Ferrari F430 Spider
Discussion
EmilA said:
Been reading this over the last few days and its quite an interesting thread. I'm not afraid of working on a car myself but the work done here is beyond me, kudos to you
Thanks.ChocolateFrog said:
I picked up in this. Trying to remember back to my degree days, I'd be very surprised if the strainer induced laminar flow in such a low viscosity fluid. My head tells me if anything it will increase turbulence, more so at lower velocities.
It makes a difference. Cars that are calibrated for a screen run poorly in open loop if it is removed.J4CKO said:
Oh my god, you have killed and mummified Bender !
Another winter project carrying on the weight saving. The below is from a previous update:
"I discovered when working on my cars that the external body panel covering the roof tray is made from thick fibreglass and weighs 12kg. It doesn't serve any noise suppression function so is fair game for weight removal."
I've found a UK carbon fibre specialist who makes unmanned surveillance aircraft for the Ministry of Defence, and what separates him from a lot of the cosmetic carbon fibre producers is that he understands structure and the structural properties of carbon, and thus designing components for optimal weight reduction. For example he uses Nomex honeycomb foam cores and other structural elements to increase strength whilst minimising weight, together with various types of carbon mat depending on the application. It is a vaccum bagging process - so it's not F1 spec autoclave stuff - but the cost/weight ratio would not stack up for this project. I have to say his results seem pretty damn good - I've posted a few photos below of his work in progress.
I estimate a potential weight saving of 5kg. If I am happy with the work I will commission the following parts in carbon:
- Front bumper
- Rear bumper
- Engine lid
- Bonnet
- Dashboard moulding
"I discovered when working on my cars that the external body panel covering the roof tray is made from thick fibreglass and weighs 12kg. It doesn't serve any noise suppression function so is fair game for weight removal."
I've found a UK carbon fibre specialist who makes unmanned surveillance aircraft for the Ministry of Defence, and what separates him from a lot of the cosmetic carbon fibre producers is that he understands structure and the structural properties of carbon, and thus designing components for optimal weight reduction. For example he uses Nomex honeycomb foam cores and other structural elements to increase strength whilst minimising weight, together with various types of carbon mat depending on the application. It is a vaccum bagging process - so it's not F1 spec autoclave stuff - but the cost/weight ratio would not stack up for this project. I have to say his results seem pretty damn good - I've posted a few photos below of his work in progress.
I estimate a potential weight saving of 5kg. If I am happy with the work I will commission the following parts in carbon:
- Front bumper
- Rear bumper
- Engine lid
- Bonnet
- Dashboard moulding
Edited by mwstewart on Monday 18th September 22:19
Vocht said:
Amazing. Would you paint those parts or just keep them clear?
I plan to leave the top cover in exposed carbon and have the stripe painted on, only it will differ slightly: on the rest of the car the gaps in the stripe leave the body colour red to come through, and the central panel is black. On the carbon panel the central black stripe will be exposed carbon, for the black, and I will have the red elements painted on, so it all matches the rest of the car.The bonnet will be painted body colour, but the black element of the stripe will be exposed (but lacquered) carbon.
The bumpers will be painted body colour, but any black bits (front air dams, and rear diffuser surround) will be lacquered carbon.
I have the cam covers back from powder coat and Classic Coatings have done a great job of both coating and cleaning; I simply gave the underside a quick spray of brake cleaner for peace of mind.
http://www.classic-coatings.co.uk/ - recommended.
I pre-purcahsed all new stainless fittings for the cam cover, wiring loom including stainless steel P clips rather than the factory BZP, and a 1/4" torque wrench to make sure the fastenings are evenly torqued. Space around the front of the engine is too limited for a 1/2" or 3/8" drive.
A birthday present from my OH: the passenger airbag will be re-trimmed in red leather. My thinking with the interior was to place focus on the driver area, and from the outset my Dad was of the opinion I should have the px airbag trimmed to provide balance to the scheme. After viewing some of the driving videos from this year I have come to agree.
http://www.classic-coatings.co.uk/ - recommended.
I pre-purcahsed all new stainless fittings for the cam cover, wiring loom including stainless steel P clips rather than the factory BZP, and a 1/4" torque wrench to make sure the fastenings are evenly torqued. Space around the front of the engine is too limited for a 1/2" or 3/8" drive.
A birthday present from my OH: the passenger airbag will be re-trimmed in red leather. My thinking with the interior was to place focus on the driver area, and from the outset my Dad was of the opinion I should have the px airbag trimmed to provide balance to the scheme. After viewing some of the driving videos from this year I have come to agree.
[quote=mwstewart]I have the cam covers back from powder coat and Classic Coatings have done a great job of both coating and cleaning; I simply gave the underside a quick spray of brake cleaner for peace of mind.
http://www.classic-coatings.co.uk/ - recommended.
[quote]
Ooh, they look fantastic OP.
Great thread - thanks!
http://www.classic-coatings.co.uk/ - recommended.
[quote]
Ooh, they look fantastic OP.
Great thread - thanks!
Passenger airbag fitted. I love it.
Remote luggage compartment release
The luggage compartment is opened by a toggle switch on the dashboard. The switch isn't even a consideration most of the time, but when away in the car with luggage the lack of remote opening is a pain because it involves unlocking the car, opening the door, inserting the key, pressing the switch. Not the end of the world, but it is a chore, so I wanted to develop a remote opening solution that looked OEM and, obviously, had equal security.
