308 american model bmpers
 

Is it possible to change the front and rear bumpers of my American 308 QV and replce them with the shorter, better looking (for my taste), Eurpean models?

Re: 308 american model bmpers
 

Yes it is. If you talk to Pete he has done this to his 308:

http://www.ferrariforum.com/photos/v...to.php?id=2744

You have to remove the bumper and modify the part behind it removing the spacer. This will give you 1 1/2 inches. To go even further, drill a hole in the bumper shock to drain it (the gas) and then you will be able to push it all the way back just like the Euro bumper. Here is the play by play:

1. First remove the grill with its three screws.
2. Get under the bumper and loosen the 4 nuts holding it. The bumper is heavy so have a friend help hold it.
3. Unclip the two cable strings going to the two turn signals/lights.
4. Now loosen the bolts holding the shocks (unless you can get to them with a drill now, if so leave them there)
5. Drill small holes in the back of the shocks
6. Put the bumper back on and make sure it is strait
7. Repeat steps 3, 2, 1 in that order.

This might also help:

http://www.4rreparts.com/farrari.htm

Please tell him you were referred by Ferrari Forum.

Best of luck.

Thank you verrrry much, this will help.

Is it the same process for the back bumpers?

I am not sure. How different are the back bumpers? If I recall correctly the major difference in the rear U.S. 308 is the box that covers the exhaust, but the bumpers were the same. I will confirm this and get back to you.

Thank you very much sir, you are a Gentleman and a Scholar.

Rear Bumpers
 

Yes, the rears are the same. Once I found the bumper position I liked, I welded the shocks solid and powdercoated them. Looks good.

Yep, Andrew is right. Drill a hole, take a large soft mallet and collapse the energy absorbers.

I am a little freaked-out at the Idea of drilling into a container full of gaz.

Any danger in drilling through the shocks?

Do I drill at the back surface of the shock or, on the side, towards the back?

They're not full of gas. They are full of hydraulic oil. It is not like they are under pressure and pushing forward against the stops. It is a simple hydraulic cylinder that if you hit something, the piston pushes past the oil (which offers resistance) and absorbs some of the energy.

All you are going to do is drill a hole to let the oil drain out and then go ahead and tap the pistons of the energy absorbers down into the cylinders. And when I say "tap" I really mean "strike" and with a really big hammer. Have a friend who trusts you hold a block of wood against the bumper and strike that. Do each side a little at a time until you have bottomed it out. It would be better to drill the holes and let the oil drain overnight.

It would be best to remove the energy absorbers and compress them with a shop press but it can be done on the car.

Hi everyone, I've just joined the forum and thought I'd try and contribute something. This thread appears closed but I'll try and and offer further advice as I have carried out a 'poor man's conversion' of a US spec 308 to a Euro.

The front bumber was honestly a half hour job. you don't even have to remove the bumper, Just drill into the shocks - on my car they were full of gas and did no more than 'puff' when I drilled them.

Before you beat the hell out of the bumper to recess it make sure you remove the lenses and the bulbs (just in the bumper) as the vibrations will shatter them (you have to hit them that hard). A rubber mallet won't damage the bumper, it is reassuringly resilient.

I did this about 6 months ago and the bumper's still recessed and solid.

That's it!
here's the link to a before/after:

http://www.tothepoint.co.uk/clients/...ri/bumpers.jpg