Differences in driving feel for 308 models

With the inj introduction in 1980 Ferrari redesigned the clutch pivot geometry to reduce pedel effort by 20%. That's one big difference you would notice right away when you jump out of a 77 and into an 85 308.

 

In the past, I owned GTB examples of both 1977 and 1985. They are pretty different.

The carb cars are much more "raw" for lack of a better word. The controls are heavier, the steering wheel bigger. The sound is great. The motor is peakier and may have slightly more peak power (at least the 76-77 non cat motors) , but the QV motor is more flexible and torquey. Neither motor will scare almost any modern powerplant however. US QV's have a shorter gear ratio which helps make them feel quicker. Handling wise is a tossup as long as you upgrade the 14 inch wheels on carb cars to 16's.

In summary, the carb cars have a coolness no FI car can match. The QV's are easier to live with and incorporate many significant improvements and upgrades. So, it's a matter of what you are looking for. If you are inclined towards a QV, I would recommend spending a little more and getting a 328 which is much improved in design and build plus a little better performance too.

Dave

 

I'll second that

 

Unless you go for the upgraded 88.5 or 89s, much of the design improvements on a 328 were also in the QV models.

The 328 has 200cc more engine, and the 328's across the bonnet vents give it a little more cooling relative to the 308's fender mounted vents. But I think it's mostly a question of aesthetics. The QV has the classic exterior, not "improved' by the 328's updates. The 328 has the interior from the 288GTO which, to my eyes, is a huge improvement.

For me, the deciding factor was that the 328 has a half inch more headroom.

 

DGS,
Having owned a couple of QV's and a couple 328's (87 & 89), I can say there are many improvements. Perhaps most important is the ignition system which is simpler and much more reliable in 328's. Just watch the tech section for a while and see how often ignition issues come up with QV 308's and Mondials. Plus, in my experience, 328's just plain age and wear better than 308's. Granted, the suspension change late in 88's resulted in a different, more modern feel.

Dave

 

Sorry to chime in but... Get a 1985 308 Euro version. Change out the shocks/springs for modern adjustable alternatives, lower the car about 1.25" or so. The handling will easily be better than a 328 or any year

And if you really want to have fun, get 17-inch lightweight rims 8"F/9"R, upgraded brakes... and never look back.

The interior of the 308 is leagues better and easier to maintain than the 328. IMHO the interior of the 328 looks dated and gosh forbid you have electrical problems with those interior bits. The classic later QV interior looks so... so... awesome.

Also, as i recall the 328 weighted more than the Euro 308, so those extra few CCs are not helping offset the weight penalty.

The exterior of the 308... classic!
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Very well said..brought a smile to my face.....just until the very end where you killed off the 308 with 328...

 

It's not so much the 200cc as much as higher lift cams than the qv

Euro 3.0qv: 240hp/192 lb-ft
3.2 ('merican)260 hp/213 lb-ft

 

Or, the 328s have just aged less than the 308s.

The Marelli ignitions in the 328s are reaching their "use-by" dates, too. I think the one in my 328 is headed out the door. (Component electronics of the 70s-early 80s have about a 20 year life span; better today -- spin-off of military specs for 30 year life in new electronics.)

I was thinking of the improved bearings and seals in the QVs that are pretty much the same used in the 328s.

 

I think the late(78-79) U.S. carb cars were quoted at 240 HP, don't quite recall what the number was for early U.S. carbs...
In 1980, with the advent of FI, the U.S. cars were quoted at 205 HP, and some of the car mags really panned the performance(or lack thereof). That, plus the rings problem on the non-QV FI cars really put the kiss of death on the early 2V FI cars...

For a while, I had a '79 308GTB that Bob Norwood had removed some/all of the emissions crap, and it ran really well, altho I had no experience with other 308s to compare. I don't believe these changes were difficult or expensive to make, more a matter of whether the engine tech guy knew what to do...of course, you wanna watch this kind of stuff if you live in a pollution controlled state, such as Kal-i-forn-ia...

 

My thoughts exactly! The Euro is the only way to go.

 

DGS,
Ignition system failures were common in QV's even 10 years ago. You rarely hear of any problems with 328's. They are, on average, about 4 years newer.

DAve

 

The 1980-1982's were actually more like 185 hp (yes I know Ferrari said 205)

 

I almost hate to post this but I have never had a problem with the ignition in my QV. I do not know anyone who has either. How does the problem present itself? Does the car just quit running?

 

While apparantly I am an not the norm, but my 3.2 Microplex went single bank ignition due to coil failure THREE times giving a very low power but smooth running and quiet 4 cylinder engine that almost immediately overheats the cat.

Not acceptable for a daily driver - That's why I now have a single distributor.

 

You said it!!!!

 

Now, don't go gettin' REAL on me, i was referencing 'literature', and we all know that the car mags and Ferrari don't lie...