Replacing my 348 taillights | Page 3 | FerrariChat

Replacing my 348 taillights

Discussion in '348/355' started by RandyT, Sep 29, 2017.

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  1. ghardt

    ghardt Formula 3

    Apr 18, 2004
    1,259
    Texas
    Full Name:
    Jerry
    Congrats. Please elaborate a bit on the cut-outs for the lights.
     
  2. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,574
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    I really like the look of the round tail lights behind the grill. Makes the rear end look so much better yet still keeps the 348 grill and character. Though I do like the shape of the 355 tail lights better than the 308 lights. Never the less I like it.
     
  3. RandyT

    RandyT Formula Junior

    Aug 16, 2016
    256
    Calabasas, CA
    Full Name:
    Randy T
    Using the round light gaskets, I made a template...

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    There's natural openings on the back of the car panel. I centered the outside lights in the first opening. The use your template to mark the cuts. Check your measurements again and again on both sides. Then check them again! It's critical that the spacing it perfect on top, bottom, left and right or your lights will look crooked.

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    First, drill your holes. Then with a small angle grinder, slowly, very slowly, trim away the panel. Don't rush it. Keep double checking the fit. When you place the lens in, you will be able to see where you need to trim more. You want the lens to fit nice and tight in the opening. This took me all day to make them fit perfect...

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    krazykarguy and steved033 like this.
  4. krazykarguy

    krazykarguy Formula Junior

    Apr 17, 2014
    716
    Fort Mill, SC
    Full Name:
    Matt
    What is the upward angle of the mounted lights? I seem to recall that the biggest issue with the 348 guys emulating the 355 quad-tail arrangement was the angle of the rear panel would angle the lights back at the top...
     
  5. Jasonberkeley

    Jasonberkeley Formula 3

    Apr 23, 2017
    1,321
    NW Corner, CT
    Full Name:
    Jason Berkeley
    They look great! Do you mind posting a rear 3/4 view of the entire car once you pull it out?

    Very cool!
     
  6. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 14, 2011
    8,562
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
    Full Name:
    Tim Dee
    Best mod I ever seen on a 348 !!!!

    You win PERIOD :)

    I may have to copy the idea ehhehehe
     
  7. RandyT

    RandyT Formula Junior

    Aug 16, 2016
    256
    Calabasas, CA
    Full Name:
    Randy T
    Thanks!
     
  8. 02360spider

    02360spider Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    May 27, 2015
    1,724
    Dartmouth
    Full Name:
    Richard oliveira
    Pretty dope I like it gives it more of the ferrari look with the traditional round lights great job.

    Sent from my FRD-L14 using Tapatalk
     
  9. m.stojanovic

    m.stojanovic F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 22, 2011
    2,743
    Malaysia - KL
    Full Name:
    Miroljub Stojanovic
    speedcat likes this.
  10. Surfari

    Surfari Karting

    Nov 4, 2016
    149
    Redondo Beach
    Full Name:
    Luke
    That looks awesome! I'm a huge fan of the stock look too but this is hands down the best conversion I've seen. The older style lights fit the car much better than 355 lights. Placement and the fit look it came from Maranello. If I add another 348 to the garage, I will have to seriously look into this conversion. Bravo!
     
  11. krazykarguy

    krazykarguy Formula Junior

    Apr 17, 2014
    716
    Fort Mill, SC
    Full Name:
    Matt
    The finished product is amazing, but as pointed out above, some steel mesh would go a long ways to tidy up the appearance of the pressed steel hiding behind the strakes.

    I really enjoyed following the progress of this, and it came out exceptionally well. Purists be damned - I think it looks brilliant!
     
  12. ghardt

    ghardt Formula 3

    Apr 18, 2004
    1,259
    Texas
    Full Name:
    Jerry
    Pure sex!! We need a night photo too.
     
  13. RandyT

    RandyT Formula Junior

    Aug 16, 2016
    256
    Calabasas, CA
    Full Name:
    Randy T
    I like it!... I'll look for the right aluminum screen and something to finish off the rough edges.
     
  14. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,166
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Barry Wolinsky
    Nice job, Randy! It looks great just the way it is now. Putting a screen in there will decrease airflow out of the engine bay. See this thread: 458 Speciale Spec Challenge Grill for F355 ?

    ...and drbob101's video (Post #40)...


     
  15. dvelez2

    dvelez2 Karting

    Jan 20, 2016
    75
    Full Name:
    Daniel A. Velez
    Can you share the information on the strips?


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
  16. RandyT

    RandyT Formula Junior

    Aug 16, 2016
    256
    Calabasas, CA
    Full Name:
    Randy T
    Wow... very interesting. Yes, for now I'm going to leave it as is because when you're looking at the car from a normal level you hardly see inside the opening anyway. And besides, being in fricking hot SoCal (97 degrees yesterday and 92 degrees today!!, I hate it!! ), I want as much air flow as possible.

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  17. bjwhite

    bjwhite F1 Rookie

    Mar 17, 2006
    4,676
    Seattle, WA
    Full Name:
    Brian White
    I really like the mod Randy...very stock looking too. Much, much better than the awkward looking "LeMans grille" I think. That always didn't look quite right. This looks like it could have come from Ferrari.

    You need to paint your wheels silver though. ;)
     
  18. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,166
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    Barry Wolinsky
    Right. Bob did some fine investigative reporting in that thread.

    I think your car looks great with what you've done so far. Catching a glimpse of the panel cut-outs through the slats looks pretty good to me!
     
  19. RandyT

    RandyT Formula Junior

    Aug 16, 2016
    256
    Calabasas, CA
    Full Name:
    Randy T
  20. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,166
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Barry Wolinsky
    The black wheels on your 348 look fine to me too.

    Nice job, Randy! You've captured some of the 348's predecessor's style in the design of your rear treatment.
     
  21. RandyT

    RandyT Formula Junior

    Aug 16, 2016
    256
    Calabasas, CA
    Full Name:
    Randy T
    I'm a professional designer, so I can't leave anything alone or stock! ;) It's a blessing... and a curse!
     
    steved033 likes this.
  22. RandyT

    RandyT Formula Junior

    Aug 16, 2016
    256
    Calabasas, CA
    Full Name:
    Randy T
    Okay, here are the final numbers:

    Time: About 10-12 hours.

    $ 542.00 Four 308/328 lights from Superformance (they forgot to send the bulbs, but gave my $40 credit, so it was $502.88 w/ship).
    $ 100.00 Drip and strip the grill.
    $ 100.00 Professionally painted grill (satin black).
    $ 33.00 Misc nuts, bolts, connectors, epoxy, aluminum screen, fine metal cutting blades and a rattle can of satin paint for the cut-outs.
    - $ 40.00 Credit for missing light bulbs... I used the ones in my old lenses.
    ---------------
    $ 735.00 Total

    Tools: A fine reciprocating saw, small angle grinder, straight and curved files, drill, wire cutters, shrink tubing, etc. AND... one specialty tool ($10 eBay) to get the nuts tighten behind the new lenses (see photo). The threads are really long and I didn't want to cut them.

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  23. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,166
    New Jersey
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    Barry Wolinsky
    Bravo!

    And it's a reversible modification.
     
  24. itsablurr

    itsablurr Formula 3

    Dec 9, 2005
    1,006
    Carlisle, MA
    Full Name:
    Matt
    Really speaks to the 512BB lines that live in the 348.
     
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