Ride 575 vs 550 ?

I know that the 575 is sprung softer than the 550.Is the 575 with the firiano{SP] package similar to the 550?I would like to hear from those that have had seat time in both.

Thanks,
Surf

 

it's the "fiorano" package.

i do not have seat time, but all accounts are that the 575 with Fiorano has superior ride and feel and handling to the 550. though i would not hazard a guess whether that's A- vs. B+ or A vs. C - if you know what i mean.

doody.

 

here's a useful thread from the old board, wherein redhead was kind enough to post parts data:
http://70.85.40.84/~ferrari/discus/messages/251280/211863.html

net-net, the parts for the 550 FHP vs. 575 FHP are nearly identical. so unless they made some geometry et. al. changes between the two cars (i don't think they did - i thought it was mostly cosmetics and some bore-out), i assume a 550 FHP should behave nearly the same as a 575 FHP. you didn't ask that question, but i've always been curious myself .

i would thus assume that a 575M FHP would have a much more "performance" seat-feel than a stock 550. but it's just an assumption.

doody.

 

The 575 with FHP has a plusher, softer ride than the 550 FHP. 575 has "skyhook" shockabsorbers, which are programmed to be much softer than the Bilsteins on the 550. The softness of the shocks are the reason the 575 got such a bad rep for sports handling in the first place. Even though the FHP ECU does firm it up considerably, it is no where near that of the 550 unit still.

 

stephens - how does the 575 FHP compare to 550 (non-FHP)?

doody.

 

I am trying to determine the 575 FHP vs the 550.If money was not in question would I be better wth a 575FHP with stick transmission than the 550.I like good flat cornering

 

About the same, at least in Euro spec apparently.

 

I can give you some facts: driven at the Nürburgring by the same driver, the standard 550 was 9s per lap FASTER than the standard 575. The 575 FHP closed the gap, but only with Bridgestone tires it managed to gain a further 2s per lap on the 550. The 575 GTC was tested only unofficially, but I heard it ran 10s per lap faster than the 575 FHP (mainly thanks to the ceramic brakes, I suspect).

Both cars (550 and 575) are always very sensitive to tires, due to the front-engined layout and relatively heavy weight. The best handling results I have read about were always achieved with Bridgestone S02 or S03 tires, or with Pirelli PZero Corsa. Michelins have too soft walls, they really don't work on these cars.

In any case for circuit driving it would always be better to disable the Skyhook system and set the suspension on the stiffest available setting. I'm sure it can be done on the 575.