Le mans race engine for a 348

Angelis · 11-08-2009, 03:47 PM

Just purchased a more powerful 348 engine.

A custom engine built by Ferrari to race at Le Mans it is based on a 355 block (although the 355 wasn't launched at the time the engine was built) mated to a 348 engine. It was further enhanced and modified by the team that raced it with titanium conrods, Cosworth internals etc. I believe it's now a 3.5 litre engine rather than a 3.4 litre.

It's currently pumping out 480bhp and redlines at 9400rpm and was more powerful than the Micholotto 348's that raced at Le Mans. The bhp figure comes from an engine dyno rather than a rolling road/hub dyno and makes it more powerful than a 360CS.

Only 6 engines like it were ever made. Of the other 5 engines, one is in the 348 Le Mans race car and the other 4 are believed to be in various race cars, assuming they still exist that is.

The 348 took part in the Le Mans 24 hours race in 1993 (when it was crashed into by Eddie Irvine) and again in 1994 where it retired with clutch problems on lap 57. It has also been raced in the last few years as well although I have no details of where.

Over the next few months we'll be adapting it to work in a road car as well as making a few technical modifications. It's not going to be easy as I want to be able to pose down the Kings Road as well as blast along on track days. I also want to concentrate on accelration rather than overall top speed.

We'll be installing a Motec M800 ECU system as well as the Racelogic traction control system i purchased a few months back.

I've also ordered a Qunatum racing adjustable suspension system.

Hoping to have the whole project ready early 2010.

Feels like I'm getting a new car!!

Boxer · 11-08-2009, 10:08 PM

Can the chassis handle the extra power?

Angelis · 11-09-2009, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxer

Can the chassis handle the extra power?

I don't see why not.

JazzyO · 11-09-2009, 06:05 AM

Sexy looking thing. Wonder what it sounds like, can't be that bad I would imagine. Would be difficult to get approved in Holland, I think, but fortunately the UK is a bit easier. Good luck with the project!

Onno

Saint Bastage · 11-09-2009, 07:47 AM

Dude

That exposed cambelt would scare the crap outta me. Looks like the stock won't work due to the extra tensionner bracing. Are you (please) considering some form of shielding from road hazzards?

Those CF volutes are Coool.

IPF · 11-09-2009, 01:47 PM

Brutal looking piece of equipment!
Should be interesting to see how it behaves in a road car...

Angelis · 11-09-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saint Bastage

Dude

That exposed cambelt would scare the crap outta me. Looks like the stock won't work due to the extra tensionner bracing. Are you (please) considering some form of shielding from road hazzards?

Those CF volutes are Coool.

We'll be taking bits off the existing engine including the shielding. Not sure what that bracing is for. Assumed it was just there for storage.

Suffice to say, there will be lots of bits and pieces to do.

GPGardin · 11-09-2009, 05:02 PM

Words keep echoing in my head;

Thou shalt not covet....
Thou shalt not covet....

Eagerly waiting for the vids complete with sounds when complete.

Greg

Night Life · 11-09-2009, 10:03 PM

Sy I said it before and I will say it again

You suck

Soooooooo Jealous brother

Congratulations, can't wait to see the install pics, goodluck my man

Angelis · 11-10-2009, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Night Life

Sy I said it before and I will say it again

You suck

Soooooooo Jealous brother

Congratulations, can't wait to see the install pics, goodluck my man

You'll hate me even more when i tell you how much i paid for it!!!

Saint Bastage · 11-10-2009, 12:03 PM

You better lie

If you say less than 20, you're going to have blood on your hands from all the jumpers.

Daytona73 · 11-10-2009, 12:26 PM

I saw this 308 racing without cambelt's protections.

Not a Michelotto idea...

Name: no protection belt.jpg
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Night Life · 11-11-2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelis

You'll hate me even more when i tell you how much i paid for it!!!

I don't want to hate you more than I do already

JK but the suspense is killing me. If you feel like telling me PM it will be between you and I , that way I can hate you privately

Angelis · 11-12-2009, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Night Life

I don't want to hate you more than I do already

JK but the suspense is killing me. If you feel like telling me PM it will be between you and I , that way I can hate you privately

No secret about the price. Cost me in total £5,000. The engine was £4,000 and an additional £1,000 for all the bits and pieces that needed to be done like head gaskets etc.

The thing is, the engine's been for sale for a couple of years now and no one was interested.

Additional bits are approximatly:

Motec ECU = £2,000
Quantum Racing suspension = £2,000

I reckon the cost of entire parts is around £10,000.

JazzyO · 11-12-2009, 11:59 AM

I find that quite reasonable, actually.

