550 blistering paint near exhaust tips | FerrariChat
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550 blistering paint near exhaust tips

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by nerd, Apr 24, 2004.

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  1. nerd

    nerd F1 Rookie

    Oct 12, 2003
    2,535
    Coronado, CA
    Full Name:
    RSK
    #1 nerd, Apr 24, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I noticed prior to purchasing my 550 that the paint on the read diffuser near the exhaust tips had blistered (worse on the right side which as .5 inch spacing, than on the left which has .75 inch spacing). I’m afraid that the heat is doing more than blistering the paint, and is actually breaking down the composite (fiberglass I assume) resin. Anyone else have this bug, and if so do you have a solution? I’m thinking about applying a bit of heat foil as is used throughout the 550 engine compartment and on my racecars. Not exactly concourse I’m afraid!
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  2. bobafett

    bobafett F1 Veteran

    Sep 28, 2002
    9,193
    #2 bobafett, Apr 24, 2004
    I just looked at my car, which has similar spacing (didn't measure it) and nothing happened. What exhaust do you have? I have Fuchs/CG.

    --Dan
     
  3. Doody

    Doody F1 Veteran

    Nov 16, 2001
    6,099
    MA USA
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    Mr. Doody
    #3 Doody, Apr 24, 2004
    eek. no such stuff on my car.

    my tubi pipes have about 1" to the side and .5 to .75 above and below. the car has had the tubis for about half its life and the stock pipes for the other half.

    there might be a tiny affected area on the outside one of each pair, above. but no concours judge would ever even see it - and it could easily be scrapes from the fact that this car has gone stock - tubi - stock - tubi so it could just be some rubbing from install/deinstall.

    maybe your pipes are running way hotter than spec? have you checked that there isn't something wrong with the exhaust or exhaust flow?

    doody.
     
  4. nerd

    nerd F1 Rookie

    Oct 12, 2003
    2,535
    Coronado, CA
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    RSK
    #4 nerd, Apr 24, 2004
    To my knowledge (and ears), the exhaust is factory stock. The previous owner and I have had little reservation driving this car year round in Phoenix, so maybe the summer temps (105-115F) make a enough of a difference.
     
  5. speedball

    speedball Formula Junior

    Mar 29, 2004
    268
    Pasadena Area
    Full Name:
    Scot Anderson
    #5 speedball, Apr 24, 2004
    My car 2000, 550 doesn't have this problem either....... I just changed rear mufflers last week.... and in doing so .... found it pretty easy to adjust the fit of the tail pipes ....... requires getting under the car and adjusting the two hanging rods (2 bolts each) holding each muffler .... to a better position further away from the afflicted area and hopefully getting them more centered within the opening.

    I agree with the other comments ... could be very hot summers combined with hot pipes .... but you'd think this would burn the area above the pipes rather than on the side as yours appears to of done .... and/or could be hotter exhaust due to a leaner mixture. ... or could it be that your pipes are moving around a bit on hard cornering, etc., actually touching the fiberglass? Are there any signs of anything burnt onto the pipes themself in these areas? If so ... this would be my guess........
     
  6. nerd

    nerd F1 Rookie

    Oct 12, 2003
    2,535
    Coronado, CA
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    RSK
    #6 nerd, Apr 24, 2004

    Thanks for everyone's comments. As the spacing between the pipe and the top-side-bottom fiberglass is approximately equal, I'm now guessing that it is either:

    A) Combination of heat and stress cracking crazing the paint, or
    B) Worst case combination of heat and hard cornering allowing the pipe to touch the paint. There does not appear to be any residue on the pipe, but that may have been "detailed" off.

    Doody (Mr. Doody to me) had asked about exhaust flow issues, and notably the outboard pipes are the ones without the butterfly valves so the low speed flow is concentrated through those pipes....correct?

    My last comment is that I washed the car this morning and then hopped in to go get yet another cup of coffee. Every time I drive this car there I have 2 overwhelming thoughts:

    1) I can’t believe someone is letting drive this great car, and
    2) Ferrari did so many things right in the design and execution….wow!

    Thanks again,

    Roy
     
  7. Doody

    Doody F1 Veteran

    Nov 16, 2001
    6,099
    MA USA
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    Mr. Doody
    #7 Doody, Apr 24, 2004
    ROTFLMAO!

    i wouldn't think it would move in cornering. those should be fixed in place pretty good by the mounting bolts - unless you've got that much frame flex maybe :)

    i don't know how you guys handle that AZ heat. it's awfully insane. of course you probably don't understand how we new englanders handle that insane MA cold and snow ;)

    doody.
     
  8. twatson

    twatson Karting

    Feb 3, 2004
    70
    #8 twatson, Apr 27, 2004
    I think I would be concerned that the car may have had some body work done in that area and maybe the bondo or repair materials may be at fault.
     

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