[cribbj]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

Have I gone picture blind? I can't see any pics where you suggested you put them.

Interesting comment on the MM exhaust system. I have never heard of that brand before. But my Tubi Style does something similar: it is quite loud below 2,000rpm and quietens significantly above it, until revs really go up. Certainly makes for good long distance cruising, but the idling loudness makes the car a bit embarrassing when you're trundling through a quiet village. The milk turns to butter while still in cows....


Onno

P.S. Oh - congratulations!!!
P.S.2 You're going to have to change your signature now!

Cheers Onno, I had actually posted links to my photos over on PhotoBucket. Perhaps your email server doesn't allow access to photo hosting sites? Mine over in Algeria does that.....

Personal details have been changed; thanks for the reminder

[JazzyO]

Yes, web hosting is not allowed, that must be it.

W.r.t. your signature - I meant "missing on a few cylinders", surely your 550 is not doing that?


Onno

[cribbj]

Nope, the 550 isn't missing on any cylinders, yet. Its owner, however, definitely doesn't fire on all cylinders before coffee.

We're both a little low on compression, however

I also tend to have more fluid leaks than it does!

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by cribbj

Nope, the 550 isn't missing on any cylinders, yet. Its owner, however, definitely doesn't fire on all cylinders before coffee.

We're both a little low on compression, however

I also tend to have more fluid leaks than it does!

Sounds like both just need to be taken out and driven.

[cribbj]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Sounds like both just need to be taken out and driven.

Boxer I suspect you're right on the 550, but currently the owner might drop a rod or blow a gasket if he was run too hard.

I'm working on getting back in shape, and maybe by Easter I'll be able to keep up with some of these later model, lower mileage guys.....

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by cribbj

Boxer I suspect you're right on the 550, but currently the owner might drop a rod or blow a gasket if he was run too hard.

I'm working on getting back in shape, and maybe by Easter I'll be able to keep up with some of these later model, lower mileage guys.....

+1, think this might apply to me as well.

[Ollenaram550]

From another 550 owner ( read my avatar spelling backwards ) - welcome.

You made the right choice - power, presence and understated ( for a Fcar)

Good colour choice as well

[cribbj]

Thanks Al; that's a really nice Rosso Corsa Maranello in your profile, and its stablemates aren't bad either. I did a doubletake on the MGF as I initially thought it was a Healey. There's a car with a real cult following.....

[Ollenaram550]

Hi Cribbj,

I had to check where you got the confusion MGF / Healey. So I actually checked my own profile! The photo in my profile is indeed a big Healey - a 1959 BT7 roadster. Total rebody in aluminium with a Welch race engine.
The MGF listed is not photographed in my profile. I gave it to my daughter for her 21st several years ago and it is now in storage whilst she is " traveling" down under.
Once again - enjoy your 550. If you think the car is good now, be advised, it just keeps on getting better the longer you own and drive it.

[cribbj]

“Santa” arrived yesterday, a couple of days early, and towing a little red package for me:



This is Josh Hill of Exotic Car Specialties in Sterling, VA. Only 28 years old, and one of the most extraordinary young automotive technicians I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with:



His finished work:



Some people wait a lifetime for this moment:



Josh did quite a lot of work on the car in the last month or so that he had it. The two PO's were fairly conscientious in getting the recommended maintenance performed, but apparently were not very interested in sorting some of the well known issues with this model, nor doing anything "creative" with the car. So Josh & I developed a shopping list of items that would enhance its performance, as well as assure its overall wellbeing, plus we added a few fun items. This was our shopping list:

• Powdercoat brake calipers
• New SS braided brake hoses
• Scuderia shields
• Replace exhaust midpipe & resonator w/Larini X pipe
• Replace clutch/flywheel/release bearing with new OS Giken triple disc
• Motor flush & oil + filter change (with oil analysis from Blackstone Labs)
• Gearbox flush & fill (with oil analysis)
• Coolant flush & fill
• P/S flush & fill + grease rack
• Injectors cleaned and tested @ Kinsler
• R&R fuel filters
• Adjust spring perches and lower car 1.00” to 1.25”
• 15mm H&R rear wheel spacers
• Performance 4 wheel alignment
• Install Scuderia Rampante Innovations coolant hose kit
• Fix stone chips & respray hood + replace gas struts
• Recover driver's seat & replace passenger air bag cover

