F1 or 6 Speed

Sorry, but this is bunk. The clutch wears in relation to its use, and most people don't understand how to drive an F1. I have 16k on my clutch and it doesn't even appear worn. Headers? yes. Valve guides? Yes. Show me all the threads with F1 issues. It's just not true.

 

Amen to that! and don't forget that electric starter thing they invented...for women! I yearn for the good 'ole days when REAL men got to hand crank start their engine. Same goes for pneumatic tires, cushy things. Only women would enjoy driving on those pillows, give me good solid rubber with wood spokes any day!

Imagine what they'll come up with next...dual disc clutch for a 'zero' shift time? who wants that? sheesh! When will they stop advancing this technology!!!

 

Actually, it was 2 wires rubbing together for the Speedo sending unit---Shorted out everything---Took Fernando 12 hours to find that wire, it was back near the trans....Had nothing to do with the f1 system..

 

+100-----I did a poll years ago on here about how many F1 owners actually had real life problems--Not ones you hear about or third party info--But real life owners with problems on the F1 system--Out of about 50 responses I think there was 1....

I have personally owned a manual trans car as well as an F1 and love the F1

 

+1,000

Mine, too

ABSOLUTELY!!!!

I love my 355 F1, and I don't get those "be a man" comments from anyone other than poseurs who are jealous.

 

Really, you're not going to be smooth driving either an F1 car or a 6 speed car unless you heel-toe your downshifts, period. For newer cars (360's & later) with electronic throttles, the car will "blip" your downshifts for you, but for 355's, it most definitely will not. So every complaint you've heard about F1 cars "not shifting smoothly" could really be translated as "I can't heel-toe downshift", and those same folks probably can't shift a 6 speed smoothly either. The exception to this is a talented driver, who does know how to properly downshift a car, who samples an F1 car and expects the throttle to automatically blip for him on downshifts. It won't, and if he doesn't figure this out quickly, will be left with the feeling that this is a "jerky" system.

As to clutch wear, Rifledriver says it best when he says that the biggest problem with F1 clutch wear is the F1 driver. What he means by this is that some (probably most, according to him) F1 owners try to drive their cars as if they had automatic (read: torque converter-equipped) transmissions, and gently "ease into" the throttle when they start from rest. Same (& much worse for the clutch) in reverse. These are the folks who get 20K miles out of their clutches. Those drivers who develop a feel for the car, and learn when and how quickly the clutch will engage/disengage, can absolutely control how long their clutch will last. These folks are the ones who get 60-70K miles out of their clutches. Yes, you can get that much out of the disc.

I have a '98 F1, and have had no issues. I love the car, love the F1, and feel that I can drive it smoothly either slowly or quickly. Like has been said here, a lot of the supposed issues that are rumored about are second-hand stories. Very few people here will have first-hand bad stories about their F1 system. Those that have, I absolutely understand their lack of endorsement for the system (James in NZ, for instance). As has been said, though, compare this to headers & valve guides where there is LOTS of first-hand bad stories.

Anyway, I agree with what has been said as far as driving both before deciding. Just know that if you don't heel-toe downshift in the F1, it'll be just as jerky as the 6 speed without heel-toe downshifting.

Enjoy the hunt,

John

 

Would you please give e some insides of what do you mean on knowing how to drive the 355f1 and hill and toe?

I own a 1999 355 f1, 1894 400i and 1989 Mundial Coupe, I love them all but now I am wanting to drive the 355 much more, almost as my daily driver (today my daily is the 400 and it’s an automatic)

I want to drive the 355 and want to make sure I am driving it well so that i don’t neglect the clutch nor the transmission.

Thank you.


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Just drive it like it’s a stick
Neutral at stop signs, lights, when stuck on highway traffic, minimize starts and stops,
Don’t take 400 ft for the clutch to fully engage
Try to avoid backing up much, and when you do stab the fuel peddle so clutch releases, and then re engages rather than slips.

the 355 seems to never fully engage its clutch in reverse unlike yourself controlling a manual and there is no way to make it.
In 1st it will fully engage so claiming a hill slowly is ok as long as your going fast enough the clutch stays engaged.

I think we all mostly agree on this last one
“Shift at 8000 rpm, Very, very. Very important”

not so much for the clutch but for your smile ha ha!!

 

When downshifting, blip the throttle manually yourself and simultaneously pull the downshift paddle. The tranny will drop into the lower gear smooth as silk.
That’s the key to the entire experience.

 

Thank you for the great advice, I appreciate it.

 

Starting today, already out on the driveway.
Thank you

 

You can't slip the clutch in first gear and leave some rubber behind with an F1. At least not in my 612. Easy fun in the 550 and the 288.

 

Did you experience the difference?

 

@Skippr1999 100% downshifting super smooth and so much fun. thank you and thank everybody else in the forum for such constructive and enlightening comments THANKS!!

 

That’s great that you’ve discovered the light. If all the naysayers would experience what you just did, the poor cars reputation would be saved.

 

If you do want to spin the tires, not that I would recommend, after selecting 1st gear hold the brake for just a second and then then release and stab the
Gas pedal and hang on ha ha.
Easier on car if tires are wet or road is wet.
It easily spins

 

Spend most of the day driving, running errands, up and downshifting and had a blast. What a new way of enjoying a secuencias transmission.
Thank you @Skippr1999 for the heads up on this.


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Your welcome ! It’s a blast. I actually prefer it to stick.....and I have both.

 

I was a "be a man" person, and "what? no clutch pedal" and all that hoo haa........But I did some work to my friends 355 yesterday which has an F1 box, and I have to say, I just love it!!
I had this preconceived notion that the F1 was a gimmick and only men drive a proper manual, but it only took me about 10mins to get used to it, and when I got to hustle the 355 on some tight twisty roads, I really liked it, you come barreling up to a late apex, and in a flash drop down three gears, two hands on the steering, left foot on the brake.....its great!! I would never turn down the opportunity to own a F1 355, what a fantastic car, and very interesting comparing it to my 1993 348TB......
I think Ferrari did really well setting up the F1 system in the 355.....You just need to use assertive and positive take offs to minimize clutch slip, and slightly lift on the up changes for a smooth change......
I also actually thought the power steering was great, I didn't think I would like it, but its nothing like what people say, its got great feel, and then when you are parking the car, well, its power steering, perfect!!

 

Great write up. Just like a stick, the early F1 system will never be available going forward. It’s the very 1st system of its kind in a street car. Perfected in the SCUD. Derived directly from Ferrari’s F1 program and gives the driver far more control than a new DSC box.

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And gorgeous.