Mondial Rear Subframe Flex?

Hi Mondial crew - GT4 owner and my first post in the mondial group. I just learned that Mondials have a removable rear subframe. I wanted to see if anyone who has perhaps owned both any 308 and a mondial can comment if there is any difference in chassis feel in the mondial vs. the rigid frame on the other 308's? is there any flex?

from the perspective of working on your engine, you don't know how lucky you are!!!

Thank you!
Spencer

 

No flex on the mondial rear subframe ! solid like a rock. But when you want to rise the car, do not use the back of this rear subframe. The weight of the engine can bend the subframe.

 

you can lift one rear wheel, and see how the other rear wheel comes up, no flex at all.

 

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You must be on drugs.

 

Of the V8 cars prior to 355 the GT4 had the stiffest frame and the Mondial Cabriolet the least stiff . Part of the reason was the removable sub frame.

The entire reason the 512 TR had no removable sub frame was the TR was so flexible it really hurt handling and the removable subframe concept was a major contributor to that problem. The 512 TR is much stiffer as a result.

GT4 is much easier to work on the engine than any of the subframe V8s. Anything short of removing pistons is easily done in the car.

 

I know everybody cries when they say "engine out" but anybody who has the ability raise the car and have the engine drop out the bottom should realize how much easier that is than the time and danger/damage risks of using a hoist to lift out the top. BUT the when a removable component, even when mated together by massive plates and huge bolts in multiple areas and fasteners in multiple directions is not the solid boxed welded structure. Maybe instead of plates, there were more elongated connection - like when frame rails are replaced they don't make a single straight cut and weld around a seam in a straight line / circle - they tend to do approach either with diagonal welds or better, splice joint welds. Even with machined connections and multiple fasteners, it is not the same as a single structure.

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If you had any idea how often cars are damaged severely when the sub frame was out you would not say that. Some of the cars are severely structurally compromised with the sub frame out. You are also presupposing the engine requires removal for service. In fact very few Ferrari engines require removal for service. Some of your conclusions leave a great many factors out.

 

Would anyone know the actual torsional and bending stiffness values of the Mondials?

 

The only time I have ever seen the factory give that information is on 360 when they started with the aluminum chassis. Even then they only stated it was X percent stiffer that 355. Never gave actual measurements.

 

That's what I suspected. Considering the soft springs and anti-roll bars fitted to Mondials, I suppose the torsional rigidity is quite low. The GT4 for sure feels stiffer, likely also due to the shorter wheelbase and narrower track.