install rear wheel spacers from Hill Engineering (Daniel at Ricambi has them) and you'll be fine. It solved all my high speed handling problems.
     
  3. Saint Bastage

    Saint Bastage F1 Rookie

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    #3 Saint Bastage, Oct 11, 2008
    Last edited: Oct 11, 2008
    Aftermarket wheels and tires. No spacers needed nor is there any room for any. Issue is caused by air under the car. spoiler is supposed to divert the air. Wheels had a differant brand on tire with no problem at all. New tires somehow changed the geometery.
     
  4. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
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    Dec 1, 2004
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    Bruce Bogart
    #4 plugzit, Oct 11, 2008
    You can lower the front end with the coilovers or you can make a bigger splitter with some aluminum-or is that al-u-min-ium?
     
  5. Meeyatch1

    Meeyatch1 Formula 3

    Dec 28, 2003
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    Low flying jet.
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    Mitch
    #5 Meeyatch1, Oct 15, 2008
    Did you check The Tire Rack? They would almost surely have the right tires for your car. I used to drive a 348ts with the proper size and model Bridgestone tires and it was well worth it, especially for the high speed blast. I ran that car all the way up to 170 mph and it was stable as an arrow. Please do not scrimp on tires on a Ferrari.
     
  6. Houston348

    Houston348 Formula 3

    Oct 18, 2006
    2,297
    #6 Houston348, Oct 16, 2008
    I put 275's and 225's on my car and i have the spacers and it STILL "swims" a little at high speeds, especially changing lanes
     
  7. vvassallo

    vvassallo F1 Veteran

    Aug 4, 2006
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    Palos Verdes
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    Vince V
    #7 vvassallo, Oct 16, 2008
    The 1st fix I would consider would be to swap out your wheels for 355 wheels and tires - wider, 18" and far more tire choices. If you want to stay with the stock 17's consider a front tire that is lower profile than stock and keep the rears - I used Yokohamas for this on my Spider. Worked very well.
     
  8. Houston348

    Houston348 Formula 3

    Oct 18, 2006
    2,297
    #8 Houston348, Oct 16, 2008
    I honestly dont think it is a tire issue, any other ideas? bushings? struts? etc?? i have no idea
     
  9. FandLcars

    FandLcars F1 Rookie

    Aug 6, 2006
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    #9 FandLcars, Oct 16, 2008
    Another idea would be to check your alignment. May not cause what you're experiencing, but misalignment can cause weird handling.
     
  10. Saint Bastage

    Saint Bastage F1 Rookie

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    #10 Saint Bastage, Oct 16, 2008
    Its not the tires (285 30 r19 rear, 235 35 R19 front)...its not the wheels (same wheels as before the issue started)...its air under the car. You can feel it. Gonna try adjusting the coils a little lower in front or higher in rear or both. Regardless of the outcome, this is and has been a 348 issue. Its the reason the SS has a lower and differant spoiler. Its the reason 348's scrape the hell out of the nose gear. Its the reason we can buy skid plates from a myriad of suppliers. The car traps air. I was wondering if anyone did any experiments with air removal such as an additional spoiler set further back and therefore lower and out of sight.
     
  11. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Owner

    Dec 7, 2003
    16,478
    Winston Salem, NC
    #11 Ricambi America, Oct 16, 2008
  12. Saint Bastage

    Saint Bastage F1 Rookie

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    #12 Saint Bastage, Oct 16, 2008
    Oooo...yup...that'll do. Have you tried one?
     

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