The Larini X-pipe made quite a difference in the exhaust note. It now has a very loud burble at idle, then it changes to that unmistakable Ferrari V12 staccato under acceleration. Here's a pic of the Larini, installed:



The clutch is a brand new unit for the Maranello from OS Giken of Japan. Previously they had built only a racing clutch for the car, but decided to go ahead and make a street/performance model too, since clutch life is apparently fairly short on these cars. Mine had 13.4K on the clock and was on its last legs. When Josh first proposed this clutch and described it as a triple disc with metallic linings I told him he was nuts (I drive a twin disc, 6 puck metallic lined clutch in my Supra, and it's miserable in traffic), but after we did our due diligence, I decided to give it a try, and I'm well pleased so far. The pedal effort is lower than the stock clutch, and although it's more grabby than the big (11") OEM single disc organic, it's still very driveable. Wouldn't want to have a hot, open cup of Starbucks sitting in my lap, however.



Old & new side by side:



Weight comparison:

OEM Clutch w/Flywheel: 45lbs
Giken Clutch w/Flywheel: 31lbs

OEM Flywheel: 20lbs
Giken Flywheel: 16lbs

OEM Clutch: 25lbs
Giken Clutch: 15lbs


Driving Impressions:

I've done tons of 0-100 runs in my tweaked Supra, and although triple digits arrive pretty quickly, its rear end is constantly breaking loose and trying to pass you up, the engine is sounding like a very PO’d 600lb hornet in front of you, and all your senses are fully occupied just trying to keep the car planted and under control.

With the Maranello, I’m amazed at how subdued the car is from 0-100. It squats a little at launch, then just takes off like a cruise missile. All it asks is that you turn it loose, pay attention to where you're going, and give it some more gear when it's time. You realise it's time to change up when you hear it misfiring and look down at the tach and realise you're at 7500 RPM and you’re bouncing off the rev limiter! Thank God for that rev limiter 'cause the sound of this motor above 7K is more addictive than crack.

But there’s just not near the level of drama with this car like there is with a Supra, which is a good thing, because you're able to enjoy the experience so much more.

So yesterday was spent getting acquainted, and taking kids & grandkids for rides, so both Madame Maranello and I were pretty pooped last night.

Just a few closing comments about ECS and Josh Hill. I "met" Josh through this forum when I was looking for someone to do the PPI on this car, and I was sufficiently impressed with him that I bought the car unseen, based on his PPI report, and our dialogue. We then developed the shopping list of things to be done, based on our combined experience, he worked up a semi-firm estimate of time & money, and off we went. During the course of the work, because my work is overseas, he kept me fully updated by email on a weekly basis, and sent tons of photos. He upheld his end of the deal, and the price only changed when we decided to go a different way on the clutch, and this caused the timeline to change a bit also.

Bottom line - Josh is a superb technician with a can-do attitude, and is the first technician I've known who consistently executes his work to the highest possible standard. "Good enough" is just not part of his vocabulary. And, he still manages to respect the project budget and schedule.

[ECSofVirginia]

That post was more detailed than my invoice!

Thank you for the generous compliments.

It was well worth the trip to Houston to personally deliver the car to you and see your reaction. Enjoy!

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by cribbj

Bottom line - Josh is a superb technician with a can-do attitude, and is the first technician I've known who consistently executes his work to the highest possible standard. "Good enough" is just not part of his vocabulary. And, he still manages to respect the project budget and schedule.

great write up

[Andrew]

Nice, lots of unsprung weight shedding there. Great write-up. Amazing delivery service Josh. Awesome job on the project.

[F1fanforlife]

Could not agree with you more about Josh. I do not have my car yet but with Josh's help I will feel at ease when I have it. He has been a tremendous help so far and more than willing to help any way he can. I would have to say that in the last few years I cannot think of any service that I have had that even comes close.