Ferrari F430 Spider
Discussion
Carbon Airbox Lids
The lids I purchased were the 16M/Scuderia type which are unique due to the larger MAF sensors employed on those models. Carbon airbox lids were available as an F430 accessory, and they are sized according to the standard MAF.
Each type of carbon lids is constructed with a press-formed aluminium insert bonded into the air exit tube, onto which the MAF is bolted. The insert on the 16M/Scud lids is 5mm larger in diameter than the F430 type. The 16M/Scud lids also have slightly more volume in the filter to MAF transition area, which is what attracted me to them, rather than taking the easier bolt-on option of the F430 accessory lids.
To adapt the 16M/Scud lids to the regular F430 MAF sensors I cut off the air exit tube/MAF flange from my original aluminium airbox lids, and the MAF flange from the carbon lids. I dressed all cut edges with a file and primed any exposed aluminium.
The aluminium insert on the 16M/Scud lids is actually stepped internally, and this was the perfect place to bond in the inserts I cut from my original lids. The result is a smooth transition from filter to MAF, despite the reduction in diameter.
The gel coat on the lids had gone slightly yellow, so I flatted it back to remove some of it then had my paint guy re-lacquer them for the princely sum of £20.
Fitted. I have the header tank cover on order and I'm currently in discussion with someone for 1x1 carbon 16M/Scuderia side skirts, and carbon engine bay panels (which is why I've not cleaned the dust off of mine since the road trip).
The lids I purchased were the 16M/Scuderia type which are unique due to the larger MAF sensors employed on those models. Carbon airbox lids were available as an F430 accessory, and they are sized according to the standard MAF.
Each type of carbon lids is constructed with a press-formed aluminium insert bonded into the air exit tube, onto which the MAF is bolted. The insert on the 16M/Scud lids is 5mm larger in diameter than the F430 type. The 16M/Scud lids also have slightly more volume in the filter to MAF transition area, which is what attracted me to them, rather than taking the easier bolt-on option of the F430 accessory lids.
To adapt the 16M/Scud lids to the regular F430 MAF sensors I cut off the air exit tube/MAF flange from my original aluminium airbox lids, and the MAF flange from the carbon lids. I dressed all cut edges with a file and primed any exposed aluminium.
The aluminium insert on the 16M/Scud lids is actually stepped internally, and this was the perfect place to bond in the inserts I cut from my original lids. The result is a smooth transition from filter to MAF, despite the reduction in diameter.
The gel coat on the lids had gone slightly yellow, so I flatted it back to remove some of it then had my paint guy re-lacquer them for the princely sum of £20.
Fitted. I have the header tank cover on order and I'm currently in discussion with someone for 1x1 carbon 16M/Scuderia side skirts, and carbon engine bay panels (which is why I've not cleaned the dust off of mine since the road trip).
threadlock said:
Thanks for the detailed write-up of the trip!
No problem.mattf93 said:
That looks great - all the little details add up! The photos of your car look great!
Cheers.sealtt said:
Just read through your Europe trip, looked fantastic and brilliant pics. That gorge has to be a highlight, wow what a thing - I love the boats in there.
Good pic down in Dorset - my area! I used to take my F430 for blasts along that very road before I sold it, good fun.
Great to see you are enjoying it, for your reference, I had the Carbon Ceramic brakes on mine and I felt they performed very well. No issues on track or out in the countryside at all. So might be a good option if you can find some.
I remember about a year ago you were looking at doing a red canvas roof weren't you? Still going to do it?
I do love Dorset. My g/f has a cottage there and it's like an escape for me after working in London. Good to know the CCMs work well - I'm counting on it Good pic down in Dorset - my area! I used to take my F430 for blasts along that very road before I sold it, good fun.
Great to see you are enjoying it, for your reference, I had the Carbon Ceramic brakes on mine and I felt they performed very well. No issues on track or out in the countryside at all. So might be a good option if you can find some.
I remember about a year ago you were looking at doing a red canvas roof weren't you? Still going to do it?
I'm still going ahead with the roof.Alfa Pete said:
Great thread.The 430 Spider is the nicest car I have driven,all too briefly on a super car experience in my case.
I did a tour of the alpine passes, a few years ago,taking in the Stelvio,Grossglockner and Furka. It must be incredible to have driven those in a 430.
I love the subtle mods and the colour.
