Ferrari F430 Spider

[mwstewart]

Digitalize said:

Interesting you chose DMS, as I've not heard great things in the M Power world regarding their cars not making the power they claim etc.

But maybe the company is founded by someone who does have knowledge as it sounds like he knows what he's doing to be custom mapping yours. Hopefully the results are good!

I had clocked that before choosing them; some of their claimed power figures are for sure a bit 'toppy' which is why I said I'd be comfortable with 500+; in reality I'd expect mine to dyno north of 520/530 if all is well. did think it was obvious on first glance but for me power figures from rolling roads aren't of interest: I only pay attention to figures from an engine dyno.

Product knowledge, good feedback from other owners, ability to provide a tailored map, and reports of quality calibration in terms of smoothness and response throughout the rev range were what I was looking for. They aren't the cheapest but gave me peace of mind.

[mwstewart]

Rob at DMS wasn't happy with the reading from the right bank pre-cat lambda, so in addition to the new coils I had two new Bosch lambdas fitted for peace of mind. My research on these parts is below.

For the dyno mapping this meant my car had new air filters, spark plugs, coils, MAF sensors, pre-cat o2 sensors, variator solenoids, and fresh fuel - really the best base possible to work from.

430 Scuderia and 16M Ignition Coils (Ion Sensing Applications)

• Original: 231359 - Scuderia, 16M

• Update 1: 248406 - Scuderia, 16M, 599 GTO, 458 Challenge, 458 Spider, FF, 599 SA Aperta, F12 Berlinetta, 458 Speciale, La Ferrari, GTC4 Lusso

• Update 2: 290850 - Scuderia, 16M, 599 GTO, 458 Challenge, 458 Spider, FF, 599 SA Aperta, F12 Berlinetta, 458 Speciale, La Ferrari, GTC4 Lusso, 458 Speciale Aperta, La Ferrari Aperta, F12 TDF

• Update 3: 337713 - 812 Superfast, GTC4Lusso, and backwards compatible with all of the above.

F430 Lambda Sensors
Front (pre-cat) lambda sensor - 500mm cable, 5 pole
Ferrari part: 182837 (£183 - Scuderia car parts)
Bosch part number: 0258007001 (£63.42 - eBay)



Rear (post cat) lambda sensor - 1200mm cable, 4 pole
Ferrari part: 180915 (£66.02 - Scuderia car parts)
Bosch part: 0258006196 (£67.71 - eBay)

Edited by mwstewart on Wednesday 13th February 16:03

[mwstewart]

Dyno result below.


I think that's optimistic but then so are the factory figures; for a rough guide here's a little bhp/tonne (curb weight used) calculation based on those factory figures:

F430 Spider: 1,570 kg / 483 bhp = 307.64
F430: 1,517 kg / 483 bhp = 318.39
16M: 1,500 kg / 503 bhp = 335.33
Scuderia: 1,430 kg / 503 bhp = 351.75
458: 1,565 kg / 562 bhp = 359.11
My car: (1,570 kg - 115.067 kg = 1455 kg ) / 563 bhp = 386.94
458 Speciale: 1,395 kg / 597 bhp = 427.96

Figures aside it has certainly moved on from when I first owned it.

Edited by mwstewart on Wednesday 13th February 16:04

[mwstewart]

Nunga said:

It’s like Christmas when you post an update.

Thank you.

[mwstewart]

Tony just emailed the GIF images straight from the dyno. These are easier to read:

Edited by mwstewart on Wednesday 13th February 16:04

[mwstewart]

Undoubtedly

[mwstewart]

gcpeters said:

did they do a run before? would be good to see a before and after. Even more interesting did you do a power run before any of the mods? The power output does seem a little erm "high" considering the modifications? If they can get this out of your engine then in theory they could get ~600 out of a scud?

GP

Edited by gcpeters on Thursday 7th June 09:53

It wasn't possible to get a baseline with my car because the starting ignition settings were not suitable for a power run. A Scuderia modified to identical spec as my car but with the 11.9:1 compression ratio would be within 5-8hp with some more torque in the mid range; a 0.6:1 increase in CR would not make a significant difference.

For reference a fellow CS member took his F430 to DMS in Jan, and here is his baseline:


That's in the reigon I'd expect for a standard F430. I spoke to DMS about the factory tune and it isn't without issue: the AFR on a 16M they had in a couple of weeks ago hit 17:1 in places above 4krpm.

I've said a few times above: dyno figures aren't worth getting hung up on - the only dyno I really trust is an engine dyno - but for the purposes of comparison in my power to weight calcs above it is OK, because Ferrari's rarely make the factory claimed figures (nor weights).

Edited by mwstewart on Wednesday 13th February 16:04

[mwstewart]

Too Late said:

Super updates as always !!!

Thanks Nick.

PhillipM said:

As Max said, that really looks like it's crying out for a higher rev limit - is there any more to go or you at the max of what it'll take to maintain day-to-day reliability?

I wouldn't want to go past the standard rev limit with standard rods; the big end becomes oval and the result is a rod through the block. If I'm opening the engine to fit stronger rods I wouldn't keep the F430 crank nor many other things, so I'd rather wait to finish a complete engine build in one go.

