Ferrari Parts

From Sports Car Illustrated,

Internally called the 663, Ferrari’s weapon of choice for the 2012 Formula 1 campaign is evolutionary instead of revolutionary.

The main change on the 2012 car is the ride height of the front section of the chassis which brings the car into line with the 2012 rules. Also changed are the position of the exhaust pipes and the mapping for the electronic engine management system.

Other revisions from last year’s car include modifications to both the front and rear feature pull-rods, aimed at favoring aerodynamic performance and lowering the center of gravity, the nose has a step in it in order to comply with the requirement from the regulations to lower the front part while raising the bottom part of the chassis as much as possible for aerodynamic reasons. The sides of the car have been redesigned, through modifications to the side impact structures, the repositioning of the radiators and revisions to all the aerodynamic elements.

The lower part of the rear of the car is much narrower and more tapered, a feature achieved partly through a new gearbox casing and a relocation of some mechanical components. The rear wing is similar to the one used last season. Also, the front and rear air intakes for the brakes have been redesigned to improve the braking system.

Engine changes include upgrades to the electronic management system of the engine based on the modifications to the rules regarding the use of exhaust gases. The kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) maintains its low central location in the car and has undergone an update directed mainly at reducing its weight and at improving the efficiency of some of its components.

One of the common calls that we get at Ricambi America for Ferrari parts is folks asking for spare paint and touch-up sticks for their cars.  While we don’t sell any paints at Ricambi America, we do recommend with full confidence two companies here in the USA:   www.drcolorchip and www.paintscratch.com

In the meantime, for people looking to see a comprehensive list of Ferrari colors, I found this great listing on the web, including pictures of each one:   http://www.ferrari-collection.net/color/ferrari_colors.htm

Often times we at Ricambi America get asked about Ferrari parts and whether they’ll fit a particular VIN.  Since we too have to often use a VIN decoder, we figured it would be useful to post one up here on our blog:

VIN: VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

Since 1980, all Ferraris are equiped with a VIN, a uniform 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number. It was first introduced on US models, as it was required for all cars in the US made after January 1st 1980. Other markets soon followed. 

The VIN can be found in several places, but on all models (except the European version of the Enzo and some race versions) it can be seen from the outside: in most cases it’s visible on a plate on top of the steering column or at the bottom of the windshield. Depending on the model and the market, the VIN can also be found stamped on a plate or in the chassis in the engine room, or on plates in the doors.

The overview published on this page explains each digit of the VIN. It was made with help from the late Gerald Roush (Ferrari Market Letter) and many other Ferrari-spotters. Certain information is from official documents, but not everything. So, please note that this overview may contain errors and that it isn’t complete. Corrections and additions will always be appreciated.

Important remark: starting with model year 2010, the digits 4+5 and 6+7 are reversed!

