What differences exist across the various Ferrari 348 models?

Often a question comes up on the Ferrari List regarding the differences among cars within a series over that series life. Very often this question is in regards to the 3x8 cars, I am specifically going to try to answer it for the 348. As always, corrections and additions are very welcome. My info comes from various books, magazines, factory brochures, pictures I've taken of various models, and discussions with Ferrari List members, most notably the dealers and owners of 348's. I owe a debt of gratitude to the list members who have provided information over the years.

The reason that this information is not readily available is that most books about the 348 (with the notable exception of "Original Ferrari V8" by Keith Bluemel) were written around the time of the car's introduction (in this case, 1989). This is true of most series production models, and it leaves a gap in the information one needs to make an informed purchase of a used Ferrari.

Since there is no shortage of information regarding the basic features of the 348, I will not discuss that here, only what makes one model year different from another. As with all Ferrari's, minor changes to enhance reliability are often instituted during a model year, so it often becomes difficult to track exactly when an improvement went into place. I will include that information where I have it.

I will mostly be talking about U.S. spec cars here, but where I have info about model changes overseas, I will include that also, because inevitably the question come up as to whether any GTB's were imported to the U.S. (for those who cannot wait, the short answer is "no").

On to the models:

1989 - 1992 Ferrari 348 tb and ts
The model remained basically the same during its first few years. There were a few reliability upgrades through that time, but no major changes. The most significant reliability update, at least to those who plan to track the car extensively, was the rear subframe upgrade to part number 4628.

The 1989 models didn't have the mad-mouse shoulder belt passive restraint system (not required by virtue of their model year 1989 designation, even though many dealers did not get their first cars in until 1990). Very early cars had a roof mounted radio antenna. The dual surface clutch fitted to '89 and some early '90 cars was replaced with a single disc system due to poor reliability. Drivers of '89 and '90 cars who complained of high speed stability problems got a free suspension upgrade in the form of new front shocks and springs, so this was probably incorporated in series production at some point. The Motronic M2.5 ignition/injection system that was on the '89 cars was changed to an M2.7 starting with '90 cars (specifically, at chassis no. 86406). Along with the switch to the 2.7, Euro cars had catalytic converters from this point forward.

Resources show that it was somewhere in this series (sometime after 1991) that the battery was moved from the rear to the front (under a cover under the trunk lid, just aft of the left headlight), but it may have been after the last '92 was produced. At some point (most likely after 1991), a change was made from a Delco GM105 alternator to a Nippondenso unit as a reliability improvement. There was also a cam seal update somewhere along the line.

1992 - 1993 Ferrari 348 tb and ts Serie Speciale
At the Los Angeles Auto Show in December 1992, Gian Luigi Buitoni, President of FNA, introduced the Serie Speciale (commonly referred to as the 348 SS), the first major change in the 348 line. The car was limited to 100 examples (12 '92 models, and 88 '93 models) and was only sold in North America. The differences between the Serie Speciale and earlier 348s were as follows:

The front spoiler was redesigned for aerodynamics, now having a little reverse curve ahead of the front wheels, as well as a lip along the front edge that could be replaced after the inevitable ground scrapes became unsightly.

This spoiler was now body-colored, as was the rear skirt, rocker panels and front portion of the engine cover (all were matte black on older models). This is sometimes referred to "Speciale paint" in ads for older cars that have been repainted in this scheme.

The front grill was redesigned, and a chrome prancing horse was added where there was no horse on the front of earlier cars (a front license plate holder had occupied this space). The black horse on the rear grill of earlier models was changed to chrome, and, for what is probably the most distinguishing external feature of the 348 SS, the Testarossa-like slats covering the taillight assemblies were removed.

In the interior, the standard Frau seats were replaced with leather-covered Kevlar sports seats (although some customers specified the standard seats). The door panels were also redesigned and now in leather. The color of the leather on the doors and seats was coordinated with the carpet and roof liner. On the center console radio cover, the script that said "348 tb" (or ts) on the older cars was replaced by a small plate that read "Speciale tb" or "Speciale ts." There was also a special ID plate on the passenger door-post that listed the number in the series (i.e. No. 019 of 100) along with the engine and chassis s/n and the ts or tb designation.

