Formula Dynamics Mods Review

5902 Views 31 Replies 9 Participants Last post by BigFoot, Oct 28, 2008

Niteroi

Discussion Starter · Oct 19, 2008 (Edited)

Ok guys, I'm done with my FD mods for now, just had the springs installed 2 days ago. So here is my review:

1- DBW- Not a "must have", but a "don't buy a CC without it". It's truly amazing, it makes the car easier and pleasant to drive in traffic and more agressive when driven hard. Yes, it's that good! For some reason that I can't explain makes the car feel like it has more torque. If you have a CC, buy it now. Right now. If you are considering buying a Maserati, with the DBW I like the CC better than the Manual.

2- Springs- If you have a Coupe is a "must have" - "don't buy a Coupe without it", but if you have a GS it's "just" a "must have". I have a GS and I'm very glad I got it. Now my car rides completely flat, no body roll. I remember people talking about the car not moving back and forward when accelerating or braking and I couldn't understand. Now I can. The car doesn't move, but it's not any harsher. Again, believe me, it's that good!
I also lowered the car 1". Again, before I thought the car looked pretty good, but now it looks awesome! I'll post pictures tomorrow.

3- Tubi- In terms of performance, the car revs a lot easier now, it rides pass 4-5k rpm very smoothly, sometimes I don't even notice that I'm driving at 5k rpm, before the car would struggle a little around 4k and then would take off. Now it's revs smoothly form 2k all the way to 8k rpm.

Sound- Well... it sounds awesome! But loud. As I mentioned in another thread, adults think it's too loud and I should go back to OEM, and kids think it's awesome and begg me to keep it like that. For now I'm keeping it, because it does sound awesome and I like the way the engine revs freely. But there is a chance I'm moving back to OEM...

4-EMC- I haven't notice any difference in performance. First I thought I did, but it was actually the DBW. But Jeff thinks he's sent me the wrong one, for QP, and he's already shipped a new one to me, so I'll install it on Monday and let you guys know.

5-BMC Air Filter- The only thing I've noticed was the car got louder and pops more. But I'm sure it's worth it, the problem was I installed everything at once, so it was hard to know what did what...

That's all for now, but I'll have more updates and pictures in the next few days.

PS- Next mods: brakes and sway bars. And tinted windows, of course.

3- Tubi-

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1 - 20 of 32 Posts

007

· #2 · Oct 19, 2008

Tuning mode for Niteroi

Dont forget the go-faster stripe and the furry dice under the rearview mirror!!

Awsome tuning Niteroi- well done!! Can I drive you car now?

BigFoot

· #3 · Oct 19, 2008

Great news mate, it seems Black GranSports have to be modded

Ramp

· #4 · Oct 19, 2008

So far I've done all my FD mods separately.

In order, the BMC alone - was very minor change in sound but did seem a little more alive from the fresh air. My guess is that the BMC makes a bigger difference when accelerating but under the load you can't hear or feel anything different but the engine is breathing better.

The DBW was an awesome improvement and transfoms the behavior. I put it in non-sport now every once in a while just to remmeber what it was like. I then appreictae it all over again. I am, however, having a harder time distinguishing between the 2 modes. Perhaps I need to talk to Jeff about making one even more aggresive - launch mode possibley ? -as there is a slight lag accelerating from 1st unless you pounce on the gas.
Jeff - thoughts ?

Then came full Larini - sound is awesome but in the end way too loud around town. I gave it time but have now removed the x-pipe but left the Larini boxes. The volume is now "ok" but I do miss the full tuned sound and without the x-pipe (centor resonator beast back in) there is a definite reduction in performance. Jeff's working on options - the best of all worlds would be to have an x-pipe with some resonation to give allow the tuned Larini sound AND a butterfly valve for stealth mode as in the GS OEM's

Now, as to color I've decided that I'm going to paint my OEM 15 spoke rims the same color of the car - Grigio - and like Niteroi's, I should get at least another half-scond off the 0-60 times !

