F40 Great Drive Today

Boxer · 02-15-2009, 07:28 AM

The weather this morning was near perfect. As soon as the sun had risen a bit above the horizon, I set out in the F40. As it has been a few weeks since the F40 ventured out of the dark confines of the garage, a prolonged warming up period was in order. Plenty of white smoke upon initial combustion but it cleared quickly after a minute or two. Several more mintues of sitting to allow the oil to start to warm up followed before we rolled sedately out of the driveway and down toward the water. The beach road was near clear at this hour which allowed for a very pleasant relaxed trundle as the heat slowly built up in the engine. The sea was a brilliant dark blue and not a cloud was to be found in the sky, at the point, the waves were crashing against cliffs, throwing up huge sprays of azure green. I turned inland at this point for a run across the top of the valley.

Down a clog, right foot down, and the engine really began to come alive. I rolled down the window at this point to better absorb the twin turbo therapy. Balancing the F40 on the throttle, I kept it in 3rd gear for the entire 10 minute run through this section. Listening to the engine spin up and down with the turbos building boost makes the whole Ferrari ownership experience worthwhile. Lifting off at the end of the run, led to the usual dumping of unburnt fuel into the exhaust and the fantastic explosions out the back. These were timed perfectly as rolled past a group of bikers getting ready to start peddling up the mountain.

From here I headed down toward the highway to give the F40 a chance to properly stretch its legs. I was a bit concerned that the clutch was soft (it is getting to the point where it needs to be bleed again) and wanted to make sure it was not beginning to slip. Hence as I came around the corner onto the ramp, I shifted from 2nd to 5th gear. With nothing but empty straight highway in front, down went the right foot. I took a quick look at the speedo and it was at 50 kph and moving rapidly right. The ensuing power build was phenominal. From 1500 to 3500 rpm, you feel the speed building in a very progressive linear fashion. Once you hit 3500 rpm, you can start to hear and feel the turbos kicking in. The future begins to start rushing towards you more quickly and then as the turbo boost gauge moves to the right side of due north, the acceleration becomes explosive. You can feel the pressure on your neck as you get a huge shove back into the seat. Through the seat you can feel the rear tires struggling to put all the power down on the road while the front lightens slightly as all the cars weight is shoved hard towards the rear. Who needs coffee?

We then ran down the highway for a few mile before getting off, spinning around and repeating the process coming back the other way. The prognosis, zero slippage, clutch is fine, just needs to be bleed again (common issue on F40s). Back across country and through a few small villages before heading back to the garage. All in all, a great drive, and one happy F40 is now slowly cooling down happy it is home.

Gcalo · 02-15-2009, 10:38 AM

Your story emulates the video you had posted of this route when we were discussing mufflers a while back.

Very nice.

Boxer · 02-15-2009, 11:01 AM

Very perceptive, not quite the same route but similar.

Gcalo · 02-15-2009, 02:11 PM

Boxer

Take a look at this. You might find it interesting.

http://jalopnik.com/5148158/ferrari-...ercar-teardown

agp22 · 02-15-2009, 04:25 PM

Definitely great weather today.
Glad you cleared the dust on your engine. Mine is still at the dealership.

Boxer · 02-15-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agp22

Definitely great weather today.
Glad you cleared the dust on your engine. Mine is still at the dealership.

Thanks. First time it has been out in far too long. Sorry to hear yours is still laid up.

212Export · 02-15-2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gcalo

Boxer

Take a look at this. You might find it interesting.

http://jalopnik.com/5148158/ferrari-...ercar-teardown

Great pictures and impressions...I love it. Its always amazing to realize the "thinness" of the huge power transmission (clutch etc.) from the engine to those fat tires.

212Export · 02-15-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxer

Very perceptive, not quite the same route but similar.

Thank you for sharing some "springtime" feeling

Here, the weather is bad and temperatures are like ice.

Boxer · 02-16-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 212Export

Thank you for sharing some "springtime" feeling

Here, the weather is bad and temperatures are like ice.

This was the 1st really nice day in almost 3 months.

02-15-2009, 07:28 AM	#1
Boxer Owner Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: UK Ferrari Life Posts: 12,793	F40 Great Drive Today The weather this morning was near perfect. As soon as the sun had risen a bit above the horizon, I set out in the F40. As it has been a few weeks since the F40 ventured out of the dark confines of the garage, a prolonged warming up period was in order. Plenty of white smoke upon initial combustion but it cleared quickly after a minute or two. Several more mintues of sitting to allow the oil to start to warm up followed before we rolled sedately out of the driveway and down toward the water. The beach road was near clear at this hour which allowed for a very pleasant relaxed trundle as the heat slowly built up in the engine. The sea was a brilliant dark blue and not a cloud was to be found in the sky, at the point, the waves were crashing against cliffs, throwing up huge sprays of azure green. I turned inland at this point for a run across the top of the valley. Down a clog, right foot down, and the engine really began to come alive. I rolled down the window at this point to better absorb the twin turbo therapy. Balancing the F40 on the throttle, I kept it in 3rd gear for the entire 10 minute run through this section. Listening to the engine spin up and down with the turbos building boost makes the whole Ferrari ownership experience worthwhile. Lifting off at the end of the run, led to the usual dumping of unburnt fuel into the exhaust and the fantastic explosions out the back. These were timed perfectly as rolled past a group of bikers getting ready to start peddling up the mountain. From here I headed down toward the highway to give the F40 a chance to properly stretch its legs. I was a bit concerned that the clutch was soft (it is getting to the point where it needs to be bleed again) and wanted to make sure it was not beginning to slip. Hence as I came around the corner onto the ramp, I shifted from 2nd to 5th gear. With nothing but empty straight highway in front, down went the right foot. I took a quick look at the speedo and it was at 50 kph and moving rapidly right. The ensuing power build was phenominal. From 1500 to 3500 rpm, you feel the speed building in a very progressive linear fashion. Once you hit 3500 rpm, you can start to hear and feel the turbos kicking in. The future begins to start rushing towards you more quickly and then as the turbo boost gauge moves to the right side of due north, the acceleration becomes explosive. You can feel the pressure on your neck as you get a huge shove back into the seat. Through the seat you can feel the rear tires struggling to put all the power down on the road while the front lightens slightly as all the cars weight is shoved hard towards the rear. Who needs coffee? We then ran down the highway for a few mile before getting off, spinning around and repeating the process coming back the other way. The prognosis, zero slippage, clutch is fine, just needs to be bleed again (common issue on F40s). Back across country and through a few small villages before heading back to the garage. All in all, a great drive, and one happy F40 is now slowly cooling down happy it is home. 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

02-15-2009, 11:01 AM	#3
Boxer Owner Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: UK Ferrari Life Posts: 12,793	Very perceptive, not quite the same route but similar. 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

02-15-2009, 02:11 PM	#4
Gcalo Owner Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Ramon, Calif Ferrari Life Posts: 3,613	Boxer Take a look at this. You might find it interesting. http://jalopnik.com/5148158/ferrari-...ercar-teardown Last edited by Boxer; 02-15-2009 at 09:16 PM.

02-15-2009, 04:25 PM	#5
agp22 Owner Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Ferrari Life Posts: 364	Definitely great weather today. Glad you cleared the dust on your engine. Mine is still at the dealership. ... racing, it's life. Anything that happens before or after is just waiting... (Steve McQueen / Le Mans)

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02-15-2009, 10:38 AM	#2
Gcalo Owner Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Ramon, Calif Ferrari Life Posts: 3,613	Your story emulates the video you had posted of this route when we were discussing mufflers a while back. Very nice.