New Shoes for "Baby"

Yesterday I had new Cooper high performance tires fitted 205/50/16's in the front and 225/50/16's on the rears. These are fitted to 16" Gotti's. I replaced old Pirellis that came with the wheels.

I can not belive the difference. Before I replaced the tires I ran a twisty curved road out in the county, near my home, the maximum speed I could obtain was just at 40 miles per hour. With the new shoes I ran the same road at 55 MPH. The car holds the road tightly, no slip or slide, just incredible grip. Consumer Reports rate this the best high performace tire manufactured in the US also the quietest.

I then hit a straight 4 lane road and clicked off 100 MPH, with no vibration skuttle shake, or steering wheel shake. All previous vibrations and irritations are now gone and the feel is incredible. I really love the road feel now. I thought it was good before but now its beyond any expectations.

I found a company in Seattle that trued all my Gotti wheels. They have a custom made wheel straightener using hydraulics and fitted aluminum shoes to help true the rim seats and parrollel run out. When finished all wheels had a maximum of .030 run out, lateral and radial. One wheel when they started has just under 1/2" run out due to stubbing the wheel at some time.

Diving now is smooth as glass and just make it more fun to drive and play.

Howard Musolf
1981 308gtsi
1982 400i Cabriolet
1988 Lotus Esprit Turbo

 

Hi Bundas,

I did switch the OE wheels to the 16" Gotti's. As you may remember when I purchased the cabriolet from you it had metric wheels all around. I debated on paying the bandito prices to Coker for the old stock metric tires, and after all information regarding the out dated "new" tires Cocker has in stock I decided to go with inch wheels and new tires. With the Gotti's we had to program our CNC machine center to make wheel spacers to get a bit of clearance around the calipers.

I am so pleased with the results both in roadability, road noise and handleing. It made a world of difference and I could not be happier. Once again I thank you for offering us a great example of a Ferrari 400. I have not spent 1 dime on service or repairs other than the above noted tires and wheels.

This particular Ferrari has been one of the best I have ever purchased. In the good weather its hard to pry my wifes fingers from the steering wheel she still loves the car. From a maintenence point of view the cost has been no problem. I do expect to provide some service maintence this coming winter. I want to sort out some of the normal electrical problems they are known for. I intended to do a bare metal refinish but my guys have been busy with my race car projects so we might get that done this winter.

I have redone the interior and added new carpets for appearances only. We have not repalced the top as it has not been up since we purchased the car from you almost 5 years ago.



Howard Musolf
1981 308gtsi
1982 400i Cabriolet
1988 Lotus Esprit Turbo

 

We machined the spacers from .025 aluminum stock. I programed the CNC machining center to cut the equally 5 spaced bolt holes and the center hole. The interesting programing was the tapered hole for the pointed wheel mounting pins.I demounted the tires first then mounted the Gotti wheels on the car. Lifting the 400 on one of the hoists in our shop we were able to see all around both the front and the back of the wheel and check the clearance around the calipers. That is the biggest issue using different wheels, clearing the calipers. Once we established the necessary cleanace we then remounted the tires to check for fender well clearance.

I used the original wheel bolts. I put blueing on the end of the bolt and ran it all the way in with the original wheels. Interesting the wheel bolts did not bottom out. So I figured that .250 would not effect the wheel bolt strength.

I have plenty of clearance around the wheels wheels and around the calipers. I can not tell you which Gotti wheels I used as there are no identifying numbers or model names other than "Gotti".

Howard Musolf
1981 308gtsi
1982 400i Cabriolet
1988 Lotus Esprit Turbo

 

The Metric tires are 1980's design and as far as I understand they are using the same manufactuing techniques. So basicly you are paying a premium outragious price for obsolete tires. The last quote I heard was +550 each plus freight per tire.

My new Coopers are state of the art design and modern manufacturing standards. I am so impressed with the adhesion and the quietness at speed. I would love to see how they perform on wet roads but we never take it out in bad weather. Comsumer Reports have rated these Coopers very high in road noise and customer satisfaction. Including the cost of the used Gotti's, truing the wheels, making the spacers, and 4 new Coopers mounted and balanced, I still about $800.00 to the good over the obsolete Michelins, and I'm not paying homage to the French.................................just saying,

Howard Musolf
1981 308gtsi
1982 400i Cabriolet
1988 Lotus Esprit Turbo