Ferrari F430 Spider
Discussion
mwstewart said:
I'm in the process of replacing the OEM exhaust manifolds with the stainless tubular versions covered in my previous post, and whilst doing so I'm cleaning behind the various guards and trim pieces and replacing any corroded fasteners with stainless versions. It seemed like a good opportunity for a quick photo study of the parts that aren't usually seen.
O/S/R wheel arch with liners removed and stock manifold visible through the aperture. Suspension is coil over with double wishbone and a tie rod, which is adjustable for toe. Camber adjustment is made by shimming the wishbone mounts.
Great photo that shows just how incredibly low they've managed to mount the engine. Benefits of a dry sump lube set up. If I get the chance, l post the same photo of my Elise and you'll see the engine towers ever upwards!O/S/R wheel arch with liners removed and stock manifold visible through the aperture. Suspension is coil over with double wishbone and a tie rod, which is adjustable for toe. Camber adjustment is made by shimming the wishbone mounts.
Thank you all!
I've been around mine with vibration absorbing material but the bloody centre console has cracked again and is squeaking - it seems to be a design issue.
itcaptainslow said:
Will you DIY service it or send it to a specialist?
I had planned to keep up the full Ferrari history but now I'm not so sure - more details at the bottom of this post...MJK 24 said:
Great photo that shows just how incredibly low they've managed to mount the engine. Benefits of a dry sump lube set up. If I get the chance, l post the same photo of my Elise and you'll see the engine towers ever upwards!
Yes they really have done a good job; it's well within the confines of the wheels at normal ride height!Limpet said:
Fantastic thread!
Beautiful car and great to see it from a different perspective. Congratulations and keep it coming!
Thanks, so your 130 has trim rattles too? Beautiful car and great to see it from a different perspective. Congratulations and keep it coming!
I've been around mine with vibration absorbing material but the bloody centre console has cracked again and is squeaking - it seems to be a design issue.I went out for the afternoon/evening yesterday to various places and noticed that throughout the time we were out the gearchanges were getting a lot more physical, and second to third particularly required a special nack. The change has never been what you'd call silky but this was something else! It got progressively wrose and held out until we'd finished a meal, left and set off for home. It then crapped out alltgoether: no clutch actuation whatsoever. We were in the middle of the countryside and the roads were pretty much deserted, so I managed to get us home by starting the car in first - it's a powerful starter motor - and easing into second when the speed was right. I went to bed seriously fed up with the car.
I woke this morning with a clear head and started to check the obvious:
- Fluid level fine;
- No visible leaks from the clutch master cylinder;
- No visible leaks from the bottom of the gearbox (there's a large inspection opening that would let and fluid out from the bell housing).
I started with the simple option of bleeding the clutch and what came out of the bleeder was pretty shocking: fluid that was many years past its sell by date. It was grey/water saturated! I flushed the system through and bled it and took the car for a good run. I now have a gear change smoother than it ever was.
I decided to check elsewhere on the car, and the pollen and air filters have not been changed for a while. It had a service at Ferrari only two months ago, and in fact the car has full Ferrari history - both annual and mileage based. It's basically lived at Ferrari all its life and this was something I confirmed as genuine prior to purchase by phoning all the dealers in the service book, who confirmed all the stamps/services.
I had planned to keep up the full Ferrari history but I’ve now got to give that some serious consideration.
On a more positive note I had one of the best drives of my life in it tonight: beautiful evening, decent roads, massive smile on my face.
I woke this morning with a clear head and started to check the obvious:
- Fluid level fine;
- No visible leaks from the clutch master cylinder;
- No visible leaks from the bottom of the gearbox (there's a large inspection opening that would let and fluid out from the bell housing).
I started with the simple option of bleeding the clutch and what came out of the bleeder was pretty shocking: fluid that was many years past its sell by date. It was grey/water saturated! I flushed the system through and bled it and took the car for a good run. I now have a gear change smoother than it ever was.
I decided to check elsewhere on the car, and the pollen and air filters have not been changed for a while. It had a service at Ferrari only two months ago, and in fact the car has full Ferrari history - both annual and mileage based. It's basically lived at Ferrari all its life and this was something I confirmed as genuine prior to purchase by phoning all the dealers in the service book, who confirmed all the stamps/services.
I had planned to keep up the full Ferrari history but I’ve now got to give that some serious consideration.
On a more positive note I had one of the best drives of my life in it tonight: beautiful evening, decent roads, massive smile on my face.
I've worked on many Ferraris, the majority of which have full Ferrari histories. The level of previous maintenance is often very poor. Neglected filters, fluids, stripped threads, nuts missing, crossed threads, dangling wires and pipes and bodged repairs are evident all over the place.
On the positive side, Ferraris are generally beautifully designed and engineered and an absolute delight to work on. Very well laid out and thought through, even major work is made much easier by clever design. When a Ferrari appears, I look forward to doing whatever is required. When a Porsche turns up (especially a 911!), I look forward to bleeding knuckles, many rusted bolts and frequent use of "why the f
k did they put that there!"
