Im addicted to hard launches

The clutch would be the last thing you should be worried about launching the 348 hard. Ive never launched my 348 hard,but the pressure plate diaphram fingers broke. 6 fingers broke. I got a new race clutch made locally by a guy called ferrarifixer who posts on here by the way. He says that the 348 clutch has a problem of overthrowing the pressure plate diaphram and its causes broken fingers. He is looking into it. Dual clutch kits can handle more HP/torque (apparently ). Not sure why Ferrari went away from the dual plates. They were unreliable? Alot of 348's here still run the stock dual plates im sure? Maybe they were not needed?? To save money? I dunno sorry. Maybe another guru knows the story?
Just get a clutch made to suit your needs. Im sure someone there can help you out. Maybe the ferrarifixer can export a race clutch kit to you Here is a pic of my old broken pressure plate and my new race clutch kit from the ferrarifixer. Cheers
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If you have a dual disc clutch, I have two words for you: "STOP NOW". The cost will amaze and bewilder you for the disc assembly and pressure plate. If you want to convert to a single disc unit, you would also need a new flywheel ($$).

Regardless of whether you have a single plate or a dual plate assembly, it's not designed for hard launches. You'll be opening your wallet and the clutch pumpkin soon enough.

(And I have a vested interest in you smokin' that clutch! I'm telling you, please don't hard launch the car).

 

I don't think any Ferrari is immune to clutch dumping. If the clutch doesn't break, something else up the line will.

Some guy I know broke his Gbox with shuey ueys.

just my 2 aussie dollars worth (equivalent to 2 pesos)

 

Thats exactly correct.

 

I don't have a 348, I have a 500+ hp 308 that I just plain abuse. So far the clutch was been the only link. Last year I installed a tilton 7.25" triple-disc carbon-carbon clutch and it's been magic. Nice light pedal so there is no problem sitting in traffic and it just laughs at drag-strip or autocross launches. The only down side is price. The clutch was $3500 and I had to machine the flywheel to install it. Tilton would have set the whole thing up with a light weight flywheel for $5000, but I chose the save money and keep the stock flywheel.

 

Mark -

That's an interesting propostion. For us 348 brothers with a dual disc clutch, the cost of conversion to a single plate is around $4000 because of the flywheel. Then, we still have a crappy clutch that needs $1000 replacements all too often.

 

The 348 stock setup is not made for the hard launch. Occassionally it is okay, but not all the time. I did about four hard launches in a row on the way home one night and could start to smell the burn. That was about 7 months ago. Have not had any clutch slippage / failure, but I don't think the car would stand up to constant abuse. Sounds like the racing clutch is the way to go. Checl to see if the Ferrarifixer clutch will work as a replacement for both the single and dual disc clutches before you buy a 348.
BT

 

Forget the clutch. TR and 348 have something in common, the gear box wont take it.

Just read the various threads about 348 gear boxes going right now. Those clutch shafts and their gears? You will get to know them real well if you drive one that way.

308 gear box was tough, maybe the only really tough gear box Ferrari ever made.

 

Brian,
how come it seems so many 308 gearboxes seem to need attention at such low miles. People can't be that bad of drivers, can they. My 308 which has approx 17k miles has a bad fourth gear synchro and second is getting harder to get intro when cold. I bought the car with 13k on it and it is in excellent condition otherwise. Thanks.

George

 

I have not experienced that except in cars that got no or wrong care and even then it was rare. All the damaged syncros I have seen in the cars with iron tapered syncros were a case of improper lubricant and in some cases it was factory recomended. The factory recommended Agip SPFLES was so bad even the factory guys were telling us not to use it but the lesson was not universally learned.

I have had a few clients over the years that could break steel balls and could not hurt a 308 trans. I have also rebuilt quite a few high mileage, just plain worn out motors and never felt compelled to do more to the trans than just put new seals in.

I have not encountered a worn out 4th gear syncro in anything, ever. It almost defies logic. 4th is the second least worked syncro. I have customers with 308s they have been beating for triple digit miles and the trans is one thing they have not broken.

I am far more suspicious of what the mechanics or lack thereof are doing to them.

 

Congratulations on the arrival of your new baby girl buddy.

 

I've found sticky spigot bearings and/or rusty clutch plate splines on a 308 can make a 4th gear synchro feel weak (and 5th).

Also, Personally, I've not witnessed ANY Ferrari other than 512BB and TRossa break gearboxes on road tyres, even during track use.

I have seen problems due to loose nuts, poor assembly etc, but never a broken anything.

Of course, drive shafts are the next weak link, and differentials too.

Remember the 700+(+!)BHP twin turbo 355 here in OZ has stock std EVERYTHING... and has done several dozen drag strip passes or more, and lots of road km.

Stock clutches are TOO weak. A bit of beef is a good thing.

You can pull away like Magnum anytime you like........ just don't do rev limiter bouncing donuts.