my new ABS kit in my F40, and more things

Francisco, is the weight with fluids? My US spec car weighed in at 2,650 lbs dry and 2,899 lbs wet (with full tank of gas), and that was after taking out the heavy stock exhaust and cats. Anyone know which pieces of additional safety equipment accounts for the 250 lb weight difference?

 

Yes. The majority of the weight difference comes come a few places. The front crash box of the US car is a different shape and made of heavier Cromoly steel. The rear bumper is significantly heavier as it has a huge steel beam in it whereas the Euro cars do not (The whole rear of the frame is different so that it can take this bumper). Also, the rear floor is metal and the Euro cars without cats have carbon floors. That's a chunk right there.

If you take a US car and complete restore it using all the new parts from Classiche, including all of the new carbon fiber body panels, you can end up with a significantly lighter car. How much lighter exactly? I'll tell you soon.

 

Francisco,
I sent your mechanic an email with info that he requested. If you don't get a satisfactory response from the people I put you/him in touch with, let me know.

 

Hello everyone, i will introduce myself, I´m Jordi Amenós (D-SOLO).
I recently made all the improvements that mr. Francisco wanted to incorporate into your car, Ferrari F40. The first step was installed a complete system of ABS and full ROBERUTA Suspension kit with lifting system. The process has been very hard and demanding as it has analyzed all the details of the vehicle's weight distribution, the suspension geometry, etc.
After installing the kit of ABS, was made the first tests to calibrate the system, verify stability, system integrity, possible failures and capacity of reset from fault mode. The ABS system includes 9 different sensitivity maps, that adjust to perfection 3 modes which I believe are sufficient (WET, SPORT/STREET, RACE) to use into the car with total security and maximum performance.
Last Thursday, December 18th, we had the opportunity to try the car in the circuit for test the new ABS system and ROBERUTA suspension in the circuit of Barcelona (Spain), the same track that is used in F1.
Believe me, the first contact of the vehicle in the circuit has been spectacular, the car is absolutely stable, fast and predictive. After performing the first turns and to analyze the operation of the ABS system and suspensions, i will explain my first sensations.
During the first run, I checked able to grip limit, the tuning of the ABS, and have defined the 3-position system working , remember, (Wet, Sport and Race)
Run 2; the objective is to setup the suspension, always thinking that the vehicle will be used on the street and sometimes in the circuit (Trakdays). I changed the front suspension setup (Rebound) to improve the response of the front axle.
Run 3, the vehicle, now has a very fast response of the front axel, and this can produce an instability of the rear axle at grip limit conditions or low grip, I modified the toe setting of the front axle, and after several laps, I think now we have a very good car to enjoy safety in the street and on the track.
Mr. Francisco, has tested the car for approximately 14 laps ..... the best of all day, is look when it arrives at garage Mr. Francisco driving his F40, look at his face and receive warm congratulations for all the work done on your car.Amazing, awesome!!

The next step is to install an engine ECU Motec, improve engine management map and design a map traction control (ASR). With this option, I'm sure we'll have a perfect car for all conditions, can enjoy F40 as this driver assistances that have been installed, we guarantee additional safety, allowing us to at all times when driving on the street, in the circuit, etc., that you can feel within us the spirit of Ferrari Cars. ... without having to worry about anything that might distract us from our greatest moment ......, drive our F40.

 

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing your progress.

 

Thanks for posting gentlemen!

Gr. Martin

 

What wheels are on your car? They look much bigger than standard but still keeping close to the original shape?

 

I think you mean 13x18 for the rear...

 

Thanks for sharing Francisco, you are very passionate about this hobby of yours, and that's the greatest part!

Two comments as a casual reader: I don't like the wheels much, I would prefer stock or OZ/Enkei. And the suspension looks a bit high for a race track, I would suppose it should be lower?