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flashgordon

· #5 · Oct 20, 2008

Good show Niteroi.

I am really happy that you like the mods. I am a huge fan of FD and think that their suite of parts (and great service) truly transform the car in to what it should have been in the first place - all at a very reasonable price.

There are a lot of people who think the car in OEM configuration is above reproach simply because it bears a famous nameplate but any objective comparison between a FD modified machine and one that is stock quickly shows that line of reasoning to be totally deluded.

If you are a a performance enthusiast, the FD mods are a cost effective way to bring a 4200 to a very high standard (equivilant in most ways to a 911 or even a Ferrari 360 which is high praise indeed).

Well done Jeff.

BigFoot

· #6 · Oct 20, 2008

Now we need the manettino and the supercharger

FormulaDynamics

· #7 · Oct 21, 2008

Niteroi, your ECM / DBW have shipped so you'll need to keep us updated. Remember that once the ECM is installed it averages in data to build the power ( averaging in is faster), likewise when our ECM is removed the data has to be averaged out ( this takes a bit longer ). So you can't just pull it and do a back to back test.

RAMP, shoot me an email and we'll review which version you have, tuning the DBW is possible.

BigFoot, yes those are the next big product releases we're working on.

Agent Maser

· #8 · Oct 21, 2008

Niteroi; This has been one of the most helpful threads I have read yet. I am not a Maserati owner at the moment, but plan on buying one before the beggining of the year. One thing about cars for me is the upgrading, not that the Maser needs it, it still is FUN! My list of importance is now the Larini boxes (I was worried about being too loud with the full exhaust, so I will go with the boxes. The DBW is definatly next, and possibly with the ECM as well. Cheers.

Joe

BigFoot

· #9 · Oct 21, 2008

Agent Maser, in case you want a second opinion (which is in agreement with Niteroi 100% by the way

), check this out: http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4721

Niteroi

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 21, 2008

Just got a call from my office saying that my new DBW and ECM arrived!

Niteroi

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 22, 2008

4

FD Springs

Pictures of the car lowered 1":

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Niteroi

Discussion Starter · #12 · Oct 22, 2008

3

Next mod will be the Wheel Spacers, as you can see in those pictures the wheels are too "shy".

Jeff are the spacers available yet?

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BigFoot

· #13 · Oct 22, 2008

Looks great

PS: You definitely need the spacers, very happy with my set-up!

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Niteroi

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 22, 2008

How wide are your spacers?

flashgordon

· #15 · Oct 22, 2008

Niteroi said:
How wide are your spacers?

I want some too - I was thinking of going 15mm all around. My mechanic thinks the 30mm may case some rubbing plus I heard that wide spacers are hard on wheel bearings and cause some changes to geometry (don't know if that is true).

Kaa

· #16 · Oct 22, 2008

excuse the ignorance, but what is a DBW ?

Thanks

Ulf

Niteroi

Discussion Starter · #17 · Oct 22, 2008

Kaa said:
excuse the ignorance, but what is a DBW ?

Thanks

Ulf

I'll let Jeff explain better, but it's basically an electronic device that makes the Cambiocorsa shifts more efficient and at the same time smoother. If you are considering buying a Maserati with paddle shift you MUST buy it. Trust me.

BigFoot

· #18 · Oct 22, 2008

Kaa said:
excuse the ignorance, but what is a DBW ?

Thanks

Ulf

Have a read here: http://www.formuladynamics.com/products/4200_dbwem/4200_dbwem.php

BigFoot

· #19 · Oct 22, 2008

2

Niteroi said:
How wide are your spacers?

flashgordon said:
I want some too - I was thinking of going 15mm all around. My mechanic thinks the 30mm may case some rubbing plus I heard that wide spacers are hard on wheel bearings and cause some changes to geometry (don't know if that is true).

Not sure guys

Hopefully this pic will help:

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BigFoot

· #20 · Oct 22, 2008

3

Maybe these photos will give you a better idea (sorry I don't have pics of the rear).

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