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There are old previous threads on this topic. Can't remember how far back. The gist of the responses was that gated shifters were cheaper to manufacture than those with internal gates. It was all just a matter of cost. Of course now it looks cool so it is kept. From a pragmatic point of view, I can shift my WRX with the short throw kit about twice as fast as I can shift my 360 with the gate. Can't blame Villeneuve for getting pissed off at Ferrari. The only mods I have seen on gates had more rounded corners rather than sharper angles on all the gear gates to assurer a smoother shift. Thus the lever would slide around the corner of the gate rather than bang into the gate for the next gear. I have experienced this "banging into the gate" problem myself on some short tracks where a lot of shifting needs to be done quickly. Never drove a modded gate so I don't know how much it improves things.
I believe Hill Engineering sells a modified shifter, although I am having trouble getting onto their site to link you to their specific product. Looks very nice, and intuitively, would provide for faster shifting.
I believe that Hill Engineering makes a fast shift gated shifter. I personally don't think that there's anything wrong with the stock unit on the street. If I had a 348 Challenge or 355 Challenge then I might want one for those cars.
I think that the "Victory By Design" DVD captures this well... but it's been a few days since I've watched it...
I had the gate moded with beveled prongs on my 512TR and 328. Definitly improves the pesky old dogleg 1-2 shift as well as the 3-4. Who hasn't had the 1-2 hangup when you were trying for a rapid getaway?
If you have the Jamiroquai "traveling without moving" CD, the title track starts with a car accelerating and it has a gated shifter. It sounds more like a Lambo than a Ferrari and I would venture to guess by the sound it's a Diablo. It's exactly what you're looking for. EDIT: I was just listening to it again. It's definitely not a 6 speed because you can hear the double clikc out of 1st and the single click into 3rd. It sounds just like a Diablo. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH click-click WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH click WAAAAAAAAAAAH click-click WAAAAAAAAH
Gabriel, Here's a thread from about a year ago regarding Hill Engineering's modified gate: http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/256120/205657.html Barry
WAAAAIT Im confused... 5 or 6 speed should be no different 6 R 1 3 5 2 4 6 5 R 1 3 5 2 4 Unless you are ever so unlucky to have a 914 1 3 4 R 2 5 A five speed (unless in the above format) Would only be one click first to second. Two second to third. Please fill me in! Kyle
5 speed, Ferrari style R24 135 So it's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh click-clack waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh clack waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh click-clack waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh clack waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 'hello officer'
Hmmm, the car here is more like waaaaaaaAAAAAAAAH click-clack waaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH clack waaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH click-clack waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH clack waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAA... WOOO WOO WOO WOO Damn those "Blue Light Specials" ;-)
Are you serious?! I HATED my Dads 914 for the same pattern! I remember driving that car and going "WHY did they ruin such a fun car" 1-2 shifts were terrible. Why would Ferrari do the same? The traditional 1-2 pulling straight down is the most enjoyable gear shift of them all. Having to go up and over... makes me cringe Kyle
Tradition. The pattern first showed up in road racing vehicles. 1st wasn't used often, just on the start and leaving the pits. Therefore it makes more sense to have 2-5 in a nice tight pattern. How does that 3-4 shift shown above work on the 914? I've never seen a sideways shift.
Am I the only one, that whenever someone typed out their own version, sounded it out as i read it LOL
I like the 2-3 shift coming straight back. Winding it out in second the car is coming into its power so I like just bringing it straight back to 3rd. Love the gated shifter. After reading this thread the other day I went out to the garage to look at mine. To me is just says Ferrari.
The Ferrari 5 speed pattern is very nice on the race track since you will not want to risk a shift into Reverse or 1st, so they are put off to the side where they are well out of the way. The only down side is that some tracks require a lot of 3rd/4th shifts and you have to cross the gate for that shift, it really depends on the track. My 308 has the Hill Engineering Gate which doesn't really speed up cross-gate shifts much, but makes sure they happen with more consistency and confidence. The 308 shifter is pretty long throw because of its long lever, and that is what makes it slower than say my S2000 which is very short throw. However, the 308 is very satifying to shift, the shifter is in a comfortable position relative to the wheel, and it works just fine. Ferrari knew what they were doing when they designed it! Kidn Regards, Chris
Shifting? Whuts dat? Us Maranello drivers don't need no stinkin shifting. Just put that puppy in 4th and go. Dr "Torque is God" Tax
