I know... I'm gonna take heat for this... I drive my Ferraris. On the street, on the track, and I love driving long distances. From Seattle I've driven to Boise, Salt Lake, Vegas, Monterrey, Canada, Portland, etc. I love exhaust notes, but they get redundant after a while, especially on 3+ day driving trips. So I'm trying to figure out how to install a simple CD & FM stereo in my F40 without being "destructive" to the dash or anywhere else. I hate cutting into any Ferrari unless it's in a place that is easly fixed or replaced (like a blank switch plate, etc.) So go ahead and flame me for wanting to put a stereo in an F40, but then please give me advice about performing the procedure if you have any. Photos would be nice if you've done this on an F40 you own or have worked on. Oh - the install would need to be secure - G forces are at work when I drive Thanks! SteveJ
Steve, We have, way back fitted stereos to F40 - we have fitted them in two different positions, firstly, mounted upright between the drivers seat and the door sill, secondly under the dashboard to the right of the three a/c vents. Both ways if done carefully will not show any visable marks if you remove the equipment at a later date. I would recommend CD player only, the biggest problem is an aerial, no point in fitting to the body - the best results we got was installing a chassis aerial, but not good reception. Technology has changed since we were fitting stereos to F40 so there may be a better aerial solution now. MW
Steve: Why not purchase a small portable radio (e.g. a small boom box) and secure it in the car using bungee cords. Most of these radios come with a remote control, so you can use the radio/CD as you please. This solution is easy, cheap, and keeps the car 100% stock. When you track the car you can remove the radio in 30 seconds.
Get an Ipod, and attach it to a portable CD player/sterio like Kdross said, Ipod can be connected to it with a tape converter and proper connecters, but most work, and tada you got over 40 Gigs of Songs to listen to when downloaded! But then again you would have to blast the radio just to hear it properly
Thanks for all the replies. You can get CD players now that will play MP3s from a CD-R. In fact, I've got a 6 disc CD/CD-R changer in my Lexus. I'll check into mounting some portable AM/FM/CD/CD-R boombox solution in the passenger footwell and use a remote. I'd still be interested in seeing photos of previous F40 stereo installs if anyone has access to them.
Steve, without molesting the cockpit you might try something along these lines... Angled speaker boxes made from carbon kevlar, that would fit just forward of each door hinge area, loaded with the speaker of your choice, could be conveniently removed for track days. Or door inserts, with an opening big enough for you to get to the pull cord, with the speakers mounted in the insert. still removable for track days. A small rectangular cluster can be made to fit just under the vents, mounted to the tunnel. Your head unit can be mounted there, and if you build the cluster tall enough you have room for any other gauges you care to mount like NOS, boost, air/fuel, or what ever. By using high quality disconnects at strategic locations, everything is removable without too much pain. A removable panel can be made to fit where the battery cover goes, so you can still access the tool kit. Make sure to have appropriate holes in the panel with little rubber grommets to run your power cables and such through, with disconnects below. On that panel you can mount the amp and CD changer. Once again carbon kevlar would look nice for the panel. Come track days, remove the panel and replace the battery cover. If you have, or are thinking of putting a Tubi on her, you will want the power amp over an all-in-one unit to provide good clean volume above the exhaust note. Good Luck!
