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355 Challenge Car

Discussion in 'Challenge/GT Cars/Track' started by mclaudio, Aug 9, 2007.

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  1. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #51 rob lay, Aug 24, 2007
    I think it is Bob Chick that sells used Grand Am tires. I've had nothing but good luck with this, some of the tires barely looked scrubbed. Those pro teams might only put 1-3 cycles before trashing them and Bob only resells the best of those. The brand of the tire sometimes changes with what's available, but better than paying $300 a tire. Next year though I will run new Pirelli slicks.

    I have no personal experience, but from what I've heard the 360 C can bite you easier as the downforce comes from the bottom. I think it can go away from you in a hurry if getting squirrelly and sideways loosing the downforce. The 355 C wing is there for you even when a little sideways. I've raced and tracked the 355 C VERY hard for almost 5 years driving on the edge as I crazily do on the track no matter what I'm driving. I have only spun the Challenge twice. One I had a coolant leak and it got on one of the rear tires. The other was all my fault and couldn't have come at a worse time. It was the Monterey 2004 FCA meet at Laguna Seca. It was my first session at Laguna and down in Turn 2 or 3 (the exit of 180 end of straight) I overcorrected at exit coming back to left for the right hander and spun in front of the stands with dozens of FCA members looking on. :D I'm sure some pics will surface. Well anyway, the point is the car has such good feedback at the limits and won't bite you like the 360 C can, so it is really hard to spin.
     
  2. mclaudio

    mclaudio Formula 3

    Dec 13, 2003
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    Claudio
    #52 mclaudio, Aug 24, 2007



    Thanks for the words of encouragement on the TR. Since this is an early TR, I'm checking on the updates done to it in the past; I like the looks of the early TR, but it would be nice that the upgrades (air pump, timing chain updates, cats, etc.) are done as well.

    I most likely won't track the TR; my experiences with tracking street cars have all been disappointing. The culprit was either that the suspension was too soft or the dynamic balance is not to my liking (mostly too much steady state understeer). On the safety side, especially after one big shunt in a Formula Mazda race car, I'm a big believer in the mandatory roll cage/6 point harness on a track car. These are mods that I can't see doing on a nice TR.

    I will take you up on your recommendation of weekly running the TR. This was my attitude as well with my past 2 F cars (328 and Euro QV). Also, I started looking into Tubis, etc. I found the stock US exhaust system to be muted during my test drive.
     
  3. mclaudio

    mclaudio Formula 3

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    #53 mclaudio, Aug 24, 2007

    The car was yellow/black combo. Therefore, based on the colors you mentioned, this car seemed to have been repainted.
     
  4. gatorgreg

    gatorgreg Formula 3
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    #54 gatorgreg, Aug 25, 2007
    A friend of mine has a 355 Ch. He removed the engine and reworked it ($30K). He shaved the block and installed CF body panels on the entire car. He claims 485 HP. It's the fastest car on the track(except enzo's,CGT's,FXX,Ford GT's). It's crazy the sound that car makes. It sounds like an old F1 car. I think you can't go wrong with the 355. It's fast, reliable and predictable at the limit.
     
  5. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #55 rob lay, Aug 26, 2007
    I would love to see pics and have more info on that car.
     
  6. redcar1

    redcar1 Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
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    #56 redcar1, Aug 27, 2007
    Has to be Jeff I. from Florida, with what might be the coolest 355 on the planet. Very nice guy, who helped me in my feeble attempt to emulate his car. Someday I hope to copy his 8into1 exhaust and MOTEC engine control.

    I would wager there are very few Enzo's, CGT's, or Ford GT's that would be within 5 seconds a lap of Jeff's 2450 lb race car. FXX's maybe and plenty of other race cars 360GT's, 430GT, GT3R etc. but no street cars.

    Mark
     
  7. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #57 285ferrari, Aug 27, 2007
    Awesome info---Thanks a million!!!!
     
  8. gatorgreg

    gatorgreg Formula 3
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    #58 gatorgreg, Aug 27, 2007
    Yes, It's Jeff's 355. I didn't want to say anything. That car is awesome! Do you really think it's that fast?Faster than a Enzo?
     
  9. Juan-Manuel Fantango

    Juan-Manuel Fantango F1 World Champ
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    #59 Juan-Manuel Fantango, Aug 27, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  10. gatorgreg

    gatorgreg Formula 3
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    #60 gatorgreg, Aug 27, 2007
    That's him. The 355.
     
  11. ferrarioldman

    ferrarioldman Formula 3
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    #61 ferrarioldman, Aug 30, 2007
    Actually, I have 100385 in the shop now doing some work on it. I'll get a few pics of it tomorrow. Was the Carlos Hanks (maybe Jr. ?) car.
     
  12. love2race

    love2race Rookie

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    Craig Harris
    #62 love2race, Mar 15, 2008
    Do you have any pictures from Ashville/Clemson event? if so what link do I go to.
     
  13. TheItalianJob

    TheItalianJob Karting

    Dec 20, 2006
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    Daniel
    #63 TheItalianJob, Feb 2, 2009
    when you changed the springs to 950/400 who has them? I have been looking and can't find who sells ID 80mm springs. Would you have model #s or know their static hieght? and do you know what helper springs are used? I would like to use a similar setup for my car.

    -daniel
     
  14. Christopher Winfield

    Christopher Winfield Karting

    Nov 12, 2003
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    #64 Christopher Winfield, Feb 2, 2009
    Dear Daniel,

    I recently got a 1995 355C.... Its no problem to drive on the street despite what is said. The problem may be with driver comfort but other than it being loud, it is very composed on the street. My experience is that the brakes overpower the street tires engaging abs under fast/hard braking. Thats a bit annoying... I live in New Orleans with the worst streets in the country...yes you have to be careful with potholes but I drive the car at race height with race springs. I was so suprised how nice it was to drive on the street actually...especially after reading all these posts. I believe if you are not bothered about it as comfortable daily driver and on use it on the street for fun you will love it. In full race regalia and exhaust it is remarkable the attention it gets...430s disappear when I pull up... it is so much fun that I wouldn't want anything else unless I could get a supercar. I drive an S2000 daily but plan on an E55 or CLS to keep my bum comfortable... I wouldn't change anything on your 355c...maybe, depending on your roads you could raise ride height which is dead easy. Take it from me...our roads are dreadful...

    Christopher
     
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