| Author | Message | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 480 Registered: 5-2001 |
Great tech tip, thanks. | ||
| Charles Barton (Airbarton)
Junior Member Username: Airbarton Post Number: 208 Registered: 11-2002 |
This is exactly why I love this section! Thanks for the explaination Paul it is much appreciated! I guess I will not need so much trial and error next time. As you can tell I am just learning about these cars and finding out that they are not all that tough to work on. | ||
| Paul Hill (348paul)
New member Username: 348paul Post Number: 23 Registered: 12-2002 |
Charles, Here is a picture of the complete unit. All cables will stretch with time according to load etc. - I think this is why that the "Rod Linkage" has better results over time. The trick to adjusting the clevis ends (gearbox end) on the cables is to make sure you are in neutral, take off the two M6 Bolts that go through the 2 clevises and the linkage of the translator assembly. Check inside the car that the shift lever is perfectly in the middle of the central gate (2nd & 3rd) and in the middle of the two forks either side (up and down). Get right underneath the linkage under the car so that you can look directly up and see the holes of the linkage and the holes of each clevis on the ends of the cables. They should be perfectly in line with the holes in the linkage. If they are not you need to adjust the clevis that is out so that the holes are perfectly aligned. Purely for caution you can count the amount of turns that you do on either clevis so it can be put back if all goes wrong! Paul  | ||
| Charles Barton (Airbarton)
Junior Member Username: Airbarton Post Number: 196 Registered: 11-2002 |
Thanks Pual, that is precisely what I was refering to. A minor adjustment there makes a Hugh difference. What do you think, do they stretch with age? By the way there is a similar assymbly on the other end. You have to remove more stuff to get to it. The one you show looks like the one near the transmission. | ||
| Paul Hill (348paul)
New member Username: 348paul Post Number: 22 Registered: 12-2002 |
For reference!  | ||
| Charles Barton (Airbarton)
Junior Member Username: Airbarton Post Number: 179 Registered: 11-2002 |
If you really want to see a dramatic improvement in the shifting all you have to do is adjust the length of the cables. My 348 use to be terrible especially 2nd gear. I decided to try to figure out why and discovered the cables themselves have threaded ends with an adjusting nut on them. All you have to do is give them a turn and try the shift. With a little trial and error you can make a hugh difference in how the car shifts. Mine is way better now. I use to hate the way it shifted but now it is almost perfect! I think what happens is over time the cables must stretch or something which makes the shifts get progressively worse. I also think Ferrari must have known this and made it possible to adjust them. It was really no big deal to do. There is a cover plate directly under the shifter that comes off with just a couple of bolts. Once its off, the underneath of the shifter is exposed. All you need is the proper size open end wrench to adjust. Believe me when I tell you it makes a hugh difference! | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 479 Registered: 10-2002 |
Interesting. I supose if the change is slight it's probably ok but I'd still avoid speed shifting. My P4 (and the 312p of which there's agreat article in this months Road & Track) went one step futher. They have internals in the gate that make you have to shift sequentily. 1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1. You can't skip a gear. Best Jim | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Junior Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 205 Registered: 8-2002 |
James, I've been told if you order a replacement shift gate from the local F-dealer for your plain ol' 308, 328 or 348, etc, it'll have that same angle on the tangs between the slots. | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 477 Registered: 10-2002 |
Mike Are they for upgraded boxes or are they ok for all boxes? | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Junior Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 203 Registered: 8-2002 |
New replacement gates from the factory have these same angles on them. They're very slight and subtle. This isn't a major change. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 2238 Registered: 6-2001 |
Theres a reason the gates are the way they are from the factory. They dont have internal stops. you could be grinding something each time you shift with the new and "improved" gates. | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 476 Registered: 10-2002 |
A few thoughts. Learning to work on your car is fun and you must begin somewhere. Remove knob. Remove gate. Place gate in vise protected by wood and a cloth. File gate. Sand paper away file marks. Polish with compound using a buffing wheel attached to an electric drill. Wear eye protection. Or take gate to a local machine shop with a pic/drawing and they will do it you for less than you paid. BUT!!! Before you do this,or fit a non stardard gate think about it. There is a reason Ferrari makes notchy gates. The box is a ways away from this lever.Some Ferrari boxes are known for less than stellar second gear syncro's. Speed shifting these boxes is not always a good idea. Either is using too much "Momentum". I have seen many sad things in my day. Destroyed Ferrari boxes due to improper shifting are some of them. If it happens to be out of an F40 or a 333 it's more so as the damage can cost way much. | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Junior Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 202 Registered: 8-2002 |
