355 F1 clutch life question

I pulse the throttle in reverse to help clutch life. Whow knows if this works but I was told by my mechanic to reverse out this way. Sometimes slow launches out of first can be difficult when you are at an intersection. How fast to you gas it out of first to go?

 

Buy a 6-speed = no more pushing a 80k car to leave your house

 

I knew that one was coming! Trust me I've heard it from my friends...of course I don't HAVE to, just being neurotic on clutch wear.

 

The racing start is amazing. I do alot of streetlight racing if there is no traffic and I beat a friends C6 Z06 until 40mph with my launch and then he just killed me. We went at it 3 times and each time I was able to get the jump on him.

I've used the racing launch about 70 times or so, I always thought it revved it up to 7000rpm's, not 6000.

 

OK, cannot support street racing, but at reasonable speeds and low traffic (which it sounds like you are doing) not too dangerous...

70x on the full throttle start.... awesome! I may have to go for it...

BTW, if your buddy had the stones to give his gas and sidestep, he'd probably leave you for dead. Funny thing is the Vette tranny can take it, and he's probably killing his clutch if he is slipping it.

 

Does it have to be running? Anytime you are in central Wisconsin you can borrow mine. Just bring a trailer. And maybe a cardboard box. That way if anything falls off you can put it in the box.

hehe

 

Yeah, to clarify this is very late at night with absolutely no cars in sight and when I say stoplight note that I live in Oklahoma. Cows to the right, horses to your left. It's still irressponsible, but I just wanted to clarify so people didn't confuse my location for a busy area.

It's the only C6 Z06 I've been up against so he may just not be the best driver. But I also noted a few weeks ago when I went drag racing I got a 1.57 60 ft in the F355 using the launch. Not sure what the C6 Z06 or other comparable cars get, but I know that 1.57 is very impressive.

To be honest I've never had someone get the jump on me using the launch, most people beat me after 30-40mph, but never off the line.

 

Help me understand this race launch.

Just have the car in 1st, go from brake to full throttle and the fuzzy logic does the rest??

--Nick

 

Yes, just immediate full throttle.

If anyone wants I'd be more than happy to post a video of it.

 

Uh, YES!

No traction control (ie fuzzy logic) in the 355, so lots of wheelspin. Modern launch control meters out the gas for maximum acceleration.

 

That is correct. Just make sure "Sport" mode is engaged. I don't think you'll get that tire-spin with "Normal" mode.

Here is a good vid (not mine): http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho3Ba44mGi0

 

Ahhhh... I've seen that video Didn't know if it was F1 or not. Now I know

I ended up stuck in some really bad stop and go traffic again today... for about an hour. Eventually, the dreaded F1 (bottom left-most indicator on the dash) indicator started flashing at me again. When this light is flashing, I can't do anything with the paddles.

I have no idea what this is. I've replaced the F1 control relay. the only thing I can think of now is either a worn clutch disc or a faulty motor on the F1 pump system. If it turns out to be a worn disc, it sort of sucks that clutch wear (without any indication of slippage) can leave you without the ability to change gears.

--Nick

 

Sure do! in some cases sport mode is engaged automatically, like the faster shift speed when revs are above a certain RPM (maybe 7000?)

 

I just replaced mine with a factory disc assembly, I too was going to go with the Kevlar but discovered there were issues. I am really happy though 23,000 miles! NJB Automotive did mine and I can tell the difference the old clutch was definitely tired at 87% according to the SD2.

But what I want know is, what did the cars original owner do? He only got 4500 miles out of the original clutch, according to the service records.

 

Lots of stop and go in 1st gear and backing up a ramp in reverse will get you that 4500miles quick for sure.

 

so seems this flashing warning must happen when it's in a rather long stop and go traffic ? Did all you F1 owners here get that experience ? That sounds bad....what if we do the neutral/1st interchange on every (maybe not every but most) stop/go, will this help ? But on the other hand, will this frequent neutral/1st shift hurt the clutch or box in other way ?

Thanks for sharing.

 

I would rather do this frequent neutral/1st shift than riding along keeping the gear constantly in 1st for the stop/go traffic.

But the best solution would be not to get in that stop/go traffic in the first place Remember the 355 was designed to shift at above 7K rpm

 

agree but sadly i m living in Hongkong where u hv 6.5 bad traffic days in a week !

 

Consider yourself lucky ...where in Taipei that figure gets to be 6.9 and road conditions are beyond nightmare.

 

What would happen in Auto? I never use it. But when I get in Stop and Go, people behind me hate it, I will sit till I have several car lengths open then when I see the traffic start to move I will engage the clutch and do what I can to let it idle along. Of course this only works on single lane roads or total grid lock.

 

This post in itself almost puts me off wanting to own a Ferrari F1 box.

 

Where is the love, Pap?

Don't be scared by the F1 box. It's just like a 6-spd in the sense that once you've learned how to use it and use it properly it's quite fun and rewarding.

You see, it's the same for 6-spd box. In stop/go traffic, do you shift into neutral and let out the clutch to save your T/O bearing or do you just keep the clutch depressed for the ease of inching forward? I'm sure most will do a mix of both depending on conditions given.

Show us some love, Pap

 

I have over 14K on the original clutch and its working fine. I have been in very bad traffic "LA" many times and never had the F1 light come on, in fact I don't do anything special to save clutch life besides driving the F1 like a stick should be driven. I love the F1!

 

I tried the "shift to neutral" technique; no help. I seriously think that:

a. My F1 pump is overheating
b. The F1 fluid needs changing/bleeding
c. The system THINKS the clutch has excessive wear

I tried the "race start" today HOPING that the clutch would slip rather than bite hard, burn out, and haul azz. Sadly (but happily), it did a massive burnout (with new 285/35/18 Bridgestones) and hauled the mail!!!

If b and c fail at resolving the issue, I'm buying some reflective radiant heat shielding to wrap the F1 pump, lines and electrical connections to see what happens.

One request from any F1 owner, however. My car doesn't have the proper owner's manual (no reference to the F1 system at all, only the standard 6-speed). Could someone please tell me what the manual says about this F1 indicator on the dash???? What exactly is it telling me? Does it only mean the system is pressurizing, or does this indicator give multiple warnings related to the F1 system? If so, what are the warnings listed in the book?

Thanks,

Nick

 

I believe the light you are talking about is the "gearbox check light" Does it look like a box with a stick poking out the top?