F355 Challenge

Hello

I want to know what differences the Challenge version of the F355 has compare to the Berlinetta?

In pictures I noticed the Challenge has some funny looking hook sticking out the rear/front... can that be eliminated so it still looks like an F355 just with whatever the race version has that makes is so much better?

 

This has been discussed many times on the site - so do a search. with about 100 exceptions all the the 355s were converted from road cars with kits supplied by the factory. Changes were many and since their conversion most of us have made many more that enhance the car. In addition several have been modified to have some or all of the Michelotti (sp) GT spec components.

 

Thanks but I dont know how to search for the stuff specifically... I been told on other questions "do a search theres plenty" and 1 hour later I find nothing to do with what I want. I type the words im searching for, but it comes up with 100 threads that have nothing to do with what I searched for.

Btw - are you saying all this is generaly done to an F355 Berlinetta, or would I be best of buying the Challenge version and then 'tweaking' that car so to speak, or what?

 

The 355 Challenge is based a stock 355 road car mate.

You could buy a new 355 at the time and option the "challenge" kit.

Some changes include-

Faster steering rack
Extra engine oil cooler
Gearbox oil cooler
Bigger brakes
Speedline/"Challenge" wheels
Rear spoiler
Suspesion 'tweaks'
Racing clutch system
Roll cage mounting plates and competition seat belt mountings welded inthe chassis/body
Roll cage
Challenge rear grill
Challenge exhaust and heatshield
Removal of floor carpet
Battery isolator in centre console
Larger radiator thermo-fans
Intake heat shields

Probably some more that I dont know about.

The kits varied from year to year apparently. Some parts were added along the way and some changes to the parts were made along the way.

These parts I have listed are from the kits fitted to the Aussie spec 355's. We can legally register and drive them on the road here in Australia. In the USA you cannot.

And, I found a lot of this info from 3 threads that I searched and found in 2 mins using the search function. Seriously.

I knew of most parts in the kit, but learnt about a few more today. It seems to me the later cars were fitted with the more parts in the "challenge kit".

Hope this helps mate. Have a great weekend.

 

Thanks

So would I be buying a standard F355 and converting it to 'better handling' etc, or would I just buy the challenge version and then work with that by improving it somewhat?

What works out cheaper?

Would the value of the challenge be lowered if tampered with and thus better off modifying a 355 standard car than a 'challenge' ?

Kinda like with muscle cars... U get a matching numbers R/T 69 Charger and u dont modify it as it loses the value it holds while if u want a car to modify you buy a plain jane Charger with a 318ci in it that doesnt matter if u change it or not...

Is that the same case here with the "Challenge version" or not? I gotta learn how things work with these cars so sorry for my poor examples... thats all I am aware of.

And you have a good weekend to.

 

Anytime friend.

Well, thats up to you mate. It depends on exactly what you want????

I dont know where you live, so I will assume the USA. In the USA you cannot road register a 355CH.

Sooooooooooooo, I guess you are best off buying a standard 355 and tweaking that to suit. At least you can drive it on the road.

Do you want a race car?? Or a road car??

*Please fill out your profile*

Again, dont know what you want mate.

Again, I dont know where you live but if it indeed the USA, then it wont matter.

In the USA, they are only used as races cars mostly, so I can only assume that most have been "tampered" with to suit the owners requirements/conditions/preferences etc.etc.

If you live outside the USA and can drive on the road, then I reckon its best to leave a standard 'kitted' CH car as is. Well, I guess you can modify etc to suit, but come resale you will probably want to put back to standard, so I suggest you keep all the parts.

I am assuming you want to onsell again one day if you are asking about lowering the value etc.etc.

Totally understand.

You're right mate, there are a few guys here that own CH cars. Including the boss. So they may chime in with their thoughts and give you some actual ownership experiences.

Thankyou my good man.

 

I live near Sydney Au. In fact, im 45min away from Bathurst where they have the awesome Speedway.

Definatelly not US mate.

Are there any sanctioned races for these cars down here, or, the only racing that would be actualy done are races where there is nothing at the end of it (open track day events), no prizes/money so forth, just a fun day at the raceway and do whatever u want with whatever car you got.

See, if I wanted to race my charger in real racing, all the Modifications Id wanna do would make it no qualify for any race available... so all thats left is just fun days at the track where you go and ring the car out as much as you want. I guess considering there isnt that much stuff in Au (there isnt 100+ tracks like in American, lemans and all sorts) I guess id be in the same boat with the Ferrari?

So yes modifying (making handle better) the Challenge car etc, would be here in Au. However, I ultimately probbably want a Diablo. V12, make it 650bhp without turbos/supercharger, that car I wouldnt mind fixing up the gearbox, to be tough and work propperly + re-do the suspension on it so it gets that little more out of it. From that point of view, id assume, get the F355 challenge until I can afford the 250k+ for the Diablo then sell the challenge as is without modifying it.

