Gear box swap/upgrade in 400 auto

Hi,

I have checked many forums to see if there any completely stand alone controllers for the new GM 6-speed. I have not found any application that would work on an old Ferrari or similar. This would be nice since it is much cheaper that the TCI 6X.

I agree that a 6-speed manual, transaxle or not, would be fantastic. To mount such box (especially the transaxle) one have to rebuild the entire car behind the drivers seat. - I wonder if one would destroy more that improve..

One of the most impressive restomods I have seen is the Blue US built 365 GTC4 that was featured in one of the US Ferrari magazines a few months ago. The owner had an old pretty worn GT4 and modenized it with a 412 engine (with carbs), modern interior, new breakes, new wheels and wider body to top off. Nothing short of fantastic in my eyes.
http://www.365gtc4.com/Gallery/album.aspx?albumid=880&albumName=14837
I'd swap any day...

Then it is better to buy a second Ferrari or other sports car. I’m clearly a manual guy for sports cars, and as mentioned earlier the 400 series is too heavy for track use and hence a GT cruiser in my humble view. And I can live with a nimble "autobox" in a GT (comp. 599 and 612)

My intention is to use the Ferrari I have, and even have the wife using it to Stop&Shop.....

If the old track nerve were to come back I would buy a second car for that. A light weight hi torque car. Maybe an old 7 or an eleven for track use. Cobra Mk III??

Simplicity and fun!

//Robert

 

I understand that the GTC4 conversion is not for all but I think it is very nice. Old but yet modern. An original car is of course much more valuable but if it was worn and in bad condition, why not. The owner likes it and so do I..

I agree that a manual 5 or 6-speed would be nice in my 400 Spyder. Since the change from auto to manual would involve many changes, one really would have to buy a manual “donor car” and swap over. That is not really feasable given the limited number of "bad" manual donor cars.

A conversion to a manual gearbox from another car (or other Ferrari) is not really possible given that one would need to introduce a clutch, different centre console, new pedals and also fit the box with drive shaft. It is not a problem to find a non 400 box that fits but everything else makes it a very complicated and expensive project.

The conversion I have in mind would make use of the paddle shifter option that comes with the TCI 6X.

I'm going to a local gearbox specialist next week to get a second opinion on the project. I do have a complete set of workshop manuals for the 400's so I think I have a pretty good idea, but it is also good the hear from a specialist.

I had a 365 before this one and in all honesty the old manual 5-speed does feel a bit old, heavy and long throw...... Albeit much more desirable than the even worse TH400 option that I do have.

Maybe a reasonable modern (at least computer controlled and programmable) 6-speed auto would be the thing for me…

Also a nice feature is that the car can easily be put back to original.

//Robert

 

Just thought I'd add a picture.
//Robert
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