Is this shifter correct? | FerrariChat

Is this shifter correct?

Discussion in '308/328' started by bitsobrits, May 22, 2024.

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  1. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
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    Nov 12, 2011
    479
    Omaha, NE area
    See the photo below. Is is possible the shifter is installed backwards, is for a RHD car, or has been bent by a PO for some reason? It just doesn't seem right that the bend would be away from the driver.


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  2. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
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    Check the parts book to compare but I think it might be a 328 shifter
     
  3. Newman

    Newman F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 26, 2001
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    The shifter is correct. It gets the shifter away from your leg especially in 1st. Boxers are the same. The injected car got a longer shifter than a carb car but they leaned away from the driver.

    In a RHD car the shifter is terrible, not sure if they are bent to the right but when in the gears you use the longest the shifter is against my leg which is a banana move by Ferrari.
     
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  4. godabitibi

    godabitibi F1 Veteran
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    Claude Laforest
    Aren't the 308 reverse and first in straight line ?
     
  5. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2001
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    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
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    That's an aftermarket shift gate -- note the "angled" ends of the fingers between the gear positions (that is also not stock).
     
  6. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
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    Nov 12, 2011
    479
    Omaha, NE area
    I know it's an aftermarket gate, as I installed it. No issues with the shifter function itself. My question is entirely about the angle of the shift lever.
     
  7. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    That's a Slick Shift gate available from Ricambi America. I think it's a Hill Engineering piece.
     
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  8. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2001
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    Wasn't talking to you. Can say that we've never (or rarely?) had pictures of the shift lever taken from that direction = that's why no one has given you a quick response or a similar picture. The fact that the SPC does show different LHD and RHD shift levers has me curious about the difference.
     
  9. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
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    Winner winner, guinea fowl for your evening meal.
     
  10. Dockboy

    Dockboy Formula Junior
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    Maryland
    #10 Dockboy, May 26, 2024
    Last edited: May 26, 2024
    Bits,

    Your shift lever is correct! If it were straight or bent the other way, it would severely interfere with your right leg when in 1st or Reverse!

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  11. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
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    Nov 12, 2011
    479
    Omaha, NE area
    Thanks for the confirmation. With my skinny legs, however, I've not experienced anything like interference. I would prefer in fact that the lever be angled to the left and rear. And a tad longer. More like a GT4 shifter.
     
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  12. 4rePhill

    4rePhill F1 Veteran

    Oct 18, 2009
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    Gear levers for LHD cars are angled/lean to the right.

    Gear levers for RHD cars are angled/lean to the left.

    Ferrari also moved the gear lever/gate position for LHD and RHD 3*8 GTB's/GTS', to place the gear lever/gate next to the driver's seat - Something they didn't bother doing in the 365 GT4 BB/512 BB/512 BBi/Testarossa/512 TR/F512M cars (They're all in LHD configuration)
     
  13. Portofino

    Portofino Formula Junior

    Sep 17, 2011
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    My LHD GT 4 it’s a 208 so only was LHD .

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    At 6 ft tall I have to move the seat Fwds ( knees either side of the wheel) to get 5 th .To me if I was developing it @ test mule stage I would have put the gate more / less where the ash tray is 4 inches further back .
    As far as market variations placed it exactly in the centre for production rationalisation .
    Having said all this it’s a “ Dino “ to replace the 246 so maybe the wanted to carry over the driver position ….Dunno ?
    It’s all part of the character.
    I have done a 9 hr stint on French autoroutes and having the wheel in your lap means you rest your hands on your thighs/ knees cruising with hands @ 7 and 5 o clock .
     
  14. Hannibal308

    Hannibal308 F1 Veteran
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  15. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
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    So I need to look for a RHD shifter....:)
     
  16. Dockboy

    Dockboy Formula Junior
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  17. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Ferrari placed the shift box and the taller rod to make it a shorter distance your hand travels from steering wheel to shift knob and back again while still leaving room for your leg.

    Not surprised in RHD cars its a less successful compromise. I find throttle placement in RHD 308 very annoying.
     
  18. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
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    Nov 12, 2011
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    Awesome. Thanks for the lead. Appears to have a longer shaft, which I've also been wanting. So just ordered.
     

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