599 (no HGTE) too much understeer

Marc- No experience with fixing it, but a larger rear anti-roll bar will help eliminate understeer. You might check and see if the GTO rear anti-roll bar and bushings will fit. I am assuming it is larger than the HGTE, although I have not seen specs on it yet. Another possiblity would be one I mentioned to M in his GTO thread. If the GTO wheels will fit, the fronts are increased in width by 1" in front (9.5") compared to the HGTE and only 1/2" in the rear (11.5") and that might also help alleviate understeer. Plus it would make for one mean-looking HGTE.

Taz
Terry Philllips

 

What about a more aggressive alignment?

 

Jason- They can do that if they are willing to accept more tire wear. Most people are not. A little assymetric lowering might also help. Need to ask someone who races about both.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

just brake into the turn, left foot braking is easy with the F1. Rotate the car and hit the throttle.

 

Just noticed you said no HGTE, so the HGTE rear anti-roll bar would be a logical first choice. The HGTE also had 1/2" wider tires to fight the same problem, but that is impractical unless you want to fit HGTE wheels or their OZ Mito Rosso equivalents.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I love a happy ending.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Another option would be the H&R 25mm rear sway bar. This will help out as well I think its alot cheaper than the HGTE bar, would be $340 shipped.

 

Rob- Good thought. Not sure how expensive the HGTE rear bar is, but the original front bar is ~$800. Good thought for anyone else who wants a more neutral handling 599.

Maybe doppioexpresso can measure the diameter of the old and new anti-roll bars and we can file it away as a reference. On the 575M the rear bar went from 17 mm to 21 mm with the Fiorano Handling Package, as an example.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I have the same experience with my 2007 599 GTB. I cant to a full HGTE upgrade..mine is an early unit that cant do the vital transmission software upgrades. Even so, I was keen to do just the suspension upgrades from the HGTE kit. However, was told by my dealer that Ferrari will only sell a half kit , comprising of springs, rear sway bar and HGTE style rims and appropriate tyres. I am not keen on the wheels and asked for only the suspension pieces, but factory said no. Rational was that the better feel and handling would require the wider front rims and tyres the HGTE package would offer. I agree somewhat that the wider front rims and tyres must help a bit.
Is it possible to perhaps order from Ricambi just the rear sway bar and springs?

 

Give Daniel a call, but I think your dealer is blowing smoke. The kits are a good deal, but Ferrari has to be able to provide spare parts in case you damage the car by hitting something and damaging the suspension and anti-roll bar. Talk to the parts guy one on one and see if he can look it up.

Tell him it should be in Table 50 and you might have some success. A phone call to the parts department with that info and asking for the part numbers and price for the HGTE anti-roll bar and bushings is a good start. Springs next.

Taz
Terry Phillips
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Just bumping back to topic to understand if only sway bar solved the majority of the problem and what suspension settings were changed.

Just bought PZeros for f/r 20" Challenge rims so don't wish to invest at this moment to wheels+tires. Rest of budget spent for a new full clutch replacement, engine/gearbox mounts and 6 in 1 header +secondary cat delete. PP performance tune for new exhaust set up is pending. So I really hope I can get away with just H&R rear (or rear+front) sway bar instal

 

That's fine - the 20" front challenge rim is 1/2 inch more in wide than the 19" five spoke front wheel.

I also thought about the HGTE or GTO sway bars but I'm not sure it affects the ride comfort too much.

 

The front Challenge wheels are exactly the same width, 8", as the 19" wheels. You were probably thinking about the HGTE fronts, which are 8.5".

 

20 fronts are 8.5 vs 19s 8.0 while tire base remains same at 245. Not sure why but maybe better width for 245s.

Unless cosmetically willing, track fun could be greatly improved with right sway bar (size-location)/camber&toe settings and of course sticky tires (preferably Trofeo R but I think they don't exist for these sizes).

Sent from my VOG-L29 using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

That is incorrect. The front Challenge wheels for both the 599 and the 612 are 8.0 inches, not 8.5 inches. Whatever your source was, it is incorrect. The HGTE fronts are 8.5 inches.

 

Ok, I am wrong

How much difference creates the 0.5 inch? Because a used one will cost all-around 5k usd so I think it makes more sense to pay a little more and get Coilovers if tracking will be significant. I will stick to what I have for a while and see what the car really needs.

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And still have thicker sway bars aside. I understand that thickness is not the point, the stiffness is important so if Ferrari original is thinner but no hole and H&R is 25mm but has a whole, it may not be better than original. Need to find out about this and so far no one with H&Rs.

Sent from my VOG-L29 using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

You are right - only the HGTE rim is half an inch wider - I mix something up.

GTO front wheel is 9.5 inch.