Home at last!

Whoo hoo ! 6 weeks later, my 348 is back home from spa services at Sport Auto (Summerfield, NC).

Of course, we used Ferrari parts from Ricambi America and custom Ferrari parts from Hill Engineering.

• oil change
  
• coolant flush
• transmission oil change
• brake fluid flush
• new Hill Engineering oil reservoir plate (139627)
  
• new steering wheel (my 360 Challenge wheel is available, if anyone is interested)
• new turn signal/headlamp stalk assembly
• passenger seat rails fixed so seat locks properly in all positions
• upper dash vents (defroster) repaired
• new pedal box cover plate installed (my feet got wet driving in the rain!)
• Husker LeMans grill completely removed and re-installed. (Sheet metal burrs all nicely cleaned up
• Husker LeMans grill nicely gasket-ed on the outer edges for a nice flush fit. Outer edges now firmly secured with new hardware.
• Targa roof seals re-seated, futile(?) attempt to keep the car dry
• shoulder belt orientation fixed (don't ask)
• "intermittent start" issue resolved
• rocking seatback fixed on both sides
• new engine bonnet struts

...and I'm sure there are more line items that I have forgotten about.

My goal for 2010 is to roll at least 5k miles on her.

Less Clicking, More Browsing for Ferrari Parts at Ricambi America

We made a minor adjustment to our site this morning, and I hope it'll make surfing for Ferrari parts online at Ricambi America more enjoyable.

Previously, visitors to our site needed to click into each individual item to see pricing. Now, we have combined Ferrari parts pricing into our primary diagrams. On the right-side of the table, you'll see the 'price per each' of the individual items. This should make browsing faster, because you don't need to click into each item just to see how much something costs. (Of course, you can still click the part number itself to see photos, more description, etc)

Some items might not show a price, and instead will display 'call'. I'm thinking about how to handle these items -- they are things where the displayed part number no longer exists because of a supersession, or because the item isn't actually available as a singular part. My suggestion would be this: if you see 'call', first click into the item and look for the text 'this item has been superseded....' (in red). If you see that stuff, click it to move forward to the current/active part number. If you don't see that text and instead only see "price = $0.00", then give us a ring.

Anyway, I hope this helps a wee bit!

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

It was only a matter of time before a disgruntled ex-employee broke his contracts with Ricambi America and sold the firm's intellectual content to our competitors. I guess I'm not surprised -- he was unable to keep food on his table while employed at Ricambi, despite a massive salary -- so I suppose, he needed some work. Ethics be damned, huh?

Well, the good news is that Ricambi America remains the leader in genuine Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini parts online. Other companies can copy our website, our content, and even our custom photography.... but they're a long way from matching our customer service, enthusiasm, and passion for this business.

2010 promises to be a year of great innovation at Ricambi America. From more advanced supply chains, to faster customer service, and new venues of product communication. Our best days are ahead -- and we're not bound by what 'somebody else' might do. We'll innovate. Everyone else can copy.

The hottest Ferrari parts still can't shake this cold at Ricambi America

I have fun sharing how hot and sexy the Ferrari parts are at Ricambi America, but today I'm not sure I can say anything except BRRRRRR!!!! It is 17 degrees this morning and just too damn cold to think about much of anything except something like hot cocoa or oatmeal. :(

We installed a high tech thermostat at Ricambi America that allows monitoring of temperatures, and humidity at the office and in the warehouse from anywhere in the world. It is a nice piece of gadgetry to make certain everything stays in proper storage conditions. I'm pleased to report that our Ferrari parts are nice a comfortable at 67 degrees now. However, outside in Winston Salem, it is a whole different game!

On the plus side, my 348 is tucked in with a nice stretch satin Ferrari car cover and staying cozy warm on a Ferrari battery tender

Bye Bye 2009, Hello 2010 !

Hard to believe that 2009 is coming to a close, but indeed today is the last and final day of the decade. Here at Ricambi America, we had a very successful year selling original Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini parts. I think we sold about 7 SD3 diagnostic computers, a whole smattering of Lamborghini body panels, dozens of Ferrari clutches, and more timing belt service kits that I can even remember.

What's in store for 2010? Plenty of good things! We fully expect to have new Hill Engineering 308/328 tensioner bearings in Q1 (a long overdue upgrade for owners of the iconic 8-cylinder Ferrari), and later in the year a new Lamborghini Gallardo clutch thrust bearing.

In 2010, we also plan to extensive upgrades to our inventory of Larini exhaust systems, and a aggressive push of their full product catalog -- including headers, catalytic converters, and exhaust bypass pipes.

We recently launched an on-line chat feature on our website too -- enabling customers who prefer to not use the telephone or email to actually chat us live and in realtime regarding their Ferrari parts requirements. It's a solution managed by www.providesupport.com, but matches our requirements at Ricambi America perfectly. Depending on when you're reading this blog, you can actually chat with us now! How cool is that?

A High Carbon Diet, only at Ricambi America

Tis the season for new Ferrari parts at Ricambi America!

In the past, we have sold several sets of OEM F430 Challenge shift paddles. The paddles are longer than the stock ones, and improve paddle accessibility when the wheel is rotated (and more applicable to street driving, when the drivers hands are not exactly at 9 and 3 o'clock on the wheel). The stock F430 Challenge ones however are frightfully expensive and made from a fairly mundane/boring aluminum.

If you want the F430 Challenge functionality, but desire something that looks more polished in the cockpit, we are proud to now offer Carbonio Extended Length F1 Paddles

I have been so impressed with the quality of Carbonio pieces and the real pleasure of dealing with Carbonio on a B2B level, that we're working hard to bring their entire catalog of carbon pieces into our inventory. It'll take a while, but for now I just love the items we've received thus far, and I'm pretty sure you will too.

A long awaited tool arrives at Ricambi America

Its here.

Its awesome.

Its way freakin' stronger than the Ferrari version, 1/3 the price, and in stock now.

What is it? It is the Hill Engineering version of Ferrari tool 95973048 (AV3048)... the wrench for end of stroke pins on the F355, 360, Enzo, and F430 clutch thrust bearings. Those little pins are darn near impossible to remove without a proper tool -- and even if you have the original Ferrari one, it'll break soon enough. They are too brittle, and nowhere stout enough for a professional Ferrari shop.

No need for a homemade, cobbled together tool. This one, like the other Hill Engineering custom Ferrari parts and tools, is a 'buy it once, buy it for life' product.

http://www.ricambiamerica.com/produc...ucts_id=258478

Yes, we really get excited by Ferrari Parts at Ricambi America!


p.s. Yes, it'll fit Maserati 4200 end of stroke studs too.

p.p.s. Huh? Where does this thing get used? Check out pin #20 here: http://www.ricambiamerica.com/parts_...p?V=diag&I=410 That's what it removes.