Modified Ferrari 348
Discussion
While I was picking up the gearbox (which is extremley heavy by the way), Dave (the Seller) mentioned he also had a few other 355 parts lying about. One of which was the instrument pod.
Well.... I just couldn't resist
I always preferred the 355 dials to the 348 orange ones. Only problem with the ones I got today is that the speedo is in kilometres and has 94,000 on the clock. So we'll have to change the facia to MPH and clock it backwoods.
Well.... I just couldn't resist
I always preferred the 355 dials to the 348 orange ones. Only problem with the ones I got today is that the speedo is in kilometres and has 94,000 on the clock. So we'll have to change the facia to MPH and clock it backwoods.
Edited by Angelis on Wednesday 6th October 20:47
joe_90 said:
Yay.. some info, not a random bump ..
Keep it up, and the insight into other bits off other cars (bits we never get to see) is just magic.
Here's a a few more of the Murci for you. Keep it up, and the insight into other bits off other cars (bits we never get to see) is just magic.
|This is the Lamborghini computer attached to the car. You can't do any proper work on Lamborghini's without the diagnostic tools. There are two systems on our laptop. The LdAS which is for all Lambo's including the Murci and the LaRA which is for late model Murci's and 2010 cars.
The Murci has a twin damper system. Never knew this until I saw it with the wheels off.
Lambo without the engine
Lastly, my Range Rover. It's a 2003 with LPG conversion and it broke down with an alternator problem two weeks after I got it.
On the 348, it doesn't take long to remove the alternator. On this Range Rover (which is basically a BMW X5 with a Range Rover body) you have to remove the entire front end. It's also a water cooled alternator as well so messy to chnage. So whilst the front end was off, we thought we might as well chnage all the hoses, watyer pump, rad (which was starting to leak), gaskets and other consumables and then i thought sod it.. let's modify it to look like a brand new £80,000 2010 version.
The great thing is, everything including the purchase price will still be less than the 1 year depreciation of a brand new one. Plus I only pay 62p per litre.
Should have it ready next week.
Engine parts removed
What it looks like now
What it will look like next week.
We're thinking of installing a V12 twin Turbo Mercedes engine in it next year. Personally, I think that's overkill, but..............
Edited by Angelis on Wednesday 6th October 21:17
Thanks again for all the kind words and support.
I think like any engine, it will need to be warmed up properly. A friend of mine who rebuilds his own F1 engines suggested I put an engine heater in the car.
jamiebae said:
I prefer the RR as it is at the moment actually, a Merc V12 sounds fun but I'd have thought a BMW lump would be an easier swap, if less powerful.
Ultimatly, it depends on what engine we come across. Raj is Mercedes trained so he leans towards them. Personally, I'd just like a smooth V12 running on LPG. Not interested in big power for that type of vehicle. It's all about the Torque. XG332 said:
Will the engine not require warming up before use? Race engines usually use lightened pistons with smaller skirts allowing them to rev higher and faster. This can mean the piston can rock on the little end until it has warmed and taken up the expansion gap. If not the piston can gauge the cylinder walls to death.
Thanks for the pics. I think like any engine, it will need to be warmed up properly. A friend of mine who rebuilds his own F1 engines suggested I put an engine heater in the car.
dom9 said:
Where is your new garage based?
We're currently in Manor Park in East London. A sones throw from Docklands.joe_90 said:
I dread to think how much you have needed to spend on software...
We've got about £200,000 worth of diagnostic tools in total. The Lambo software alone is around £20K I think.Here's a very short video I just put together. It shows Raj removing parts from the engine and spinning the crank.
At the start of the video, you can see the cambelt moving between the teeth in the pulley. It's the wrong cambelt for the engine.
Now you know why we have to take the engine apart and rebuild it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xJ0v5c0r_0
We'll try and film the gearbox being dismantled as well in a couple of weeks.
At the start of the video, you can see the cambelt moving between the teeth in the pulley. It's the wrong cambelt for the engine.
Now you know why we have to take the engine apart and rebuild it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xJ0v5c0r_0
We'll try and film the gearbox being dismantled as well in a couple of weeks.