Personally I'm not keen on the idea of the red hood. It's perfect as it is.
Thank you - it was a great trip I did a tour of the alpine passes, a few years ago,taking in the Stelvio,Grossglockner and Furka. It must be incredible to have driven those in a 430.
I love the subtle mods and the colour.
Personally I'm not keen on the idea of the red hood. It's perfect as it is.
Edited by Alfa Pete on Friday 18th September 22:29
I think we'll head out again next year but spend more time in one of the countries rather than several. sealtt said:
Very nice, I resigned from a London city job in 2013 and moved down here. Love the area, out on our boat in the sun as I type this!
Awesome, I think the red roof is going to look so good. Looking forward to seeing it. You are doing really nice upgrades to this car, looks the business. You ever go for blasts around London? I was living in Borough and used to love a night drive with the roof down, lots of chances to hear the noise
The irony - I am in the office. 3am last night, 9am start today, and here for another 28.5 hours! I love boats too and have great memories with family when younger. I'm RYA level 2 and want to do 3 soon though obviously very little time to get out.Awesome, I think the red roof is going to look so good. Looking forward to seeing it. You are doing really nice upgrades to this car, looks the business. You ever go for blasts around London? I was living in Borough and used to love a night drive with the roof down, lots of chances to hear the noise
I don't take the car in London as the standard of driving is too poor and there's nowhere to stretch its legs. I've taken convertibles through in the past and did enjoy it for the sightseeing aspect.
S3_Graham said:
havent been on PH for a few weeks but just saw your euro trip write up. Looks great.
Did you do Stelvio in the end?
Also, I have no binned off my mini and im in a W203 C32. While randomly googling for facelift interior and I found some bits by you. Do you still have any details on that?
Cheers. Didn't drive Stelvio in the end but spoke to someone who reported it was quite busy, so I'm kind of glad really.Did you do Stelvio in the end?
Also, I have no binned off my mini and im in a W203 C32. While randomly googling for facelift interior and I found some bits by you. Do you still have any details on that?
Beefmeister said:
Have you put the 16M wheels on yet? Can't wait to see how it looks, they really transform the look.
willfinch36 said:
I believe he didn't think they suited the car/colour so put them up for sale!
They are indeed for sale http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ferrari-F430-Scuderia-Sp... - though I may change my mind and have them painted silver!AyBee said:
Did you take any pics when you stuck them on the car?
I didn’t get chance. I had them fitted on the Thursday before the RT, then decided I didn’t like them so had them changed on the Friday morning of the day we left.Smitters said:
Awesome write-up as ever. Love seeing this pop to the top of the thread list.
I can attest that an old Fiat Panda 4x4 is a riot, not to mention a surprisingly capable offroader. If you find one without the dreaded rot, they are perfect for a tootle in the snow where certain other, more, er, Grigio, cars may struggle!
Thank you. I tried searching for one but they are nigh on impossible to find over here. I can attest that an old Fiat Panda 4x4 is a riot, not to mention a surprisingly capable offroader. If you find one without the dreaded rot, they are perfect for a tootle in the snow where certain other, more, er, Grigio, cars may struggle!
leglessAlex said:
Mark, what if you do sell the wheels have you decided what you'll replace them with? I mean, you plan to put the CCBs on don't you, and I think I read earlier in the thread they won't clear the standard wheels?
The standard 16M/Scuderia wheels (the 16M wheels I have were an optional extra).
S3_Graham said:
Bit random, but would you mind giving me a few hints on upgrading facelift/non facelift on a W203 Merc? (via PM or whatever?)
I have an online guide to that: http://www.mwstewart.co.uk/articles/w209faceliftco...S6OOH said:
Dont you just love him! Think I will compile a list of "things" I want to do to the following;
- TVR Tamora
- Audi A4 Avant (B7)
- Volvo S60
- Fiat Punto
- Triumph Sprint GT
do you have a guide for them too?!
I've rerofitted heated & power seats, and RNS-E to a B7, but that's it - TVR Tamora
- Audi A4 Avant (B7)
- Volvo S60
- Fiat Punto
- Triumph Sprint GT
do you have a guide for them too?!
I have decided to embark upon a weight loss program on the car, and to start with I've treated it to some new seats.
