355 spyder modifications | FerrariChat

355 spyder modifications

Discussion in '348/355' started by doc1997, Sep 8, 2005.

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  1. doc1997

    doc1997 Rookie

    Jul 16, 2005
    10
    I have a 1997 355 spyder. I have started taking it to a dragway for races every tuesday and have had great fun, except I keep getting my doors blown off by modified mustangs etc... I want tobe able to drive it as a street car so I do not want extreme modifications but would like to get the quarter mile under 10 seconds.
    Initial plans are new exaust, new ecu, and modifying the air intake, but I don't think that will be enough toget me there. Has anyone ever put nito on their car, and how hard is it on the engine.
    where do I get the most benefit?
     
  2. TOOLFAN

    TOOLFAN F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 23, 2005
    2,807
    California
    Propane, is also a great power adder in addition to nitro. Using the 2 systems together brings great results. I have a firend whom with he and I installed a nitrous/propane and a turbo set up on his civic a bit different than a 355 (the set up is rather strong and reliable) if you are looking for a power adder that will not hurt the bottom end of your engine I would consider a propane/nitrous setup .
     
  3. bostonmini

    bostonmini Formula 3

    Nov 8, 2003
    1,890
    a 355 would require a TON of mods to get into the 10 second range, let alone sub 10; it is really the wrong car for this; u want something with forced induction, and a suspension set up for this sort of thing; really its just the wrong car, as it will not make good torque at the way bottom end for good wheelspin on the launch; get urself a nice used C5 corvette; or a viper.....
     
  4. djantlive

    djantlive Formula 3

    Jun 30, 2005
    1,015
    A 10 sec car??? You are better of with a supra TT, muscle car. There is no way to get a 10 sec 355 that is even street legal. What the heck are you doing in a drag strip??
     
  5. 1Turbo

    1Turbo Formula Junior

    Jan 26, 2005
    675
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    Jimmy K
    100% Correct.
     
  6. joker57676

    joker57676 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 12, 2005
    23,767
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    Deplorie McDeplorableface
    I would say if all youre after is drag times, then sell the 355 and get a Supra TT like someone mention earlier. Ferraris are not meant to be drag cars, they are track cars. With the Supra you can throw on a single turbo kit and be almost there with the correct engine set up. You could put a boost control unit on it to detune the engine for normal street use and then crank the boost back up at the strip. With the Supra, any good performance shop can do the work for you as they probably have done a 100 other ones already. I think for a total of $50,000, car included, a good friend of mine has one running in the 9's with a single turbo kit and NOS.

    Mark
     
  7. ILuv4Res

    ILuv4Res F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 8, 2002
    6,530
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    Fred
    I can already see the next/future owner's post regarding this car:

    "I bought a 355 and the clutch is gone in under 8k miles, is this normal???"



    Why on earth would you drag-race a 355? The car isn't made for that. Besides, isn't it embarrassing to be spanked by cars that are worth less than 1/2? Keep your 355 for what it is.....a beautiful, great handling work of art. Instead of modding it, go get an older Mustang GT and beat the crap out of it.
     
  8. 1badboy

    1badboy Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2004
    290
    Hermosa Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Eric Rayl
    Ferrari's are not 1/4 milers; I don't think Italians care about straight line speed as much as handling and design. Are there even dragstrips in Italy?

    Save your money and put 20K - 30K into something like a 69 camaro that someone else has already built, pouring tons of money into it and then got bored-- then you'll have 2 great cars, w/o wrecking the Ferrari.

    That just the way I would do it...

    Best of luck, and keep us posted.

    Eric
     
  9. GERRA456gt

    GERRA456gt Formula 3

    Jun 4, 2005
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    Australia, Melbourne
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    Anthony
  10. k wright

    k wright F1 Rookie

    Feb 4, 2004
    2,544
    North East TN
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    Kent Wright
    Jeff,

    Get that car off the drag strip and up in the mountains where it belongs. I'm off this weekend, let's go for a drive to Shady Valley and Mountain City.

    Ken
     
  11. F355Berlinetta

    F355Berlinetta Formula Junior

    Since you've already made plenty of passes, would you like the share your best times? Please include 60' time and trapspeed.
     
  12. Prugna 328

    Prugna 328 Formula 3

    Sep 10, 2003
    1,233
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    Gregory
    sub 10 sec? No flame intended but somebody dosnt have a clue.
     
  13. Steve R

    Steve R F1 Rookie
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    Sep 15, 2004
    3,018
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    TorQ Master
    Maybe somebody doesn't have a Ferrari......

