Saving the Ferrari F430 coupe #156157 with a F430 Challenge engine !

The wonderful story of how the Abu Dhabi F430 Challenge at Ferrari World saved VIN# 156157

What's the story?

By the end of 2024, we purchased a collection of Ferrari F430 Challenge parts from a Dutch company that specialised in the conversion of F1 to manually shifted Ferraris. Among the parts we acquired was an engine that originated from the F430 Challenge car that was used as a race simulator at the Ferrari World theme park (in Abu Dhabi). Apparently, a colleague of the guy we bought the parts from, used to work for a company that built simulators based on real cars and they were asked by Ferrari to build a race simulator for Ferrari World. The company purchased a F430 Challenge and removed the engine and some additional parts. That engine remained in storage until we bought it.

Replacing the engine

Because the original engine was seized and beyond repair, we had to find a replacement. Fortunately, at that time, we still had the Ferrari World F430 Challenge engine in storage, but didn't know much about its condition. There was a documented compression test that was performed a year before and which indicated all cylinders were performing very well. But we didn't have anything else. 

Then, I got in touch with Luciano Cherentl, who had been working for the Ferrari F430 Challenge programme before (around the time the F430 came out) and who has a very extensive career in servicing all kinds of race cars: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini and much more.

We started taking the F430 Challenge engine completely apart and eventually realised this engine had only run a very limited number of kilometers, something around 12.000km. There was only very light wear to be seen on the mechanical components, which gave us good confidence. So, we took the decision to use this F430 Challenge engine. From what can be found on the internet, the only difference between a normal F430 and a F430 Challenge engine is the ECU's software (engine control unit). Well, there are more differences than thought.

So, Luciano started to rebuild the engine using new gaskets, seals, filters, sensors and many more renewables. It was all progressing very well until an issue appeared with the engine's cable harness. Apparently, the cam covers changed during the years the F430 was produced. First versions had cam covers with coils that had to be bolted on with 2 bolts. The next generation had no bolts! Apparently all Challenge engines had the first generation cam covers and our car (VIN # 156157) was of the second generation, hence the cable harness didn't fit the Challenge cam covers. Using the F430 Challenge cable harness was no option because these were for a LHD car, while we were working on an originally RHD car (with matching RHD cable harness). Next to that, both the front engine cover and carbon air intake manifold of a F430 Challenge engine had stop plugs inserted in the lines providing vacuum and coolant  to the central HVAC. We were able to remove these plugs and connect the hoses!

Those were fortunately the only ponts of attention and connecting all hoses, cables and other things went smoothly! After 5 days of work, we reached the point where we could start up the engine for the first time. We were both nervous and much to our relief, the engine started up nicely and ran very smooth. Job done!

History of the car

The F430 Coupe with chassis number 156157 has a very particular history. It started its life in 2007 where it was sold to its first owner by Dick Lovett in the UK. Originally, the car was painted black and had expensive options like carbon race seats, Scuderia shields and carbon dashboard inlays. It was a Ferrari 60 years Anniversary edition and still holds that shield on the dashboard.

Then, a couple of years later, the car was sold to someone in Belgium, who took the decision to do something out of the ordinary and also very costly: a conversion from RHD to LHD car, which involved a lot of work and many parts. It is not clear so far who did this conversion. All input on this is very welcome.

Then, by 2019 it was sold to a certain Alphonse M. in Belgium, who drove a couple of kilometers with it and heard a rattling noise coming from the engine bay. He decided to have the engine checked and repaired by someone in his area. Apparently, that mechanic forgot to tighten 2 con rod bolts with a disastrous outcome after driving another 2 kilometers: a seized engine. 

By the beginning of 2025 and after 5 years of litigation against the garage company, the judge concluded that nobody was responsible and the owner lost all hope. Result: a car that had been standing still for at least 5 years and 50.000 euro of expenses on experts and lawyers for the owner.

Then, I purchased the car. 

Your help is welcome

I am looking for extra information on the car regarding its service history and past ownerships, so if you happen to know interesting information of the car or know of someone who could help me with this, please let me know.

Special thanks to

- Luciano Cherenti for taking the lead in this complex job and bringing the whole project to a very successful end.

- Autoshop Cooremans for instantly providing us with all tools, renewables and liquids

- My family for encouraging us while rebuilding the car

Help with the restoration of your car

Because I have a huge stock of spare parts for the Mondial and the technical knowledge and experience I have in rebuilding these cars, I have all knowledge and parts to help you rebuilding your own car. If interested, please enquire what I can mean for your project.