Profound difference in handling of the 360

Tires and a great alignment probably make the biggest difference on any performance car,
so it may be be just that on your car.....

 

+1; Tires and Alignment are KEY. And when I say alignment I mean "aligned to F430GTs specifications, not the OEM workshops numbers"

Larger rims can be problematic if not researched and implemented correctly. Sounds like the previous owner got-it-right.

 

The wheels are likely also wider than stock which means you've widened the track. That really makes a difference on these cars- the car will even feel more solid.

 

Mine starts to feel very light and twitchy when I am in fourth gear and 8000 RPMs...and I expected a more planted feeling at speed! I had new tires installed and the shop had them set to 49 psi. I hope that it was the psi and not an alignment issue. I have since lowered them to 32 psi front and rear but I found a Griots digital psi gauge in my closet and I replaced the batteries and it says I am at 36.5! So now I don't know where I am with regard to tire pressure. What is yours set at?

 

Mine was lowered by the PO and it handles wonderfully at speed. Makes me wonder if original euro specs should be followed regarding ride height. I've never noticed any twitchiness except on a corner near the limit...

 

The twitchy at higher speeds is something I found with the 430 until I had a more aggressive alignment done.

 

I think your tire pressures are way too high. They will make the car skate.

I use 32F and 29R on my CS and it's brilliant.

 

Yes I want to follow the specs you have here for my P-Zero's but now I am doubting my gauges. I need a new "quality" gauge since the ones I have seem to be reading 4-6 lbs off from one another! That is not acceptable.

 

“Seat of the pants” measurement are never a good indication of performance.

As an example a louder car “sounds” faster.
It’s interesting that people ask for a exhaust sound clip, but rarely for dyno #’s. What your telling me is “Who cares if it’s slower as long as it sounds cool!”.

If you had a base skid pad speed & could show a definite increase in speed, I would have to agree with your feelings.

Autocross or track day lap times might also be relevant if you were an experience driver & could post consecutive laps within a few tenths of a second. Then compare the two set ups on the same car.

You lost credibility when you said your girlfriend could tell the difference “as a passenger” in the car.

 

I've recently had an aggressive wheel alignment setup on my 19" wheels all round. And it has made a huge difference compared to when the car was stock and on 18" wheels. The car was also lowered with H&R springs. I really like the springs, they have seriously improved the car without sacrificing handling and ride comfort.

 

Kevin- Get one from Longstreet Racing. I have two and they are really good instruments. You will not have to buy another.

Longacre Racing - Online Catalog: Electronic Wheel Scales, Gauges, Pyrometers, Chassis Setup and More!

 

Thanks, these look like the kind of instrumentation I like to have on hand. Do you have a temp compensating model? If so how do you like it? Which chuck do you think works best for starfish wheels? If I want to use it on my motorcycles too what chuck should I go for? Is the ball chuck easy to seat or hard to handle?

 

What I found with my F430 after suspension changes is getting it corner balanced.

 

I've been hearing that phrase, what exactly does it mean? What does one do to "corner balance" a car?

TIA.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

It means to preload the suspension by corner weighting so that the car is balanced front to back and left to right, preferably with the driver in the car...need adjustable suspension to to this.

This makes the car predictable turning left or right and handle better with the front back distribution being equal...

My shop was able to get my M3 to 50/50 f/r and l/r and it was startling the difference it plus a good track alignment made compared to stock.

 

Taz! I owe you a solid! I got my pro analog gauge today and I have to say what a joy it was to adjust my wheels to within 1/4 psi of the spec in no time flat! I was at 36.5 on the rears and close to that on the front....on new P-Zeros so now I cant wait to go for a drive, now that I am at recommended psi 32/29.

Hey guys fathers day is right around the corner and the guys there are great to work with over the phone. It's a professional instrument in a nice hard case. Awesome-sauce!! Very thankful to have this.

 

thanks for posting it.

 

That's great to hear - what chuck did you end up buying?

 

I am looking for a digital gauge as well. Which one would you guys recommend?