They are currently on order but here is a sneak peak (not my photo):
Nearly new OEM Ferrari 16M seats in the correct Rosso leather to match my interior.
They are currently on order but here is a sneak peak (not my photo):
Nearly new OEM Ferrari 16M seats in the correct Rosso leather to match my interior.
Edited by mwstewart on Tuesday 15th March 11:17
mattf93 said:
They will look great! http://www.pistonheads.com/news/general/ferrari-f4...
you're readers car of the week
... shame they got the colour wrong 
Ha! Sweet. To be fair I have the colour wrong in my first post - Ferrari noob!you're readers car of the week
... shame they got the colour wrong 
Thank you all 
The 16M wheels are exactly as you describe, but for me they were a bit too dark against the grey paint. Maybe when I've made some other changes to the exterior they may look right.
I bet they look great against Giallo!
schaeffs said:
Awesome read! Took PH to bring it to my attention! You look like you really ENJOY the car and that's brilliant - they are meant to be driven and enjoyed as much as possible IMO.
On the wheeels - we have the 16M rims on our Scud and love them (but my car is Giallo Modena) They really set the car off brilliantly and I would find it hard to go back to the OEM rims. The colour is like a "bronzed titanium" and changes colour in different lights (which you simply cannot catch with a camera) so I think they are the same as yours - did it really not go with your car colour??
Thanks, yes - I do use the car and enjoy it. It's definitely not a 'garage queen' On the wheeels - we have the 16M rims on our Scud and love them (but my car is Giallo Modena) They really set the car off brilliantly and I would find it hard to go back to the OEM rims. The colour is like a "bronzed titanium" and changes colour in different lights (which you simply cannot catch with a camera) so I think they are the same as yours - did it really not go with your car colour??
The 16M wheels are exactly as you describe, but for me they were a bit too dark against the grey paint. Maybe when I've made some other changes to the exterior they may look right.
I bet they look great against Giallo!
Osinjak said:
Where was that farmhouse in Tuscany? It looks loooovely!
It's an Agriturismo near Pancrazio in Val di Pesa.I gave more thought to the weight loss project and soon realised that however much I like the stock rear bumper it would be silly to keep it and the heavy F430 exhaust & undertray arrangement, so I shall replace the lot.
For those not familiar with the exhaust system differences I've uploaded a couple of photos. First the stock F430 tailpipes: the green arrow shows the silencer mating flange, and the blue arrow points to the rear of the car.
The 16/Scuderia in comparison makes do without the long pipes and has a much more direct path between the car and tailpipes, which now exit through the centre of the rear bumper. The simpler route sheds weight as the F430 tailpipes are quite heavy, but it also improves aerodynamics due to Base Bleed.
Given that I was now changing the skirts and both bumpers, I decided it would make sense to go full 16M spec but with a few expections:
1) Manual gearbox (obviously) to remain with regular F430 ratios;
2) Sound deadening to remain;
3) Leather door panels to remain (for now).
There is such a gulf in value between mine and a 16M that the man mathsfor this undertaking make perfect sense, and although the end result won't have the Superfast 2 transmission with its lower Scuderia/16M ratios, or the cams and compression ratio increase, I do have a few planned changes to the engine culminating in a remap which I hope will result in performance close to a stock 16M.
I have sourced an OEM carbon fibre 'challenge' grille for a Spider model (they are different to the Berlinetta).
More importantly a very nice 16M/Scuderia rear bumper.
I will instruct my painter to remove all of the black paint including overspray on the rear, so that the only base coat on the bumper is Grigio Silverstone - including the overspray on the back - as it would come from the factory. Anal, I know, but it has to be 'right'!
For those not familiar with the exhaust system differences I've uploaded a couple of photos. First the stock F430 tailpipes: the green arrow shows the silencer mating flange, and the blue arrow points to the rear of the car.
The 16/Scuderia in comparison makes do without the long pipes and has a much more direct path between the car and tailpipes, which now exit through the centre of the rear bumper. The simpler route sheds weight as the F430 tailpipes are quite heavy, but it also improves aerodynamics due to Base Bleed.
Given that I was now changing the skirts and both bumpers, I decided it would make sense to go full 16M spec but with a few expections:
1) Manual gearbox (obviously) to remain with regular F430 ratios;
2) Sound deadening to remain;
3) Leather door panels to remain (for now).