Pirelli P-Zero's tires were fitted all around, in place of the P700Z's or Bridgestone RE71's found on earlier cars. The rear track was widened by 50mm from 1578mm to 1628mm by adding 25mm of offset to each wheel, and the final drive was shortened from 26/27 on the earlier cars to 25/29 on the SS. A taller fifth gear was fitted (early cars having p/n 70000592), to maintain top speed with the new lower main gear installed.

The SS had a new free-flow exhaust system credited with the car's quoted increase to 312 bhp (sometimes quoted as 320) from 300 bhp in the '89-'92 models. This is often called the "Spider exhaust" but it actually made its first appearance on the Speciale.

1994 Ferrari 348 tb and ts Factory Challenge (street cars)
This one causes some confusion. It is often referred to as the 348 "Factory Challenge" car, which is correct, but do not let that fool you into thinking it came out of the factory with racing equipment installed. All 32 tb and 13 ts model 348s imported to the U.S. for model year '94 were Factory Challenge cars, but all were imported in street trim (although I did read one report that in addition to the 45 challenge cars, Ferrari imported 14 ts cars not in Factory Challenge trim for model year '94, but they did have a special monochromatic leather interior). Some were later converted to Challenge specs (as were some Speciale's and earlier cars) by installation of the optional Challenge kit at the dealer. Actually, I think the kit was a delete option, saving you some $14k off the price if you decided not to take it. Some buyers did not take the kit, others took the parts in a box but never converted the car, and others converted and used the car only on the track, which avoided registration and luxury tax.

Some of the features of the 348 Serie Speciale carried over to the 348 Challenge (also known as 348 CH), such as Speciale paint, chrome Cavallino's front and rear, Spider exhaust, and the drop down main gear. However, the track reverted to 1578 mm (since solid bushings were in the Challenge kit) and the taillight slats returned, as did the standard seats.

Factory Challenge cars included carpet cutouts for the roll cage (with mounting points already welded in and covered with leather-wrapped caps), mounting points for the five-point harnesses, aluminum pedals (found in the kit if purchased to convert an earlier car) and a larger heat shield. Some cars also had carbon brake cooling ducts and rubberized tow hooks, front and rear. This factory pre-prep allowed installation of the Challenge kit in about sixty man-hours, vs. 110 for an earlier car.

1989 - 1994 Ferrari 348 Challenge (track cars)
These are the ones which had the kit installed. As stated earlier, they may have begun life as a '94 Factory Challenge, an '89 car, or anything in between (except a Spider). A Challenge car has the roll cage (modified with a Ferrari/OMP door bar for side impact protection - also, after the 1995 season, a gusset was welded in the roll bar on both sides at the front where the bar angled back to match the line of the A-pillar after a cage bent in a rollover that year), OMP racing seats, Challenge exhaust (two versions depending on noise requirements), Challenge steering wheel (suede), 3" five point harnesses (replacing the 2" ones originally in the kit), OMP hand fire extinguisher (some installed a plumbed-in system instead), "348 Challenge" badge for rear decklid, battery disconnect switches and Plexiglas covers for front turn signals (although more often than not the signal assemblies were removed and brake ducts were fitted here, as they were more efficient than the undertray ducts in the original kit). 17" wheels were changed to 18" Speedline racing rims in 1995 (to match tire sizes with the new F355 Challenge cars) fitted with 245/645x18 front and 305/645x18 rear Pirelli slicks or 225/40 ZR 18 and 265/40 ZR 18 Pirelli rain tires, driver's door net (not in kit but required), and solid bushings.

On request, you could get alternate brake pads, a metallic clutch disc plate, a modified 2nd and 3rd gear selector, an alternate fuel pump and a light front bumper. There were also some changes to the brake plumbing. Additionally, the ECU could be upgraded (the Spider ECU allowed the engine to rev to 7800 rpm vs. 7600 with other ECU's) and the exhaust timing advanced, and the cars were generally lowered (any combination of 348 springs and shocks was allowed; the requirement was that no part of the car touched the ground with both tires on the same side deflated). The air conditioning drive belt could be removed, and the condenser replaced with an additional oil cooler, but the compressor stayed. All the carpets and the tool kit were pulled.