1st – 3rd DIGIT	Nation of Origin, Make
ZFF	Italy, Ferrari, Ferrari
ZDF	Italy, Dino, Ferrari (only used on a few Dino 308 GT4s)
4th DIGIT	Engine
	first cycle (engine introduction before approx. 1986)
A 308 GTB/Si, Mondial 8 US version B ** 308 GTB/S, Dino 308 GT4 Euro version, wet sump C ** 308 GTB/S Euro version, dry sump D ** 512 BB E 400i F      unknown / not used G *** 308 GTB/S US version H 308 GTBi/Si, Mondial 8 Euro version J 512 BBi K 208 GTB/S Turbo Italian version L 308 GTB/S QV, Mondial QV (Cabr) Euro version M 308 GTB/S QV, Mondial QV (Cabr) US version, 1983, 230 HP N 308 GTBi/Si, Mondial 8 Australian version P 288 GTO R 308 GTB/S QV, Mondial QV (Cabr) Australian version S Testarossa US version T Testarossa Euro version, type F113A U 308 GTB/S QV, Mondial QV (Cabr) US version, 1984-1985, 235 HP V      unknown / not used W 328 GTB/S, Mondial 3.2 (Cabr) Euro version X 328 GTB/S, Mondial 3.2 (Cabr) US version Y 412 Euro version Z GTB/GTS Turbo Italian version
	second cycle (engine introduction between approx. 1986 and 2001)
A Testarossa Euro version, type F113B B * 408 Prototype C 328 GTB/S, Mondial 3.2 (Cabr) Swiss, 1987-1989 with catalyst D 412 Swiss/Swedish version E * PPG Prototype for 348 engine F 348 tb/s, Mondial t (Cabr) US, 1989-1990, Motronic 2.5 G F40 Euro version H      unknown / not used J      unknown / not used K 348 tb/s, Mondial t (Cabr) Euro version L 512 TR M F40 US version N      unknown / not used P F355 series 1994-1995, Motronic 2.7 R 348 series, Mondial t (Cabr) US, 1991-1995, Motronic 2.7 S 456 GT(A) 1992-1996, Motronic 2.7 T F50 U 348 GTB/S, 348 Spider Euro version V F512 M W 456 (M) GT(A) 1997-2003, Motronic 5.2 X F355 series 1996-1999, Motronic 5.2 Y 360 Modena, 360 Spider Z 550 Maranello, 550 Barchetta
	third cycle (engine introduction after approx. 2001)
A 612 Scaglietti 2004-2008, type 133F B 575 M Maranello C Enzo Ferrari D Challenge Stradale E F430 F 599 GTB Fiorano G Superamerica H FXX J 612 Scaglietti 2007-2010, type 133H K 430 Scuderia L California DCT (F1) gearbox M California Manual gearbox N 458 Italia P 599 XX R 599 GTO, 599 SA Aperta S FF   Remark: the “markets” listed above, are only for a rough indication. *: Only used on a few prototypes **: Only used on a small number of late-production cars ***: Although listed in official documents, it was probably never used
5th DIGIT	Restraint system
	first cycle (models introduced before approx. 2004)
A 3-point inertia belts with auto retractors for front B 3-point inertia belts with auto retractors for front plus 3-point non-inertia belts for rear C 3-point inertia belts with auto retractors for front plus 2-point inertia belts for rear D 3-point inertia belts with auto retractors for front plus 3-point inertia belts for rear E      [on several 2+2 for the Australian market] F        unknown / not used G Passive restraint system (= active belts with manual lap belts) H        unknown / not used J      [on F40, Euro version] K      [on Mondial t Cabriolet, US version, >1990] L Airbags, manual seat belts plus UCRA* in the rear seats M Passive restraint system (Canada) N Automatic passive restraint system P Airbags with 3-point inertia belts for front and inertia belts for rear R Airbags, manual seat belts and force limiter S Airbags, manual seat belts plus UCRA* T Airbags, manual seats belts with pretensioners U Airbags, manual seats belts with pretensioners plus UCRA* V Airbags, manual seats belts with pretensioners, force limiter and UCRA* W Airbags, manual seats belts with pretensioners, force limiter and LATCH* X      [on racecars and prototypes] Y      [on early 612 Scaglietti, Euro version] Z      [on Enzo, Euro version]
	second cycle (models introduced after approx. 2004)
A Airbags for driver and passenger, 3-point manual seats belts with pretensioners and load limiter for front and rear, plus LATCH* system for rear seats B Airbag for driver, advanced airbags for passenger, 3-point manual seats belts with pretensioners and load limiter for front and rear, plus LATCH* system for rear seats (MY 2009-11: advanced airbags for driver and passenger) C Airbag for driver, advanced airbags for passenger, 3-point manual seats belts with pretensioners and load limiter, and tether anchorage on passenger seat (MY 2009-11: advanced airbags for dr+pass, plus side-airbags) D      [on some versions of the 599 GTO, SA Aperta and GTB Fiorano] E        unknown / not used F Airbags for driver and passenger, 3-point manual seats belts with pretensioners and load limiter, and tether anchorage on passenger seat (MY 2011: advanced airbags plus side-airbags) G        unknown / not used H Dual stage and lateral airbags, 3-point safety belts with pretensioners and load limiter no airbag ON/OFF switch (MY 2011: advanced airbags and side-airbags) J Dual stage and lateral airbags, 3-point safety belts with pretensioners and load limiter for front and rear, plus two lower anchorages for each seat no airbag ON/OFF switch (MY 2011: advanced airbags and side-airbags) K      [on FF] X      [on racecars and prototypes]
