F1?

Whatever it is, it sounds pretty cool and that's the main thing!

 

I love the gargle between upsfits as it retards ignition as well.

 

The F1 system in a 1998 or 1999 355 absolutely does not "blip" the throttle.
That is the fun of it. You can heel and toe on the 355s, but from the 360 on don't even try.

 

One detail I just realized:

If you come to a stop and let the system auto down shift, it just goes into gear and you don 't hear what we are calling the blip. So,clearly the ECU does something different.

 

Why don't one of you guys connect a OBD II reader that give real time info and watch the throttle position during a down shift?

 

If I wanted to heel and toe my 355 I would have bought a manual, not a 6-speed.



I don't care what you call it, the revs DO rise in between gears during the down shift.

You are right. When I'm coming to a stop light I tend to manually change down to 2nd, then let the computer change it to 1st whenever it feels like it. When that happens there is no blip.
But when I flick the paddle (particularly from 3rd down to 2nd) there is an obvious and unmistakeable "blip" before the next gear engages.

No one is suggesting the throttle position changes. It apparently can't, so there's no point in doing what you suggest.
However, that does not mean it is not possible for the engine to momentarily "spool up" during downshifts.

As I have said repeatedly, I don't know how or why it does it, it just does.
If I have to I'll take a video of the damn thing to prove it!

 

Steve, see post 19, that must be what we are experiencing and it's certainly by design.

 

I see that, thanks Dave.
So there is an explanation as to why it happens.
But I would disagree with the suggestion in that post that the revs do not rise in any meaningful way.

They just do (particularly from 3rd to 2nd in my car).
It is not "rev matching" or "heel and toeing", but it is very noticeable.

A guy I took for a five minute drive in my car last week asked me - completely unprompted - if I was prodding the accelerator during down-shifts. And this guy is an aircraft engineer by profession who has also had his fair share of performance cars.
It is not just wishful thinking on my part (to be honest I couldn't give a **** either way, I'm just telling it how it is).

The claim that it is NOT happening may, however, be wishful thinking on the part of those who have never, and would never, drive or own an F1.

 

Hey Steve, you may notice that I've swayed back and forth on this topic within this thread.

Initially, I was positive the system did blip, but as I got into a technical investigation, I saw no way possible then along came Brian's reply and now it makes sense.

So, in my mind, the summary is that the system does initiate a rev increase on down shifts in the form of increased air injection, it just has no control over the actual throttle (mechanical) linkage.

 

Dave, I think you are spot on.

 

Read your owners manual in the "downshifting" section where it says it is advisable to press the accelerator pedal just right before using the lever.
I'd copy and past the section but my pdf copy wont left me copy any text.

 

The manual does say if I'm not mistaken that it is advisable to slightly lift the throttle to change up and slight press on the throttle to change down. I've also heard that Auto mode is less demanding on the clutch than using the Normal flappy paddle mode or Sport. Due to my lack of mechanical knowledge, can't separate truth from myth.

Best regards,

Nuno.

 

OM
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Hi Dave,
Can you post the section right after where you left off in the Downshifting section where it say "It is anyway advisable:"
Thanks

 

Here you go
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That answers our questions entirely. Thank you very much, Dave!

One question from a newbie owner if I may:

If I'm not mistaken, when Auto is engaged, the system shifts up when engine gets to 7000rpm.

When Sport is engaged and you use the paddles behind the wheel, the system shifts up automatically when reaching the redline at 8500rpm, or does it wait exclusively for your input? (if you don't shift up at the correct time, you may enter the redline or is the rev limiter engaged if you take too long to shift up?)

Also: does any mode wear the clutch faster? Or is it irrelevant? The previous owner of my 355 told me that he used Auto mode because, when compared to Sport mode, it was easier on the clutch.

Kind regards and thank you,

Nuno.

 

In sport mode you will hit the rev limiter, in normal mode it will up shift for you.
In sport mode the shifts are faster with less clutch slipping.

 

Sport mode is easiest on the clutch since there is much less slippage. I never took mine out of that mode.. Auto is the worst and I don't advise using it. In sport mode it won't shift until you pull the paddles. It will rev to 8750 and bounce off the limiter if you don't shift yourself. In normal mode it will automatically shift, I think at redline.

 

Auto mode is a joke - I only used it once for the 1st part of the test drive coz the prior owner used it. It shifts at low RPM's and the F1 does not like that. For smooth and fast shifting, you need to be in sport and shift at high RPM's.

I suspect most clutch wear comes from not knowing how to drive in 1st gear during start of motion. It takes some getting used to but you can feel when and how the clutch engages and need to learn how to manage that properly.

 

Used it once just to see and never again. Previous owner told me never to use it as he never did. Probably why clutch was at 90+% when checked recently. Also was told don't back up hills on a regular basis.

 

Precisely what I was after. It's now clear, thank you!

Dave, could you please elaborate/share the correct procedure? I was told at the dealer the day I picked my 355 up that in order to get going I had to start the car, pull both levers to neutral while stepping on the brake, right lever to engage 1st gear, then move.

This brings a smile to my face. In my ignorance, I thought the Auto mode was more forgiving, but I was entirely wrong. Ferraris need, long for and want to be abused. The way to better nurse the clutch is to make it scream past 7000rpm. Fine by me! Fantastic!

Kindest regards,

Nuno.

 

I'm referring to the proper way to take off once in gear. The system senses RPM to release the clutch. You learn how to feel this and reduce any additional engage and disengage cycles. It's hard to explain in writing.

 

Got it, Dave. I did overaccelerate when I first drove my 355. I was expecting it to move on itself after getting it into gear when I released the brake as most modern automatics. It didn't, so I applied an amount of throttle which ended up being too much and it revved up more than it should. It overrevved like when you're driving a manual an apply too much throttle before you release the clutch and the gear engages. I'm guessing your advice is to feel the car in order to gently get it going smoothly after 1st gear is engaged, so it doesn't overrev and clutch movement is more accurate and correct.

Best regards,

Nuno.

 

It sounds like your system needs calibration. It should not have done that.
Look at the procedures in the work shop manual.

 

I've asked my Ferrari specialist to check the F1 system is everything's perfectly ok. I did give it too much throttle and then lifted a bit, in typical newbie fashion. This was my very first time behind the wheel of my "new" 355 and my first first-hand contact with the F1 system. Next time I started it (driving out of a gas station) it was much smoother. Blame the driver, not the machine Like Dave correctly stated, it's a matter of getting used to the car and feel the car. I was also disencouraged to perform flat out standing starts (don't know why the dealer felt he had to warn me, probably he felt I'm a hot headed young southern european guy with my blood pumping or suffer from road rage) probably for the same reason. I was also disencouraged to drive the car and the F1 system in a sporty fashion before oil reaches the correct temp, which is of course very sound advice. If only I could read the correct oil temp... (I can't for the time being, but will work on it!).

Regards,

Nuno.