Changing Gear | FerrariChat

Changing Gear

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by Chris Foster, Oct 16, 2005.

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  1. Chris Foster

    Chris Foster Karting

    Sep 5, 2004
    170
    Leicestershire/Notts
    Full Name:
    Chris Foster
    Hello.

    Is it normal to have to apply alot more pressure to change gear in my 348, in comparison to a conventional car?

    Should be like Popeye by Friday!!

    Chris.
     
  2. angelis

    angelis F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 18, 2004
    6,395
    London, England
    Full Name:
    Sy
    The 348 gearbox is quite stiff on start up but gets noticeably better.

    It can be a bit notchy though.
     
  3. F2003-GA

    F2003-GA F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 2, 2003
    13,066
    Sunbelt
    Full Name:
    Bro
    Yes.But as I went to own a 355 and then a 360 it got a lot better with each Ferrari.Just don't be afraid to man handle the gear shifter and you will get use to it.
     
  4. F328GTS

    F328GTS Formula 3

    Apr 27, 2004
    1,628
    Cambridgeshire, UK
    Full Name:
    Nigel R
    Especially 2nd when cold. Most people go from 1st to 3rd until warm.
     
  5. EK3R

    EK3R Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2004
    828
    FL
    Full Name:
    Eric K
    Box on my 355 wasn't great when cold - wouldn't even bother trying to go for 2nd for at least 10 mins - 1st straight to 3rd. Once warmed up it was as easy and light as any other gearbox I have used however.
     
  6. Jas

    Jas Formula 3

    Mar 2, 2005
    1,060
    Kent, UK
    Full Name:
    Jas

    Yes.....because you're driving a real car now :)

    It's also normal for the steering to take effort on fast bends, and your clutch leg and foot to ache like **** when stuck in crawling London traffic for 2 hours after the poseur run :D
     
  7. Chris Foster

    Chris Foster Karting

    Sep 5, 2004
    170
    Leicestershire/Notts
    Full Name:
    Chris Foster
    Hello.

    OK, thanks!

    Chris.
     
  8. sletti

    sletti F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa

    Nov 19, 2003
    5,084
    NW Kent
    Full Name:
    Stig W
    308s are supposed to have this problem, but it's not a problem I have encountered in either of my cars.....
     
  9. a7see

    a7see Karting

    Apr 8, 2004
    155
    Aberdeen, Scotland
    Full Name:
    AL
    Totally agreed with the rest. Even with the TR, I still go from 1st to 3rd for about 5-7 miles and it does get better noticebly, though the TR is slightly better than my last 348, IMHO. :)
     
  10. murph7355

    murph7355 Formula 3

    Nov 30, 2002
    1,691
    SE England Yorkie
    Full Name:
    Andy
    Me neither (on both).
     
  11. barabus

    barabus F1 Rookie

    Aug 22, 2004
    4,777
    12 Cylinder Village
    Full Name:
    Si
    Me neither on both I always warm the Testa up 1st and the Vauxhall Corsa has no such problems :D
     
  12. angelis

    angelis F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 18, 2004
    6,395
    London, England
    Full Name:
    Sy

    That's strange.

    I don't have any problem with 2nd gear. It's 1st gear that that's really stiff on start up.
     
  13. stevew

    stevew Formula 3

    Jun 9, 2002
    1,839
    uk
    Full Name:
    Steve
    When cold it was 1st to 3rd in the 308,only took a couple of miles to warm up and then there was no problem engaging 2nd.
    A couple of months before I sold it,I changed the gearbox oil to Millers TRX semi synthetic which made a big difference and could get 2nd when cold.

    The 348 is the same ,1st to 3rd then after a couple of miles you can get 2nd,no probs.I'll change the 348 to Millers when I do the service in the new year.
     
  14. jaturon

    jaturon Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2004
    1,599
    Bangkok Thailand
    Full Name:
    Zane
    The issue only comes up in my 328 and TR when cold other than that no problem M8.
     
  15. Chris Foster

    Chris Foster Karting

    Sep 5, 2004
    170
    Leicestershire/Notts
    Full Name:
    Chris Foster
    So we are decided then, 1st - 3rd?

    I have only done 10 miles so far so I haven't really had a play as yet!!

    Any problems I will get back in touch.

    Chris.
     
  16. jtremlett

    jtremlett F1 Rookie

    Feb 18, 2004
    4,696
    Yes, 1st to 3rd. Unlike the F355 etc. the 348 does not have a heat exchanger with the engine to warm up the gearbox oil. I don't use 2nd until the gearbox oil temperature guage is on the first mark. I believe from hearsay that it can damage the synchromesh if you try to thump it in when it's cold. You'll find it's totally different when it is warm.

    Jonathan
     
  17. yorkshirelad

    yorkshirelad Formula Junior

    Jul 1, 2005
    461
    bradford
    Full Name:
    ian
    there's a few web pages here n there which give good tips on the 348, such as how to best start them, and warming up the gearbox etc.
    On of the f-chat lot sent me a link but i'm struggling to find it...but it does help. i'll try and send it tonite (if i can find it;) )
     
  18. dell550

    dell550 Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 24, 2005
    209
    London
    Full Name:
    george c
    get some one in the know to test your car quickly as it may not be normal if all the gears are that stiff-just to make sure that its not a mechanical fault although allpost are right that F-car gear change is harder than most run of the mill motors it should not fell like a workout after a few miles
     
  19. Long-wheelbase

    Long-wheelbase Karting

    Jul 20, 2004
    135
    348's use cables to operate the gear change, unlike the 348 GTS/GTB/GTC/ Spider and 355 which use linkages/rods.Get the set up checked.Also Hill Engineering make a gear lever gate which MAY assist the change into second gear.Most importantly check for any unusual noises, as the 348's are prone to failure of the thrust bearings and also a nut coming loose on an input shaft.Both can be terminal if left undetected!
     
  20. Dean 355

    Dean 355 Karting

    Mar 22, 2005
    78
    Kent
    Full Name:
    Dean
    Does anyone else have to go from 1st to 4th gear? For the first few miles I cant get 2nd or 3rd in the 355. After that its fine.
     
  21. yorkshirelad

    yorkshirelad Formula Junior

    Jul 1, 2005
    461
    bradford
    Full Name:
    ian
  22. angelis

    angelis F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 18, 2004
    6,395
    London, England
    Full Name:
    Sy
    Are you sure about this?

    I thought that all 348's had cable operated gear chnage.
     
  23. EK3R

    EK3R Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2004
    828
    FL
    Full Name:
    Eric K
    2nd gear was the only problem on my 355 when cold - absolutely no way it would engage for the first 5 - 10 mins.

    All others were fine - 1st to 3rd was easy. All gears were very light when warmed up.
     
  24. yorkshirelad

    yorkshirelad Formula Junior

    Jul 1, 2005
    461
    bradford
    Full Name:
    ian
    Mine 'refuses' to go into second gear till oils warmed up, and won't willing go into 1st unless totally stationary!!
    Once warmed up though its like silk!!!:D
     
  25. Jas

    Jas Formula 3

    Mar 2, 2005
    1,060
    Kent, UK
    Full Name:
    Jas
    Seems all 348's vary. Mine has no probs with 1st or 2nd when cold and goes into gear immediately.

    It does get smoother after it's warmed slightly though.
     

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