The only reason I asked whether or not to get the challenge (modify a standard F355 not a Challenge) is cause, I liked the F355 so much when I saw it that I may not care to go the Diablo. But I would like to have a V12 to get 600bhp natrualy aspirated, so that would mean F355 with a V12 or a F355 Challenge with a V12 dropped in the back... (just so many options)... now ofcourse if I saw a diablo in person and just HAD to have one... then cool, leave the Ferrari as is... if I see a Diablo and I still love the F355, then I wanna be able to make the F355 handle better.

Dont the v8 supercars down here handle like 2-3G on skid pad? If I can do that to the ferrari.... that would be one hell of a car.

For me its a street/business car, but I like for it to feel firm/race like... so I dont mind making it 'street/race'. I dont like Air-Conditionining in the car. I hate breathing that cold air and at the same time for something I dont even like to have it also weighs the car down. I would change the brakes to race brakes, ceramic sort that have better stopping power than the Billet Alloy brakes (if I can get these) if not... Billet Alloy is fine, 13" brakes.

So I want it to really kick ass in the handling department and I want 600-650 BHP natrually aspirated and its a car I just drive on the street with that awesome race like feel about it.

Will it be the Diablo? Perhaps... will it be the F355? What can be done incase it is the last car for me.

Cheers dude, have good easter weekend.

 

1: If you buy a standard car and modify it, you won't have a either a Challenge version or a standard car, it will be "modified" and most likley worth less than even the standard car.

2: In any case It's unlikely you will find all the parts required to create a complete "challenge kit", regardeless it will be much cheaper to buy a complete Challenge car. But there were not many 355 Challenge cars built, and only a small proportion were right hand drive and of those the majority have spent their life as full time track cars - first in the Challenge series, and later as club race cars. It's likley these cars have been modified over the years as there was no need to keep them compliant with the challenge rules after they became ineligible.

3: I'd estimate there are probably between 8 and 15 road registered RHD Challenge cars on the planet, of which 5 - 6 are in Australia, there is one for sale in Melbourne at the moment.

M

 

Bloody hell G-man, I dont know what to make of your post mate.

It seems you should buy a stock 355 for as cheap as possible and MOD the **** out of it.

The Diablo and 355 are two entirely different animals.

Not too sure if a Diablo would be good for track use though.

Perhaps drive both and decide which one you REALLY want. I can fit/drive a 355 but I barely fit behind the wheel or passenger seat in a Diablo. I hope you're a little guy.

 

lol

im 174cm tall. So im medium.. typical height for us Slavik europeans.

If a 68 Charger can be built to handle G's, them Im sure a Ferrari can be done even better. So i wont worry baout any of that till the time comes. Just wanted to learn and found out there wont be problem. If the Challenge is that rare. Then im best not worrying about it. Can always build a tube chasis designed for 2Gs cornering if thats REALLY what I had to have. So Aslong as $$$ allow, I guess anything can be done with these.

Thanks again

Btw - what part of Au are you in pap?

 

Yeah mate, you can do whatever you like. Only takes time and money.............A LOT of money.

You're an average size guy. I am 183 cm and 130 kg. Not Diablo friendly.

I live in a little small mining town called Mount Isa, up in North West QLD.

 

For all those that wanted to see my Charger.

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=140466021#post140466021

 

Hey

I did have 2 questions...

The Challenge version of the F355 has this 'hook' looking thing sticking out the front and out of the bumper in the rear...

What is that thing?

Can that thing be removed so its not visible so that the ferrari can look normal?

 

Just a tow hook, can be removed anytime.

The front has a hole hidden in behind the grill, the rear has a hole in the rear bar.

I have seen some owners NOT drill a hole in their rear bar so to not have the two hook there, but other cars have it fitted.

Some pics of the two cars I am talking about.
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2 more pics.
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Hi

What exactly do u mean by tow hook?

Is something meant to be strapped to that while on a trailor or something in that sense? I couldnt imagine it meaning tow the car via that LOL

 

Tow point for use on a race track if the car runs off in to a gravel trap and needs to be pulled out - all race cars have them.

 

Lol, yeah mate. The car gets TOWED via that hook.

When you run off the track or break down, you want an easy access point to hook up a tow sling to tow the car off the track or out of harms way.

And that tow hook is it. Unlike "normal" cars, you cant lay under a Ferrari and try to find somewhere to tow from.

Thanks Mike.

 

This is the 355 Challenge Parts book, courtesy of Ricambi.

It describes the parts that make a 355CH different to a standard car.

http://www.ricambiamerica.com/parts_catalogs.php?M=FE&V=model&I=45

 

Thanks Jm but all it shows is a parts list with diagrams... doesnt explain anything, only gives prics on the parts...

Er did you give the right link or am I not knowing where to look?

 

Err...................you said

I gave you a link to the parts book which shows exactly what parts are applicable to a 355CH that are different to a 355 Berlinetta.

You replied with this...................

I do not know how to make it any clearer

 

Nice work Mr Millard!

 

Sorry but I dont see ANY explanation of anything. Tis is whta My screen shows

Just prices to replace parts, a diagram, no reference or mention to anything about a standard F355 and its differences.
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Well there is no explanation per say but it does display the parts that make a 355 Challenge a Challenge. That is my understanding anyway.

 

Did you buy or build?

Cannot imagine where you could find even half that parts list today. Most replacements are NLA and we get them from the aftermarket.