Ferrari F430 Engine

This is an all-new unit that does not share any components with the 360 Modena's engine. The improvement in terms of performance, weight and reduction of overall dimensions is the result of applying Ferrari's wealth of F1 experience to its road cars.

Despite a 20% increase in engine displacement (from 3586cc to 4308cc), engine weight has increased minimally (just 4kg), while performance is considerably improved. Torque increases by 25% (343lb.ft at 5250rpm, 80% of which is already available at 3500rpm) and power by 23% (490bhp at 8500rpm).

The engine is extremely compact with a cylinder spacing of just 104mm. Similarly, Ferrari's engineers integrated the sump and main bearings in a single casting which, along with a smaller diameter twin-plate clutch and flywheel, has reduced the engine height between the bottom of the oil sump and the crankshaft to just 130mm (from 145mm on the 360 Modena power unit).

In line with the latest developments in high specific output engines, there are new 4-valve cylinder heads, and the inlet tracts and valve diameters are derived directly from designs used on the F1 engines.

The twin overhead camshafts per cylinder bank feature continuously variable timing on both inlet and exhaust cams, and hydraulic tappets drive the valve gear. Actuation of the variable valve timing is guaranteed by a high-pressure hydraulic system (20bar), obtained by using a supplementary pump, an external accumulator and a circuit that works in parallel with the oil circuit for the hydraulic tappets.

This ensures that a full timing cycle is completed in 0.1 seconds. Ferrari has dropped the mixed gear/toothed belt distribution system for a chain-driven system, thus reducing the overall length of the engine. Crankshaft, con rods and pistons are also all new.