Edited by Angelis on Thursday 7th October 16:39
Sorry, lost track of this thread and to be honest, my enthusiasm for the whole project is beginning to wane.
The person who was supposed to be working on the engine is no longer doing it and has left it in pieces collecting dust.
I'm now in the process of trying to sort all the bits out and finding a race engine expert who can rebuild it for me.
The person who was supposed to be working on the engine is no longer doing it and has left it in pieces collecting dust.
I'm now in the process of trying to sort all the bits out and finding a race engine expert who can rebuild it for me.
Quick update.
The 348 Le Mans project is now fully back on track.
Engine picked up by a Ferrari race car specialist and they will start taking the entire engine apart over the next few weeks and evaluate if it will be worth rebuilding or turning it into a coffee table.
Assuming things all go to plan, we aim to have the engine in the car and running before April 2012.
Will update as soon as I hear any news.
The 348 Le Mans project is now fully back on track.
Engine picked up by a Ferrari race car specialist and they will start taking the entire engine apart over the next few weeks and evaluate if it will be worth rebuilding or turning it into a coffee table.
Assuming things all go to plan, we aim to have the engine in the car and running before April 2012.
Will update as soon as I hear any news.
The engine is now safely at the new workshop.
I chose SB Race Engineering to rebuild the engine as they have extensive experience in Ferrari race cars. http://www.sbraceengineering.co.uk/
First stage is to take the engine apart and measure/check everything. Some parts may be x-rayed.
Pics of the engine.
Some of the cars they already look after. The 575 is a Le Mans race car. Unfortunately, it's too loud to use on any UK track.
The others are a 360GT and a 430 GT race cars.
I chose SB Race Engineering to rebuild the engine as they have extensive experience in Ferrari race cars. http://www.sbraceengineering.co.uk/
First stage is to take the engine apart and measure/check everything. Some parts may be x-rayed.
Pics of the engine.
Some of the cars they already look after. The 575 is a Le Mans race car. Unfortunately, it's too loud to use on any UK track.
The others are a 360GT and a 430 GT race cars.
Sorry guys, forgot to update this thread.
Here's what's happened so far.........
The engine ended up at SB Racing who were going to rebuild it for me as the guy who was originally supposed to be doing it for me screwed me over. He also managed to lose my Le Mans anti-roll bar, Challenge lens cover and my friends 348 cambelt who lent it to me so we could copy it.
When Stuart at SB Racing started taking it apart he found that one of the heads was actually quite badly damaged.
The valve seats were defective and the cylinder head has been welded badly.
At this point I was thinking... "This engine is cursed!!!" as it's nothing but bad luck!!!
I basically had an option to repair it, sell it or cannibalise the parts and build a newer engine.
My filming business at the time was getting busier and I wanted to buy a new and more expensive professional video camera, so I decided to sell it.
Even that ended up being a mess.
A really nice guy in the US wanted to buy it as I had posted in the advert on Ferrari Chat
Ted Wenz crank,
Cosworth Spec Pistons
Cams and Valve Springs
Large valves.
Individual throttle butterflies
Titanium rods
Ported and polished heads
I had cut and posted the above details directly from the advert of the Company that sold it to me and guess what!!! They weren't Titanium rods. I only realised it after the engine had been delivered and the buyer called me up. Although they were expensive racing rods, I still did a partial refund and we parted amicably with no hard feelings either side.
The Company that sold it to me had lied about the spec. Not surprised really as they lied about everything else.
So the engine had gone and perhaps the curse had finally been lifted. After all I still had the complete 355 gearbox, the rare Challenge wheels and other bits, so I could still do a few more modifications.
Then disaster struck.........
Here's what's happened so far.........
The engine ended up at SB Racing who were going to rebuild it for me as the guy who was originally supposed to be doing it for me screwed me over. He also managed to lose my Le Mans anti-roll bar, Challenge lens cover and my friends 348 cambelt who lent it to me so we could copy it.
When Stuart at SB Racing started taking it apart he found that one of the heads was actually quite badly damaged.
The valve seats were defective and the cylinder head has been welded badly.
At this point I was thinking... "This engine is cursed!!!" as it's nothing but bad luck!!!
