"The Maranello's 12-cylinder engine will be tuned to create a maximum 540 horsepower in the Superamerica, up from 515 in the Maranello." Does anyone have any info on how they have achieved this? Is it just ECU tweaks or are there different engine bits?
It's the same output as in the 612, which according to Ferrari, has "improved fluid dynamic characteristics of the intake and exhaust manifolds" - I don't know if that accounts for all of the power increase, though.
I don't think you'll ever Know for sure Syd. My research for your friends engine I'm building has revealed 3 different part numbers for 550 pistons alone!! The buggers have us all duped! There's loads to gain from exhaust centre section apparently, and of course air filters transforms 550. Add in some ECU tweaks, inlet manifold work and hi flow cats etc, maybe 10% from a std 550 I think. 550 heads can flow 615 BHP with std cams. So there's not much to gain there. It must be in breathing and bottom end components.
Cool, could be a fun project for next year! 10% gain from a bit of exhaust, dyno and ECU sounds worthwhile...
Phil, if one of those piston numbers is for the North American version don't use them. Ferrari almost always lowers our compression and doesn't tell us. It's one of the reasons US motors make a little less power. I bet you are right on where they found the extra power, and I bet a lot of it was found in the intake manifolding. If you are making a high output 550 motor, just so you know on the 575 Ferrari abandoned the titanium rods and went back to steel. They told us that the rods were not considered suitable for greater stress applications. If it were me I'd call Carrillo right here in the USA for some rods.
Thanks rifle. The manual doesn't list a different comp ratio for USA, but the manual is just like any other Ferrari literature....oozing mistakes on every page. For example, it has info dedicated to checking Crankshaft to valve clearance. Now, I don't know much about engines, but if the crank gets close to the valves you're generally in a whole load of trouble!! I'm aware of the 575 Rod change, but I can get rods/pistons etc made locally quite cost effectively, so I'm not in the market to go shopping at Carillo just yet.. I'd say rod stress is more to do with piston weight than power produced, and any competition piston would be much lighter than a std 550. Although at 315g with an 88mm bore, they're not bad. Besides, the engine I'm building is close to standard. Just a repair after oil loss and a few tweaks to valve profile and general blue printing etc. The bottom end is all built now, heads going together and on soon. We've got the ex Rafanelli Olive Garden 550 GT too, and I've got loads of shiny goodies to look through for ideas!!
We??? Who the hell's "we"? Don't you mean "they..down the road have got the ex Rafanelli Olive Garden 550 GT"??
No Aircon, I meant to say "I", but "we" slipped out. Maybe it's because sub consciously I know you're always hanging around like a bad smell, hoping to leech any snippet of info and sound intelligent to your acquaintances. ( I nearly said friends there, phew, that was close). Thanks though, for yet another highly constructive and informative post, you're a legend.
Phil, I am perpetually interested in your improvements. If you can, share whatever details you may about what progress you have been able to make and keep us apprised. Best, --Dan
"I"?? Is that right? I don't recall hearing about you having much to do with that car. Sorry, I must have missed when you bought a share in the car...oh wait..or worked on the pit crew in Bahrain...oh wait....ummmmm...sorry...what have YOU got to do with that car again? I think I saw you open the door to it once. Hey...so did I! I think you're just big noting again, and, as always, trying to have personal little digs. Good for you...I don't care, and it seems your ego needs it.
Yeah AirCON, whatever. You don't recall much do you. Obviously forgotten Clipsall 500 and Sandown already then, never mind the countless hours at the team in the build up to the event. And you didn't come in and trip over any of the gearbox parts while in my shop getting rebuilt. (Sorry, Our shop, can't leave Carl out!) True, I pulled out of Bahrain after a disagreement with Tony, but that was over unrelated business and duties at home. Honestly, Aircon. Do you have ANYTHING to give to this forum other than petty comments and general abuse??? Bob. I'll always offer friendly advice based on experience, and i'll even give a few tips away along the way, but I'll not give all my secrets away!! Latest news for 550 interested parties, is that I have just fitted the first upgraded spring package. These are my own development and slightly different to Ferrari's offering in the Fiorano kit. I've played with the rates and free lengths to give a smooth enough ride on the road, but with much improved body roll control. They're also MUCH cheaper than Ferrari prices. Springs is springs, and to get specific ones made is no big deal. A good customer shared the development and is enjoying the usage. Arriving soon also, we'll get the stiffer rear anti roll bar from the Fiorano kit, and then I'll modify it to be easily adjustable with 3 or 5 positions that the driver can do in a few minutes to tune his car for the specific track he's at. The engine I'm building is really not much more than a repair and refresh. It is an interesting job though, but not a development job.
While we seem to be sticking the boot into poor Phil, I am going to take a cheap shot and take part of the credit for the suspension work, as I did all the research, but can confirm that what was developed is a VAST improvement over stock, which has also improved the ride of the car, which is completely illogical given there is a significant rate increase. Peter Pls give advance notice next time you visit Phil's. It'd be interesting to sit back with a bag of popcorn and a coke to watch you two both go for it
I think I'm meant to be going there on Monday for some work to be done on my car....aren't I Phil? Come in, I'd like to chat!
Abuse? Are you projecting again? I looked at your profile, Phil...it says you're a CONsultant. Does that mean we have the same parents or something?
I been getting some help from a name dropping vagabond by the name of Phil Hughes. Fortunately, contrary to what Peter here is implying, he actually seems to know what he is talking about! **Please leave me out of the argument guys** I only want to watch, not participate. Seriously though, I have just resumed my exhaust system experiments and see most improvements coming from this and from match porting/flowing the throttle bodies and intake assemblies. Hoping for a 550hp 550, without opening the motor.
Always got time for a fellow enthusiast! I have my first meeting at 10.00am, but my offices are only 10mins away, on Coventry St, next to Channel 7, so I can drop by at about 9.00am on my way in to work. You can get my mobile no from Phil if you're interested.
Well, I didn't intend getting up quite THAT early ...but if it's happening, I'll let you know and we'll meet up.
Gees, a rogue slip of the caps lock button even prompts a bite... I wish fishing was this easy!! Monday is likely to be off Aircon. Got a job off site, but I might get back before close of business. Aim for Tuesday 9.30 for drop off if you're desperate, but work in progress is not cleared yet either. Might be best to wait 'till start of following week. Stephen should also be able to collect his car after it's brake upgrade etc too then...you guys could meet and sling crapo at me if you like. I'm teflon coated though, so it won't stick. The 550 inlet manifold/throttle body mods seem to be easy in theory. I was thinking of putting my spare (ex Race team, but totally standard) inlet manifold on ebay shortly, but If Stephen is willing to use it as a development item, I may reconsider! I've also been looking into the Novitec Supercharging kit for 360. Seems quite viable, again, just need a willing guinea pig. Much prefer the idea of superchargers over turbos though. Mounting it all onto a 550 would be the drama, not much room to mess around with bling bling under the bonnet. And as Stephen is finding out fast, the 550 is also sensitive to its' fuel, so there's some room to play with the race fuel too.
1. Got nothing to sling, only interested in watching, not participating! 2. Is the Pope Catholic? 3. Are you in tomorrow, I'd like to try the Elf race fuel for the weekend. No detonation today on 95 octane, with the cooler weather.
