Shift feel, 348

OK, so...maybe this is a dumb question, but I'm new to these things. Here goes:

Is the 348 shifter supposed to be so, ummm...non compliant? I noticed that, in the car I'm looking at, downshifts must be made with CONSIDERABLE throttle blips, or the shifter simply refuses to go to the next gear down. A lot of the times, it just flat-out refuses, throttle or no, especially 3rd gear. I also noticed that, even when the engine is winding down, it's almost impossible to shift into anything but first, and that only after stopping. Is this normal, some kind of idiot-proofing, or is this something to be concerned about? I know the 348 gearboxes are problem areas, but this car is a '95 and I thought that had been remedied by then. Anyway, just figured I'd ask. Thanks!

 

I'm a new owner of a '94. I don't have any shifting problems...up or down. Cold or warm. Maybe I'm just lucky. I believe the previous owner used a "redline" product that helps with shifting a bit.............Lou

 

What are the engine water and oil temps when the tranny is balky?
Does the problem persist even after long drives (more than 20 minutes)?
Have you ever run the snot out of it on a back road to ge the OILS hot enough?
If so, did the tranny loosen up when the oil was hot?
When was the last time the tranny oil was changed?
And what oil was put in?

Based on your description::
You could have a shifter linkage adjustment problem
You could have a selector adjustment problem
You could have a synchronizer problem
You could simply be running the wrong oil in the tranny
You might even be having a clutch issue (not fuly disengauging)

 

My 348 shifts smooth as a knife through butter.

 

+1!

 

+2

 

Same here Lou, no problems shifting up or down, hot or cold...it must our Giallo models

 

My 1995 348 never has a problem up or down same as the others have said

 

They are notorious for having a stiff gear box, no way you can downshift gear on a 348 quickly like, for example, on a 355. It just doesn't happen. What happens in my opinion, is that after a while you drive this car you just get used to and many of us don't even recognize that anymore. One think it surely does help is to utilize the right oil for the transmission and knowing that there are limitations on what it can do. Now, the way you are talking about the shifting on this specific car is probably too much and perhaps there is really a problem with the gear box. in general I think the transmission of the 348 is not the best thing on earth .... but this is just my opinion !

 

Come out to my little drift park in Alabama. I'll let you light up the tires in my 348. If there was a shift problem, I'd know it.

 

Thanks for the responses!

Unfortunately, I do not know exactly what is in the car now as it is not mine yet I did make sure to let it warm up for about 8 minutes before I drove it (wanted to make sure the oil was good as it has been at a dealer for a while), then let it heat up a bit more on the road before jumping on the interstate. It may just be an acclimation issue as I'm used to shifting my Cayman S, which is a pretty easy car to drive.

 

As I said .... it's just my opinion and you have yours, I respect yours.

 

shifting into second gear when cold is a know problem with alot of ferraris. After warming up all gears should shift smooth.

 

Roberto, I respectfully disagree. I pay great attention to every detail of my car, and know it inside out, yet I am able to downshift quickly without any problem.

 

Warm it up or put some Redline gear oil in it!

 

+1.....Redline oil.

 

First, to set the record straight, I LOVE MY 348 no confusions here !!!!!!!

I could have a problem on mine (it's a 1990 Version) or I don't know how to shift properly ...
I always have to give a blimp of throttle before down shifting or simply wait a moment before it goes thru, that to me means slow gear change. My 2001 VW VR6 Jetta doesn't need any of that, up or down shifting, i could change gear without clutch if i want to. On the 348 at the other end, up shifting also is not as quick. Sometimes i watch youtube to hear the sounds of the 348's with the performance mufflers and their shifting appears slow to me, the 355 is much quicker.

I do use Redline in my tranny and yes I felt the improvement after but still is not enough for me.

 

Put redline in and shift like a pro. I find the 355 shifter a bit too, um, girlie man.

 

Is the shifting in the 355 assisted like the steering is?

 

That reminds me, I LOVE the steering feel of the 348. It's like driving a Go-Kart, and that's a very good thing. The car handles quite nicely. I'm still not sure the shifts are supposed to feel the way they do, but I guess I'll have everything checked out during the PPI.

 

So does EVERY other 348 driver out there mate!!

 

+1 Everything that gave me doubts at first, like the shifter and the half-powered steering, are the things that I'm starting to love more and more! Don't get me started on the pedals..

 

C'mon PAP, I didn't mean it that way ....

 

+1

 

I have been completely misunderstood here ...