Ferrari F430 Spider

[Podie]

Good progress - I do like a thread update

I don't like the colour of the engine compartment vents - think I'd want those black, or in carbon.

[octane83]

Great car and a fantastic read thanks.

Any update on the weight difference between the standard and the Scud seats?

[AyBee]

Wow, didn't see this coming. Still can't believe these are now at £100k - that's not far off a 4 year-old McLaren...

Loving the mods

[5harp3y]

Great to see a supercar being modified ... but not in a terrible bodykit, gemballa et al way.

Thanks for sharing.

[JakeT]

Top work, Mark.

Also if I am not mistaken I see a ring on one of those fingers! If that is the case, many congrats. This seems to be a whole family project which is nice.

Does your dad still have the CLS, also? If so, how's he getting on with it?

[mwstewart]

Thanks all!

Podie said:

...I don't like the colour of the engine compartment vents - think I'd want those black, or in carbon.

Another thing on the list, but a bit lower down The 16M uses black pressed mesh vents for lightness and better ventilation:

AyBee said:

Still can't believe these are now at £100k - that's not far off a 4 year-old McLaren...

I certainly had a few choices. The mods and difference from my old car would have got a 458 Berlinetta or, as you say, a 12C, and although they are technically superior at this point in time I prefer the F430 to both. The 16M and F40 remain two of my favourite cars.

octane83 said:

...Any update on the weight difference between the standard and the Scud seats?

I've been a bit slack with updating my little weight comparison table on this thread. I've got everything in an Excel sheet and will include it in the next update, later today.

[mwstewart]

JakeT said:

Top work, Mark.

Also if I am not mistaken I see a ring on one of those fingers! If that is the case, many congrats. This seems to be a whole family project which is nice.

Does your dad still have the CLS, also? If so, how's he getting on with it?

Thanks Jake. It's the angle of the photo making it look like a left hand, but thank you all the same (though actually it's not far off).

Dad likes to change his cars and asked for my blessing to trade against an E93. As long as he happy I don't mind what he did with the car, but I did warn him he would be disappointed, and I think he is; the E9x isn't a bad car but it's not really the same type of GTesque thing as the CLS. He's now condiering adding some money and going for an E Class cabriolet next year.

[Podie]

mwstewart said:

Thanks all!

Podie said:

...I don't like the colour of the engine compartment vents - think I'd want those black, or in carbon.

Another thing on the list, but a bit lower down The 16M uses black pressed mesh vents for lightness and better ventilation:

Yep, like that!

[mwstewart]

Seats - finished
Today I got both seats bolted in. For reference the fittings required are 8 x M8 spring washers and 10 x M8x45mm cap screws. I also tested the seat belt warning and it works fine.


Here's a comparison of my dyed stitching with the factory original on the centre console and steering wheel.


The seat belt and clasp bolt to the seat with metric fine M10 1.25mm pitch. I have reused my original bolts which on the old seats are hidden from view under a cover. On the Scuderia seats they are exposed, so I used a black plastic nut cap to finish them.


16M/Scuderia suspension - Left side
Before starting I plugged in each replacement strut to the car and checked each setting on the Manettino; all struts checked out OK in each mode.

Removal and refit was actually quite painless: the ARB link is removed, the upper arm to allow the strut to be withdrawn, the lower shock bolt securing nut, the lower shock bolt itself - which needed carefully drifting out - then finally the upper shock bolts and electrical connector. Here's the original left hand rear strut (left) next to the replacement Scuderia version (right).

Rear left side fitted.


The front was even easier - a pleasure to complete. The ARB link is removed, the lower shock bolt securing nut, the lower shock bolt itself, and then the upper strut bolts and electrical connector. Here's the original left hand front strut (left) next to the Scuderia strut (right).


Front left side fitted.


Misc
Something that bugged me on my last car - and the new one - is the emergency release cord for the luggage compartment which had faded and gone pink. Sharpie to the rescue.


Weight savings
Finally a new weight savings table for the new car. I've included the CCM brakes here for comparisons sake. I'm pleased with how it's progressing - especially the unsprung weight. The 16M wheels made a noticeable improvement to the last car, so the CCMs, Scuderia struts, and titanium wheel bolts combined with the 16M wheels should make a very nice improvement to feedback at the helm.

