HUGE thanks to David Helms @ Scuderia Rampante - F40 | FerrariChat
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HUGE thanks to David Helms @ Scuderia Rampante - F40

Discussion in '288GTO/F40/F50/Enzo/LaFerrari/F80' started by frefan, Aug 6, 2008.

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  1. frefan

    frefan F1 Veteran

    Apr 21, 2004
    7,370
    #1 frefan, Aug 6, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I want to say a HUGE thanks to David Helms of Scuderia Rampante who has transformed my F40 from a mild mannered Clark Kent to full on SUPERMAN. I can't say enough about his level of knowledge and sincere appreciation of the F40. He spent a LOT of time with me on the phone, and sent a TON of detailed pictures along the way. He clearly takes a level of care that one would do if they were working on their own car.

    For some background information, I did not do any performance upgrades on my car. It was simply down on power, and the slow down lights were coming on. Its a 1992 with 4600 miles.

    David certainly had his work cut out for him. The problem with my car is it had been tinkered with by several Ferrari dealerships over the 16 years (I have all the service receipts). Just about every screw had been adjusted one way or another, and the wastegate. It was like the car had been going to 10 different doctors and was taking 20 different medications all at once, and was to the point it was time to get it back to factory settings and start over. Not an easy job for sure.

    One of the main problems was because the car was not driven very much, the injectors were all plugged up. David had them cleaned and flow tested. The throttle bodies were black with carbon buildup because of the leaky injectors, among other things. Those were cleaned and adjusted. The cam timing was also off, basically one bank was doing all the work and the other was just going along for the ride. so he retimed the car, but instead of just lining up timing marks like most dealers, he takes the time and effort to get the timing dead on.

    He also found a bad plug wire, which is possibly what everyone had been adjusting around. Replaced the plug wires and the plugs.

    We found throttle screws had been played with so much, probably due to the gummed up throttle bodies, so those were all removed, cleaned and reset to factory, then calibrated them using some kind of vacuum equipment.

    Removed, cleaned, and recalibrated the wastegate back to factory settings.

    I was pleasantly surprised that some of the little things that were annoying me Dave had fixed and I didn't have to ask. Things like bent fins on the intercoolers. Mine had several bent fins when it went in, and they were all perfectly aligned when the car came back. The cam covers were repainted. The engine looks like new!

    When the car first got there, Dave spent some time asking me what the goals were for the car. Did I want absolute top end power, a track car, or a sunday toy? What was my driving experience and how will the car be used. The goal for me was not absolute top end power, but rather something that would be more of a canyon runner. Instead of HUGE turbo lag like before, the turbos and tourque come on early and are very smooth and progressive. The car is very easy to drive in the canyons, and it feels like it has twice the power as before. It will easily light the tires up in 3rd gear. The car is setup for 30-150 instead of 80-200. It fits my driving style perfectly.

    Anyone with an F40 problem I would not think twice about sending your car to Scuderia Rampante. Dave is on this board as davidhelms.
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  2. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 134282, Aug 6, 2008
    Looks great, Mike...! Dave is the man, both in general and when it comes to F40s.
     
  3. BrianZuk

    BrianZuk F1 Rookie

    Feb 18, 2007
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    #3 BrianZuk, Aug 6, 2008
    Looks great, love the first/last pics!
     
  4. of2worlds

    of2worlds F1 World Champ
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    #4 of2worlds, Aug 7, 2008
    Glad to hear Dave could get your F40 healthy again. Sounds like a rare talent there...no doubt there are a few more out there that could benefit from Dave's talents.
    CH
     
  5. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

    Jul 13, 2004
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    #5 speedy_sam, Aug 7, 2008
    We are really fortunate to have guys like Dave on Fchat. The man is a genius! I wish Brian Crall was back here too.

    In my mind there is no question that awesome independents like Dave, Brian, Jim Lindsey, Norwoods are far better Go-to guys for older Ferraris than the dealerships.
     
  6. Rev.ATARI

    Rev.ATARI Formula Junior

    Sep 20, 2004
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    #6 Rev.ATARI, Aug 7, 2008
    What’s the blue bonnet and boot from on the wall?
     
  7. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
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    #7 SSNISTR, Aug 7, 2008
    Sounds like he did some great work. It's amazing how some simple fixes can transform a car isn't it....
     
  8. Stackhouse

    Stackhouse F1 Rookie
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    #8 Stackhouse, Aug 7, 2008
    +1

    Dave Is The Man!

