Ferrari Mailing List: techy info from Ferrari GB

[Britt2Asa (Britt2Asa]

I spent a counple of hours on Friday with two guys from Ferrari GB who run 
the UK "Classiche" program (basically a very expensive certificate from ferrari 
that says what is and isn't genuine on your 20+ year old ferrari). I few techy 
things I remember from the conversation...

They claimed that ferrari HAS upgraded the 355 manifolds so if you replace 
yours with factory parts they should last longer...

Didn't have much to say about the 355 throttle stickyness issue but said the 
buttress problem was poor design and would continue to reoccur..

Claimed very little difference in actual design of F1 system from 355 - 430. 
Its been updated but they said it was very very similar. When I recounted how 
a friends brand new 360 F1 completely lost its tranny on a hot day in a parade 
and wouldn't go into gear for an hour until it cooled down they shrugged and 
said "yes, thats what will happen". In effect, if you get a F1 tranny and 
creap along in traffic it isn't designed for that so expect problems...

Won't effect you USA guys but the 3200GT Maserati with the manual 
transmission has a major design flay meaning everyone requires a complete 
engine rebuild 
at 30-50k. I have had this verified by friends a local dealerships. The "pull" 
action on the clutch causes excessive crankshaft wear because the thrust 
washers aren't robust enough (if I understand right). The 3200 auto don't have 
this problem....For a Ferrari engine its a shame to see such a major 
flaw....(Costs about £9-£12k to fix)

The claimed the 4200 is much improved and pretty much problem free except for 
the first year cars

I asked about the 550 vs 575 question and they both said the 550 was a great 
car. problem from a UK perspective was the 575 was built as a world car (same 
car specs for all markets) and the suspension was much to soft for Europe... 
(hence the Fior.. handling package)

Thats what I remember for now....hope somebody found it of interest...


BR in the UK
1986 328GTS (LHD 89,940km) Died August 19, 2006 Shrewsbury UK
1980 400i (RHD 72,000 miles)