The above does not cover all the possible modifications, but it gives you an idea how the challenge cars differ from the street cars.

1994 - 1995 Ferrari 348 Spider
The Spider was introduced on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills on February 27, 1993, just a couple months after the SS. The Spider carried over all the same features of the SS that were included later on the CH, plus the wider track was included since Spiders were forbidden from the Challenge series. Obviously, it also had a manually operated canvas convertible roof, relocated interior light, and additional chassis bracing required by a convertable. The aft center console, which contained a lockable glovebox on the ts and tb, has a recessed tray on the Spider. The 348 tb or ts script on the rear decklid of those models was replaced by a badge reading "348 spider." It had a slightly smaller fuel tank than the other models (88 liters vs. 95), presumably due to stowage space required for the top. Also, a windshield radio antenna was fitted.

1994 Ferrari 348 GTB and GTS
The GTB/GTS was introduced in March 1994 in Geneva. This model was never sold in North America, but was available in most, if not all, other markets (Europe, Japan, etc.). It had "348 GTB" or "348 GTS" badging on the rear decklid, and Speciale paint with chrome Cavallino's. I suspect, but cannot confirm, that it probably carried over the other Speciale improvements that were used on the CH and Spider (although the increased track width was not carried over, with some of these cars going into the Challenge series). It also had the "H" version engine, with longer intake manifolds, and possibly some fuel delivery modifications. This engine never went into North American cars.

1994 Ferrari 348 GT Competizione (street cars)
This was another car that was not brought to North America. It was a limited edition of fifty (42 LHD, 8 RHD). The car had Speciale paint, split rim Speedline wheels unique to this model, enameled Scuderia Ferrari shields on the front fenders and "348 GT competizione" badging on the rear decklid. Inside, it had red cloth covered Kevlar racing seats (more like Challenge seats than the reclinable buckets in the Speciale), Kevlar sills, drilled aluminum pedals, and a unique steering wheel labeled "348 GT competizione" above the prancing horse, with a set of crossed flags and the number in the series (i.e. 19/50) below.

1993 348 GT Competizione and 1994 348 GT/C-LM (track cars)
Although it carried the same decklid badging as the later street car above, this car was produced strictly for the track. Eleven GT/C's were built, with one winning the Group 2 title in the 1993 Italian Supercar GT series. Additionally, two GT/C-LM's were developed for the 1994 Le Mans race.

The cars, developed by Michelotto, had carbon fiber bumpers and doors, thin aluminum hood and decklid with carbon fiber stiffeners, a Lexan rear window, gray cloth OMP racing seats, and an FIA-legal roll cage. They tweaked the mostly-stock engine, including a fuel mapping change, to put out 360 bhp. The car also had F40 halfshafts and 15 inch Brembo cross-drilled brakes stopping 18 inch wheels all around, eight inches wide at the front and ten at the rear. Koni racing shocks and progressive-rate springs were installed, and the frame was strengthened. There was a carbon fiber undertray beneath the engine, and brake cooling ducts all around.

Race teams that acquired these cars provided further modifications.

Which one to buy?
What to look for in a 348 is outside the scope of this narrative (there are many other sources telling what to look for in any Ferrari), but there are specific cars in the series that are more preferred than others, and the market generally reflects that with price. You can look at the various features above and decide which is right for you. Conventional wisdom that you should buy the latest model you can afford (factoring in expected maintenance and insurance costs) applies to the 348. For North American buyers of street cars, the Factory Challenge (never converted for track use) cars are the cream of the crop, with the Serie Speciale preferred next. Of the early cars, a '92 is better than an '89 for many reasons, motorized belts notwithstanding. As a track car, the Challenge converted cars are great (with the Factory Challenge cars being most preferred), but it may not be wise to purchase a former Challenge car converted (probably illegally) back to street use. The ultimate track 348, an actual racing version of the GT Competizione, will probably cost you several times the price of a Challenge car.

The official Ferrari 348 buyer's guide can be found online by clicking here.

Contributions to this FAQ by: Tom Hellwig