F355 steering feel?

Much has been written about the overboosted power steering, but I think what you're experiencing is an effect of the dynamically variable shock absorbers. They're at a soft setting when cruising, so a sudden steering input results in a slow response. They firm up when the sensors detect horizontal or vertical acceleration, making the steering response feel more immediate when pushing it.

If you also feel a difference in steering response between comfort and sport settings, then you have your answer.

 

Have you tried with the shocks set both hard and soft? (There is scarcely any difference.) Initially I found the steering over boosted & too light, but I think it helps give the car a quick, dynamic feel. Now my unboosted Porsche feels truck-like at low speed.

 

Steering firms up noticeably when you're on it at high revs.

 

so does one's balls....sorry, i had to! ;-)

 

Steering on the F355 is a definite step downward from the 348.
I find it overboosted, and a bit numb.

 

The 355 steering isn't bad, its just not as good as it could be. It isn't just that it is too boosted, but the steering ratio is too wide. Coming from a 360, the 3 things that were disappointing when I got a 355 are the steering (360 has a tighter steering ratio, slightly better feedback), less torsional rigidity, and lack of the 360 center tachometer. I also think the 360 has the best modern ferrari steering wheel- simple 3 spoke, no dumb buttons on it (my biggest and maybe only complaint on a 458 is all the functions on the steering wheel).

The 355 has better size than the 360 or any modern ferrari- small/narrow, tight, light, low 2 seater- a true sports car with the best sound track!

 

Nothing to add here, just wanted to say I love the steering feel in my 348.

The 355 steers really well, but feels extremely light to me, but I have only driven at normal highway speeds, 60 mph max.

Not too sure when the steering firms up, obviously has a pressure switch in the system that controls this.

 

New rack bushings couldn't hurt. Also, manual rack cars had caster spec of 5deg and power assist car spec is 7deg. Maybe a couple more degrees would weigh it up?

What do you track guys like for alignment specs? (or maybe top secret )

 

Challenge cars had a faster ratio steering rack and a pump with a different pressure calibration. We installed quite a few in street cars for that complaint and people universally liked the change.

 

Agreed, compared to any modern sports car the steering is disappointing. But I still love driving it

 

Interesting, sounds like a nice upgrade. I'm surprised they didn't just go with the manual rack on Challenge cars.

 

put a 348 rack in it
Loose some weight

 

Oh man I need to look into that. That sounds perfect to me. Are these parts generally available or am I going to have to dig around for a challenge car getting parted out?

The light on-center feel is probably my biggest (really only) complaint with the driving feel of my 355. I have often wondered if it was just my car, and maybe my caster or toe in was a bit out of spec, or if they were all that way across the board. Looks like it is common to all of them.

 

Is this a bolt-in swap?

 

Same chassis should not be hard at all

Have not done it personally, yet

 

Used to be but we were doing all that back when the cars were new.

Also usually dropped the front end 1/2 inch or so for better high speed stability. At stock ride height too much air gets under the front and it gets floaty. Also the Ch cars had standard 355 rear shocks F+R to stiffen up the soft front end.

 

I am old and lazy so prefer the power but it should be dialed back a bit. I suppose just working on the relief valve could get a lot of results. Pretty SOP on GM hot rods for a long time.

Also if you look the non power 355 has very different front end setup to get the steering effort acceptable.

 

Manual steering 355's had very different front end set up to make steering effort acceptable. Not sure what simply removing the hydraulics would do, especially with race tires. I would think it would have been done if it was acceptable.

 

Never had both side by side on a lift, I'll take your word on that for sure.

There has to be a rack that will fit, I'll have to look at the next Hot Rod show those guys seem to find the needle in the haystack.

 

The rack may be bolt-in if you are lucky, but this isn't an hour long job


http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355-sponsored-bradan/430060-how-remove-steering-rack-355-a.html

 

I've done it on a 944 - you have to de-valve the rack (which isn't too difficult, but you have to remove it to do so) and then dial the caster way back unless you have Popeye arms. If you just disconnect the hydraulics, it will have extremely heavy steering - you have to both de-valve the rack and adjust the caster or it will still be very heavy.

The 355 power steering weighs up nicely when pushed harder due to the large amount of caster, it acts as an amplifier of the forces going through the rack (and why you have to dial it way back in a manual steering car). There is no valving or anything in the system that changes the boost. I believe the 550 does, but not the 355.

The correct method would be to install a manual steering rack and steering shaft (it's different between the cars) as it will also have more turns lock to lock to further help the steering effort. I prefer the power steering setup as it's quick and feels good when pushed hard - a manual steering setup would make the car a little more difficult to drive, especially in quick transitions or when trying to balance on the edge of adhesion. In the 944 it worked out well because we also took a ton of weight out of the car.

 

Kind of my point. Many think it is just a matter of a rack change and the feel will magically be nirvana.

It means a trade of less advantageous front end geometry and steering ratio.

Manual steering is great in a 1500 lb race car.

 

I have to say I've been driving cars with wheel far to wide, far to low (on the floor) and with out power steering for many moons. The steering at centre point is the only thing about the 355 I don't like. It's very vague and does not inspire confidence on initial turn in. That said, once you've put some miles in you realise it's all there you just have to trust the car, she'll grip. It's not a positive feeling but the ultimate result is no different than a car with great wheel feel. My brother in law's 911 964 c2 for example i find sublime although others argue the steering is to heavy. I have always enjoyed a weighty feel though, let's be honest these cars come out once a week if we're lucky. It's not like we are asking the world of our fore arms to put a bit of work in to park the car no and again.
So me personally I would always take a less power assisted set up any day of the week but as far as the 355 is concerned I just learned to accept its small imperfection. We all have them. Lol.