With regards to clutch fluid, it should always be changed with the brake fluid. It absorbs water at the same rate. Ideally, every 2 years, 3 max.
On the positive side, Ferraris are generally beautifully designed and engineered and an absolute delight to work on. Very well laid out and thought through, even major work is made much easier by clever design. When a Ferrari appears, I look forward to doing whatever is required. When a Porsche turns up (especially a 911!), I look forward to bleeding knuckles, many rusted bolts and frequent use of "why the f
k did they put that there!"With regards to clutch fluid, it should always be changed with the brake fluid. It absorbs water at the same rate. Ideally, every 2 years, 3 max.
That's quite upsetting that fairly basic servicing items have not been replaced/looked at.
In the Subaru circles (I know, not quite supercar territory) it seems like a "Subaru History" is worth much less than history at a reputable independent specialist. I feel this is the way forward for a number of marques, but it's a big gamble to take on such a large investment.
In the Subaru circles (I know, not quite supercar territory) it seems like a "Subaru History" is worth much less than history at a reputable independent specialist. I feel this is the way forward for a number of marques, but it's a big gamble to take on such a large investment.
rdodger said:
That a bit shocking. Especially the filters.
What is the service interval on clutch fluid? I don't remember changing any on a car that didn't need a replacement slave or master cylinder.
Could be wrong (its been a while) but TVR's need this too at a 12k service iirc.What is the service interval on clutch fluid? I don't remember changing any on a car that didn't need a replacement slave or master cylinder.
To be honest, the standard of work of some marque 'specialists' is equally shocking.
rdodger said:
What is the service interval on clutch fluid? I don't remember changing any on a car that didn't need a replacement slave or master cylinder.
The clutch and brakes share the same reservoir so really both systems should be flushed through and bled at the same time. I will flush and bleed the brakes this week as a matter of course.Talkwrench said:
On the positive side, Ferraris are generally beautifully designed and engineered and an absolute delight to work on. Very well laid out and thought through, even major work is made much easier by clever design. When a Ferrari appears, I look forward to doing whatever is required. When a Porsche turns up (especially a 911!), I look forward to bleeding knuckles, many rusted bolts and frequent use of "why the fk did they put that there!"
I agree on the space - there is is considerable room around the engine once the undertray and diffuser is off. I could even remove and refit the accessory belt within five minutes and that's at the most cramped end of the bay. I know packaging on the Porsches is a nightmare!k did they put that there!"crosseyedlion said:
Apologies if its already been asked but,
Aside from servicing costs, whats the car like day to day? Could one practically own one as their only car? (parking, multi stories, visibility, inclement weather, starting in the morning, speed bumps etc...)
Yes, I think it would be viable as a day-to-day proposition. Not ideal, but possible. It wouldn't fare at all well being used in all weathers and especially the winter months; the aluminium body has a tendency to corrode as it is and this would be exacerbated by the salt. The Spider roof isn't perfectly water tight and occasionally the front luggage area can leak too. Aside from servicing costs, whats the car like day to day? Could one practically own one as their only car? (parking, multi stories, visibility, inclement weather, starting in the morning, speed bumps etc...)
There are three suspension heights from the factory: red, yellow, and white; mine is red - the highest setting - and I still have to take it slowly over speed bumps otherwise the front under tray scrapes. Parking it is a doddle.
Visibility is excellent left-to-right and to the front but the rear duck tail does create a blind spot around a car length behind. Starting it is never an issue; despite some quality issues they aren't an unreliable car. Compared to Ferrari's of old they are a big step ahead, but fundamentally it's still a weekend car. I think something more in the GT stable - like the FF - should be more of a user friendly model.
It is a phenomenal, though – the only car that's ever made me laugh out loud. It's properly intoxicating
Cheers!
Some photos from today:
I've now covered approximately 600 miles since the manifolds went on and they are performing faultlessly. The sound on full chat is rawer than stock and quite simply incredible.
I'm still getting used to arriving back at the car to find people looking around it or taking photos, the biggest surprise so far finding a wedding party having their pictures taken. The attention thus far has all been genuine and quite pleasant, which is good as it's not something I really seek out, though I've been happy to oblige the photo taking.
Some photos from today:
I've now covered approximately 600 miles since the manifolds went on and they are performing faultlessly. The sound on full chat is rawer than stock and quite simply incredible.
I'm still getting used to arriving back at the car to find people looking around it or taking photos, the biggest surprise so far finding a wedding party having their pictures taken. The attention thus far has all been genuine and quite pleasant, which is good as it's not something I really seek out, though I've been happy to oblige the photo taking.
Edited by mwstewart on Tuesday 15th March 13:14
djgritt said:
mwstewart said:
Poole Quay multi-storey
Ahhh. Thought I recognised the signage correctly. Ha.
I always watch your threads, OP. Very informative, but I also knew there was no way this would/could remain standard with your attention to detail, and quality, on your other cars.
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