I started to research the standard alarm module and learned it is the Meta M826. I also found out the module was shared with some Maserati models, and researching those I found they came with a two button key - lock/unlock, and boot release. I also determined the pin number for the switched earth suitable for relay coil control (NOT the load itself). The F430 alarm module and Maserati modules appear to have the same Meta model and revision numbers, so I have a theory that the functionality exists in the F430 and how I can use it. .
My plan is as follows:
1) Strip a Maserati two-button key and remove the locking circuit board - the immobiliser chip and rest of key can be discarded;
2) Remove the engine immobiliser chip from my spare key;
3) Install both of the above into a 458/California style key blank
I have the key parts:
The immobiliser transponder chip is a straight swap, but the alarm circuit board is not and will require a bit of custom work with an epoxy moulding compound. I will send off the circuit board to be programed to the existing F430 alarm - made possible by using the factory supplied 16 digit code card.
Finally, I need to add another pin to the existing alarm multiplug and run it to a relay to switch the luggage compartment solenoid.
Scuderia Engine Management Conversion - Oil Breather System
As mentioned previously, the Scuderia engine management has additional solenoids, one of which is for the revised oil breather system.
For reference, the F430 is plumbed as follows - essentially a hose from each cam cover to the disareator (oil tank/separator).:
And the Scuderia is below. I've circled in green the additional components and different hose connection to the disareator.
Here are the revised hoses, yellow check (one-way) valve, and the solenoid.
I noticed that the solenoid is bolted to a Scuderia specific PAS reservoir bracket, which has an ear to which the valve fastens.
Scuderia Engine Management Conversion - Misc Parts
Two of 90mm MAF sensors (Bosch HFM7)
Secondary air injection solenoid.
Misc Parts
Variator solenoids. Unfortunately, in-between the last time I worked on the car and ordering the new solenoids Ferrari had doubled the price(!) to over £2k for the four.
Old 212422, top, and new 250646, bottom. I couldn't discern any external difference.
A new coolant reservoir cover. The last one had gone yellow whilst on the last road trip.
Side window glass mounts. Ed identified these as being a bit worn on my car. Common issue on the spider, apparently.
One of the switches in the roof has developed a fault, so I'll have it replaced. There must be a cheaper source for these switches...
All new gaskets and seals to refit the cam covers, inlet manifold, and plenum.
This pile awaits me in the workshop. I hope to have some time in January to put everything back together.
Remote luggage compartment release
The luggage compartment is opened by a toggle switch on the dashboard. The switch isn't even a consideration most of the time, but when away in the car with luggage the lack of remote opening is a pain because it involves unlocking the car, opening the door, inserting the key, pressing the switch. Not the end of the world, but it is a chore, so I wanted to develop a remote opening solution that looked OEM and, obviously, had equal security.
I started to research the standard alarm module and learned it is the Meta M826. I also found out the module was shared with some Maserati models, and researching those I found they came with a two button key - lock/unlock, and boot release. I also determined the pin number for the switched earth suitable for relay coil control (NOT the load itself). The F430 alarm module and Maserati modules appear to have the same Meta model and revision numbers, so I have a theory that the functionality exists in the F430 and how I can use it. .
My plan is as follows:
1) Strip a Maserati two-button key and remove the locking circuit board - the immobiliser chip and rest of key can be discarded;
2) Remove the engine immobiliser chip from my spare key;
3) Install both of the above into a 458/California style key blank
I have the key parts:
The immobiliser transponder chip is a straight swap, but the alarm circuit board is not and will require a bit of custom work with an epoxy moulding compound. I will send off the circuit board to be programed to the existing F430 alarm - made possible by using the factory supplied 16 digit code card.
Finally, I need to add another pin to the existing alarm multiplug and run it to a relay to switch the luggage compartment solenoid.
Scuderia Engine Management Conversion - Oil Breather System
As mentioned previously, the Scuderia engine management has additional solenoids, one of which is for the revised oil breather system.
For reference, the F430 is plumbed as follows - essentially a hose from each cam cover to the disareator (oil tank/separator).:
And the Scuderia is below. I've circled in green the additional components and different hose connection to the disareator.
Here are the revised hoses, yellow check (one-way) valve, and the solenoid.
I noticed that the solenoid is bolted to a Scuderia specific PAS reservoir bracket, which has an ear to which the valve fastens.
Scuderia Engine Management Conversion - Misc Parts
Two of 90mm MAF sensors (Bosch HFM7)
Secondary air injection solenoid.
Misc Parts
Variator solenoids. Unfortunately, in-between the last time I worked on the car and ordering the new solenoids Ferrari had doubled the price(!) to over £2k for the four.
Old 212422, top, and new 250646, bottom. I couldn't discern any external difference.
A new coolant reservoir cover. The last one had gone yellow whilst on the last road trip.
Side window glass mounts. Ed identified these as being a bit worn on my car. Common issue on the spider, apparently.
One of the switches in the roof has developed a fault, so I'll have it replaced. There must be a cheaper source for these switches...
All new gaskets and seals to refit the cam covers, inlet manifold, and plenum.
This pile awaits me in the workshop. I hope to have some time in January to put everything back together.
Amazing that you're actually going to succeed with a project that I am desperate to do but have given up on as I don't have the skill to do it myself nor the money to pay someone...
Yep... I wanted the remote opening frunk as well.... I find the same annoyance as you with the current way of opening it, indeed I often result to groping under the dash for the "emergency" manual pull cord
Yep... I wanted the remote opening frunk as well.... I find the same annoyance as you with the current way of opening it, indeed I often result to groping under the dash for the "emergency" manual pull cord
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