    The 355 is one of the most satisfying cars I've ever owned or driven...it's like poetry in motion: the sound of the engine, the feel, the handling, etc. BUT the one thing about these cars is that they don't have a huge-displacement engine with lots of torque; they make their power with rpm's. Almost like a 2-stroke, they're virtualy gutless until they hit 4,800rpm and then ya gotta keep 'em on the pipe.

    An "out of the hole" racer THEY ARE NOT, nor will they ever be. By chance, you got a picture of you standing next to your 1/4-mile racer? I'm calling into question your 3-post credibility...(take your time responding, I know school just started and your busy with homework and all) :)
     
  14. k wright

    k wright F1 Rookie

    Feb 4, 2004
    2,544
    North East TN
    Full Name:
    Kent Wright
    He has the car. It is the best looking F355 I've seen, the interior is perfect, less than 8K miles. This part of the country Nascar (crashcar) and drags are what people like. After he gets the car in the mountains nearby he'll forget all about drags.

    ken
     
  15. RossoCorsaItaly

    RossoCorsaItaly F1 Rookie
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    Jun 9, 2004
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    Kevin
    Here's the deal. Ferrari's are not good cars for 1/4 mile times. You will not get an F355 under 10 seconds without spending at least what you paid for the car. It is going to be extremely hard. You're talking about an insanely large twin turbo setup, using some nitrous to spool them up, a completely new suspension, new brakes so you could fit the proper tires in the rear, and more.

    Here is what I advise to you. A Toyota Supra Twin Turbo in my opinion is the best way to go about this. You can pick up a clean 93-95 6spd for around $25,000. With about $2,500 you can get it into the 11's, $10,000 into low 10's, and spend about $15,000-20,000 and you could be running in the mid 9's.

    I'll give you some good examples of people I personally know using these cars.

    Marko Djuric- Has 1520whp, full interior, etc he drives his car to the track, changes tires, and runs an 8.3-8.5 second pass and calls it a day.

    Dave Henry- Has mid 700hp I believe he is on the stock block has changed nothing in his engine. Runs a 9.46.

    I'd say there are at least 100 Supras if not more running below 10.5. They're some of the most potential cars on the planet and while a Corvette, Viper, or even a 911 Turbo has the same potential. None of them can be daily driven like the Supra. I have a 94 Supra nonturbo with 90k miles and nothing has been changed besides the clutch and spark plugs.

    Good luck and if you need more advice or want to hear my opinion on this further you can give me a call at 405-410-8149 or [email protected]

    You may get some negative response on these forums but I'd ignore it, I understand where you're coming from but I do have to agree the Ferrari is completely the wrong car to even try this with.
     
  16. doc1997

    doc1997 Rookie

    Jul 16, 2005
    10
    Ok, i get it. This is the wrong car for the 1/4 mile, but I must say any chance to drive fast without going to jail is fun. Ken I will take you up on that drive give me a call. I just have to get new tires first. I completely trashed mine but had a great time doing it.
    jeff
     
  17. RossoCorsaItaly

    RossoCorsaItaly F1 Rookie
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    Jun 9, 2004
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    Kevin
    Jeff,

    If you want to get into 1/4 mile racing, like I suggested look into getting another car.

    Regards,
    Kevin
     
  18. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 14, 2003
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    #18 darth550, Sep 11, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  19. Steve R

    Steve R F1 Rookie
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    Sep 15, 2004
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    TorQ Master
    OMG!!!!!!!!!

    Money says Darth passed-out from laughing hysterically after posting that, I almost did. :)
     
  20. FFOUR

    FFOUR F1 Veteran

    Sep 14, 2004
    5,195
    Perth, Australia
    Maybe a little off-topic, but what is it with people calling their 355/360's "Spyders"?

    Last time I checked they were called "Spiders".... :confused:
     
  21. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
    Little Rock
    Full Name:
    David Jones
    I think you would have more fun at the drag-strip if you bought a used drag car off ebay.
    That way you could have a dedicated drag car that will run sub 9 sec quarters and still keep your Ferrari in great shape, for less money.
     
  22. Schmick325

    Schmick325 Formula Junior

    Mar 10, 2004
    879
    Bris east
    check the Australian section for a Twin Turbo F355 that consistently races.
     
  23. ferrarifixer

    ferrarifixer F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    Jul 22, 2003
    8,520
    Melbourne
    Full Name:
    Phil Hughes
    and send a pm/email to Ton who owns the car and the marketing rights to his development.

    Not sub 10, but seriously fast with a just bolt on kit.....

    drop it off on Monday, drive it home on Friday with double the BHP it had....
     
  24. TheBigEasy

    TheBigEasy F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jun 21, 2005
    18,644
    California
    Full Name:
    Ethan Hunt
    I agree... Ferrari's are NOT designed to drag racers. Period.

    Go to a real race track and see how those mustangs keep up.
     

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