[mwstewart]

AmosMoses said:

...Flickr...

Spotted you at SS Classic, car was looking awesome!

Thanks Alex - cracking photos! You caught mine before the valets visited; there's a couple of months worth of dust and summer road grime there

Too Late said:

That looks amazing mark... Great work

Cheers!

Edited by mwstewart on Thursday 26th July 08:07

[mwstewart]

Some recent phone snaps - very much enjoying the weather!:

Edited by mwstewart on Wednesday 13th February 16:05

[mwstewart]

outnumbered said:

you let someone else clean it ??

Andy_5 said:

outnumbered said:

you let someone else clean it ??

It's fine, they wiped all the dust off, with that white towel on the floor and those Autosmart cans.....

I did, with pleasure I try not to be over-protective: I take the view that its going to pick up marks one way or the other especially if the performance is used. I've cut it a few times with the machine polisher and finished with Megairs ultra-finish. That's as far as I'll go with it; there's not a significant amount of orange peel left. Afraid to say I find cleaning a bit of a chore these days purely because of the time aspect.

Having said the above it was amongst the better paint finishes on the stand...

leglessAlex said:

I always forget how good looking these cars are until I see one again. What a superb machine.

Have you any long trips planned this summer/autumn?

Thanks - it's one of my favourites. It was our wedding and a big road trip in June but we cancelled as my Dad had a stroke a few days before. He's all fine now, but we postponed everything until next year. No other big trips planned this year.

GiveItSomeWellie said:

I was following you along the A43 and into the circuit on Saturday, and wow in the flesh the car looks and sounds amazing!

Ahh - you must have been in the Jaguar? I remember seeing you behind and thinking you must be headed to the show; there aren't many of those on the road now!

[mwstewart]

Atlas 12v said:

Could you please re-post the link to the electrical component supplier you sourced the plugs etc for the loom.

Thanks

https://www.mouser.co.uk

Bungleaio said:

Shame that your dad has had a stroke but good that he's OK now.

Cheers.

[mwstewart]

markiii said:

Looks like Eurospares just got a 16m in for breaking if there's any parts your chasing

Thank you! That's really helpful

[mwstewart]

kingkongsfinger said:

Tell me you have been rooting around the scrap yard, and what gave you nabbed ???

Sadly it isn't a walk-in affair! I'm discussing parts via email/photo.

[mwstewart]

porschediy said:

regarding the Mercedes switches (part numbers A0999051200 and A0999051300) , there are two yellow cables from each switch, which one is ground cable?

They are a push to make switch, so it doesn't really matter.

[mwstewart]

Long time no car stuff. It was due its 30k service earlier in the year; Aldous from AV Engineering gave a good price, and that's where I'll most likely send the car from now on, but time pressures meant it ended up at a Ferrari main dealer close by. I've done a few odd jobs over the past week.

Winter Jobs
Replacement moisture barrier for the luggage compartment bulkhead. They are made from pre-formed Polyethylene foam.


The screws securing the luggage compartment trim are made from cheese, so its important to be careful with them. The sealing compound for the moisture barrier can clog the threads, but I found a 15 minute soak in petrol dissolves it nicely.


I removed the external window scrapers to polish underneath, but found telltale aluminium oxide. I ended up sanding a couple of areas down to bare aluminium, then etch priming, base, and lacquer. I've sprayed Dinitrol wax in most of the doors and behind seals: the channel in which the scraper sits is a bit of a water trap.



The N/S window went up and down much more slowly than the O/S. With the door card and moisture barrier removed an inspection revealed a very well-greased mechanism. I decided to clean and re-apply grease anyway, and to my surprise, this fully restored performance.


16M Door Cards
amongst several other things I picked up a set of complete door panels from a salvage 16M. I do like car parts/engineering but these are particularly nice. They are quite a bit nicer than the Scuderia version which can be seen behind in the second photo. The 16M cards have kevlar reinforcement in key areas. I'll post up a weight analysis in a later update.



The speakers are secured to beautifully machined billet mounts. I'll post full details of the sound system another time.


I also purchased the wiring looms. I've checked these over, and found that the 16M does away with the door marker lights, and mirror heating/defrosting in order to pass the additional wires for the speakers; there are insufficient pins in the door loom to car multi-plug to support all functions. I don't know if the coupe does without these functions, but certainly for the 16M Ferrari made a call on what could be taken out.


The 16M cards also feature a mass damper or an impact attenuator. I don't know which and the part number doesn't return a result from any of the online catalogues. Hopefully it's just an impact attenuator which I'm happy to do with out, but if there's lot of buzzing caused by the woofers I'll have to add them back in. Weight of the pair is 1.042kg which ins't insignificant given the total weight of the carbon cards.



On standard order Scuderia and 16M door cards the stitching for the map pocket wasn't matched to the rest of the car, and nor was the door bin liners, which were always grey Alcantara . I'm going to send the pockets away to be stiched in red, and the Alcantara pads to be re-made in red leather.


There are a few brackets to remove from the F430 door which will be replaced with a Scuderia equivalent that I'll fabricate. They are simply riveted on with aluminium brackets.


