Innovations - Solutions - Scuderia Rampante

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Frequently asked questions Q. What other products are currently being developed? A. The list is long and evolving as solutions are developed, tested and brought to market and new projects taken on. At present some of the products in development include: In-tank and fuel fill neck rubber components; Molded Coolant hoses for all models; Insulated oil cap cover; 246 Dino clutch shafts; 250/275 Transaxle idler hubs; Updated modifications for the engine management systems; F355 header modifications; 348/F355 fuse box modifications... and the list goes on. At SR Innovations, we encourage you to Contact Us. All we need is for someone with a problem to contact us and express an interest in finding a solution for that problem. SR Innovations will then begin the research necessary to find a workable answer. Chances are very good that we have seen the problem, and the market merely awaits a solution. This is the whole reason this company was started, to provide 'Innovative' Solutions. Q. What other products are you currently manufacturing? A. We are now manufacturing and market testing a fuel tank protector strap kit; an airbox insulation kit; 308/328 coolant drain kits; the best 7mm spark plug wire made. SR Innovations also has a number of additional products that we are getting ready to announce in the near future. Q. Where are your products made? A. SR Innovations went to great-lengths to have our products made entirely in the USA. In some cases, there are suppliers that have such a long history of excellence, that we find that no better products can be had or made. Bosch is one such example. Q. Where are your components assembled and where is the work done? A. Where components need to be assembled and tests done, the buck stops right here. It’s all performed in-house by the staff and crew of Scuderia Rampante and SR Innovations. We do this in order to assure that everything meets our extremely strict criteria for workmanship and quality.
Fuse Box Kit Q. What does your modification kit do? A. Far more than meets the eye. SR Innovations has taken all the failure points of the 328, F40, Mondial and TR fuse boxes into account and have incorporated the repairs for each failure, on each model, into each of our repair kits. Our modifications deal with most common connection melt downs and circuit board failures, while concomitantly dealing with and preventing many issues most do not even know about. We have studied this area for many years, and have looked beyond the obvious when designing our fuse box modification kit. Q. How long do the modifications I am required to do take? A. In most cases, the feedback I have received from owners actually performing the installation of the modified fuse box, it takes between 1-2 hours total time. Q. Does the finished product look original? A. SR Innovations worked quite hard to assure as little visual differences as possible. In the case of the Mondial, there is an additional required auxiliary fuse box that does show and we are working very hard to minimize the visual impact of this, while still keeping costs under control. Q. What models are currently covered by your kits? A. Currently, SR Innovations is making fuse box modification kits for the F40, TR and Mondial. In addition, part devolvement is currently underway for the 328, and testing is underway on the 348 and F355 modified fuse boxes that has shown very favorable results. Q. Why don’t the later model cars require these modifications? A. They do, they are simply newer and need a little time to catch up with the older models, read above. Q. Are any special tools or skills required to do the install of the modified fuse box? A. No, only a soldering gun, a 3/8” drill and bit, some spare time and a little patience. Q. How can I be sure I will receive my fuse box back and not an exchange? A. SR Innovations marks every fuse box with a number associated with a specific customer in order to ensure that the original fuse box is modified and returned. If you are still concerned, you can also mark your fuse box (in a non-visible area) with your initials, etc. Q. Are all of the fuse boxes salvageable? A. To date, the vast majority are. When we run into one that is not, we obtain one of the rebuilt units on the market and install our modification kit in that to ensure there are no future problems and prevent other failure modes. Q. What is your average turn around time when I send my fuse box into you? A. SR Innovations tries to do the modifications on a same day or one day turn around time. We keep our stock of pre-made components at a level required to ensure this. Obviously, work-load in the shop can affect this to some degree, but we try our absolute best to stay within those times. Q. Must I send my box into you to perform this modification? A. Yes. SR Innovations has found the only way to ensure our efforts are successful is to bench test the fuse box once we are done modifying it. With an in-depth knowledge of all of the failure points, we are able to look beyond what we are doing to see if any other problems might exist.	Gold connector kit Q. Is this real Gold? A. Yes, it most certainly is. Q. Why Gold plating on the electrical contacts? A. Gold is used in electronics because of its high electrical conductivity, its inertness when combined with other metals and its resistance to corrosion at either high or low temperatures. The success of the United States space program depends heavily on non-corroding electrical performance of gold on its contacts. Q. Is Gold better than TIN or Silver plating? A. Yes. Both Silver and TIN have tendency to corrode and tarnish where Gold is highly resistant to both. The TIN plated contacts we are dealing with had a designed cycle life of 10 removal / assemble operations while the Gold terminals we are using are rated for 100 operations and give far greater contact pressures than OEM. Q. Do I have to replace ALL of the contacts? A. Yes. The results of doing this kit install are directly proportional to the effort and attention to detail invested. No system can be any better than its weakest link...our efforts go towards eliminating these weak links. Q. What changes can we expect to realize from this kit install? A. As SR Innovations has no way to know the condition of each car’s FI components, we assume that they are in serviceable condition as most are. When the FI computer gets accurate data from the sensors and is able to give accurate data to the injectors due to good contacts in all, the results are most often seen as a smooth idle, improved torque, increased response, easier starting and the lack of pesky CEL's coming on. This kit will not fix the proverbial “dead horse” and will only give favorable results if the attention to small details is given. Patience and effort are all that is required. Q. What special tools do I need? A. I suggest you have two cans of Electrical Contact Cleaner, two cans of "Canned Air", a pencil and notebook and a digital camera at hand. Everything else is included in the kit. Q. Why are the connectors being replaced? A. As previously discussed, the OEM electrical connectors have a designed cycle life of only 10 removal / assemble operations and their contact pressure is extremely weak, thus their cycle life has been exceeded. Moreover, corrosion has set in due to failing rubber boots and from die-electric grease holding moisture on the contacts for years. In addition, SR Innovations has identified a problem with the use of electrical contact enhancers causing a “build-up” to form on the connectors with resulting poor conductivity. With corrosion and poor conductivity at these connections the signals being sent to the engine management computers are faulty. Thus, we have a "garbage in- garbage out" situation with the engine management computer’s inability to optimally control engine performance. Q. How do I decide what connectors to replace? A. SR Innovations provides a list of the connectors we have found to be problematic over the years and all of the parts required to address these problems. No harm can come from going further into the replacement of additional electrical system connections and that is what has led to the options we now offer in addition to the standard connector kit. It should be noted that a number of these options have proven to be so successful in preventing and repairing problems, we have redefined our definition of a “standard kit”, and are now including them in said kit. Q. What models do you cover in the Gold Connector Kit's? A. Currently, SR Innovations has kits for the 348 (Motronic 2.5 and 2.7), the F355 (Motronic 2.7 and 5.2) and F40 models. Testing is currently underway on the 308i, QV, 328, TR, 456 and 550 models. We are always looking for "test subjects" to further the models and marques we make kits for. If we do not currently make a kit for your model, we would be delighted to work with you to develop one. Q. Do you ship Internationally? A. Absolutely. There will be a minor Currency Exchange charge we incur and have not added into the pricing of the kits that will be charged. SR Innovations has found very favorable shipping rates that have proven trouble-free to date.	Coolant Kit Q. My coolant hoses look fine, why should I change them? A. The current failure trend SR Innovations is seeing most often on Ferraris has to do with Electro-Chemical Degradation (ECD) which attacks the coolant hose on the inside, leaving the outside looking in near new condition. Even the slightest seepage of coolant, when combined with the carbon in the rubber and a slight electrical charge generated in the cooling system, leads to failures of the aluminum components to which the coolant hose is clamped. Q. What makes your coolant hose better than other offerings? A. SRI Innovation’s coolant hose is specifically designed to operate well beyond any acceptable coolant temps and pressures with no degradation. Silicone is inert and will not cause erosion on non-anodized aluminum nipples, as the rubber compounds in regular coolant hose do. This is not "Siliconized" consumer grade hose, this is 100% Silicone, as good as it gets in every respect. In addition, the coolant hose has been designed with the correct wall thickness, where collapse under cool-down and expansion under heat-up conditions have all been taken into account in its design. Q. What sizes are available? A. All of the sizes Ferrari uses in every model. Sizes include (mm): 6, 10, 16, 20, 28, 32, 36, 38, 40, 42. If you need it, we have it in lengths up to 12 foot long in order to solve Mondial and Dino coolant hose needs. Q. What colors are available? A. SR Innovations has spent a great deal of time in development getting this coolant hose to look just right, i.e., where it looks original to the Ferrari engine bay... plain old Matte finish Black with minimal labeling that can easily be hidden. However, we can discuss individual requests. Q. Can any clamps be used with this coolant hose? A. As with our fuel hose, no. Hose that is purposely designed for an application has very specific clamp requirements. With each coolant hose kit we make, all of the correct clamps for each size are included. Q. Are there any special requirements for using this coolant hose? A. Only that a good deal of attention goes towards ensuring that the surfaces the hose will be clamped upon are clean and smooth and the fit is proper. Q. Are pre-formed coolant hoses of the same construction available? A. SR Innovations now has the 308 / F355, 82* hose done and in stock. Mandrels are now in production of all of the pre-formed hoses required for each model on a priority basis. Each pre-formed hose requires a very exact mandrel to be made, which takes a bit of effort and time. Inquire to see if we are near to production time on the hoses you require.	Fuel Hose Kit Q. What makes your fuel hose better than Marine J1527 and SAE hose? A. Specifically designed to deal with the ever changing fuel make up we have today, no corners were cut in its devolvement. Where material spec of .015" thickness was required, we better than doubled that. Where we needed 3PSI burst strength, we increased our design to better than 100PSI, all while focusing on keeping it the most pliable hose offered anywhere at any price. Q. Why is it Orange? A. Orange is the natural color of the Aramid Fiber (Nomex) when used in this application. I felt that the color will bring attention to this being a special hose for a special application. Q. Why is it layered in its construction? A. Each layer has a special purpose and reason for being there. The inner liner construction is of our design with the sole purpose towards retaining fuel with very low rates of permeation. The layer outside of the liner is to create a clampable structure that will conform to irregularities in the hose nipple. The outer layer, a silicone / Aramid fiber composite, functions to create a fire barrier of the most immune material available to the engine bay environment. Q. Is this hose pliable? A. Beyond best expectations, yes. Q. What sizes are available? A. At this time we make the 15mm tank to pump feed size, the 35mm tank cross over hose size and the 55mm Fill Neck hose size. Due to popular demand we now make hose kits that include the best hose we can find for the smaller sizes, our hose where applicable and the best clamps available for each. We are in the devolvement stages on making our own 6mm, 8mm, 10mm fuel hose and 15mm designed specifically for fuel vent applications. Other sizes are available on request. Q. Can we use our old clamps? A. Not in most instances. The design of our hose requires a smooth interior of the clamp in specific widths for each size. Our Hose Engineers spent a great deal of time with Clamp Engineers getting this right. The Stainless Steel construction assures they will last as long as the hose does.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What other products are currently being developed?
A. The list is long and evolving as solutions are developed, tested and brought to market and new projects taken on.
At present some of the products in development include: In-tank and fuel fill neck rubber components; Molded Coolant hoses for
all models; Insulated oil cap cover; 246 Dino clutch shafts; 250/275 Transaxle idler hubs; Updated modifications for the engine management
systems; F355 header modifications; 348/F355 fuse box modifications... and the list goes on.

