97 Ferrari 456 GTA bought in auction

[fastgerman]

Some lighter modifications - stereo...

So, what to do:

1 - fix the existing amp / receiver that must have a loose connection and drains the battery

2 - upgrade to something Bluetooth/Apple connect + new speakers in existing mountings but leaving the old head unit (switched off) to keep everything looking factory

3 - something else - would be cool if everything could be upgraded but the original head unit still displayed...

Ps Look how much stuff there is - cd changer, hi-fi, amplifier, Ricardo gearbox controller and Digitek module (that was just hanging somewhere)

Edited by fastgerman on Tuesday 22 June 19:06

[markiii]

change the speakers first then i reckon you must be able to get an aux input somehow?

[fastgerman]

The sound is pretty rubbish, it’s worse than a standard late 90’s VW or BMW.

I guess swapping out the speakers is a good first task though, costs of Ferrari Sony stuff is pretty amusing - £2k for the amplifier and £1k for the cd changer

https://www.scuderiacarparts.com/en-gb/part-finder...

[fastgerman]

Might as well give this a go -

https://youtu.be/t3Ye6dUB7Nw

[idealstandard]

samoht said:

So it's an interesting example of a 'sport tuned' 456 - I wonder who has it now and whether they might be persuaded to part-ex with yours? Would possibly make a better starting point for what you're thinking of - even if you had to re-do all the mods, you'd still be ahead starting with that car I'd think.

This was my one - having owned a factory standard blue one without modifications, I can say that I would never buy a modified one like this red one again. I think I am too much of a purist, and I still yearn for another factory 456...!! This one sold last October to a guy who has a handful of interesting cars. If it didn't sell I was very close to stripping it out and making a ridiculous track day flop out of it.

[nsa]

This is a sad 612 parked near where I live. Last taxed in 2019 but it's been in this unloved state for a few years. Parked outside so the rain has been inside the car. The owner is probably out of the country. It likely has very few miles. Don't think it's for sale.

[Court_S]

Would it be worthwhile starting with mods that are relatively easy to remove first? Exhaust, induction and suspension are all bits that could get the car closer to where you want it but ultimately if it fails are relatively easy to remove if you want to move it on?

That 612 posted above looks in a sad state.

[kith]

That Scag desperately needs rescuing, one for Ratarossa (if he's on here).

[Oilchange]

They could at least close the door properly, the glass is all skewiff!

[carinaman]

Oilchange said:

They could at least close the door properly, the glass is all skewiff!

Reminds me of a 916 GTV.

[fastgerman]

That poor 612, which unfortunately I am feeling a bit allergic to now. Can’t believe there is paint bubbling on the door - aren’t they aluminium?

This looks good if interested in 612’s - https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2005-ferrari-6...

I think I’m slowly going to ‘bolt-on’ mod mine, starting with the hi-fi. Which speakers do we think? FChat forum has many posts 10 years ago stating the 6x4’s in the front doors are very thin. 5.5’s under the rear seats have more options. Will start with speakers and consider swapping out the old cd changer and 4x30w amp hoping everything still works on the old head unit.... looks like Alpine is an okay way to go on speakers?

[shalmaneser]

fastgerman said:

That poor 612, which unfortunately I am feeling a bit allergic to now. Can’t believe there is paint bubbling on the door - aren’t they aluminium?

This looks good if interested in 612’s - https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2005-ferrari-6...

I think I’m slowly going to ‘bolt-on’ mod mine, starting with the hi-fi. Which speakers do we think? FChat forum has many posts 10 years ago stating the 6x4’s in the front doors are very thin. 5.5’s under the rear seats have more options. Will start with speakers and consider swapping out the old cd changer and 4x30w amp hoping everything still works on the old head unit.... looks like Alpine is an okay way to go on speakers?

Aluminium corrodes too, see the E46 M3 door mirrors for example! Can be very bad when steel screws and fixings are used

[markiii]

I was a big fan of focal but finding the tweeters a little harsh these days. Currently favouring rainbow

[Captain_Morgan]

fastgerman said:

I think I’m slowly going to ‘bolt-on’ mod mine, starting with the hi-fi. Which speakers do we think? FChat forum has many posts 10 years ago stating the 6x4’s in the front doors are very thin. 5.5’s under the rear seats have more options. Will start with speakers and consider swapping out the old cd changer and 4x30w amp hoping everything still works on the old head unit.... looks like Alpine is an okay way to go on speakers?

I’d take a look at Alpine offerings, amp tech has moved on significantly they have a 4x40w amp that’s much smaller than your current one and they still do 6x4’s which might fit?

https://www.alpine.co.uk/p/Products/add-on-amplifi...

Shows as a alpine add on amp but also works with normal rca connectors and has built in filters should you want to add a sub in the future.

[fastgerman]

Thanks All for the replies and apologies for the delay in response.

Finally got around to it all, turns out the 456 received upgrades along the way with the early cars being fitted with 6x4 speakers up front in the door cards.

The later cars (still pre-M), such as mine, have 5x7 speakers fitted to the door:







The existing speakers are ripped so I could get them rebuilt or replace. Leaning towards replacing and finding some that have a 11.5cm space between mounting holes in a square.

Don’t suppose anyone has some options?

Existing speaker dimensions:

[MJ85]

Mk1 Focus door speakers are 5 x 7 for the super low budget option.

[ajprice]

fastgerman said:

Was that supposed to happen? I'm just thinking of Clarkson's SD1

[fastgerman]

ajprice said:

fastgerman said:

Was that supposed to happen? I'm just thinking of Clarkson's SD1

Haha and hand built commands a premium :-)

[fastgerman]

In progress now, went with some Focal 5x7’s up front and a new Sony head unit with cd / usb / Bluetooth with the benefit of having a removable front - this could be cabled up front but will see how I get on with it in the boot + iPhone app.

The wiring harness was modified by a nice guy at Byfleet Halfords after a respectable shop in the area wanted my car for 2 days...

So, no more disk changer or amp, saved about 5kg also

[MattsCar]

Don't know whether this is too late now given that you have bought a headunit, but JL Audio do this bluetooth receiver for amplifiers.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124211118937?chn=ps&amp...

This takes away the need for a headunit and wiring. If you wanted 4 channel operation, you could simply buy RCA splitters.