What to do with a 355 Challenge

a few thoughts. The 355 Challenge *can* be raced, with various sanctioning bodies, but it will (a) be expensive and (b) not likely to be that competitive with the Corvettes and Porsches it'd likely be classified with.

It is, however, a huge amount of fun on the track, and even if you only did DE or lapping days with it, you could really enjoy yourself.

FWIW, 1995 models came with titles (OBD-I too), whereas 1996 and onward models were built with OBD-I motors and were never titled, nor delivered with DOT/EPA sanctions, so the only really legal way to get a street-legal Challenge is to find yourself a 1995 model. I have a '95 Challenge, with the title, and I'm thinking about registering it and getting a plate. I've driven it on the street a bit (with dealer plates), and while it's not a whole lot of fun in daily conditions, it CAN be driven on the street - if you're manly/stupid enough to do it.

vty,

--Dennis

 

A few more thoughts...1) this car will never be worth any money like a real ferrari racecar like a 333sp for example. These cars are wanna be racers. They are cool but not competative under 99% of conditions. You will get killed regularly with like equiped porches and c5 and later vettes will pass you like a honda. 2) that said these are a huge fun 3) you can race them in local club groups like Alfa and Pantera clubs that have race groups. In So cal the Ferrari clubs that track i.e. FCA basically is non existent on the track. About 4 guys routinely get out twice a year and that is about it. And they DE no race. But the group they share track time with will let you in their race group with minimal credentials (I do that when I can). Other FCA divisions in the country are way racier than so cal and may have race groups. Check your area. 4) You can forget NASA and SCCA you will get killed in road racing where the 348/55's are in T-1 with the c5 vettes (scca) and the solo classes you will be non-competative in too. If you want to play and get tracktime that is a different story 5) there are huge number of clubs and groups that do DE and a few with time trials. Again you will likely get beat by a Z06 vette on street tires even if you have slicks. I know there are those who say otherwise but...that is what I see with my own eyes. 6) Ferraris need lots of tuning to go fast. Porsches and vettes seem to be fast right off the showroom floor. 7) Vettes and porsches have huge aftermarkets parts and go fast goodies that really work. Ferraris have lots of guys trying to make money off us with junk that looks good and does nothing with ZERO real testing. 8) if your 355C is really a race car then dump that crappy factory cage for a real welded in cage and put the thing on a diet. There is still lots that can be reomved for weight and it seems that stiffness in the chassis is key to making the suspension do its work so energy is not lost into the flimsy chassis. That may be good for a few more tenths. I am not a fan of the 355C wheels. They seem to be too narrow and too heavy. I think BBS 3 piece with modular lips are what is needed and a much different sick tire which means no factory speedlines. There are a few places to start.