Ferrari F430 Spider

Author
Discussion

mwstewart

Original Poster:

7,553 posts

187 months

Saturday 19th November 2016
quotequote all
Steering wheel - paddles
There will be two parts to this conversion: physical and electronic, and this update will detail the physical changes. To start with I stripped the original F1 lever from my car to see how it worked and to see if I could integrate any of it in the Mercedes part.


I also stripped the Mercedes switches (part numbers A0999051200 and A0999051300) to understand how they worked and to aid mocking up on the Ferrari wheel. The switches are quite simple and operate by contacting a carbon disc embedded within the tactile element onto the PCB tracks. The whole part is designed very elegantly as the PCB, tactile element, and rocker all fit together to lock in place.


Next to the Ferrari wheel and here is one side of the multifunction computer control switch for the 599; they are simply a push fit into the steering wheel foam secured by barbed prongs.


I cut away the leather to expose the foam underneath and after a few trial fits of the paddles I decided where to position them, and where to trim both the paddles themselves and the steering wheel foam to achieve the best fit. The photo shows the areas on the steering wheel that I trimmed with a scalpel.


Obviously, the Mercedes paddles were not remotely close in size to the original 599 switches and also they extended beyond the original holes, hence I had a few requirements:

1) Fill the gap between paddles and edge of 599 switch recess;
2) Create a moulded base that securely holds the paddles;
3) Fill the gap between the paddles and at the same time blend them into the steering wheel to look as OE as possible;
4) Use a filling compound with high adhesion that when set has a similar hardness to the OEM steering wheel foam.

After a bit of thinking I decided to try PU adhesive. I knew it had a similar hardness to the existing foam, fantastic adhesion, and sufficient viscosity to allow me to shape it yet still hold its form. I also decided to try cling film moulded to the base of the paddle casing to act as a crude release agent.

After placing the paddle casing in place I moved excess cling film on top of it, and used a screw driver to pack out the base of the casing with PU and begin to build up the area around it. When it was 'about there' I folded over the cling film and used my fingers to smooth everything off.


The finished result after setting overnight. I am really pleased with how it turned out. I left the gap between the PU and Alcantara so the trimmer can tuck in the leather and create a nice radius.


Mercedes paddles reassembled for trial fit. I'm happy. These are the standard paddles but I have extended versions to go on when back from the paint shop after being refinished in Grigio Corsa.


problemchild1976

1,376 posts

148 months

Saturday 19th November 2016
quotequote all
still loving this but why the merc shifters?

JJ

problemchild1976

1,376 posts

148 months

Saturday 19th November 2016
quotequote all
ATM said:
I am quite surprised how much people want to talk about the badge. It is just a badge and probably the least most important part on the car.
but then then matching numbers is only really badges but it can impact greatly on value

but this car is not about being a collectors piece so it doesn't matter wink

it is what it is

JJ

johnfm

13,668 posts

249 months

Saturday 19th November 2016
quotequote all
Amazing work.

When is the last time you drove it?

How many miles have you done since you had it?

em177

3,127 posts

163 months

Saturday 19th November 2016
quotequote all
Have to say in my experience I much prefer cars with fixed column paddles than wheel mounted ones.

Although I admire the quality of the work and the determination to get it exactly how you want it.

mwstewart

Original Poster:

7,553 posts

187 months

Saturday 19th November 2016
quotequote all
problemchild1976 said:
still loving this but why the merc shifters?

JJ
Column mounted are OK in a racing car with a very high ratio steering rack but in a road based performance car I find them a compromised, suboptimal control interface.

johnfm said:
Amazing work.

When is the last time you drove it?

How many miles have you done since you had it?
It must have been the end of July when we went to Silverstone classic. I've probably driven about 300 miles total! I've used the other cars more than this one.

em177 said:
Although I admire the quality of the work and the determination to get it exactly how you want it.
Thanks.

mwstewart

Original Poster:

7,553 posts

187 months

Saturday 19th November 2016
quotequote all
Steering wheel - preparation for trimming
I flatted and lacquered the upper section of carbon so it matches the rest of the interior. I masked off the LED lens with tape and cut around it with a scalpel.


I also removed the fascia to lacquer its carbon. I am sure I read somewhere on the net that the steering wheel node (NVO) is removed by removing the Manettino and its sticker, then a 10mm nut behind. That is not the case at all: the whole fascia must be removed to do so.