    :)
     
  9. RufMD

    RufMD F1 Rookie
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    Jan 31, 2004
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    #9 RufMD, Aug 7, 2008
    I was privy to some pics that Mike shared of the work Dave performed on his car.....the attention to detail and level of service provided clearly identifies Dave Helms as a fantastic tech and enthusiast who enjoys his work (the video attests to that :))

    Hope you're having a blast with it Mike, perfect match of car and owner :)
     
  10. Scuderia-San-Antonio

    Scuderia-San-Antonio Formula 3

    Feb 27, 2005
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    #10 Scuderia-San-Antonio, Aug 7, 2008
    bout time you got that thing running right...:)

    where you been?
     
  11. frefan

    frefan F1 Veteran

    Apr 21, 2004
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    #11 frefan, Aug 7, 2008
    out driving :D:D:D
     
  12. Greg G

    Greg G F1 Rookie

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    #12 Greg G, Aug 7, 2008
    yeah youve been missed mike
     
  13. mjw599

    mjw599 Formula Junior
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    #13 mjw599, Aug 7, 2008
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2008
    Gosh those TBs look shiney enough to shave in!
    Website: http://www.****************.com/


    333sp perhaps?
     
  14. JOEV

    JOEV F1 Rookie

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    #14 JOEV, Aug 7, 2008
    Great story. Awesome when people take true pride in their work.
     
  15. 05011994

    05011994 Formula 3
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    #15 05011994, Aug 7, 2008
    I have to agree 100% with the original poster, my F355 was being serviced during the same time as his F40, same issues, always dealer maintained, but just not right. Dave put the car right in so many ways it would be impossible to document it in the space provided here without putting everyone to sleep. His attention to detail and knowledge is 2nd to none. It is great to know that my car is not only running properly for the first time in owning it for 2 years, but things are finally fixed correctly with the correct parts. Proper cam timing, Tubi headers, Hyper-flow cats, throttle bodies cleaned, 30,000 mile engine out service; when I picked the car up, it was like a new car. His integrity is unquestionable. If Dave was not within driving distance, there is no way I would keep my car, he is simply that good!
     
  16. modena1_2003

    modena1_2003 F1 Rookie

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    #16 modena1_2003, Aug 7, 2008
    Engine's absolutely beautiful. Fantastic!


    _J
     
  17. vipermann123

    vipermann123 Formula 3

    Jun 13, 2005
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    #17 vipermann123, Aug 7, 2008
    Congrats on bring your F40 to Top Condition.
    Good Techs like him are very hard to find.

    Enjoy the F40 ...and take plenty of picutres.

    Thanks,
    UZY
     
  18. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #18 PAP 348, Aug 7, 2008
    Great to hear Dave sorted your F40 out. :):)

    Dave is a legend and we are very lucky to have him here on Fchat. :):)
     
  19. Bradley

    Bradley F1 Rookie

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    #19 Bradley, Aug 7, 2008
    Absolutely!

    Dave will go the extra mile, he's extremely knowledgeable, and takes a lot of pride in his work. I recommend him most highly to any Ferrari owner.

    Congratulations on getting your F-40 the way it should be!
     
  20. fiorano94

    fiorano94 F1 Veteran

    May 26, 2006
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    #20 fiorano94, Aug 8, 2008
    Awesome car!!!
    F40's look amazing on the road.
     
  21. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #21 furmano, Aug 8, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  22. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ
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    #22 ttforcefed, Aug 9, 2008
    is there anyone in the NY area like Scuderia Rampante?
     
  23. davehelms

    davehelms F1 Rookie

    Jan 3, 2004
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    #23 davehelms, Aug 13, 2008
    Thank you all for the kind words.

    It is Niki that sets the cosmetic standard at the shop and she takes it on herself to correct things like the fins and paint in addition to to all the mechanical aspects. I am proud to now have my daughter working beside me and teaching me how to view things like this. It helps a lot when one still enjoys doing this day to day.

    With the parts challanges we are now all faced with in this market, working with understanding owners that are able to give good feedback as to expectations and wants is paramount. Both Mike and Scott are perfect examples of owners that can answer these questions and make our job easier.

    The blue bodywork is off Donahue's M8 McLaren CanAm race car that was installed on the Windigo Special ASR driven in the early 70's by Mike Allen. Andrea Capella built the tube framed King Cobra copy when he was working for Shelby and crewing for Richardson, crashed it at Riverside in the late 60's and it was rebuilt with the drivetrain and bodywork spares supplied by Pensky from Mark's McLaren. I have almost collected enough spares to properly restore it once the frame rack is empty from other projects.

    Thanks again,

    Dave
     
  24. mjw599

    mjw599 Formula Junior
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    #24 mjw599, Aug 13, 2008
    This post requires photos
    :)
    - we know you've got some great things to see. Put that "internet saavy" daughter to work posting pics for us, please (tell her its part of the job)!
     
  25. frefan

    frefan F1 Veteran

    Apr 21, 2004
    7,370
    #25 frefan, Aug 13, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    this is what I do; agreed it overkill for an oil change but when you need serious work it gets the job done nicely
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