	* UCRA = Universal Child Restraint Anchorage system * LATCH = Lower Anchorage and Tether for Children system (= ISOFIX)
6th + 7th DIGIT	Model
01 308 GTBi (ZFF, Ferrari), Dino 308 GT4 (ZDF, Dino) 02 308 GTSi 03 ** 308 GTB 04 ** 308 GTS 05 ** 512 BB 06 400i Automatic 07 400i 5-speed 08 Mondial 8 09 512 BBi 10 208 GTB Turbo 11 208 GTS Turbo 12 308 GTB QV 13 308 GTS QV 14 Mondial QV Coupé 15 Mondial QV Cabriolet 16 288 GTO 17 Testarossa 18 * 308 Convertible 19 328 GTB 20 328 GTS 21 Mondial 3.2 Coupé 22      unknown / not used 23      unknown / not used 24 412 Automatic 25 412 5-speed 26 Mondial 3.2 Cabriolet 27 GTB Turbo 28 GTS Turbo 29 * 328 Convertible 30 * Testarossa Spider 31 * 412 Cabriolet 32 Mondial t Coupé 33 Mondial t Cabriolet 34 F40 35 348 tb, 348 GTB, 348 tb SS 36 348 ts, 348 GTS, 348 ts SS 37* 408 38      unknown / not used 39      unknown / not used 40 512 TR, F512 M 41 F355 Berlinetta, 355 F1 Berlinetta 42 F355 GTS, 355 F1 GTS 43 348 Spider 44 456 GT, 456 M GT 45      unknown / not used 46 F50 47      unknown / not used 48 F355 Spider, 355 F1 Spider 49 550 Maranello 50 456 GTA, 456 M GTA 51 360 Modena, 360 Modena F1 52 550 Barchetta Pininfarina 53 360 Spider, 360 Spider F1 54 612 Scaglietti 55 575 M Maranello, 575 M Maranello F1 56 Enzo Ferrari 57 Challenge Stradale 58 F430 59 F430 Spider 60 599 GTB Fiorano 61 Superamerica 62 FXX 63 F430 Challenge 64 430 Scuderia 65 California 66 Scuderia Spider 16M 67 458 Italia 68 458 Spider 69 599 XX 70 599 GTO 71 458 Challenge 72      unknown / not used 73 FF
	*: Only used on a few prototypes **: Only used on a small number of late-production cars
8th DIGIT	Market
A Left-Hand Drive, North America or Middle East (2000-2007) B Left-Hand Drive, Europe C Right-Hand Drive, UK D Right-Hand Drive, Australia E Left-Hand Drive, China J / JAP / JPN Left-Hand Drive, Japan JAP: approx. 1980 – 1994 (with “AP” as the 9th and 10th digit) JPN: approx. 1994 – 2000 (with “PN” as the 9th and 10th digit) J: approx. 1997 – present (with “00″ as the 9th and 10th digit) L Left-Hand Drive, Latin and Central America S Left-Hand Drive, Switzerland or Sweden T Left-Hand Drive, Middle East (<2000 and >2007) X Other (one-offs, prototypes and race versions)
9th DIGIT	Check digit
A or P Specific Japanese models (for more info, see 8th digit) 0 – 9 and X USA, Middle East (>2000), Latin America (>2006) and China (>2010) (a specific calculation, see below) 0 Other markets The check digit of the VIN appears in the 9th position of US versions (plus some other markets, see above) and provides a way to verify the validity of all of the other characters in positions 1-8 and 10-17. The check digit is calculated by carrying out the following mathematical computation. (1) Assign to each number in the VIN its actual mathematical value and assign to each letter the value specified in following Table: A = 1 G = 7 N = 5 V = 5 B = 2 H = 8 P = 7 W = 6 C = 3 J = 1 R = 9 X = 7 D = 4 K = 2 S = 2 Y = 8 E = 5 L = 3 T = 3 Z = 9 F = 6 M = 4 U = 4   (2) Multiply the assigned value for each VIN character in the VIN by the Position weight factor specified in the following Table: VIN position Weight factor VIN position Weight factor 1st 8 10th 9 2nd 7 11th 8 3rd 6 12th 7 4th 5 13th 6 5th 4 14th 5 6th 3 15th 4 7th 2 16th 3 8th 10 17th 2 9th to be calculated (3) Add the resulting products and divide this total by 11. (4) The numerical remainder is the check digit. If the remainder is 10 the letter ‘X’ shall be used to designate the check digit. The correct numeric remainder, zero through nine (0-9) or the letter ‘X’ shall appear in the VIN position nine.See below for an easy check of the check digit. Enter Ferrari VIN :
10th DIGIT	Model Year
The “Model Year” is only used on North America, Middle East and Latin and Central America versions: A 1980, 2010 B 1981, 2011 C 1982, 2012 D 1983, 2013 E 1984, 2014 F 1985, … G 1986 H 1987 J 1988 K 1989 L 1990 M 1991 N 1992 P 1993 R 1994 S 1995 T 1996 V 1997 W 1998 X 1999 Y 2000 1 2001 2 2002 3 2003 4 2004 5 2005 6 2006 7 2007 8 2008 9 2009       For other markets: P or N Specific Japanese models (for more info, see 8th digit) 0 All other markets (incl. late Japanese models)
11th DIGIT	Assembly plant
0 Maranello
12th – 17th DIGIT	Serialnumber
The VIN was introduced near s/n 30xxx. Until s/n 75000 only odd serialnumbers were used. After 75000 both odd and even numbers were used. The VIN was also used on a small number of (late production) Dino 308 GT4s. Those VINs start with ZDFBB01 and end with even numbers near 15xxx.

