Traded my 2011 Gt3 for F430..
#16
Beautiful car. I have an F430 and a GT3 RS. My only complaint about the F430 is the clutch for the F1 transmission. Since you were smart and got the manual, it shouldn't be as big of a nuisance for you. You were modest and left out that the Ferrari is a magnet where ever you go--a pro and a con, whereas many people don't know the difference between a boxster and a GT3. And, I'd agree with your analysis that the GT3 is the superior track car. Clutch aside, you'll be surprised to see that the maintenance for the F430 really isn't that bad. Enjoy in good health!!
Cheers,
Tford
Cheers,
Tford
#20
Rennlist Member
Congrats V!
Sweet looking ride, and in the right color
Get those brakes upgraded and see you at the track!
Sweet looking ride, and in the right color
Get those brakes upgraded and see you at the track!
#21
Racer
Thread Starter
2011 GT3:
3,160 lbs with no fuel.
390~ whp
long gear ratios
F430 with Daytona Seats:
3,210 lbs no fuel
410~ whp
short gear ratios
The standard steel brakes in the F430 cannot handle 3 laps at a racetrack, with track pads they get a little better, but the brakes are horrible. There is a kit available from brembo, track/street worthy, cheap and better than the stock 2011 GT3 brakes.
The suspension in the F430 is floppy, bad shocks valving, super soft springs, horrible. Fix is cheap too.
Everything else in the F430 is magnificent, with the best pieces being the engine and the e-diff.
3,160 lbs with no fuel.
390~ whp
long gear ratios
F430 with Daytona Seats:
3,210 lbs no fuel
410~ whp
short gear ratios
The standard steel brakes in the F430 cannot handle 3 laps at a racetrack, with track pads they get a little better, but the brakes are horrible. There is a kit available from brembo, track/street worthy, cheap and better than the stock 2011 GT3 brakes.
The suspension in the F430 is floppy, bad shocks valving, super soft springs, horrible. Fix is cheap too.
Everything else in the F430 is magnificent, with the best pieces being the engine and the e-diff.
#22
Racer
Thread Starter
#24
Racer
Thread Starter
Beautiful car. I have an F430 and a GT3 RS. My only complaint about the F430 is the clutch for the F1 transmission. Since you were smart and got the manual, it shouldn't be as big of a nuisance for you. You were modest and left out that the Ferrari is a magnet where ever you go--a pro and a con, whereas many people don't know the difference between a boxster and a GT3. And, I'd agree with your analysis that the GT3 is the superior track car. Clutch aside, you'll be surprised to see that the maintenance for the F430 really isn't that bad. Enjoy in good health!!
Cheers,
Tford
Cheers,
Tford
#25
Racer
Thread Starter
#27
Brembo street 6-piston front kits are over $4K. Rear kits are even more. Calipers are the same as Nissan GTR calipers, which have smaller pistons than the standard caliper on the 10-11 GT3 and OEM F430 ceramics. Since the rotors are the same 380mm as a GT3 and a 430 has less brake cooling, I fail to see you logic of how these will be better than OEM GT3s. In addition, the Brembo kit comes with softer/street oriented pads versus the RS-19 pads that are standard on the 10+ GT3.
There is a beefier braking option that really will create track dominating braking, Brembo GT-R brake kits and adding F430 Challenge brake cooling. For $8-9K an end you can get the same braking capability as a Challenge car. Not cheap, but fantastic brakes.
#28
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Brembo Kit for F430: 380mm front and 380mm rear, stronger rotors than a stock GT3, either cross drilled (mistake) or slotted. Brembo brake pads compound of choice when ordering, silly to order street pads for track use.
I agree that GT3 has better cooling (F430 has none), Bolt-on F430 Challenge ducts available from Ferrari. Anyway the F430 sits 1.5" higher than a GT3, so more airflow for the brakes.
I agree, stock F430 brakes with track pads and good brake fluid are fine at the track, for the majority of talent out there.
I agree that GT3 has better cooling (F430 has none), Bolt-on F430 Challenge ducts available from Ferrari. Anyway the F430 sits 1.5" higher than a GT3, so more airflow for the brakes.
I agree, stock F430 brakes with track pads and good brake fluid are fine at the track, for the majority of talent out there.
#29
Rennlist Member
beautiful car! last of the traditional manual V8 Ferrari's. I would love to get a manual spider F430 myself for weekend fun. I race in race cars and I don't commute in my RS making me start to think about making the switch. can't really bring myself to give up my GT3 though… i think I need both :-)
enjoy in good health!
enjoy in good health!