Changing Gear

The 348 gearbox is quite stiff on start up but gets noticeably better.

It can be a bit notchy though.

 

Yes.But as I went to own a 355 and then a 360 it got a lot better with each Ferrari.Just don't be afraid to man handle the gear shifter and you will get use to it.

 

Especially 2nd when cold. Most people go from 1st to 3rd until warm.

 

Box on my 355 wasn't great when cold - wouldn't even bother trying to go for 2nd for at least 10 mins - 1st straight to 3rd. Once warmed up it was as easy and light as any other gearbox I have used however.

 

Yes.....because you're driving a real car now

It's also normal for the steering to take effort on fast bends, and your clutch leg and foot to ache like **** when stuck in crawling London traffic for 2 hours after the poseur run

 

308s are supposed to have this problem, but it's not a problem I have encountered in either of my cars.....

 

Totally agreed with the rest. Even with the TR, I still go from 1st to 3rd for about 5-7 miles and it does get better noticebly, though the TR is slightly better than my last 348, IMHO.

 

Me neither (on both).

 

Me neither on both I always warm the Testa up 1st and the Vauxhall Corsa has no such problems

 

That's strange.

I don't have any problem with 2nd gear. It's 1st gear that that's really stiff on start up.

 

When cold it was 1st to 3rd in the 308,only took a couple of miles to warm up and then there was no problem engaging 2nd.
A couple of months before I sold it,I changed the gearbox oil to Millers TRX semi synthetic which made a big difference and could get 2nd when cold.

The 348 is the same ,1st to 3rd then after a couple of miles you can get 2nd,no probs.I'll change the 348 to Millers when I do the service in the new year.

 

The issue only comes up in my 328 and TR when cold other than that no problem M8.

 

Yes, 1st to 3rd. Unlike the F355 etc. the 348 does not have a heat exchanger with the engine to warm up the gearbox oil. I don't use 2nd until the gearbox oil temperature guage is on the first mark. I believe from hearsay that it can damage the synchromesh if you try to thump it in when it's cold. You'll find it's totally different when it is warm.

Jonathan

 

there's a few web pages here n there which give good tips on the 348, such as how to best start them, and warming up the gearbox etc.
On of the f-chat lot sent me a link but i'm struggling to find it...but it does help. i'll try and send it tonite (if i can find it )

 

get some one in the know to test your car quickly as it may not be normal if all the gears are that stiff-just to make sure that its not a mechanical fault although allpost are right that F-car gear change is harder than most run of the mill motors it should not fell like a workout after a few miles

 

348's use cables to operate the gear change, unlike the 348 GTS/GTB/GTC/ Spider and 355 which use linkages/rods.Get the set up checked.Also Hill Engineering make a gear lever gate which MAY assist the change into second gear.Most importantly check for any unusual noises, as the 348's are prone to failure of the thrust bearings and also a nut coming loose on an input shaft.Both can be terminal if left undetected!

 

Does anyone else have to go from 1st to 4th gear? For the first few miles I cant get 2nd or 3rd in the 355. After that its fine.

 

here ya go Chris...and anyone else who's just got a 348

http://webpages.charter.net/aircover/348/1994Ferrari348Spider.html


superb site

 

Are you sure about this?

I thought that all 348's had cable operated gear chnage.

 

2nd gear was the only problem on my 355 when cold - absolutely no way it would engage for the first 5 - 10 mins.

All others were fine - 1st to 3rd was easy. All gears were very light when warmed up.

 

Mine 'refuses' to go into second gear till oils warmed up, and won't willing go into 1st unless totally stationary!!
Once warmed up though its like silk!!!

 

Seems all 348's vary. Mine has no probs with 1st or 2nd when cold and goes into gear immediately.

It does get smoother after it's warmed slightly though.