I basically had an option to repair it, sell it or cannibalise the parts and build a newer engine.
My filming business at the time was getting busier and I wanted to buy a new and more expensive professional video camera, so I decided to sell it.
Even that ended up being a mess.
A really nice guy in the US wanted to buy it as I had posted in the advert on Ferrari Chat
Ted Wenz crank,
Cosworth Spec Pistons
Cams and Valve Springs
Large valves.
Individual throttle butterflies
Titanium rods
Ported and polished heads
I had cut and posted the above details directly from the advert of the Company that sold it to me and guess what!!! They weren't Titanium rods. I only realised it after the engine had been delivered and the buyer called me up. Although they were expensive racing rods, I still did a partial refund and we parted amicably with no hard feelings either side.
The Company that sold it to me had lied about the spec. Not surprised really as they lied about everything else.
So the engine had gone and perhaps the curse had finally been lifted. After all I still had the complete 355 gearbox, the rare Challenge wheels and other bits, so I could still do a few more modifications.
Then disaster struck.........
I kept all my Ferrari parts and family heirlooms in a storage place in a building we own. Unknown to me, one of my Tenants had a Cannabis factory above the suspended ceiling in their unit right next door.
The fire brigade reckon the fire started from one of the heaters although the damage was so severe they couldn't tell.
From the outside.
Internally, everything in the Tenants unit was destroyed and there was no roof left.
Approximate repair cost £400,000 plus. Fortunately the building was insured.
Unfortunately, my storage room was right next door.
My sons baby clothes, old toys, my late fathers personal items all gone. These were priceless.....
Fortunately no one was hurt, which is the most important thing.
Fortunately, I had already sold the Le Mans engine, but the 355 gearbox and the Le Mans race wheels were in there.
The race wheels piled up and a Range Rover wheel on the left.....
The 355 gearbox
Ferrari bits and pieces I purchased...
The original 348 seats, Schumachers carbon airbox lid and the le mans airbox cover...
Original 348 suspension dampers and springs
My car magazines that i had collected over the years including my large collection of 348 books and magazines.
I had hoped the gearbox was salvagable and I kept it in the work area as I thought it would be safe. Unfortunately some scrap metal guys came into the building and stole it without the builders noticing.
Basically, every Ferrari part I owned had now gone up in flames which means I can never put the car back in standard form and if i attempt to sell it, I'll get a lot less than it's really worth.
And what happened to the Tenant who was growing the Cannabis????
Over 7 months later, the Police still haven't got the guys details from me even though I've offered to bring it in personally, scan and email it to them or for them to pick it up.
So no parts left... what should I do next?
The fire brigade reckon the fire started from one of the heaters although the damage was so severe they couldn't tell.
From the outside.
Internally, everything in the Tenants unit was destroyed and there was no roof left.
Approximate repair cost £400,000 plus. Fortunately the building was insured.
Unfortunately, my storage room was right next door.
My sons baby clothes, old toys, my late fathers personal items all gone. These were priceless.....
Fortunately no one was hurt, which is the most important thing.
Fortunately, I had already sold the Le Mans engine, but the 355 gearbox and the Le Mans race wheels were in there.
The race wheels piled up and a Range Rover wheel on the left.....
The 355 gearbox
Ferrari bits and pieces I purchased...
The original 348 seats, Schumachers carbon airbox lid and the le mans airbox cover...
Original 348 suspension dampers and springs
My car magazines that i had collected over the years including my large collection of 348 books and magazines.
I had hoped the gearbox was salvagable and I kept it in the work area as I thought it would be safe. Unfortunately some scrap metal guys came into the building and stole it without the builders noticing.
Basically, every Ferrari part I owned had now gone up in flames which means I can never put the car back in standard form and if i attempt to sell it, I'll get a lot less than it's really worth.
And what happened to the Tenant who was growing the Cannabis????
Over 7 months later, the Police still haven't got the guys details from me even though I've offered to bring it in personally, scan and email it to them or for them to pick it up.
So no parts left... what should I do next?
Edited by Angelis on Saturday 26th January 21:56
I didn't really do much driving in 2012.
Did a track day at Silverstone and went to a couple of meets.
