430 scuderia shifting characteristics

I drove a 430 Scuderia this past weekend and was surprised at the shifting characteristics. I have read the manual on the settings, etc completely.

above the 5000 rpm and past the 40% throttle, set in sport mode or racing mode, the F1- superfast shift 2 system was obviously coming on. the problem for me was that with every up shift the car felt as if it stalled for a split second and kicked me in the back. This was all within miliseconds but it just felt really odd and rather hard. I was expecting a shift similar to a really quick speed shift, but every time it felt as if the car quickly stalled and then came back with a brute kick.

Is this normal or is this indicative of a problem with the F1 trans?

Thanks,

 

that is what makes it more fun than a 458 gearbox

 

SF2 does give you a kick when you are fully on it with the steering wheel lights lit, but you certainly wouldn't ever think the car had stalled - brutal yet astonishing is how I would describe it. Smooth it ain't, fast and fabulous it certainly is. Obvious question, you are keeping your foot flat to the floor? And you are high up the revs not just around 5k, if you are around the point SF2 kicks in and lifting you will maybe get some odd changes.

 

+ 1

 

That sounds like what I experienced when I drove one. It would snap my head back when I shifted. Much different than the 458.

 

Amen every time I get that feeling it reconfirms I'm not missing out anything on a 458. When it comes to sports car the pure sport feel should be top priority. If I wanted smooth I would have bought a Bentley.

 

That is that pure sport feeling I am talking about

 

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I was holding the gas peddle steady. I was shifting just south of 7000 to be sure I was above the 5000 mark. I did this several times to make sure I was as consistent as I could be with it. I also wanted to be sure I was well past the 40% throttle mark.

Stalling is the only real way I could describe it. it was very fast, but almost like a very quick stutter. A good way to say it would be if you were hitting a rev limiter; one of the cut points is what it reminds me of, but very fast.

 

Has anyone posted a good video that I could hear the shifts at this point in a Scuderia? That might help.

 

Well said, the Scud box is just awesome, no wonder why they put it in the 599 GTO........

 

Is this in every gear? I felt the same in a Scuderia 16M but only from 2nd to 3rd.

 

Snap back? I'm not sure I would say the interruption in power is long enough for that sort of feeling with SF2, real kick when the change slams home yes, snap neck back I don't think so, change is 60 ms so very very fast, power interruption is minimal, could be you are bordering on it switching between SF2 and standard shift speed at the revs you mention or lifting slightly - you are seeing SF2 on the dash before you try changing? Try some changes flat to the floor at 8K and see how it feels, nothing like it - totally different to 458 as you say. Scud is an automated manual just as per all Ferraris pre California, 458 and FF. 599 GTO is the same style of F1 automated manual. Allows you to skip gears when required, drop 2 gears for overtake and then back up 2 when you want - try that in a 458!

 

That pure sports feeling is costing you precious acceleration time.

And just for the record... the 458 does a damn good job of slapping you into the back of the seat. Their is nothing "Smooth" about 0-60 in about 3 seconds.

 

LOL! Precious acceleration time? A tad overwrought, unless you're trying to put the thing on pole at Monza!

BTW, the 458 shifting is smooth, relatively speaking. It pins you back into your seat, but it does it in such a way that is sublime.

 

- There was some 'debate' if the 430 shift was better, with one 'HALL' effect measurement electronics 'OFF', or 'out',,.

Some insight as to the differences, and possibly similarities in effect on sentiment at the wheel, ?. (I know this is a thread for another type all together, just fishing for specifics, and similarities).

Personally, I went for a short, rented, trip in a standard 430, and the instructor pointed out specifically, that the one element of two, in the gearbox electronic surveilance system, was out of function. I made a point out of asking as to if this would warrant a 'negligence' issue, of some sort, formulated as if the factory service light had had an indication. This was explained as not beeing of importance, neither, a 'plus', nor, even, a 'variation'.

The shifts at 85 - 95 % throttle/revs were firm, pleasantly, and smooth from a driveline sentiment perspective.

I drove the 458 also, another day, also only shortly, - didn't seem to be any difference what so ever. This was only in 2nd - 3rd gear, maximum, at throttle of 'push' / open road indication.

 

I'll see if I have something but I'm sure it's without the 'hesitation' (to me it's more a hesitation than a stall). It only occurred sometimes, and only from 2 to 3. Felt more like a bug in the SF2 software.

 

Curious while the 458 shifts 10ms quicker than a scud at 60ms what do you think would cost you more precious acceleration around a track the 10ms slower shift times or the 200 plus lbs the 458 carries around the corners? To be totally honest I would trade off 10th of seconds for a better feel more involved experience. It's safe to say the scud clearly gives the driver a more raw experience than a 458, that is not to say the 458 is not a great car, it is amazing just different.

 

Robin,
A video would be great. I am struggling on how to describe it.

All, I appreciate your time and comments. I think maybe I need to drive it again with these thoughts in mind.

Thanks,
Dan

 

Manettino to sport, give it the full beans, foot flat and 8k change - if it hesitates take it to your dealer, if it just amazes then repeat the process!

 

My Scud sure as heck doesn't stall or delay with wide open throttle shifts.

Like the other owners have said, the shifts are absolutely phenomenal. If the shifts aren't giving you wood, something is wrong (with the car - not you!!) and the dealer needs to look at it!!!

 

If you're feeling stalling then something is wrong with the car. The Scuderia is scary, violently fast. It will pin you to the seat and keep you there. I'm familiar with the shifting from an owner's point of view.

 

The "stalling" feeling might be due to how that particular car was set up using the SD3 computer. If you buy one you could have it adjusted to shift differently...

 

One thing I failed to mention was how loud the shifting system was. It sounds like pneumatic actuators every time the car would shift. It was plenty loud to be heard over the engine.

Is it normal to hear that? I looked at some video's on youtube of the 430 Scuderia last night and best I could tell, they were not experiencing the same issue between shifts. it is hard to hear through youtube though. I will try to drive the car again this weekend and get a better assessment. I may even try to video it.

Thanks,

 

I would say if you are hearing anything above the engine/exhaust in a scud in SF2 mode then something is very wrong. I would get it checked before driving further, you don't want to inflict damage and the shift is as brutal as it is fast.

 

Just make sure the traction control is fully off. In my F430, the car stutters from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd as the traction control kicks in momentarily. With CST off, the car shifts crisp and fast at any gear.