cs tracking advice

I''m not an expert on the 360/430 cs, so I'm not going to comment on the mechanical/technical issues other than to say that there are some very good mechanics out there who are knowledgable in prepping cars for racing. If you are not one of them (which apparently you are not, or you wouldn't be asking these questions here), and you want your car to perform on the track, find one and have him go through the car. It certainly sounds like things are overheating and acting up because of it.

Now, on the performance end, 25 to 30 hp isn't going to make a whole lot of difference in the way your car handles on the track, unless you are driving at or near professional levels. Rather than spend a whole lot of money to find more HP in the car, take that money and invest it in some driving lessons either at a 3 or 5 day driving school, or hire a personal driving coach. Your car has plenty of HP to keep up with just about anyone on the track, and out-perform most of them, if driven to the max. If your skills are not those of a pro, then you will get far more out of a good instructor than you will out of even a 100 hp more in your car.

My $.02. YMMV. (Flame-suit zipped up and ready for responses)

 

sounds like your car needs a visit to the shop. when was the last time fluids were changed ?

as far as tires, it's my preference to have dedicated track tires. either shaved street or the DOT racer types.

agree with the experience comments

 

Regarding slow down indicator, its my understanding the computer throws that whenever it doesn't like *something*. You don't know what it is until a mechanic can read the fault. In my case I've seen it with o2 sensors, overheating cats and a faulty ground.

Easiest way to get more power is to reduce weight. Lighter bumper comes to mind. If its only a track car then perhaps some cam timing + ecu upgrade + race gas may work, although I have not tried that personally.

 

Stock Ferrari tires are horrible, all of them.

Pirelli has the new Trofeo available. I have used Michelin Sport Cups and Toyo R888. I like the Toyo R888 for track use.

The F1 problems have been improved through the years, the CS has a 2004 version, major revisions came in 2005 with the F430 and then again in 2008 for the F430 and Scuderia. I have tracked the Scuderia on hot days and have never seen the "Slow Down" thingy but it is documented in my user's manual.

If it is oil getting too hot, put a cooler (radiator) on the transmission oil lines. My Cayman suffers from overheating the power steering oil, but I just choose not to track it. Dealer replaced a power steering pump under warranty. If I were to track the Cayman, I would install the cooler and use RedLine oil.

For tires, run a 245/35R19 and 285/35R19 on the stock wheels available in Pirelli Trofeo (reduced understeer). You can also run the 235/295x19 R888. The Michelin Sport Cups require wider wheels. There tires with more grip, but you cannot drive on them to the track, you need to tow the car and use them at the track exclusively.

 

I forgot. Be sure to flush the brake fluid, I use Castrol SRF (a little expensive), but Motul RBF650 is pretty good too (although lower wet boiling point).

Check the brake pads, if they are beyond 1/2 use (5mm or less) it is time to change them, otherwise they will accelerate wear on your CCB rotors. Unfortunately, Ferrari doesn't make a track compound for the front brakes in the 360CS and F430 with CCB, this is why you need to use your stock brake pads up to 50% of their available size.

 

On the tire front, seriously consider getting a second set of rims and investing in a set of racing tires. The difference between street tires, no matter how good they are, and slicks is huge. I have run the Kuhmo V710s on my Corvettes over the years, and they are super track tires. They hold up well, perform wonderfully and are very predictable to drive. They are NOT street compatible, so you have to have a second set of rims. Others I know use Hoosiers, Toyos, etc., and all find a huge performance difference over street tires.

 

i had similar situation while i was on track this week in very hot weather with my son's audi s4 tiptronic. he initially used it in sport mode but it overheated and locked into 6th gear. was ok after cooled down and were able to use it all day in regular mode.

 

is slow down not covered in the manual as being related to overheating cats?
im not near my books to check but im almost positive is says this. i'll check later.

as for the other points. short of cutting back weight im not sure how you would get to the power/weight of the scuderia, the 360 GT cars didnt have any more power than the CS so if there were easy gains in sure those guys would have had them showing.
welcome to the one sobering instant of track racing. all things being remotely equal, the bigger and newer cars with more power will beat you.

tyres is definately a good place to start to move things up, you make up alot of time here not just with cornering but under braking. id agree that toyo r888 is a good starting point. i run them on my porsche in the summer both on and off track, excellent grip and good price point.

suspension would be another area you could look at as the CS isnt really serious track stuff, you could also run pagid RS29 pads over your stock brakes too for extra in this area as these are improved over the ferrari pads which are rs19 based but softened for street.

what you want to watch though is where this takes your car. i, and im sure many on here, could give you a list of things you could do to your car to make it faster on the track, or you could work your way across the challenge parts list but if you still want it to be liveable on the street then its always a trade off.

if you are going to get into it that seriously perhaps look for a used 360 challenge instead to track with and leave your CS for street and DEs. it will be much safer and will wipe a scuderia too.

other than that just focus on improving yourself and hard as it is, ignore the other cars. there will be plenty of people in cars wondering how to match a CS so its all perspective.

 

You are having an F1 issue. When my Scud runs hot on the track at certain shift points I've lost power. Cost a few hundred yards of coasting and it shifts itself into 5th or 6th gear. You get passed by 2 or 3 cars and downshift and away you go. My Scud is an 09 with these issues. It only happened at one point on the track shifting from 2nd to 3rd. My Ferrari Tech was at the track with me and duplicated it as well. Heat plus a Bad actuator in the F1 box made it happen. Warranty took care of it I hope. I will find out in a month when I go back.

As far as making your CS better and faster. DON'T change a thing but your driving. Tires yes are a given. The car is fine. Very capable and it takes 100's of hours of tracking to work bad habits out. I suggest buying lots of track time and tires, brake pads and not wasting cash on lighter bumper and Crap. It won't change a thing. Pissing in the wind is all buying CF bits and pieces equates to.

Do 100 laps at your favorite track. Think about them for a few weeks and go back for another 100 laps. You will be better I promise. A good driving coach will also make you understand why you are slower than others.