F430 up-shift performance

Lag between the time you flip the paddle, or lag between the start of the shift and the completion of the shift?

 

Use the car in race, the changes should be quick enough and you will know all about them occurring. Make sure you are on the gas hard in every gear if you are going to try to assess how quick shifts are, and shift as the revs get close to the limiter each time. I don't think the 430 would disappoint anyone, unless maybe they have driven 458s or F12s with the dual clutch systems before it

 

I tried to like the 430 but the F1 tranny got in the way. It still has the back and forth head bob of the earlier transmissions, unless you let off perfectly between shifts, and it was smoother. Had driven a 575 with it years earlier, and while the shifts are faster now, the smoothness I want was not.

Ended up with a 2013 California with the DCT transmission, and all those issues went away. It is the best of both worlds. Stick it in auto in traffic, and paddle up when you want to play.

 

Find one with a gated manual trans...that way it will shift as quickly as you want it to!

 

And never fail.......

 

it should drive like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0cGQUB3tUU

 

Takes a while to learn how to drive F1 smoothly. Those who say they tried it and did not like it usually never learned to shift properly.

Many 360s and F430s have never had the F1 fluid changed or bled, either, and this affects shifting. Should be done every 3 years.

 

There is a sensation of the shift but to me it feels so fast it's almost harsh. I remember it almost concerned me during my first 8,500rpm wot up shift. If you mean a delay at part throttle, it drives very much like a 3 pedal car imo. You need to select appropriate throttle input and rpm for smooth operation,

 

You should probably drive both types of transmissions, if you can. The MT unit is becoming more difficult to find. It seems more and more rare each day.

F1 shifting felt harsh to me as well. I didn't like it and felt like I was missing out on something.

 

I agree. It took me a few weeks to "master" the F1 style of shifting. I'm having a new clutch installed this month and will have the entire system serviced.

To the OP, my car will be available this spring if you don't find one.

 

True--I noticed an improvement in shifting after flush and bleeding the F1 system--I didn't know it was sub-optimal before.

 

Here is the 430 owners manual. There is very little in it about driving with the F1 - certainly not much on how to do so smoothly.

FERRARI F430 OWNER'S MANUAL Pdf Download.

 

There's a big difference in how 05-07, and MY2008 onwards F1 systems drive and feel. I would recommend you try an early and a late car to find out for yourself.

Also, there can be variation between cars.

 

The F1 system is pretty old school. Probably the thing I hate most about my 430. After driving a DCT trans car, you realize how bad the F1 really is. Shifts are slow and clunky, relative to the new cars. Recently had my F1 and E-gear fluids changed by the dealer, and it did not change anything.

 

I agree. I didn't care for the F1 unit on my only drive with it but the DCT on the 458 is a dream.

 

Just like with three pedal cars, they all shift differently. I driven one, let's call it "slightly neglected" that was a little slow to shift. Mine gets its annual fluid changes and it shifts way faster than I, and I'll bet you too, could using a clutch. It also allows you to keep both hands on the wheel which is a lot more important than you may realize - until you try it.

No, it is not as fast as Porsche's PDK but it is fast enough. I never pull into the garage after a drive thinking "This car is fantastic - except for the shifting". Never.

 

Funny you mention that, as it is exactly what I think. I love everything about the car, except for the transmission. Though I also have a 911 Turbo S with the PDK that I am comparing it to. Planning to trade in the 430 for a 458 soon.