Skunkworks | FerrariChat

Skunkworks

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by Dashow, Jul 7, 2016.

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  1. Dashow

    Dashow Rookie

    Mar 18, 2014
    17
    Bali, boston,, Flagler beach fl
    Full Name:
    Ann Dashow
    Throughout the posts I have seen items available from Maranello Skunkworks. I find no listing nor way to order or contact. Can someone please explain this phenomenon???
     
  2. 12659

    12659 Formula Junior

    Oct 6, 2005
    349
    Seattle WA. USA
    Full Name:
    mark
    It's the "skunkworks" so you are not supposed to know anything about it. Well to be precise, perhaps they don't want Ferrari to know.

    Its a group of erudite elderly gentlemen that offer bespoke products, such as coil on plug ignition for the 550 and other modifications. I have several of their products and am very pleased with the thoughtful design.
     
  3. ixlr8

    ixlr8 Formula Junior

    Aug 24, 2015
    354
    Eastern Shore- Virginia
    Full Name:
    Jim
    There are a few here that are part of the "Maranello Skunkworks", they have the name in their signature at the bottom of their posts. Send one of them a PM and ask them about it.
     
  4. dsd

    dsd F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 19, 2006
    4,271
    Northern Virginia
    "Ferraridriver" is undergoing surgery, so he will be out of commission while the entire forum sends him best wishes.

    "Cribbj" is also a member of fight club, I mean MSW.
     
  5. Cribbj

    Cribbj Formula 3
    BANNED

    We keep a low profile because Lockheed doesn't like other entities using their term "Skunkworks" :)

    Anyone is welcome to contact me about our stuff, either by PM or email: johnacribbATyahooDOTcom
     
  6. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    28,997
    socal
    How is that motor John?

    I have been lucky enough to get involved with some MSW products. Everyone is OEM quality or better and works flawlessly.

    IMO for example I don't see why any 550 owner would still have coil packs and plug wires unless they were doing a concourse. That MSW modification wins on all fronts.
    Engine bay is cleaned up
    Performance is enhanced
    Spare parts easily available
    cheaper than factory
    less to fail
    modernizes ignition like the 575
    easier trouble shooting
     
  7. Cribbj

    Cribbj Formula 3
    BANNED

    Carl, first thanks for the kind words about our stuff :) As you well know, we sweat the details and test, test, test to ensure everything works before letting anything go out the door. Our mods always follow these guidelines:

    1. Tasteful and genuinely useful
    2. Plug & Play, ie the car can always be returned to stock if desired
    3. Usually easy enough for a DIY'er to install

    About my engine.....well, I've been waiting for quite awhile for the water pump to be tested and shipped back to me, but it hasn't happened yet. I really wanted to know how the new impeller and modified pump housing would perform on a water pump test rig, but that component is holding everything else up. So I need to forget about testing it, and just get it shipped back to me so I can proceed with the rest of the engine.
     
  8. deanhalter

    deanhalter Formula Junior

    Dec 27, 2008
    357
    Norco, CA
    Full Name:
    Dean Halter
    I am assuming the coil-on-plug works for the 456 as well?

    I have an issue with my wire set and just noticed the cost of the OEM - ouch...

    I bought one side last time and used it together with the pair I had to make the one good set, but now I have a plug boot that has oil contamination and is not working well.
     
  9. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
    BANNED Professional Ferrari Technician

    Apr 26, 2006
    3,664
    New England
    Full Name:
    David Feinberg
    Dean, I've got a fair amount of 456 OE wire components here including a new bank and a few used plug boots. Drop me a PM with your needs, if you decide not to do COP.
     
  10. Cribbj

    Cribbj Formula 3
    BANNED

    Dean, I think the 550 COP setup will work fine on the 456M, however the older 456's have a slightly different ignition setup where the ignitors (power transisters that switch on/off the current to charge the coils) are external to the Motronic ECU's, whereas for our 550's and the 456M's, using the later Motronic 5.2 ECU's, they're inside.

    This just means the COP system would require a bit more engineering. I don't have an older 456 local to me at the moment that I'm aware of, so I can't really do much in the way of engineering until one pops up.
     

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