355 - Best Modifications....? | FerrariChat
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355 - Best Modifications....?

Discussion in '348/355' started by Ade, Jul 28, 2004.

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  1. Ade

    Ade Formula 3

    Jan 31, 2004
    2,102
    UK
    #1 Ade, Jul 28, 2004
    OK people. I've decided that I'm going to keep my car for a bit longer. I'm looking at doing some subtle choice modifications to the car to enjoy it further. Give me some ideas people !!!!

    I already have as of this week (so ignore these mods):
    Base Car: 355 '97 Spider (Red/Cream)
    Tubi Exhaust
    Tubi Test Pipes (CATS removed)
    Challenge Grill
    Red Glazed Calipers
    Bespoke Headers/Manifolds


    So... I would be interested in ECU upgrades, any other performance upgrades (I know nothing about this!), or anything else...


    Thanks for your ideas guys!
    Ade
     
  2. JC360

    JC360 F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Nov 2, 2003
    3,067
    NYC...and soon WC 2
    Full Name:
    Jon C.
    #2 JC360, Jul 28, 2004
    it sounds like you have 1 sick car already!
     
  3. ENZOFORZA

    ENZOFORZA Karting

    Nov 3, 2003
    123
    DUXBURY, MA
    Full Name:
    JAKE
    #3 ENZOFORZA, Jul 28, 2004
    How about wheel offsets and a few CF pieces for interior + engine bay. These wont help performance but they look great.
     
  4. richard_wallace

    richard_wallace Formula 3

    Feb 6, 2004
    1,957
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Richard Wallace
    #4 richard_wallace, Jul 28, 2004
    A couple of threads on ECU mods, etc for the 355.. Most really do not give you much or give you on the top end - but you suffer on the low end - so really not worth it on the ECU side.

    I have seen people put in NOS and I think a Turbo - I personally do not think it is worth it.

    Some people think K&N filters help with a little HP - I have them in mine - but I really don't think these claims are valid.

    I think the Fender Shields add about 50 HP... Cause my 355 spider goes much faster with them on :)
     
  5. cinquevalvole

    cinquevalvole Formula 3

    Feb 6, 2004
    1,161
    Germany, Bayern
    #5 cinquevalvole, Jul 28, 2004
    Hi Ade,

    use race brake fluid on the track. Otherwise your 355 will fade out.
    IMO the best mod for money.

    forza

    cinquevalvole
     
  6. Brandi

    Brandi Karting

    Jan 27, 2004
    131
    Milano, Italy
    #6 Brandi, Jul 28, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  7. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 25, 2002
    13,958
    MO
    Full Name:
    Omar
    #7 Auraraptor, Jul 28, 2004
    CF is cool.
     
  8. FerrariSlave

    FerrariSlave Guest

    Nov 14, 2003
    1,445
    Chicago & Miami
    #8 FerrariSlave, Jul 28, 2004
    Yep was about to add that.

    Exaust/cats,Challange Grill,F50 Brakes with Race Fluid,and GruppeM Intake, and possible ECU mod.
     
  9. Ade

    Ade Formula 3

    Jan 31, 2004
    2,102
    UK
    #9 Ade, Jul 29, 2004
    Thanks for your ideas guys. I like the look of the GruppeM Ram Charger, what kind of effect does it have on air induction? How does it work?

    Also, I'd like to know much more about why these ECU upgrades have very little effect on performance? Presumably if you use a Ram Charger and KN air filters you really need your ECU remapped/upgraded to dump more fuel at the appropriate times..

    I've read elsewhere you can increase BHP by 50 with an ECU upgrade (as long as you have appropriate exhaust like a Tubi with test pipes and appropriate air induction)

    Thanks again
    Ade
     
  10. subirg

    subirg F1 Rookie

    Dec 19, 2003
    4,369
    Cheshire
    #10 subirg, Jul 29, 2004
    Great list of mods. What does F50 brake mods mean? Which parts are involved? How much of an improvement does it make?
     