Part	Fitted quantity	Original part (kg)	Replacement part (kg)	Sprung Saving (kg)	Unsprung Saving (kg)	Replacement Part - Notes
Front brake disc	2	8.3	6.77	-	3.06	CCM - 380mm (alloy bell)
Rear brake disc	2	8.3	4.61	-	7.38	CCM (alloy bell)
Front brake caliper with pads	2	4.9	5.94	-	-2.08	CCM - 380mm
Rear brake caliper with pads	2	4.9	4.72	-	0.36	CCM
Exterior door handles	2	0.065	-	0.02	0.09	Carbon
PAS reservoir cap	1	0	0.065	-0.065	-	Alloy cover
Fuel Flap	1	0.143	0.128	0.015	-	Carbon
Seats	2	28.2	17.9	20.6	-	16M/Scuderia carbon
Front suspension strut & spring	2	4.74	3.8	-	1.88	16M/Scuderia Mk2
Rear suspension strut & spring	2	5.37	4.59	-	1.56	16M/Scuderia Mk2

Total sprung weight saved: 20.64 kg
Total unsprung weight saved: 12.16 kg
Total weight saved: 32.8 kg

Edited by mwstewart on Tuesday 15th March 12:49

[mwstewart]

Argh. Lock ring missing from LHR strut.

[leglessAlex]

Superb stuff as usual Mark, the stitching has come out really nice on the seats.

[HughG]

mwstewart said:

Argh. Lock ring missing from LHR strut.

Same thread as the original Suspension? Can you just use an old one?

[mwstewart]

leglessAlex said:

Superb stuff as usual Mark, the stitching has come out really nice on the seats.

Cheers

HughG said:

Same thread as the original Suspension? Can you just use an old one?

It is, yep. I'll swap one over tomorrow.

[Rangeroverover]

Just a thought, did you weigh the replacement metal reservoir cap against the plastic one it replaced......possibly added weight

[snobetter]

Rangeroverover said:

Just a thought, did you weigh the replacement metal reservoir cap against the plastic one it replaced......possibly added weight

At a wild guess, I'll go with -0.065 for the weight difference...

Loving the work MW.

[JakeT]

mwstewart said:

Thanks Jake. It's the angle of the photo making it look like a left hand, but thank you all the same (though actually it's not far off).

Dad likes to change his cars and asked for my blessing to trade against an E93. As long as he happy I don't mind what he did with the car, but I did warn him he would be disappointed, and I think he is; the E9x isn't a bad car but it's not really the same type of GTesque thing as the CLS. He's now condiering adding some money and going for an E Class cabriolet next year.

Well don't I look like a fool. My eyes will be suitably punished by staring at PHP today.

The E93 is a nice car, dependant on engine. I'm sure you're aware that the E cabrio is a re-bodied C class, so will be more on a par with the 3er. Has he thought about a 6 series at all?

[mwstewart]

Rangeroverover said:

Just a thought, did you weigh the replacement metal reservoir cap against the plastic one it replaced......possibly added weight

snobetter said:

At a wild guess, I'll go with -0.065 for the weight difference...

Loving the work MW.

That's the one. Thanks

JakeT said:

Well don't I look like a fool. My eyes will be suitably punished by staring at PHP today.

The E93 is a nice car, dependant on engine. I'm sure you're aware that the E cabrio is a re-bodied C class, so will be more on a par with the 3er. Has he thought about a 6 series at all?

Not at all! I do enjoy a bit of PHP.

I had no idea about the E cabrio! Is that limited to the cabrio, or is it the coupe, too? Presumably the saloon is a 'real' E platform with different suspension?

[rainmasterb]

Very impressive, as usual Mark.

Hoping you can get along to one of our events in Lincoln this year? Fourth Sunday of the month, starting April 24th.

Cheers, Ben.

[ferrisbueller]

mwstewart said:

I used a black plastic nut cap to finish them.

What about the weight penalty?!

[mwstewart]

rainmasterb said:

Very impressive, as usual Mark.
Hoping you can get along to one of our events in Lincoln this year? Fourth Sunday of the month, starting April 24th.

Cheers, Ben.

Thanks Ben. I will do my best!

ferrisbueller said:

What about the weight penalty?!

I'll cut my hair

My new wheels were painted yesterday. I'm really pleased with them.


Here's a comparison between the OEM finish (left), and the new colour (right).