Managed about 1,500 miles in total which is 500 miles more than the year before. Yes... a bit of a disgrace really.
No modifications done or even contemplated and basically quite fed up of the whole modding thing and the Ferrari scene to be honest. Even thought about selling the car at one point and started writing an advert for it at one point.
But I'm now getting the modding itch again.
That paint job I had done 4 years ago isn't looking that great so rather than paint the car again, I thought I'd wrap it it. Rather than a colour change, I'd give it a full race car livery. In fact, I thought I'd go with the original plan of turning it into a street race car. It's not like I'm going to de-value it anymore.
So the plan is to get a rear spoiler, front splitter and cannards before having the wrap applied.
The rear wing, cannards and splitters are for improved performance and also because they give a race car look which I quite like.
The 348 has a tendency to lift at high speed due to what I believe is a badly designed aerodynamic front bumper. Because of the bumpers upward slant, air gets underneath causing lift. Ferrari introduced a front air dam to solve it, but it's so low I'd smash it within a mile of driving.
The existing splitter doesn't really work as it's too short. A wider splitter will create more downforce with the cannards providing an addditional 5% of downforce.
I'll keep this look for a few years before getting the car painted back to it's original mettalic black colour.
Next winter I'll do the engine mods and aim for 450bhp.
Here's a few pics of us tying the spoiler and splitter out. Remember, it will make more sense when the wrap is applied. I won't post pics of the wrap as I want it to be a surprise.
The rear wing is very similar to the 355 Challenge cars.
Friends are already placing bets as to how quickly I'll destroy the front splitter!!!
Did a track day at Silverstone and went to a couple of meets.
Managed about 1,500 miles in total which is 500 miles more than the year before. Yes... a bit of a disgrace really.
No modifications done or even contemplated and basically quite fed up of the whole modding thing and the Ferrari scene to be honest. Even thought about selling the car at one point and started writing an advert for it at one point.
But I'm now getting the modding itch again.
That paint job I had done 4 years ago isn't looking that great so rather than paint the car again, I thought I'd wrap it it. Rather than a colour change, I'd give it a full race car livery. In fact, I thought I'd go with the original plan of turning it into a street race car. It's not like I'm going to de-value it anymore.
So the plan is to get a rear spoiler, front splitter and cannards before having the wrap applied.
The rear wing, cannards and splitters are for improved performance and also because they give a race car look which I quite like.
The 348 has a tendency to lift at high speed due to what I believe is a badly designed aerodynamic front bumper. Because of the bumpers upward slant, air gets underneath causing lift. Ferrari introduced a front air dam to solve it, but it's so low I'd smash it within a mile of driving.
The existing splitter doesn't really work as it's too short. A wider splitter will create more downforce with the cannards providing an addditional 5% of downforce.
I'll keep this look for a few years before getting the car painted back to it's original mettalic black colour.
Next winter I'll do the engine mods and aim for 450bhp.
Here's a few pics of us tying the spoiler and splitter out. Remember, it will make more sense when the wrap is applied. I won't post pics of the wrap as I want it to be a surprise.
The rear wing is very similar to the 355 Challenge cars.
Friends are already placing bets as to how quickly I'll destroy the front splitter!!!
Mr fox said:
Not much to add, as in what to do next, but mate I really feel bad for you. Thank god no one was seriously injured due to the idiots negligence.
Regards
Mr Fox.
Only real injury from the whole incident was me cutting my hand whist closing a fire door AFTER the fire was put out.Regards
Mr Fox.
Just my luck!!!
S3_Graham said:
Crikey.
Hope you manage to get it all sorted on insurance! It's occasions like this you hope they cough up!
Building and Landlord fixtures was fully insured and building is currently being repaired. Hope you manage to get it all sorted on insurance! It's occasions like this you hope they cough up!
Unfortunately, my video lighting kit was there and turned out I was "under insured" so they only gave me a £2,000 for £6,000 worth of destroyed equipment.
Yeah... I don't understand the concept of "under insurance either".
So you'd think I'd use up all my quota of bad luck.... but oh no.....
