F355 weight savings delete the power top mechanisms

One billion pounds. Seriously, it should save a hundred pounds or so, and then you wouldn't have to worry about a top malfunction, but I guess you might have to move the seats up manually every time. Don't they scoot forward for the top to go up?

 

Theres someone here on FChat thats done it..Cant remember who but a search should turn it up.

I thought about doing ti because the top was a nightmare at times.

 

Without the power top mechanism would the 355 system then be the same as a 348 spider? No need to move the seats in a 348 that I know of. Is the seat move to clear the hydraulic components? Could a 348 spider top assembly simply bolt on?

 

I had the rams disconnected from my 355 power top and can work it manually without moving the seats forward but I do have to tilt the seat backs forward to clear them.

 

The arms supporting the middle of the top come down onto the headrests if the seats aren't moved. They barely clear the sides when the seats go forward.

 

Just curious about the motive for reducing the weight of the car by only 100 pounds? Of course it may be more, but if it's only 100# then it seems an awful lot of work for minimal gain (or loss).

 

Just eat some laxatives .

 

100 lbs is A LOT.

 

On a Lotus Exige maybe, but on a 3150 pound car, it really isn't that much. Supposedly the berlinetta is 130 pounds lighter than a spider - that would be a cheaper and easier way to lose 100+ pounds. In fact, you'd MAKE money on the deal, and have a car that is more rigid.

Goth maybe right with laxatives.... it'd work for me as I'm 240#

Regardless, this is an age old problem and rapidly succumbs to the law of diminishing returns. The first 100 pounds weight loss might cost $1000, the next 100 pounds 10,000, and the next 100 maybe 100K! I guess it really depends on WHY you are trying to reduce the weight of the car. Of course, If the mechanism for the roof is broken, then I fully understand why you want to remove it! Those bits are far from cheap...

 

You won't save 100 pounds by going to the manual top, even if you swap seats from motorized to manual, too.

Ferrari says that the 355 Spider weighs 3150 pounds, and that the 348 Spider weighs 3250 pounds.

But the 348 Spider has the manual top, manual seats, manual shocks, 5 speed tranny, 2 throttle bodies, 1 air filter box, and manual steering.

The 355 Spider has motorized top, motorized seats, dynamically adjustable motorized shocks, dual air bags, 6 speed or F1 tranny, 8 throttle bodies, 2 air filter boxes, and power steering.

So whatever Ferrari did to reduce weight on the 355 Spider, they couldn't have added much back to the motorized hydraulic convertible top.

 

I should also add that the 355 has larger 18 inch wheels with wider tires than does the 348 (17 inch wheels on most models).

Likewise, the 355 engine is larger (or at least has larger displacement) and has more valves than does the 348.

The 355 also has more computers (air bag ecu, power seat ecus, power top ecu, shock ecu, etc.). More O2 sensors post 1996 (4 versus 2) on the 355 vs 348, as well...plus the 355 has an exhaust cutout valve.

355 rear quarter panels are larger than the 348's, too.

Yet somehow Ferrari has the 355 weighing 100 pounds less than does the 348.

 

Um, I just pulled 100 lbs out of my a$$, so don't quote me on it - but between the motors, wiring, clylinders, etc, there should be some significant weight there.

 

I can understand the 360, as it went to aluminum for the chassis/body, plus new technology let its ecus be lighter, and it went back to the 4 valve per cylinder design.

The 360 also has fixed headlights, which should likewise be lighter than the 355's popup headlights.

 

The 360 has 5 valve per cyl.(3 intake 2 exh.).........pulling the hydralic pump and cylinders is no where near 100lbs...the weight is in the top assembly itself.........biggest weight savings are in going with LW Fglass front/rear bumpers and removing A/C system....LM headlight assemblys.....and the biggest savings would be to install proper rollcage and use LW Fglass doors with fixed lexan windows(which you can't do because it is a spyder). FYI....the 360 challenge wheels(18') are lighter than 355CH..and you can pick up more weight savings by using titanium lug bolts(Hill Eng.). It is a given that CF seats and complete removal of int. trim and carpet is right at 100lbs and that is what they did on 360 Stradale........last but not least is CF rotors...huge weight saving but price and availibilty would be better spent on engine mods.

 

I do not know what you are trying to achieve with your car but some more for you to consider....the exhaust system is really heavy...get rid of cats and by-pass valve, and use GruppeM titanium muffler and CF air intake......also get rid of power steering and go with a 348 rack and pinion........with A/C and power steering systems gone engine removal is a breeze.......
If you keep stock doors use LW Fglass scoops, CF mirrors, LW Fglass front fenders, and LW Optima battery(I prefer to install in the center of front trunk). And lastly for a whopping 3lbs weight saving install magnesium clutch cover(355CH part....clutch will stay cooler) vs aluminum one on street car.

 

Can I get back to my original question?

What are you trying to achieve?

If you can share this with us we might be able to offer more relevant advice. If you are trying to turn it into a track car, then you are wasting your time - get a berlinetta If you are trying to make it lighter just for the sake of making it lighter, then that's a cool exercise, the results of which many folks I'm sure would be interested in. Chances are though that someone here has probably done what you are trying to do and can give you first hand advice. There are probably still some lurkers here with garages full of old 355 challenge parts they might be keen to unload.

 

I need to correct weight savings on int trim and CF seat replacement.....approx 46lbs(motorized seats)..not 100lbs....my scales were waay off.

 

Still waiting to hear the motive for the weight reduction. If it is for quicker lap times, then definitely it's the wrong car in my opinion.

 

Changing to lighter parts is easier than changing to a different car. Nice to have a Spider, so why not make it perform better.

 

Removing the power top also leads to less visits to your local authorize Ferrari repair center

They are notoriously buggy