Looks like the sponsorship brick of Ricambi America has finally been installed at BB&T Stadium in Winston Salem.   As inaugural ticket holders for the Winston Salem Dash, we’ve been able to enjoy Carolina league baseball with customers, fellow Ferrari Club of America members, and prospective employees.   Now, although thousands of fans entering the ballpark might not know about Ricambi America Ferrari parts, we’ll know that we’ve supported an important addition to the community.

Just a few years ago Ferrari was cranking out cars like the 360 Modena or 599 GTB Fiorano, while an amazing driver’s cars they were perhaps not the most beautiful cars ever to leave Maranello.  For the past many years. Ferrari’s have been very striking to look at but not pretty. Ferrari engineers caring more about new technology like electric steering rack units and smart traction control then looks. While an electric rack and pinion is neat, it is looks that really make stunning cars. Well last year all that changed with the release of the 458 Italia, which has to be one of the most beautiful cars that has ever left the factory gates. Now Ferrari has really stepped up their game and released the 458 Spider… and the results are jaw dropping!

The 458 Spider is stunning to behold…not just stunning but fast too, very fast. Ferraris of the early 2000’s fall into the category of “wow a Ferrari …Meh” which is just unacceptable for any supercar builder. Cars like the Testarossa were poster cars, things of beauty and there was not a child in the 80s who didn’t have that poster on their wall. The only thing about the Testerosa is that it was a great poster car but horrid to drive. It worked better as art then a car. There are two types of cars that Ferrari can make a Supercar or a Hypercar. A supercar is stunningly fast and a bit fragile, while a hyper car is all about showing off. A hypercar has the looks but really does not need the speed, while to be called a supercar speed has to be the main concern.

The 458 has combined the two most important elements of a supercar and a hypercar, speed and good looks. The Spider is even more stunning like a supermodel with a degree from MIT, loves sports and beer too. This car has it all, while this car may be the ultimate expression of automotive bliss it only means one thing to the automotive world…someone has to one-up them.

Now… if only it had a clean engine lid like its predecessor…

With the holiday season upon us,it’s important to reiterate our holiday schedule for 2011.    Our website at www.ricambiamerica.com remains open and able to process orders during this time.

Thursday, November 23 we will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Friday, November 24 we will be open and fully operational

We are OPEN on Friday December 23.  We are open Monday December 26.

May everyone have a happy, safe, and joyous holiday season full of Ferrari parts !