There is such a gulf in value between mine and a 16M that the man mathsfor this undertaking make perfect sense, and although the end result won't have the Superfast 2 transmission with its lower Scuderia/16M ratios, or the cams and compression ratio increase, I do have a few planned changes to the engine culminating in a remap which I hope will result in performance close to a stock 16M.
I have sourced an OEM carbon fibre 'challenge' grille for a Spider model (they are different to the Berlinetta).
More importantly a very nice 16M/Scuderia rear bumper.
I will instruct my painter to remove all of the black paint including overspray on the rear, so that the only base coat on the bumper is Grigio Silverstone - including the overspray on the back - as it would come from the factory. Anal, I know, but it has to be 'right'!
Edited by mwstewart on Tuesday 15th March 11:12
Janosh said:
We all silently hoped that you would quickly ignore the sentiment of keeping it stock!
Keep up the good work, great updates as always
Keep up the good work, great updates as always
W00DY said:
I love this thread (And its non-Golf siblings)
Keep up the good work!
Cheers!Keep up the good work!
dom9 said:
Have you followed the thread on F-Chat with the manual 360 that goes on a diet above and beyond a CS? That's a cracking read and a lot of the info will be relevant to you, no doubt!
I haven't - I will check it out, thanks.A day away from work today and the afternoon was spent with my Dad on a road trip to collect the new rear bumper & grille. I’ve been on many parts trips to date and found it’s not unusual to go find something else I wasn’t looking for at the time, and today was no exception; I came away agreeing to buy a part I didn't expect to source for the project:
A 16M carbon fibre inlet plenum.
The stock plenum is case aluminium powder coated in crackle finish red, and both My Dad and I both think it will be a shame to loose the red accent under the engine bay window, so I'm going to have a custom paint job on the new plenum that will add a hint of Rosso red on top of each plenum chamber.
A 16M carbon fibre inlet plenum.
The stock plenum is case aluminium powder coated in crackle finish red, and both My Dad and I both think it will be a shame to loose the red accent under the engine bay window, so I'm going to have a custom paint job on the new plenum that will add a hint of Rosso red on top of each plenum chamber.
Edited by mwstewart on Tuesday 15th March 11:36
confucuis said:
Love this car!
Thanks.chillo said:
Hi,
Love the carbon plenum chambers!
I have carbon air box and covers in mine, interested in the plenum chambers in carbon! Where did you source them from?!
Have you upgraded the oil filler cap for the titanium one? I have on mine, its billet and the detail on it really is a nice touch.
Have looked at scud rear end also but decided against it, have sourced a carbon scud grill. Just looking for the lower bumper for a standard 430 to go with the carbon grill now so if you know were I might find one (or come across one please would you let me know?)
I was lucky when I got mine 18 months back that the previous owner had added an awful lot of bits to it already!
It really does add to the occasion!
Hi there, Nice, isn't it? I found someone breaking a Scud who was willing to sell it seperate to the motor. I have the Ti caps on my list - they are very nice - but there's quite a lot I want to get sorted before the finishing touches.Love the carbon plenum chambers!
I have carbon air box and covers in mine, interested in the plenum chambers in carbon! Where did you source them from?!
Have you upgraded the oil filler cap for the titanium one? I have on mine, its billet and the detail on it really is a nice touch.
Have looked at scud rear end also but decided against it, have sourced a carbon scud grill. Just looking for the lower bumper for a standard 430 to go with the carbon grill now so if you know were I might find one (or come across one please would you let me know?)
I was lucky when I got mine 18 months back that the previous owner had added an awful lot of bits to it already!
It really does add to the occasion!
The standard bumper can be cut to suit the Challenge grille - all the mounting bosses are already there for it.
Cheers.
thebraketester said:
About the brakes. I drove a challenge that had steel brakes. (2 piece performance friction) much bigger than the stock 430 items and they were stunning. Maybe worth looking into over CC brakes.
Cheers. Something to think about. Girodisc sell 398mm metal replacements for 16M/Scuderia/Challenge CCMs, and for track work they work out considerably cheaper - the CCMs are usually worn out in one race weekend, or a few track days.My use is fast road so CCMs will probably last long enough, and unsprung weight is a consideration too. I'll have to find out what kind of penalty is asscoiated with a metal conversion. I've had metal AP discs in the past which are incredibly light for their size so there may not be too much in it.
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