488 Spider Glass Engine Bonnet cover project (Capristo) | FerrariChat

488 Spider Glass Engine Bonnet cover project (Capristo)

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by Kenny Glorioso, Apr 5, 2020.

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  1. Kenny Glorioso

    Jan 5, 2019
    15
    Full Name:
    Kenny G
    I wanted to share my 488 Spider glass engine bonnet cover project with my fellow Ferrari enthusiasts to help anyone considering this modification.

    In my opinion, the only things that keep the factory 488 Spider from being the perfect car are the hidden engine and the quiet exhaust. I solved both.

    This project including the addition of an exhaust valve controller, replacement carbon fiber engine components and a replacement engine bonnet with glass insert.

    The exhaust valve controller was purchased from Capristo. This is a relatively inexpensive modification (about $1,000 total) that allows the exhaust valves to be easily switched to "always open" via remote control. This pleases the wife and neighbors with the factory startup, then provides a more aggressive experience with the press of a button. This is a no-brainer "must do" project for any Ferrari.

    Carbon Fiber (CF) engine components don't make much sense for Ferraris with covered engines. My goal was to expose the engine (as Ferrari should have done from the factory), so carbon fiber engine components are a must. Most of the CF components were also purchased from Capristo. They were very high quality CF and fitment was excellent. The carbon fiber oil cap was purchased from MyRicambi, which was a perfect match and fit. The MyRicambi cap is actually a cover the glues on top of the OEM cap. MyRicambi even provided the heat resistant silicone adhesive!

    The replacement glass engine bonnet was much more extensive and expensive. We used the newest Capristo glass bonnet, which is a cleaner look than their original design. This bonnet is formed carbon fiber, top and bottom. The top is intended to be painted to match the car, and the bottom remains exposed CF. The fitment required modifications, as almost all aftermarket CF components do. Specifically, the hinges needed shims, the edges needed to be sculpted to align with car body opening and one of the body lines on the bonnet needed to be modified for alignment. Some of these changes could have been skipped, but I wanted it to be perfect.

    The biggest challenge for my project was matching the paint. My car has very rare Rosso Corsa METALLIC paint, which doesn't even have a paint code. It took over 10 spray-outs plus 2 visits from the PPG paint rep to match the paint. Matching the paint shouldn't be nearly as difficult for most standard Ferrari colors.

    The body shop added a red pinstripe on the underside of the bonnet to outline the glass, which turned out to be a very cool feature. We also painted the factory brackets (satin black) to blend with the CF on the underside of the bonnet.

    The cost? Don't ask and don't tell my wife. The Capristo component prices can be found online. The labor depends on the level of perfection you are seeking. Plan to spend about $2,000 - $2,500 for labor for this project on average, higher if done by a Ferrari dealership. Mine was much more than this!

    The end result of this project is amazing, a head-turner and show winner for sure!

    Renown Auto Restoration in San Antonio completed all the work. They did an outstanding job and we both learned a lot about this modification.

    Let me know if you have any questions - I'd be happy to save you some time, stress and money!

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    iMrMark, Actualizer, TR007 and 8 others like this.
  2. RWC58

    RWC58 Karting

    Oct 14, 2018
    154
    Columbus Ohio
    Full Name:
    Robert W Crooks
    That is absolutely awesome !!!!!
     
    Kenny Glorioso likes this.
  3. Regular Guy 01

    Regular Guy 01 Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    May 10, 2011
    523
    Tacoma, WA
    Full Name:
    Eugene Greer
    I love this look!!
    Should have come from the factory this way without a doubt.
    Ferrari really missed this opportunity.

    Congrats,
    Gene Greer
     
    Kenny Glorioso likes this.
  4. Mighty Joe

    Mighty Joe Formula 3

    Sep 3, 2010
    1,125
    Atlanta, GA
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Looks killer! The 488 is such a great car!
     
    Kenny Glorioso likes this.
  5. Surfah

    Surfah F1 Rookie

    Dec 20, 2011
    3,135
    Nice mods!
     
    Kenny Glorioso likes this.
  6. MANDALAY

    MANDALAY F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    May 23, 2013
    11,048
    AUSTRALIA
    Full Name:
    ANGELO
    LOOKS FANTASTIC. Well done. IMO the spider should have been like this original.

    I dare say there will that will say " not much of an engine to see " but I say well done !

    My 488 GTB is RCM and again they will not appreciate the subtle way it shines so much more than RC. Getting the colour right would have been the most difficult part in the whole job. Glad you matched it . Enjoy mate definitely different and unique and classy .
     
  7. Viperjoe

    Viperjoe F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    I like it quite a lot and I may have considered a Spider if this feature was available when I ordered my GTB.
     

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