One of our big sellers during the fall season has always been Ferrari oil change kits.  For a lot of owners, the colder weather means it is time to prep the Ferrari for winter storage (or at least less regular driving).   For owners that drive frequently during the warm months,  the few thousand miles of Ferrari use (track miles, rallies, club outings, etc) really are enough to warrant an oil change.

Oil change kits from Ricambi America include filters, crush washers, and drain plugs.   Customer often ask “why do you include the drain plug in my Ferrari oil change kit?”   Well, the answer is simple.  When I change the oil in my personal 348, there’s nothing worse than reinstalling an ugly drain plug that might be a bit chewed up on the head.  Or worse, if it falls into my oil bucket during removal, I just can’t stand dunking my arm in and fishing it out.  For the small amount of money, a new drain plug makes life easier.  And, for 348 and F355 owners, the kit also includes the improved Hill Engineering 10300771 drain plug.

And while we’re at it…    no, an oil change is not $30,000 !

Sometimes I really don’t understand the web.   We at Ricambi America strive to be the number one Ferrari parts supplier on the internet, and maybe that’s why our website sometimes sees the most bizarre traffic.

For the past few days, we’ve been heavily crawled by the MSN bot, Yahoo bot, and Baidu.   (Huh?  Baidu?)    Why is it they all start crawling at basically the same time?  Sure our servers can handle the load, but it’s still odd that sometimes we won’t have a bot visit us for days…. and then out of the blue, a full on spider infestation.

And no, I don’t mean “spider” like an F355 Spider or 458 Italia Spider

Everyone knows that when it comes to cars we all know that debris on the road can be dangerous to Ferrari. A shredded semi tire can hurt the body of a car as much as a collision with a pole and sometimes it can be worse.  Years ago, a chair fell off a pickup truck in front of me, and destroyed the front end of the Mercedes I was driving.  Making sure your steering rack is in good shape is a fantastic way to be sure you can maneuver out of the way of these road hazards.

Road debris is for sure a hazard but what about engine debris? This is the stuff you cannot see, the kind that floats around inside the engine causing issues mechanical or electromechanical problems. Debris can be thought of as any particles in the engine systems that are not supposed to be there. In other words a metal flake in the air conditioning system (replace your Ferrari A/C receiver/drier periodically), dirt particles in the intake or even rust in the fuel tank. It is all debris that can cost a driver hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

Debris in the AC system is a time bomb just waiting to go off, The reason being is the whole system is under a great deal of pressure and even the smallest metal shard can shred a seal and make the whole system leak. Not only could debris cause leaking but it can lodge at places in the compressor that will cause it to seize up. But debris in something like the fuel system can cut off the flow of fuel to the engine then the car cannot even run. Debris in the steering system can cause the steering pump to fail or lock in a single direction which can cause an accident.  New factory correct fuel filters are part of every Ferrari major service kit from Ricambi America.

While debris in the system may not be as immediate as hitting a chair in the middle of the road or running into a pole parking your car, it is an issue. A lot of these issues are unavoidable due to the nature of the issue debris usually enters these systems while work is being done. To be sure that this does not happen to your car make sure that the mechanic doing work on sensitive areas of your car knows what he is doing.

The long tale of a stolen Ferrari F50, recovered by the FBI, stored by the FBI, and then wrecked by a joy riding agent has finally come to an end.    While there are probably enough Ferrari F50 parts to fix it, it won’t be pretty.

Judge Absolves FBI Over Ferrari Destroying Joy Ride
US government will pay no damages after a federal agent wrecked a $750,000 Ferrari during a joy ride.

A federal judge on September 27 absolved the US Department of Justice (DOJ) from any liability after an FBI agent destroyed a $750,000 Ferrari during a joy ride. Motors Insurance Corporation had been seeking to recover the value of a 1995 Ferrari F50 that was in the custody of department officials. Motors dropped a separate Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) suit against the department on October 3.

Cohn noted that presuming the car was destroyed during a “joy ride” would have made it even harder to recover damages because that would mean the agents had acted outside the scope of their official duties. As such, the government would not be liable for their conduct.

And no, we at Ricambi America never got a call from the J. Edgar Hoover building asking about replacement parts!