Ferrari 348 advice

[slurpysi]

Thanks for all the feedback on the dropping off rear numberplate on my 348, total coverage with sticky pads seems to have worked - i didn't fancy drilling into my lovely rear bodywork, and a friend's 911 has the same problems, which made me feel better. But...

....on the weekend motorway blast to test the plate (ha) one of my cat dash warning lights was flashing. I ignored it, but i noticed a slight drop off in power after a while. I slowed down into the slow lane, and power was soon restored. Is this related to the cat cutting power, or do I need to look elsewhere ?

Also do I need the cats, my 348 was registered in January 1992 ?

Advice appreciated

[walkersport]

This is a usual problem on 348's, the dropping of power is due to the car cutting your power to let the CAT's cool down, however its 90% nothing to do with the CATS, your CAT sensors are playing up most likely they tend read hot is cold and visa versa when faulty, my advice is just to replace them both, (little black plastic boxes on either side of the car) their about £200 each. this i'm a positive will remove the problem. Fit them yourself and save the fitting costs.

[burriana]

Or simply take the cats off! Bit louder, bit more increase in power and the engine feels so much smoother.

Occasionally when people have removed the Cats, they get false readings from the cat sensors which cuts one bank. Stop and re-start the car and all is fine ... but to avoid this issue totally simply disconnect the sensors. (obviously do NOT do this if you insist on keeping those horrible woofly things on!)

[walkersport]

That will work also!!! more than 2 ways to skin a cat! I would only disconnect if you are not selling the car soon however!

[burriana]

Whereas I would look on it as a definite disadvantage if it still had the cats ON

[walkersport]

Do you think well ever agree on 348's???

[burriana]

Yeah ... you had a really nice black one as your profile pic until last week ... so you must like 'em really

[walkersport]

Just for the record.....I love 348's, they are a very pure driving experience JUST fast enough for the looks but the handling is to die for. Yes I have sold two black 348's in the last two years, both of which I was very tempted to keep (for a dealer thats saying something) and yes I will purchase one again....A very good late car. but currently I stand by my recent entries that, to put a 348 right (unless it has been looked after by a top specialist or very good Ferrari main dealer) it can cost a bomb. the balck 348 that you love sooooo much was a pretty good car - value for money. the Met Black car only covered 21k miles required a major overhaul, she was put properly right for £6.5k, to be outstanding, they do have faults, which can be expensive, 328's do not handle as sharp but give 92% of the fun without the risk of getting burnt financially, and they're a great handling car too, Ok ???

[burriana]

better in red or yellow though

[walkersport]

there's just no pleasing some folk!....All colours = driving pleasure (not taste)....mechanically they're the same whatever the colour!

[Greensleeves]

burriana said:

better in red or yellow though

YELLOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[burriana]

Tim, you definitely deserve a ...

Edited by burriana on Tuesday 1st July 00:14

[walkersport]

[Greensleeves]

Sorry.

Myself and Byriani have a thing about which is best. Giallo Fly or Rosso Rivendita.

All light hearted of course.

[burriana]

I of course, have had the benefit of both, and like them equally

[chrisx666]

You can take the cats off a pre August 92' registered car and pass the MOT. You will need to inform your insurance company that you have modified the exhaust system (which you should do anyway if you have a sports exhaust fitted).

I agree that the fault you have is most likely that one of the cat thermocouple control units is failing. You can swap them side-to-side to see if the fault transfers before buying another.

Edited by chrisx666 on Wednesday 2nd July 16:24

[Piers917]

walkersport said:

Just for the record.....I love 348's, they are a very pure driving experience JUST fast enough for the looks but the handling is to die for.

I always thought that the 348 handling was pretty 'knife edge' on the limit? Or was that just written by journo's who didn't know what they were talking about?

[walkersport]

The handling is very good in the later cars, At speed they can be a touch light on the front but on a nice twisty bit of road if you like feedback and a direct driving they are pretty good, on the fun factor.

[burriana]

Have you tried taking one to the limit Piers? With most of us mere mortals, WE reach our limits far before the car reaches ITS limit

What they should have said is (which Clarkson did originally say until his eye was turned by the pretty young upstart, the new 355) that the 348 has outstanding road holding. It is very neutral with a hint of oversteer if prompted but, if you let your concentration wander when pressing on then it will bite you very quickly.

Having said that, adjust the throttle and the back end snaps back into line pretty sharpish too.

The only time I really lost my Spider was a 100mph spin ... this was at Bruntingthorpe when I was deliberately trying to provoke a power slide.

Last of the raw Ferraris

[Piers917]

burriana said:

Have you tried taking one to the limit Piers?

I haven't, no. I'm just going by what i've read/heard over the years. IIRC they were referring to the on track behavior rather than on road. I think it's when you get to 9 or 10 tenths on the track that they can bite. I believe the 328 was similar in that respect. I wouldn't mind finding out for myself though (obviously with plenty of run off).