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Handling Improvement Options Original California

Discussion in 'California(Portofino)/Roma(Amalfi)' started by Mazzie1983, Aug 22, 2020.

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  1. Mazzie1983

    Mazzie1983 Rookie

    Nov 13, 2019
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    Caleb Ross
    #1 Mazzie1983, Aug 22, 2020
    I finally was able to test drive a Ferrari California and while most of the car is exactly what I hoped for, the suspension was not. I appreciate what it does in comfort mode, but was shocked at how soft it was in sport mode.

    So my question is, could the suspension be improved by adding either the factory Handling Speciale Package retroactively, or by adding other aftermarket parts?
     
  2. Il Co-Pilota

    Il Co-Pilota F1 Veteran

    May 29, 2019
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    A.B
    #2 Il Co-Pilota, Aug 22, 2020
    The problem with doing so is that you end up with a car that is greatly oversprung. You may have noticed that while it felt soft, it also felt a bit bouncy. The Cali is from the factory lacking damping. If you install stiffer springs, you end up with a very nervous and jarring car. I drove a Cali with H&R springs and it was not very good in Sport and down right terrifying in comfort and wet.

    If you're looking for a sharp and crisp sportscar, you're looking in the wrong place. The Cali is a heavy, flexible and "soft" GT. In my opinion, the best way to improve it, is to make the suspension even softer to settle it down a bit more and really get the GT aspects out of it. It's a bit of a confused mess imo, and somehow not knowing what it is. This is also why the T is so much more focused. They did not try and make it a sportscar and stuck to a nice GT formula.

    Want a sportscar in this price bracket? Get a 430.
     
  3. Mazzie1983

    Mazzie1983 Rookie

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    Caleb Ross
    #3 Mazzie1983, Aug 22, 2020
    Interesting thank you and that makes a lot of sense. I would have assumed stiffer springs would have made it less bouncy, and that bounce you described is what made me back off when driving faster. I would have hoped they could come up with something like they did with the Alfa Gulia which can change quite a bit between drive modes, and thus does the GT car and sharp sports car whenever the situation calls for it.

    Sounds like the 360 or 355 I was thinking of may be where to go for me.
     
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  4. Redneck Slim

    Redneck Slim Formula 3
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    Walt Kimball
    #4 Redneck Slim, Aug 22, 2020
    i just had Novitec springs installed. The car was lowered about 1/2". No negatives,just better handling.
    I will be doing a thread on this soon.
     
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  5. Il Co-Pilota

    Il Co-Pilota F1 Veteran

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    #5 Il Co-Pilota, Aug 22, 2020
    Aren't your car a Porto?

    Sent from my SM-G930F using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
  6. Redneck Slim

    Redneck Slim Formula 3
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    #6 Redneck Slim, Aug 23, 2020
    Yes,it's a Portofino.

    Too much body roll is a common complaint by magazine testers about the whole California series,yet I have never been able to find stiffer aftermarket anti-sway bars.
     
  7. Il Co-Pilota

    Il Co-Pilota F1 Veteran

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    #7 Il Co-Pilota, Aug 24, 2020
    The OP is describing the original Cali. Two totally different things. What works for one does not work for the other. The Porto is not underdampened and can handle stiffer springs. The Cali is the complete opposite.

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