At SR Innovations, we encourage you to Contact Us. All we need is for someone with a problem to contact us and express an
interest in finding a solution for that problem. SR Innovations will then begin the research necessary to find a workable answer.
Chances are very good that we have seen the problem, and the market merely awaits a solution. This is the whole reason this
company was started, to provide 'Innovative' Solutions.

Q. What other products are you currently manufacturing?
A. We are now manufacturing and market testing a fuel tank protector strap kit; an airbox insulation kit; 308/328 coolant drain kits;
the best 7mm spark plug wire made. SR Innovations also has a number of additional products that we are getting ready to announce in
the near future.

Q. Where are your products made?
A. SR Innovations went to great-lengths to have our products made entirely in the USA. In some cases, there are suppliers that have such
a long history of excellence, that we find that no better products can be had or made. Bosch is one such example.

Q. Where are your components assembled and where is the work done?
A. Where components need to be assembled and tests done, the buck stops right here. It’s all performed in-house by the staff and
crew of Scuderia Rampante and SR Innovations. We do this in order to assure that everything meets our extremely strict criteria for
workmanship and quality.

Fuse Box Kit

Q. What does your modification kit do?
A. Far more than meets the eye. SR Innovations has taken all the failure points of the 328, F40, Mondial and TR fuse boxes into account and have incorporated the repairs for each failure, on each model, into each of our repair kits. Our modifications deal with most common connection melt downs and circuit board failures, while concomitantly dealing with and preventing many issues most do not even know about. We have studied this area for many years, and have looked beyond the obvious when designing our fuse box modification kit.

Q. How long do the modifications I am required to do take?
A. In most cases, the feedback I have received from owners actually performing the installation of the modified fuse box, it takes between 1-2 hours total time.

Q. Does the finished product look original?
A. SR Innovations worked quite hard to assure as little visual differences as possible. In the case of the Mondial, there is an additional required auxiliary fuse box that does show and we are working very hard to minimize the visual impact of this, while still keeping costs under control.

