[Brian]

Originally Posted by JayG

Some other the spyders look good but there is no good way to make a testarossa a targa.

I agree. I have worked on 2 Straman Spider conversions and though I liked the looks to some degree it turns the chassis to rubber. They flex like a Gumby doll. A standard TR flexes a lot and is why they break their back windows but cut the top off and it just wrecks the car. The engineering was seriously flawed. Those idiots located the fuel filler under the hood cleverly positioned directly over the exhaust. One splash filling a hot car and whoosh, carbeque.

[360 Modena]

The Testarossa's catalytic converters have been known to go bad and catch fire, causing the engine bay to go up in flames, a potentially disastrous situation.

My car has the cat and pre-cat deletes (I now have test pipes running directly to a Tubi)

Worry free driving now and lighter in the ass end.

[stlouis]

This comes a bit off-topic, though just following the previous post ...

By any chance, did you proceed by steps ? Can you describe how sound was modified ?

I mean, I bought a Testa fitted with Tubi exhausts, but cats & precats.

After a while, I removed the cats on mine because I had the "cats overheating" dash lights flashing from time to time. Finally it appeared to be a false contact.

Side effect : the sound just became amazing. And Loud. Power on the rolling-road/dyno did not change at all though.

Now I'm curious : would removing the pre-cats change anything ? Louder (not looking for it) ? Better (I can't really imagine that) ? More power (I wouldn't refuse that) ?

I you have some elements of answer, I would be grateful.

Cheers,
Emmanuel

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Brian

I agree. I have worked on 2 Straman Spider conversions and though I liked the looks to some degree it turns the chassis to rubber. They flex like a Gumby doll. A standard TR flexes a lot and is why they break their back windows but cut the top off and it just wrecks the car. The engineering was seriously flawed. Those idiots located the fuel filler under the hood cleverly positioned directly over the exhaust. One splash filling a hot car and whoosh, carbeque.

It may be interesting to get that targarossa cheap and have it converted to spyder. The chassis weakening is already done so might as well make it look better.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by 360 Modena

The Testarossa's catalytic converters have been known to go bad and catch fire, causing the engine bay to go up in flames, a potentially disastrous situation.

My car has the cat and pre-cat deletes (I now have test pipes running directly to a Tubi)

Worry free driving now and lighter in the ass end.

The cats only go bad because there is a running problem that overheats them. That is the cause of any fires. Cats cannot overheat on their own. Just not possible. Nothing at all wrong with the cats, faults are from undiagnosed running issues.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Brian

I agree. I have worked on 2 Straman Spider conversions and though I liked the looks to some degree it turns the chassis to rubber. They flex like a Gumby doll. A standard TR flexes a lot and is why they break their back windows but cut the top off and it just wrecks the car. The engineering was seriously flawed. Those idiots located the fuel filler under the hood cleverly positioned directly over the exhaust. One splash filling a hot car and whoosh, carbeque.

Brain, Is the 550 chassis stiff enough to be converted to a spider ?

[ALEX A]

There is one spider for sale in Toronto Canada. Check out autotrader.ca .
Thanks
Alex.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Brain, Is the 550 chassis stiff enough to be converted to a spider ?

Reinforcement after the fact is almost impossible to do very well. The Blue 456 Cabrio in Jon Shirleys collection is a good example. I worked on it before it was shipped to Jon. It was a Straman as I recall and had extensive reinforcement. When I raised that car on a lift the door gaps grew alarmingly. I mean X 4 or 5. That car felt as bad as the Straman TR's. Very bad. It has a similar frame to the 550.

[stlouis]

Wow !

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Brian

Reinforcement after the fact is almost impossible to do very well. The Blue 456 Cabrio in Jon Shirleys collection is a good example. I worked on it before it was shipped to Jon. It was a Straman as I recall and had extensive reinforcement. When I raised that car on a lift the door gaps grew alarmingly. I mean X 4 or 5. That car felt as bad as the Straman TR's. Very bad. It has a similar frame to the 550.

Thanks. Glad I didn't try it.

[360 Modena]

Originally Posted by stlouis

This comes a bit off-topic, though just following the previous post ...

By any chance, did you proceed by steps ? Can you describe how sound was modified ?

I mean, I bought a Testa fitted with Tubi exhausts, but cats & precats.

After a while, I removed the cats on mine because I had the "cats overheating" dash lights flashing from time to time. Finally it appeared to be a false contact.

Side effect : the sound just became amazing. And Loud. Power on the rolling-road/dyno did not change at all though.

Now I'm curious : would removing the pre-cats change anything ? Louder (not looking for it) ? Better (I can't really imagine that) ? More power (I wouldn't refuse that) ?

I you have some elements of answer, I would be grateful.

Cheers,
Emmanuel

Pretty straight forward - had the pre-cats and catalytic converter removed and then ran test pipe to the Tubi.

Yes, it is much loader now and no worries about catalytic fire.

I also added a carbon/fiberglass engine cover w/an integrated, longer third brake light and carbon fiber heat shield to cool the air going into the air cleaner (and installed a K&N air filter too).

Parts available at Norwood http://www.norwoodperformance.com/tr_carbon_fiber.htm

[hpyhrt2322]

There was a black one at the shop I go to. It was in for servicing when I picked up my baby.... it was nice... but I like the hard top better.

[NickBongio]

There is a red Testarossa Spider conversion in Parking Foch - Paris France
I will post the pictures when i find them in my archive :+

[NickBongio]

Found them!





I believe its called a Lorenz&Rankl Spider!

[DanS]

The Petersen museum had a 512M spyder conversion for sale about 10 years ago. It also had twin turbos and an ostrich interior with gold plating. I looked at it as a possible purchase, but understandably passed.

[360 Modena]

I wouldn't mind a topless TR like the one you posted
Thanks Nick

[NickBongio]

This car i posted is parked at the same spot for the last 4 years!!
I think the people don't drive it a lot, always a lot of dust ad dirt on it....

If you walk around in that garage you can find over 30 Ferrari's.....
Last time i was there i found:
- Dino 246
- Testarossa Spider
- 3x 430 Scuderia
- Challenge Stradale
- 330 GTC
- 512 BB

And a lot of 612/430/458/FF....

Supercar heaven imo!

[Pjg1]

Holy COW !!! post some collective pictures for us please bud!!!

[NickBongio]

Originally Posted by Pjg1

Holy COW !!! post some collective pictures for us please bud!!!

All i could find on this computer, i will check my external harddrive when i find it hehehe
Very low quality pictures by the way, all taken with old Nokia!

[Pjg1]

Fantastic thank you for that....