Misc
Scuderia ABS module mounted with specific bracket and pipes.


I've removed the carpets so I can peel off the areas of protective film that's left over from the PDI, and then I will jet wash them. I've scrubbed carpets in the past on other resto projects but found a pre-soak with carpet cleaner followed by jet washing cleans the best and is very kind to the carpet.

KillerHERTZ

935 posts

197 months

Monday 21st November 2016
quotequote all
Excellent job as always, wouldnt a set of larger Aluminium AMG shifters suit it better? (as retro-fitted to my CLS)




gcpeters

959 posts

231 months

Monday 21st November 2016
quotequote all
mwstewart said:
Steering wheel - paddles
There will be two parts to this conversion: physical and electronic, and this update will detail the physical changes. To start with I stripped the original F1 lever from my car to see how it worked and to see if I could integrate any of it in the Mercedes part.


I also stripped the Mercedes switches (part numbers A0999051200 and A0999051300) to understand how they worked and to aid mocking up on the Ferrari wheel. The switches are quite simple and operate by contacting a carbon disc embedded within the tactile element onto the PCB tracks. The whole part is designed very elegantly as the PCB, tactile element, and rocker all fit together to lock in place.


Next to the Ferrari wheel and here is one side of the multifunction computer control switch for the 599; they are simply a push fit into the steering wheel foam secured by barbed prongs.


I cut away the leather to expose the foam underneath and after a few trial fits of the paddles I decided where to position them, and where to trim both the paddles themselves and the steering wheel foam to achieve the best fit. The photo shows the areas on the steering wheel that I trimmed with a scalpel.


Obviously, the Mercedes paddles were not remotely close in size to the original 599 switches and also they extended beyond the original holes, hence I had a few requirements:

1) Fill the gap between paddles and edge of 599 switch recess;
2) Create a moulded base that securely holds the paddles;
3) Fill the gap between the paddles and at the same time blend them into the steering wheel to look as OE as possible;
4) Use a filling compound with high adhesion that when set has a similar hardness to the OEM steering wheel foam.

After a bit of thinking I decided to try PU adhesive. I knew it had a similar hardness to the existing foam, fantastic adhesion, and sufficient viscosity to allow me to shape it yet still hold its form. I also decided to try cling film moulded to the base of the paddle casing to act as a crude release agent.

After placing the paddle casing in place I moved excess cling film on top of it, and used a screw driver to pack out the base of the casing with PU and begin to build up the area around it. When it was 'about there' I folded over the cling film and used my fingers to smooth everything off.


The finished result after setting overnight. I am really pleased with how it turned out. I left the gap between the PU and Alcantara so the trimmer can tuck in the leather and create a nice radius.


Mercedes paddles reassembled for trial fit. I'm happy. These are the standard paddles but I have extended versions to go on when back from the paint shop after being refinished in Grigio Corsa.

id be interested in taking the carbon paddles if your going to sell them smile



mwstewart

Original Poster:

7,553 posts

187 months

Monday 21st November 2016
quotequote all
KillerHERTZ said:
Excellent job as always, wouldnt a set of larger Aluminium AMG shifters suit it better? (as retro-fitted to my CLS)
I do have extended paddles - I mention in the update they are at the body shop being painted. The paddles in the pics above are the standard ones I used for mocking up.

True Gaucho

41 posts

117 months

Monday 21st November 2016
quotequote all
maxdb said:
I don't suppose you have a link for the seatbelt buckle cover you can send me? I have a great idea for my Mazda..
Not sure if you missed this question Mark? I'd be keen to know the answer too, as struggling to find them on eBay. Cheers, Toby

mwstewart

Original Poster:

7,553 posts

187 months

Monday 21st November 2016
quotequote all
gcpeters said:
id be interested in taking the carbon paddles if your going to sell them smile
Grant, They will be for sale together with the carbon instrument cluster and carbon steering wheel. These bits formed the extended carbon package so I'd rather keep them together. I did reply to your email, by the way.

Cheers,
Mark

True Gaucho said:
Not sure if you missed this question Mark? I'd be keen to know the answer too, as struggling to find them on eBay. Cheers, Toby
Toby, I sent a PM to the other user, but hopefully this link link works.

I ordered some for a Vauxhall Signum; most buckles are very similar in size.