  11. Ade

    Ade Formula 3

    Jan 31, 2004
    2,102
    UK
    #11 Ade, Jul 29, 2004
    Ahhh.. wheel ofsets, this is interesting. I wonder whether this would have a positive effect on handling in fast corners... or whether it would change the dynamics of the ride too far beyond what Ferrari intended? Just a question/thought...
     
  12. Ade

    Ade Formula 3

    Jan 31, 2004
    2,102
    UK
    #12 Ade, Jul 29, 2004
    Well the surface area of the disks in much larger, and I believe they are cross drilled for heat disipation and breakdust removal. Also the callipers are going to be much better quality.

    It seems that technology for brakes has come a long way or perhaps is just more accessible (or just mainstream) from when the original 355 brakes were designed and implemented.
    Ade
     
  13. Koby

    Koby Formula 3

    Dec 14, 2003
    2,307
    The Borough, NJ
    Full Name:
    Jason Kobies
    #13 Koby, Jul 29, 2004
    I would stick to factory Firoano package or Challenge package parts for the most part (although I have no idea how obtainable these are). F50 brakes, tubi exhuast.
     
  14. Robertb

    Robertb Formula 3

    Nov 19, 2003
    1,331
    South Oxfordshire, U
    Full Name:
    Robert
    #14 Robertb, Jul 29, 2004
    How's about creating a sort-of 355 'CS'?

    A few ideas to start...

    CFibre trim, doortrims
    Alcantara dash
    CFibre seats, w/ harnesses (dunno if this would work in your spider)
    Starter button
    Full Fiorano handling and brake pack (available from Verdis)
    Cfibre induction kit
    Remove carpets

    And of course remove any soundproofing you come across!

    Robert.
     
  15. F355Bob

    F355Bob Formula 3

    Nov 4, 2003
    2,001
    Madison, Wisconsin
    #15 F355Bob, Jul 29, 2004
    Who is Verdis and how do you get in touch? Thanks
     
  16. Brandi

    Brandi Karting

    Jan 27, 2004
    131
    Milano, Italy
    #16 Brandi, Jul 29, 2004
    To be able to squeeze out of an F355, that already comes in an high tuning state from the factory, 50 bhp just with an ECU, exhaust and air-intake upgrade seems to me definitely optimistic...

    With these mods, a 15/20 bhp gain would be much more realistic...
     
  17. AHMTHSSN

    AHMTHSSN Karting

    Apr 16, 2004
    120
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    AH
    #17 AHMTHSSN, Jul 29, 2004
  18. SoftwareDrone

    SoftwareDrone F1 Veteran
    Sponsor Owner

    Jan 19, 2004
    7,857
    San Jose, California
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #18 SoftwareDrone, Jul 29, 2004
    Ring and pinion. DEFINITELY ring and pinion. Get the lowest ratio you can find. When I switched from the stock 4:23 to the 4:55 ratio, it TOTALLY transformed the car! It will become a rocket off the line, and the RPM difference at speed will be negligable.
     
  19. Ade

    Ade Formula 3

    Jan 31, 2004
    2,102
    UK
    #19 Ade, Jul 30, 2004
    Nice idea! I think the full fiorano kit is quite expensive, although I'd love to have the tighter steering rack and uprated brakes. Looking back on it (although I didn't know about it at the time) I should really have bought a Fiorano in the first place!

    Ade
     
  20. Ade

    Ade Formula 3

    Jan 31, 2004
    2,102
    UK
    #20 Ade, Jul 30, 2004
    Hey Brandi, thanks for the information. Have you got the ECU upgrade on your GTS? Are there different ECU upgrades, i.e. one that increases REV limit, and other types that just make firing timing more aggressive etc.

    I'm wondering how far I can take the ECU upgrades... I want more FLAMES coming out the back of my 355 under de-celeration (seriously)!!
     
  21. Brandi

    Brandi Karting

    Jan 27, 2004
    131
    Milano, Italy
    #21 Brandi, Jul 30, 2004
    No, mine is stock...


    For that, just get rid of your cats and install the test pipes...
     

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