Back in a 599 GTB

Hello Condorman and 360Trev!!

I’ve been scanning a lot of the 599 threads on this forum to try to gain more knowledge about what may be involved with the maintenance, upgrading performance, etc. of a 599 before I actually purchase one. I’m fairly confident in my abilities on repairing, upgrading my cars as I started out on my (I know much lessor cars, but you have to start somewhere!) 93’ SAAB 9000 Aero building it up to Stage 5, which requires replacing many more parts than just those required to upgrade to Stage 5 (ie-ECU Tune, Turbo Upgrade, ECM Intake Manifold, 3” Downpipe, etc.).

My 93’ Jeep ZJ Grand Cherokee with a 4” Lift kit I upgraded with a Mopar Off-Road ECU coupled with Thorley Headers, Poly Engine Mounts etc and my most recent car is a 07’ Mercedes E63 (6.3 Liter V8- the last big block Mercedes most likely will ever make!) I’ve spent 3 of the last 7 years with it up on Jack Stands repairing/replacing just about everything mechanical related, just look up my posts on mbworld.com (I am E63007) and one can view many pictures of my efforts at resto-modding that wonderful car!

That said, in your opening, you mention the following:

“picked up the car from service today.

Had the following worlds done.

1. 20mm wheel spacers all round.
2. Fabspeed center resonator delete.
3. Forza Motorsport Valve Controller
4. Installed the @360trev tune.”

I have a few questions, as for the spacers, when the car shocks are engaged, is there enough clearance with the fender? I must say it looks awesome, but it looks like if the shocks were to be retracted, say by cornering aggressively, that they might just hit the fender, but then again I have no knowledge of how the shocks retract, so I apologize in advance for questioning this as I mean no disrespect in your decision in adding spacers.

On another note, can you shed some light on just how much the Magnetic Shocks retract as another thread referenced that the dampers only retract 16mm in the front and some 35(+ or -) on the rears? Is one to understand that this is as much the shock can retract or, more likely, that the Spring may retract much more, but the dampening Oil Chamber may only control an average of 16mmF and 35mm rear, thereby modulating the compression/rebound accordingly? My concern stems from imagining a limitation of only 16mmF and 35mm rear compression/rebound might result a rough ride? However, it’s certainly confusing because most accounts of people’s reviews regarding the 599, as compared to say a 430, is one of its being a more “forgiving” suspension?

Further, is the Forza Motorsport Valve Controller something that would be considered an upgrade or a replacement? I’m just trying to understand what types of upgrades I could potentially see “upgrading”.

I will say that I intend on doing a Manual Conversion to the F1 Transmission and will hopefully engaging with 360trev to achieve that end!

 

I have seen you post the 16mm compression stroke in a couple of threads. That number isn't in the WSM and I can't find it catalogged anywhere. I haven't pulled my wheels to measure but I seriously doubt that it is 16mm. Where did you get that number?

Same for the 35mm number. Not in the WSM.

 

I got the notion that the Magnetic Shocks had only 16mm F & 36mm rear from this- On Page 6 of “599 Shocks” George Vosburg posted this:

Aug 26, 2021
FYI from Madeno Racing:

we developed a system to rebuild the original non-serviceable factory 599 Magneride dampers
with improved quality, performance and reliability. during the rebuilds we replace the current
topguides for new developed ones which are equipped with a double highest quality seal system.

the current dampers will be fully stripped down, all internal components inspected, cleaned
and checked before building up the dampers again. electronic magnetic actuators will be
checked too for correct operation.

we refilled the dampers with our own spec. blended Magnetorheological fluid and nitro
pressured. damper are individually dyno tested after built.

the price for a damper rebuild including upgrade amounts € 775.00 per damper
€ 1550.00 per axle / € 3100.00 complete set of 4 dampers (excl. shipping costs)

prices are excl. 21% dutch VAT taxes. but we supply tax free outside EU

beside the rebuilds we offer our MMR.599 Evoluzione upgrade system (Magneride Madeno Racing.599)
specifically developed for slighlty lowered ride-heights, improved center of gravity, reduced body-roll,
new springs with increased spring rates for an exceptional improved handling performance without
sacrificing driving comfort !

the damper strokes are already very limited at stock ride-height, only 16mm at the front and 36mm at
the rear. if we want to drop the ride-height with appr. -20mm we have to replace the adjuster sleeves
and increase the damper strokes by shortened the damper tubes.
there is an installation ratio at the front and rear but the car is using the bumpstops at the front at stock
ride-height already very often.

there is not enough space left inside the dampers for the floating pistons between the fluid and nitro
chamber with shortened damper tubes, so we equipped the dampers with external reservoirs to replace
the floating pistons, extra amount of damper fluid and nitro chamber into the extern reservoirs.

the price of the MMR.599 Evoluzione upgrade (including full rebuilds and damper upgrades) new front
and rear springs amounts € 4770.00 (excl. shipping costs)

we supplied our damper rebuilds & MMR.599 Evo upgrade kit with 2-years unlimited warranty !

attached you will find a few pictures of the MMR.599 Evo upgrade kit

please don't hesitate to contact me if there are any questions, something not clear or if you want
more detailed information.

kind regards,
Leo

 

Got it, thank you Leo. George was quoting from the Madeno Racing website. I have seen their kit online, not in person. From their website I assume they know what they are doing and since they rebuild shocks, or have them done, they should have relevant knowledge. I haven't personally looked at the usable stroke so I can't say it is right or wrong. I would say that 16 mm (0.63") is a very short stroke but it could be correct. Considering the wheel travel and the distance of the wheel and the damper's connection from the flambloc, there is probably at least a 5:1 ratio (a guess, not measured). That would make the wheel movement something like 80 mm (3"); that is reasonable, so it is definitely possible.

 

Your 599 looks outstanding. I'm tempted by the spacers. When I put them on my 550 I didn't account for the rear wheel arch stone chipping that is inevitable, especially ofter long road trips, but with film protection I'm guessing that problem is solved. And I hear you on the special Trev sauce, amazing how much the car changes with his new code.

 

Converted my 2007 599GTB to manual. in 2023 by EAG. Do it, you will love the new driving experience.

 

Sammy is the man for adding Trev's tune for the 599---did a great job on mine.

 

Can you advise how you removed the center AC control panel for refinishing?

 

Just recently purschased a 599 and I need to give this a try thanks!
Someone could coat these with a mat clear coat after removing the goo off the letters but that would entail removing of the buttons off the car.


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If anyone has experience with reaching the center A/C cluster, please help with instructions, thanks.

 

That is exactly what Sticky No More, a sponsor here, and a few others do. I have used them for some things, I still have more to do, and the work is excellent.

 

Did you keep the rest of the exhaust stock ?

 

Great spec!

 

Man I would love a manual 599 but I would have to drive it back to back with my Aston Martin V12V manual. I can’t imagine a better experience but it might surprise me. Sold my Cali T HS. Great car but not as engaging as a manual V12.

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Also have a manual M2C and an Alfa 4C but getting the itch for my fifth Ferrari. No space right now though since my kids started driving (manual Jeep and manual Tacoma)!


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I’m new to my 599. Are these supposed to light up when the trunk is open ?
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I believe those lights are supposed to illuminate the license plate.