My New '92 512TR! Pics + Questions...

Apologies for having taken so long in posting some pics of my new '93 512TR as promised (sorry I messed-up the year on the thread's title). Gosh, do I L*O*V*E this car!!! 12 Cylinder Ferraris are for sure a world apart. I've taken some pics today during lunch... sorry... car is dirty but I have been having so much fun driving it and learning the way it handles I have had no time for a proper detail or clean-up.

She has 15K miles, with the 30K service already done. Handles so amazingly well no words here can describe what this car delivers. Looks new in & out, feels fresh from the factory every second I am behind the wheel! This is both the monster and the beast together in one

I have a few minor things inside the cockpit that need fixing, and one mechanical issue I would like to collect some input on. As far as the cockpit goes, there a couple burnt bulbs on the main instrument cluster and the clock is dead on the smaller center console. I'd like to be able to replace the mini-bulbs and check-out what's up with the clock. The issue is I have positively no clue on how to remove the clusters... I see no screws anywhere that could hint on their removal from the dash. Also, I purchased a new slick shift gate but the screws to remove the old one are partially covered by the main plastic cover, that I also don't know how to get out. Any hints on how to get these parts out?

Now on the mechanical side of things. Basically, getting the the car started is a nightmare! A full cold start in morning can take up to 15 or 20 tried till the battery is about dead and the starter is about to melt down. But once the engine starts, it works like clockwork. A warm start will take a good 2 or 3 attempts. Either way, once the engine starts, it runs like clockwork (I detect a very minor miss once in a while on idle, that could hint maybe sparkplugs or a wiring issue but it so negligible that I think I am just being choosy).

I left her at San Diego Ferrari/Maserati for a full diagnostics on the start-up problem, and after 5 days I got a (a bill, of course) and a "there's nothing wrong with it"!... well then... let me go burn the starter!...

Any ideas on what I should look for? I'm a total newbie on the 512TRs and don't have the first clue on where to start troubleshooting this. The engine is flawless when running (I've put just over 1200 miles on) and the performance is simply fantastic!!! I have a tubi on it and the music is... well, just that... music

Thanks for any advice and input guys. Its difficult to try and describe a car that feels so perfect, timeless and unique. I positively love this machine. This thing rocks beyond my dreams!
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Thanks GDThree

 

Thanks racerx3317! Took me 14 years to be able to finally afford one, but worth every minute of the wait

 

The Tubi is fantastic. Incredible tones throughout the engine's RPM span. I cannot imagine this car without it! Thanks for the tips. I will check the coil and fuel pump first, but, if they are faulty why would it take several cracks before they get going on start-up only and then work well once the engine is running? I'd think a faulty coil and/or fuel pump would also eventually show signs during normal engine operation. As for the fuel filter, I'll check it also. The only time I had a fuel filter replaced though the sign was the opposite... the car would start-up normally but choke if pushed hard or revved at higher speeds starved by the restricted flow of fuel...

I like the Challenge wheels on your F355 I've been trying to find a set for my TR but they are almost impossible to find.

 

Yes, the Red Hood was an eye catcher for me when I found this car. I looked for over a year till I found this car. As for the the 512TR Emblem (which is made of metal), it was rusting on one end and (after a lot of work as the 14 year-old double adhesive was very sticky) I took it out to replace it with a new one. Now that I see the car without the it, I actually think I like it better... cleaner look. It still has the Testarossa emblem on top (which is made of plastic instead of metal I think and looks very faded as well).

Thanks Big red!

Thanks for the tips. It actually makes sense. That could explain why the longer the car sits, the longer it takes to re-start. Are you saying basically that the fuel pump (I think there are two) have some sort of a valve that prevent the gas in the line not to be looped back when the car is not running and that they can get faulty on that while still pumping the gas normally during operation? You'll love the sound of the Tubi... it makes it a totally different car. Pictures please when you get it back!!! As for the wheels, I actually found a Japanese company that makes perfect replicas of them, but, they need 25 orders at a time for each manufacturing batch, so... I am waiting for the queue to fill up if I don't find a used set somewhere else.

Thanks ferrarikid35. V12 Ferraris are indeed a different breed and the tone/feel/power delievery accross the RPM range of the 5 liter on the 512TR is simply phenomenal!

 

Bought it like that. I have seen most 512TRs with the Testarossa on the hood (also on the engine's head of course).

 

Yeap, my chassis number is in the group and I do see blue anodized aluminum lines. I'll call the dealer tomorrow to chech if the recall was done or not. Thanks for the info!!!