Q. What models are currently covered by your kits?
A. Currently, SR Innovations is making fuse box modification kits for the F40, TR and Mondial. In addition, part devolvement is currently underway for the 328, and testing is underway on the 348 and F355 modified fuse boxes that has shown very favorable results.

Q. Why don’t the later model cars require these modifications?
A. They do, they are simply newer and need a little time to catch up with the older models, read above.

Q. Are any special tools or skills required to do the install of the modified fuse box?
A. No, only a soldering gun, a 3/8” drill and bit, some spare time and a little patience.

Q. How can I be sure I will receive my fuse box back and not an exchange?
A. SR Innovations marks every fuse box with a number associated with a specific customer in order to ensure that the original fuse box is modified and returned. If you are still concerned, you can also mark your fuse box (in a non-visible area) with your initials, etc.

Q. Are all of the fuse boxes salvageable?
A. To date, the vast majority are. When we run into one that is not, we obtain one of the rebuilt units on the market and install our modification kit in that to ensure there are no future problems and prevent other failure modes.

Q. What is your average turn around time when I send my fuse box into you?
A. SR Innovations tries to do the modifications on a same day or one day turn around time. We keep our stock of pre-made components at a level required to ensure this. Obviously, work-load in the shop can affect this to some degree, but we try our absolute best to stay within those times.

Q. Must I send my box into you to perform this modification?
A. Yes. SR Innovations has found the only way to ensure our efforts are successful is to bench test the fuse box once we are done modifying it. With an in-depth knowledge of all of the failure points, we are able to look beyond what we are doing to see if any other problems might exist.

Gold connector kit

Q. Is this real Gold?
A. Yes, it most certainly is.

Q. Why Gold plating on the electrical contacts?
A. Gold is used in electronics because of its high electrical conductivity, its inertness when combined with other metals and its resistance to corrosion at either high or low temperatures. The success of the United States space program depends heavily on non-corroding electrical performance of gold on its contacts.

Q. Is Gold better than TIN or Silver plating?
A. Yes. Both Silver and TIN have tendency to corrode and tarnish where Gold is highly resistant to both. The TIN plated contacts we are dealing with had a designed cycle life of 10 removal / assemble operations while the Gold terminals we are using are rated for 100 operations and give far greater contact pressures than OEM.

Q. Do I have to replace ALL of the contacts?
A. Yes. The results of doing this kit install are directly proportional to the effort and attention to detail invested. No system can be any better than its weakest link...our efforts go towards eliminating these weak links.

Q. What changes can we expect to realize from this kit install?
A. As SR Innovations has no way to know the condition of each car’s FI components, we assume that they are in serviceable condition as most are. When the FI computer gets accurate data from the sensors and is able to give accurate data to the injectors due to good contacts in all, the results are most often seen as a smooth idle, improved torque, increased response, easier starting and the lack of pesky CEL's coming on. This kit will not fix the proverbial “dead horse” and will only give favorable results if the attention to small details is given. Patience and effort are all that is required.

Q. What special tools do I need?
A. I suggest you have two cans of Electrical Contact Cleaner, two cans of "Canned Air", a pencil and notebook and a digital camera at hand. Everything else is included in the kit.

Q. Why are the connectors being replaced?
A. As previously discussed, the OEM electrical connectors have a designed cycle life of only 10 removal / assemble operations and their contact pressure is extremely weak, thus their cycle life has been exceeded. Moreover, corrosion has set in due to failing rubber boots and from die-electric grease holding moisture on the contacts for years. In addition, SR Innovations has identified a problem with the use of electrical contact enhancers causing a “build-up” to form on the connectors with resulting poor conductivity. With corrosion and poor conductivity at these connections the signals being sent to the engine management computers are faulty. Thus, we have a "garbage in- garbage out" situation with the engine management computer’s inability to optimally control engine performance.

Q. How do I decide what connectors to replace?
A. SR Innovations provides a list of the connectors we have found to be problematic over the years and all of the parts required to address these problems. No harm can come from going further into the replacement of additional electrical system connections and that is what has led to the options we now offer in addition to the standard connector kit. It should be noted that a number of these options have proven to be so successful in preventing and repairing problems, we have redefined our definition of a “standard kit”, and are now including them in said kit.