There is also a bracket on the electric window mechanism which is cut off on the Scuderia. I've done the same and finished with some edging trim.



All brackets removed - 0.157kg.


Misc
I picked up the Scuderia floor plates from the 16M. I don't think these will be going in, at least in standard form; my OH doesn't like them one, which I'll conned to, but also they weight a silly 3.688kg - that is heavier than the carpet and sound deadening that they would replace. If I ever go this route I will have them copied in carbon, and painted to match the standard steel items.


I picked up a spare pair of OEM Scuderia airbox lids. Surprisingly, not at all yellowed near the exhaust.


I'm about to have some more parts reupholstered. For anyone interested, Filan polyester thread #35826 matches the original.


I also picked up the glove box document holder from the 16M. I've marked out the fastening points on my glove box, then drilled, and added rivnuts.

Edited by mwstewart on Wednesday 13th February 16:06

[mwstewart]

_dobbo_ said:

More fantastic work and attention to detail, I love this thread.

Thanks.

[mwstewart]

Capristo Exhaust Valve Controller
This controller will enable me to switch between an override mode with the valves to permanently open, or the standard ECU controlled setting. The kit is very well made and the mode setting switches are operated by using a small supplied magnet over the top of the case rather than with micro switches which could be a weak point for moisture ingress. Neat touch.

My only criticism is that part of the wiring loom isn't taped.


I chose to mount the unit at the rear of the right hand wheel-arch, away from heat of the exhaust but within reach from inside the engine bay if the rearmost trim panel is removed.


I ran the earth cable across to one of two existing earth points underneath the F1 pump assembly.


I had to file out the ring terminal on the loom from M6 size to M8 which easy to do as the fitting is zinc plated brass.


I taped up any exposed wires and made sure the connectors were secured with cable ties to prevent undue stress on the terminals.


The loom was an absolutely perfect fit for the F430; I ran it behind the rear bumper underneath the cross member.


Scuderia Rear Undertray
The Scuderia version is made of a lightweight composite material and has two NACA ducts towards the rear that direct air over the exhaust. The ribs along the underside also match up with the Scuderia diffuser, which is different to the F430 part.



Steering Wheel Paddles - Module v2
I've been driving around for a year with OEM and steering wheel paddles in place - the former being left in whilst I tested the v1 module. I found that sometimes the modulated resistance output was not close enough to the factory values and hence the TCU threw an error. I have redesigned the module to use Panasonic TQ high speed signalling relays which is a much simpler, elegant solution that removes the need for a micro controller and regulated power supply, and enabled me to match the factory resistor values to within 0.05%.


I've used butyl on the connections to prevent 'creep'.


Rear Marker Lights
The reflectors on the rear of the car are the same type of unit that is used as a rear or side marker (lens is amber) light on other Ferraris. For the small amount of effort involved I decided to convert mine to illuminate with the side lights.


I'm using 0.5mm thinwall cable to match the OEM colours, W4W sidelight bulb holders, AMP Junior Timer Housings, red incandescent bulbs, and an LED I'll try to see if it looks OK - it may be too bright.


More on this another time.

16M Sound System
I've been analysing the sound system which per side features a tweeter with an inline filter fed from a 100mm Midrange, and a 165mm midbass driver. JBL have been pretty clever in their design to keep weight to a minimum as the midbass features a DVC type driver which enables a smaller magnet to be used whilst maintaining power output. Also, the amplifier is a class D which means smaller power wires, reduced footprint, and less weight at the slight expense of ultimate sound quality, which isn't really a concern in this particular car - anything is going to be better than the standard head unit.

The amp has six channels: two powering the midbass coils, and one for the midrange & tweeter.


This is all a bit of a concession to luxury rather than weight saving but given the summer roads trips we go on where often we'll spending several hours in the car per day, it's a worthwhile compromise.

16M Door Cards
The inner door handles and handle mechanisms weigh nearly as much as one door card! I'm having the handles remade in carbon, and I've picked up some aluminium stock to remake parts of the handle mechanism. I can save enough weight to offset the midbass speakers.

Edited by mwstewart on Wednesday 13th February 16:07

[mwstewart]

I've made a start on fitting the new door cards. I knew from looking at photos of used doors and the Ferrari parts system that I needed to add seven top hat shaped brackets to each door, which is otherwise the same as the F430.


Whilst my Dad held the door panel in place I used the depth measuring blade on some digital calipers to determine distance from the mounting hole to the door behind; I could then draw up a mount for each of the seven holes. The first door will take quite a bit more time than the second, but it's enjoyable work.

I'm using aluminium strip and stainless rivets/fastenings.


Three down, 11 to go. Once completed I will etch prime and paint to match whatever colour is behind the bracket (Ferrari doors are a mix of body colour and black paint).

Edited by mwstewart on Wednesday 13th February 16:08

[mwstewart]

helix402 said:

Good work. I always enjoy spotting the Fiat parts on your Ferraris!

My last Fiat was a Coupe which seems to have donated quite a few parts to the Ferrari parts bin.

Please post when you spot something as I may not be aware - there are also Alfa bits dotted around the cabin.