I'm just going to do a TODA stroker kit at 13:1 and run a 100 shot of nitrous.... that should be fine right? http://www.todaracingusa.com/ferrari.asp (I wish)
We are in agreement. Most front end parts are NLA from Ferrari. I refused to buy the car back without OEM repair parts being available. I looked everywhere and have a massive database of part numbers and potential suppliers. FYI Ferrparts will sell you a front cut of an F355 for $6k..... Luckily T. Rutlands was able to source me a NOS 70000611 from a body shop's shelf somewhere. I also found 65290900 right wing support and 63962700 RF fender, which I believe were also the last ones available new. So, I'll hope for no more crashes in the future.
Nope. Can't get one anywhere, unless perhaps there is one out there collecting dust up in the rafters of a dealership or body shop.
glad to hear you are okay. Were the tires old? Sometimes that could also contribute. Best wishes to you.
The threads I wanted you too see are somewhat buried so I dug them up for you. There are others. https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/bradan-f355-service-and-paint.602570/ https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/bradan-f355-berlinetta-bare-metal-paint-job-upholstery-mechanical-service.569058/
Yes, the tires were a little old. A good friend of mine harped on me about this. Also, speed contributed. As a less-mature person, I used to drive some of my cars around in the rain on R compound tires, but I won't be driving on anything but fresh Michelins from now on. Anything else feels negligent, especially considering the power and habits of these cars.
Thank you! Those two builds alone are wild. And have tons of good pics. I wish I had the kind of talent those guys have.
When you get your car fixed, think about Michelin Pilot Sport 4S in stock sizes. I have them for my F355 Challenge for use as rain tires and for when temperatures are too low to use slicks. They perform well in either of those conditions. I'm subscribed to this thread and will be following your repairs. Lime Rock Park Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login 29 October 2018 45 F
Old tires will KILL you. I made that mistake and survived. Paul Walker did not. Even in the dry, old tires are super dangerous. Once it gets a bit on the cold side all bets are off and its a game of Russian Roulette if you go out. Don't do it. Your life is not worth a few hundred bucks saved.
This is how the front end looks presently. There was evidence of a previous repair to the RF corner. Image Unavailable, Please Login
For me, it's been a life-altering experience, in a positive way. But, generally I think it's better to have one that's not destroyed. I'll still drive mine, of course, but I'm somewhat terrified of hitting something again..
Nah now I wouldn't be worried about this car anymore. With the boo boo it got Hell it's a driver car and you could beat it like it should be without worries.
Don't be - We used crash repairs to make cars stronger in Stock-based classes like Improved Touring and GT Endurance racing. Spot-welds became stitch-welds. Follow that route, and you'll never worry about the front end again.
Right. Listen to what Kurt is telling you. Here is one example of how dangerous spot welds can be, in this case to another driver... This Ferrari F430 Challenge lost its left exhaust tip approaching Turn 8 at WGI. Driving my F355 Challenge, I safely avoided the exhaust tip which bounced unpredictably. It can be dangerous out there! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login The exhaust tip was spot welded to the exhaust pipe. When his car got back to the shop, both exhaust tips were properly stitch welded as they should have been at the Factory. You have the skills to make your car a much better car than it was when you bought it. And you will be proud of your accomplishment. I'll continue to follow this thread with great interest.
Thank you for the vote of confidence. I do believe it will be nice, and that I will feel very proud to drive it once again.
Here is where we stand after the work put in this weekend. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Ray Garbe @ T. Rutlands was very helpful with the sourcing of parts, as was Ash @ Scuderia Car Parts over in the UK. Also my sketchy wire transfer to Germany resulted in some very nice parts arriving 65 days later.
My friend - let me tell you about spot welds. I am very familiar, unfortunately. I estimate I spent 40 total hours drilling about 100 spot welds, not to mention trimming little bits of metal in creative and dangerous ways to make everything fit. Oh, and we spent a lot of time aligning every aspect of the front framework - since the workshop manual doesn't have body measurements [please prove me wrong - maybe I missed it], everything was aligned literally by tape measure and eyeball.. oh and a laser level.