Q. What models do you cover in the Gold Connector Kit's?
A. Currently, SR Innovations has kits for the 348 (Motronic 2.5 and 2.7), the F355 (Motronic 2.7 and 5.2) and F40 models. Testing is currently underway on the 308i, QV, 328, TR, 456 and 550 models. We are always looking for "test subjects" to further the models and marques we make kits for. If we do not currently make a kit for your model, we would be delighted to work with you to develop one.

Q. Do you ship Internationally?
A. Absolutely. There will be a minor Currency Exchange charge we incur and have not added into the pricing of the kits that will be charged. SR Innovations has found very favorable shipping rates that have proven trouble-free to date.

Coolant Kit

Q. My coolant hoses look fine, why should I change them?
A. The current failure trend SR Innovations is seeing most often on Ferraris has to do with Electro-Chemical Degradation (ECD) which attacks the coolant hose on the inside, leaving the outside looking in near new condition. Even the slightest seepage of coolant, when combined with the carbon in the rubber and a slight electrical charge generated in the cooling system, leads to failures of the aluminum components to which the coolant hose is clamped.

Q. What makes your coolant hose better than other offerings?
A. SRI Innovation’s coolant hose is specifically designed to operate well beyond any acceptable coolant temps and pressures with no degradation. Silicone is inert and will not cause erosion on non-anodized aluminum nipples, as the rubber compounds in regular coolant hose do. This is not "Siliconized" consumer grade hose, this is 100% Silicone, as good as it gets in every respect. In addition, the coolant hose has been designed with the correct wall thickness, where collapse under cool-down and expansion under heat-up conditions have all been taken into account in its design.

Q. What sizes are available?
A. All of the sizes Ferrari uses in every model. Sizes include (mm): 6, 10, 16, 20, 28, 32, 36, 38, 40, 42. If you need it, we have it in lengths up to 12 foot long in order to solve Mondial and Dino coolant hose needs.

Q. What colors are available?
A. SR Innovations has spent a great deal of time in development getting this coolant hose to look just right, i.e., where it looks original to the Ferrari engine bay... plain old Matte finish Black with minimal labeling that can easily be hidden. However, we can discuss individual requests.

Q. Can any clamps be used with this coolant hose?
A. As with our fuel hose, no. Hose that is purposely designed for an application has very specific clamp requirements. With each coolant hose kit we make, all of the correct clamps for each size are included.

Q. Are there any special requirements for using this coolant hose?
A. Only that a good deal of attention goes towards ensuring that the surfaces the hose will be clamped upon are clean and smooth and the fit is proper.

Q. Are pre-formed coolant hoses of the same construction available?
A. SR Innovations now has the 308 / F355, 82* hose done and in stock. Mandrels are now in production of all of the pre-formed hoses required for each model on a priority basis. Each pre-formed hose requires a very exact mandrel to be made, which takes a bit of effort and time. Inquire to see if we are near to production time on the hoses you require.

Fuel Hose Kit

Q. What makes your fuel hose better than Marine J1527 and SAE hose?
A. Specifically designed to deal with the ever changing fuel make up we have today, no corners were cut in its devolvement. Where material spec of .015" thickness was required, we better than doubled that. Where we needed 3PSI burst strength, we increased our design to better than 100PSI, all while focusing on keeping it the most pliable hose offered anywhere at any price.

Q. Why is it Orange?
A. Orange is the natural color of the Aramid Fiber (Nomex) when used in this application. I felt that the color will bring attention to this being a special hose for a special application.

Q. Why is it layered in its construction?
A. Each layer has a special purpose and reason for being there. The inner liner construction is of our design with the sole purpose towards retaining fuel with very low rates of permeation. The layer outside of the liner is to create a clampable structure that will conform to irregularities in the hose nipple. The outer layer, a silicone / Aramid fiber composite, functions to create a fire barrier of the most immune material available to the engine bay environment.

Q. Is this hose pliable?
A. Beyond best expectations, yes.

Q. What sizes are available?
A. At this time we make the 15mm tank to pump feed size, the 35mm tank cross over hose size and the 55mm Fill Neck hose size. Due to popular demand we now make hose kits that include the best hose we can find for the smaller sizes, our hose where applicable and the best clamps available for each. We are in the devolvement stages on making our own 6mm, 8mm, 10mm fuel hose and 15mm designed specifically for fuel vent applications. Other sizes are available on request.

Q. Can we use our old clamps?
A. Not in most instances. The design of our hose requires a smooth interior of the clamp in specific widths for each size. Our Hose Engineers spent a great deal of time with Clamp Engineers getting this right. The Stainless Steel construction assures they will last as long as the hose does.