Mark

traffman

2,263 posts

208 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2016
quotequote all
Ive just caught up with this thread , fantastic work !!

Are you in I.T? Or a fully qualified aerospace engineer? I would have harboured a guess at the latter!

Fantastic!

True Gaucho

41 posts

117 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2016
quotequote all
mwstewart said:
Toby, I sent a PM to the other user, but hopefully this link link works.

I ordered some for a Vauxhall Signum; most buckles are very similar in size.

Mark
Cheers, thanks a lot! thumbup Don't know why they weren't coming up on my search. This continues to be the most inspiring thread on Pistonheads by the way! Toby

mwstewart

Original Poster:

7,553 posts

187 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2016
quotequote all
Carlo has donated a pair of new Scuderia door panels to the project. This is massively generous and will save me a lot of money on even used parts. The panels are missing the rear section but that's something I can easily create from 3k plain weave carbon and a simple mould.




A complete 16M door card looks like this:


The net and handles are all available separately so I will order those. The actual panels are modified Scuderia door cards featuring two speaker holes: a 16.5cm midbass driver and a 10cm two way both housing JBL units made specifically for the 16M. The speakers are actually a 3-way component set and JBL have used a dual purpose speaker grille/tweeter mount on the 10cm, as can be seen here:


I’m not considering the 16M speakers because of the weight and cost; I think they are around the 5k mark. A better component set can be purchased for less than £200, but in this car the hifi is way down my requirements list. I'm will at least cut the 16.5cm aperture to mount a better midbass unit than the terrible paper cone speakers fitted as standard to the F430, but beyond that I am undecided. I’ll finish the carbon first.

Thanks again to Carlo!

mwstewart

Original Poster:

7,553 posts

187 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
quotequote all
True Gaucho said:
Cheers, thanks a lot! thumbup Don't know why they weren't coming up on my search. This continues to be the most inspiring thread on Pistonheads by the way! Toby
traffman said:
Ive just caught up with this thread , fantastic work !!

Are you in I.T? Or a fully qualified aerospace engineer? I would have harboured a guess at the latter!

Fantastic!
Thanks both.

sealtt

3,091 posts

157 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
quotequote all
Very generous of Carlo! Project is coming together so well, interested to see what you decide about speakers since I know how important weight is in this build. Surely you must be tempted to go with nothing for those extra few 100g! I remember how absolutely, unbelievably terrible the speakers were on my F430 (that was even with the £X,000 premium speakers!) so I would definitely not go for factory equipment.

I am so surprised you prefer the wheel mounted paddles, I always find column shifters so much better in semi-auto type applications like the F430, and wheel mounted more for full-auto type applications such as luxury cars where they will be rarely used. Still it's all about your preferences on a build like this, so a very interesting little project to get them working and looking good.

All the best.

mwstewart

Original Poster:

7,553 posts

187 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
quotequote all
sealtt said:
Very generous of Carlo! Project is coming together so well, interested to see what you decide about speakers since I know how important weight is in this build. Surely you must be tempted to go with nothing for those extra few 100g! I remember how absolutely, unbelievably terrible the speakers were on my F430 (that was even with the £X,000 premium speakers!) so I would definitely not go for factory equipment.

I am so surprised you prefer the wheel mounted paddles, I always find column shifters so much better in semi-auto type applications like the F430, and wheel mounted more for full-auto type applications such as luxury cars where they will be rarely used. Still it's all about your preferences on a build like this, so a very interesting little project to get them working and looking good.

All the best.
Weight is definitely a consideration but the HiFi and sound deadening/carpet trim is one area I am willing to make a concession on, purely because the car will be used for driving holidays. I'm loathed to install a full set of components which will likely dictate a separate amp but definitely want something a bit more tolerable than that awful stock system.

I prefer the paddles as close to my hands on the wheel as possible - I find it feels more natural and connected when getting a move on.

Nunga

332 posts

107 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
quotequote all
Just given a set of carbon door cards... you really Crete your own luck sometimes!

Still love the build, and progress is coming along quite rapidly now it seems.

mwstewart

Original Poster:

7,553 posts

187 months

Friday 25th November 2016
quotequote all
Nunga said:
Just given a set of carbon door cards... you really Crete your own luck sometimes!

Still love the build, and progress is coming along quite rapidly now it seems.
Thanks.