Onno

IPF · 11-12-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzyO

I find that quite reasonable, actually.

+1, surprisingly so. If it all works well, I'ld say it's possibly the steal of this still young century...

Night Life · 11-12-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelis

I reckon the cost of entire parts is around £10,000.

That is Uber cheap considering you have a documented part of Ferrari History, can't wait to see the final result and hear the sound she will make.

11-08-2009, 03:47 PM	#1
Angelis Owner Join Date: Mar 2008 Ferrari Life Posts: 574	Just purchased a more powerful 348 engine. A custom engine built by Ferrari to race at Le Mans it is based on a 355 block (although the 355 wasn't launched at the time the engine was built) mated to a 348 engine. It was further enhanced and modified by the team that raced it with titanium conrods, Cosworth internals etc. I believe it's now a 3.5 litre engine rather than a 3.4 litre. It's currently pumping out 480bhp and redlines at 9400rpm and was more powerful than the Micholotto 348's that raced at Le Mans. The bhp figure comes from an engine dyno rather than a rolling road/hub dyno and makes it more powerful than a 360CS. Only 6 engines like it were ever made. Of the other 5 engines, one is in the 348 Le Mans race car and the other 4 are believed to be in various race cars, assuming they still exist that is. The 348 took part in the Le Mans 24 hours race in 1993 (when it was crashed into by Eddie Irvine) and again in 1994 where it retired with clutch problems on lap 57. It has also been raced in the last few years as well although I have no details of where. Over the next few months we'll be adapting it to work in a road car as well as making a few technical modifications. It's not going to be easy as I want to be able to pose down the Kings Road as well as blast along on track days. I also want to concentrate on accelration rather than overall top speed. We'll be installing a Motec M800 ECU system as well as the Racelogic traction control system i purchased a few months back. I've also ordered a Qunatum racing adjustable suspension system. Hoping to have the whole project ready early 2010. Feels like I'm getting a new car!! Attached Images

11-08-2009, 10:08 PM	#2
Boxer Owner Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: UK Ferrari Life Posts: 12,792	Can the chassis handle the extra power? Boxer Current: F40, F50, 612, 430 Scuderia Past: 360 Modena, 360 Challenge, 550, 575, 365BB, 512BB, 456 GT, F355 GTS, 365 GTB/4 Daytona, 308 GTB

11-09-2009, 07:47 AM	#5
Saint Bastage Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Essex Connecticut Ferrari Life Posts: 1,679 Name: Lane	Dude That exposed cambelt would scare the crap outta me. Looks like the stock won't work due to the extra tensionner bracing. Are you (please) considering some form of shielding from road hazzards? Those CF volutes are Coool. Lane 348ts SS #64, Nero on Nero

11-09-2009, 01:47 PM	#6
IPF Owner Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The Netherlands Ferrari Life Posts: 290	Brutal looking piece of equipment! Should be interesting to see how it behaves in a road car... A horse is a horse, of course, of course, and no one can talk to a horse of course. That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Mister F.

11-09-2009, 05:02 PM	#8
GPGardin Owner Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southwest Ontario, Canada Ferrari Life Posts: 178	Trying to be good Words keep echoing in my head; Thou shalt not covet.... Thou shalt not covet.... Eagerly waiting for the vids complete with sounds when complete. Greg "The ride is the reason. The destination is just the excuse! " - Mr. Joe Katz

11-09-2009, 06:05 AM	#4
JazzyO Owner Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey, Channel Islands Ferrari Life Posts: 4,289	Sexy looking thing. Wonder what it sounds like, can't be that bad I would imagine. Would be difficult to get approved in Holland, I think, but fortunately the UK is a bit easier. Good luck with the project! Onno

11-09-2009, 10:03 PM	#9
Night Life Owner Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Regina, Canada Ferrari Life Posts: 2,064 Name: Roberto Giannini	Sy I said it before and I will say it again You suck Soooooooo Jealous brother Congratulations, can't wait to see the install pics, goodluck my man Night life........ain't a good life........but it's my life -- Willy Nelson

11-10-2009, 12:03 PM	#11
Saint Bastage Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Essex Connecticut Ferrari Life Posts: 1,679 Name: Lane	You better lie If you say less than 20, you're going to have blood on your hands from all the jumpers. Lane 348ts SS #64, Nero on Nero

11-10-2009, 12:26 PM	#12
Daytona73 Owner Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: France Ferrari Life Posts: 159	I saw this 308 racing without cambelt's protections. Not a Michelotto idea...

11-12-2009, 11:59 AM	#15
JazzyO Owner Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey, Channel Islands Ferrari Life Posts: 4,289	I find that quite reasonable, actually. Onno

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