September 2012 saw the biggest collection of Ferrari's on track at the same time. We were there filming for two days and my 348 was to be driven by one of the Presenters for the 3 laps of Silverstone Circuit with 963 other Ferrari's led by felipe Massa.
Vicky Butler Henderson was there and Ferrari had given her a brand new Ferrari FF.
On the second lap.....my 348 broke down and hundreds of Ferrari's had to drive around it.
Here's a clip from the on board camera of the Presenter breaking down. Still editing the actual video.
Remember there's 100's of Ferrari's behind them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be9Kvv-cVaQ
Vicki Butler Henderson made it around in one piece.
September 2012 saw the biggest collection of Ferrari's on track at the same time. We were there filming for two days and my 348 was to be driven by one of the Presenters for the 3 laps of Silverstone Circuit with 963 other Ferrari's led by felipe Massa.
Vicky Butler Henderson was there and Ferrari had given her a brand new Ferrari FF.
On the second lap.....my 348 broke down and hundreds of Ferrari's had to drive around it.
Here's a clip from the on board camera of the Presenter breaking down. Still editing the actual video.
Remember there's 100's of Ferrari's behind them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be9Kvv-cVaQ
Vicki Butler Henderson made it around in one piece.
I like to do different things with my 348 and I've always wanted to go up the Brooklands Test Hill.
So last year for the first time I gave it a go.
Unlikely that I'll be able to do it again as the front was so low the Marshalls had to keep lifting the front of the car and they wouldn't let me do a a 4th run.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nc0pQTEzjM
I quite fancy doing a skid pan next and when the time comes to change my tires, a bit of drifting perhaps.
So last year for the first time I gave it a go.
Unlikely that I'll be able to do it again as the front was so low the Marshalls had to keep lifting the front of the car and they wouldn't let me do a a 4th run.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nc0pQTEzjM
I quite fancy doing a skid pan next and when the time comes to change my tires, a bit of drifting perhaps.
Thanks for the kind words everyone.
Unfortunately things are still not going to plan.
Took the 348 to a paint shop this morning to get a quote for some minor repairs.
If you look back on this thread you'll see that 4 years ago I had a back to metal respray done on the 348. Well... 4 years later and the paint is not looking good.
Front wing rusting
Front bonnet not prepared properly and paint now looks ****.
All wheel arches rusting
Loads of paint chips at front
Paint lifting from engine lid
Both buttresses beginning to crack.
That means there is no point on having a wrap done as the paint underneath isn't that good. So it looks like another paint job!!!
So what's next?
Well.... a full paint job asap as the car needs to be ready for April when we start filming a couple of Documentary features.
In the long term I'll go back to the original plan of doing engine modifications to get that 450bhp and copy my mates 348.
I promise to update this thread more regularly as well.
Thanks for reading and your support.
Unfortunately things are still not going to plan.
Took the 348 to a paint shop this morning to get a quote for some minor repairs.
If you look back on this thread you'll see that 4 years ago I had a back to metal respray done on the 348. Well... 4 years later and the paint is not looking good.
Front wing rusting
Front bonnet not prepared properly and paint now looks ****.
All wheel arches rusting
Loads of paint chips at front
Paint lifting from engine lid
Both buttresses beginning to crack.
That means there is no point on having a wrap done as the paint underneath isn't that good. So it looks like another paint job!!!
So what's next?
Well.... a full paint job asap as the car needs to be ready for April when we start filming a couple of Documentary features.
In the long term I'll go back to the original plan of doing engine modifications to get that 450bhp and copy my mates 348.
I promise to update this thread more regularly as well.
Thanks for reading and your support.
Edited by Angelis on Friday 1st February 15:51
t!!!Problem is they don't have an oven and I'd rather give it to a company that has one.
I've got 2 options at the moment.
1) Full respray and treat the car with kid gloves for the next few years
2) Just fix the front wing, wheel arches and C Pillars, wrap it and do a full respray in 3 years time. And have lots of fun!!!
I've got 2 options at the moment.
1) Full respray and treat the car with kid gloves for the next few years
2) Just fix the front wing, wheel arches and C Pillars, wrap it and do a full respray in 3 years time. And have lots of fun!!!
Edited by Angelis on Tuesday 29th January 16:09
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