After filing mine, it is indetectable in appearance (at least to me) that it didn't come that way from the factory. | ||
| David C. (Worth_it)
Junior Member Username: Worth_it Post Number: 65 Registered: 10-2002 |
No one would ever consider me a "wrench turner". I enjoy tinkering like many but I leave most of the work to the pro's. This being said - I want to offer another solution to improving shifting feel and speed. Change the shift knob to a heavier material, alluminum or titanium. The original knob on my 348 Spider is plastic and ugly. Last week I installed a new one and I believe the shifts are better because the extra weight in your hand assists in momentum not effort to achieve the throw. Maybe it is just psychological but I think it makes more sense then changing the factory gate. Just my .02 Does my statment make sense to anyone with mechanical or physics expertise. | ||
| Mark (Markg)
Member Username: Markg Post Number: 377 Registered: 2-2001 |
or http://www.titaniumcavallino.com/ferrari/index.html | ||
| Mark (Markg)
Member Username: Markg Post Number: 376 Registered: 2-2001 |
see http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/112/1516.html | ||
| Gary Reed (Gary_reed)
New member Username: Gary_reed Post Number: 18 Registered: 2-2002 |
Oops.... I meant to say "I DO NOT" feel talented enough with a file.. Gary | ||
| Gary Reed (Gary_reed)
New member Username: Gary_reed Post Number: 17 Registered: 2-2002 |
James, True- but I sure feel talented enough with a file to start removing sections of metal from my stock gate. Plus, I would imagine all of the hardened chrome surfaces would be removed too and I'd up with a scratched and gouged shifter lever in no time flat. But maybe I'm totally wrong... Mike's previous post said he filed his down own gate. Also, I would guess that a new gate from Ferrari is quite a bit more $$ than I just paid for the custom one. Gary | ||
| Philip (Phil_good)
New member Username: Phil_good Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2002 |
Ed, Apologies. My mother tongue being French, I miss sometimes the essence of the message... I will buy one. | ||
| Charles Barton (Airbarton)
Junior Member Username: Airbarton Post Number: 175 Registered: 11-2002 |
I got mine as a gift @ Christmas. Just tell your wife to put it on her list. It does shift just a slight better and the allen screws are a nice touch. The Titainium shift knob looks good too, much nicer than the stock one. | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 475 Registered: 10-2002 |
You can buy a nice file for at lot less than that. | ||
| Gary Reed (Gary_reed)
New member Username: Gary_reed Post Number: 16 Registered: 2-2002 |
Ed, The cost after the 15% discount is 67.95 English Pounds, or about $111 USD. Gary | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Junior Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 201 Registered: 8-2002 |
You can do the same thing with your own stock gate with careful application of a file or dremel tool. I did it with mine. By the way, I've been told that if you order a replacement gate from the dealer, the new ones already have the angles trimmed that way. | ||
| Ed P. (Ebp)
New member Username: Ebp Post Number: 38 Registered: 12-2002 |
Phil,,, He said it does "seem" to shift easier. What was the cost on this item? | ||
| Philip (Phil_good)
New member Username: Phil_good Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2002 |
If it does not shift easier what's the advantage ? Am I missing something ? Phil | ||
| Gary Reed (Gary_reed)
New member Username: Gary_reed Post Number: 15 Registered: 2-2002 |
Here's a report that I posted to the FerrariList about the custom shift gate that I just bought. They are offering the 15% off to Ferrari Chat members too. Just be sure to tell him you are a member if you want to order one. ----------------------------- I received my "Slick-Shift" gate yesterday from England. They shipped it very quickly and installation took all of about 5-minutes. It came with new hex head bolts and an allen wrench. The car does seem to shift easier/quicker from 1st into 2nd gear and 3rd into 4th gear because of the increased gate angles/clearances and besides that, it looks fantastic too. I'm a happy camper! I wrote to the owner of the company and told him I was going to post some information about it on FerrariList. He told me he is very excited to get the exposure and is willing to give a 15% off discount to any Listt member who would like to order a gate. You will need to write directly to him and identify yourself as a FerrariList member to get the special price. Paul Hill at: [email protected] Their website is: http://www.hill-engineering.co.uk/ferrari-slickshiftgate.htm to see all the detailed info. I have no business affiliation with them at all. Buyer beware and your mileage may vary.... blah.. blah..blah.. the usual disclaimers. Gary  |