400i engine in a 308!

His modification on our Colombo engine were mentioned in a previous thread (https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/ferrari-colombo-v12-displacement-query.597387/#post-146544908). Last time I heard about it the valve seats had failed, I am glad to see this project is progressing. I must say, though, that I would be scared by so much welding and surgery!

On my car we had to weld the heads in order to cure a few cracks. In order to "test-practice" the procedure I was lucky Jean Michel gave me some broken heads he had. The head we were practising on had been previously welded so we could see how the previous fix had failed, also we could fine-tune the welding compound, cooling gas, valve seat sizes etc... All this before crushing the domes of my own heads.

mk_e has just ventured into numerous unknown territories: engine block, cylinder dome exhaust port, valve seats. There is not a single area of this engine that was kept stock. The result is outstanding but to be frank, all these welds are adding weak point on so many locations that I am doubtful this engine will last another 40 years. He is not the average Ferrari enthusiast so no doubt whenever a failure may occur he will be in a position to take the engine out and fix whatever is fractured, but this is definitively an engine that will have to remain under the close scrutiny of its creator.

 

That's a totally biased opinion, but here is his best creation:



17x8'' rims. These are large on the 308, but would be close enough on the 400 (our rims are ~16.3'')

 

<slapping forehead> I didn't even think of that!! And since they're made-to-order (IIRC) the offsets could be machined correctly, instead of requiring spacers.

side note: Are those Porsche mirrors?

 

Sure look like it don't they? I think they look great on the car--very 288 GTOish, but shorter obviously.

 

100% Porsche


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