manual 6 speed conversion

It’s a game changer for how the car feels to drive. Clearly I’m biased., but I wouldn’t go back, and I’ve yet to hear anyone who’s driven a well converted manual 599, 612 or 575 say they prefered the F1.

that’s the thing though, the job can be done well, and it can be done not so well. Worth reading this if you’re serious about the job. In the USA, there’s nobody doing a better job than Exoticars in NJ. I can happily expound on the reasons why.

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/eag-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly.675623/page-48

 

Just came across this - its a video by the Exoticars guys driving a 599 they recently converted. Notice how smoothly the car drives and changes gears, the revs are well controlled, there's no noise from the shifter, and the centre console has all the right details for the upper and lower parts.

 

There are others out there offering kits for V12s. I can't speak to EAG's current business practices (I know there was some drama there a while back), nor can I speak to the quality of their kits.

I'm fairly sure my '09 599 will be the first conversion done in Canada, at Clarkson Fine Cars in the Toronto area. It's currently in process and will be completed this coming week.

 

EAG's investors (who ended up pushing Art out) have a company called Macchina Motorwerx (https://mmwx.us/). Check them out, they seem like great guys from having chatted with them.

 

Hi everyone, long time forum member but not very active…

I’ve been mostly a Porsche guy but I’m in lust with the idea of buying a manual 599; I’ve come across a couple that are for sale , both are 2023 conversions by EAG.

I would be very appreciative if anyone here knows any history on these particular cars, good or bad, and any other advice you might be able to offer before I start getting more serious about hiring someone for a PPI. If the idea of the manual 599 falls apart, then I’ll be shopping for an F12.

not sure if I’ll be allowed to post links:

Driving Emotions
https://www.drivingemotions.com/2008-ferrari-599-gtb-fiorano-6-speed-manual-transmission-hgte-wheels-daytona-seats-rare-c-449.htm

Makes and Models
https://makesmodelsinventory.dcs-mvc.com/vdp/21775904/Used-2008-Ferrari-599-GTB-Fiorano-Coupe-F1-for-sale-in-Salt-Lake-City-UT-84101

Thank You !

 

My 612 is a daily driver so I can’t imagine rowing through the gears every day. If you learn how to drive the F1, it can be a fun experience and I doubt that a human can shift as fast as this automated manual can.

 

I agree with you. Driving the 599, in normal traffic with a 6 speed manual here in Atlanta would be horrible. On the track i cant see how anyone would be quick enough to handle the car well. there is a reason they did not make many in the day.... but to each their own.

 

There are a few things to consider. #1 support for EAG kits is not gonna be easy in my opinion. Art is, in my opinion, somewhat of a grifter who screwed over many people, including some on this forum. Also this old EAG kit was a shift cable kit not a shift rod kit. The factor 599 manuals were shift rod cars. I also think you can recreate the two cars you shared for less than there asking price. I'd recommend reaching out to Macchina Motorwerx in austin, they're the company formed by the investors in EAG and now they have their own company. They also have a shift rod kit. I'd say by buying a car and doing the conversion yourself, you'd be in the 170-180k ball park. I priced otu the conversion and with a clutch, its around 40/45k.

 

The funny thing is that people rave about the dual clutch systems being so fast. It’s actually more like a video game than a car. Folks that grew up in the 80s and 90s have come to expect this rather than a normal automotive experience.

 

I also prefer the F1 system. Its extremely refined and is so great to drive under full load. I doubt I'd ever convert it, I have plenty of other fun manual cars

 

Thank you for the advice; I knew about EAG but thought it was somehow back without Art; I’ll look into the outfit you suggested as well as the other guys in New Jersey that are doing the conversion using shift rods.

 

So Art is currently still operating under the EAG name. Anything you see that is EAG branded online is Art. Macchina Motorwerx is the "EAG without Art" essentially. I'd give them a call, great guys.

 

Regarding the comments about traffic and so on; I understand those challenges and they make sense for that type of driving ; in my case I’m not looking for a daily driver but rather a fun car and for me personally, I get more enjoyment from the experience and engagement of shifting gears.
The beautiful thing is that we all can have the experience we are looking for.


And Thank You for clarifying the Art situation!

 

I grew up in the 70's - 80's and my first car was a manual and I still have one today.... Fiat / Abarth 595.... at 200hp its fun, at 600hp, not so much. And when I get stuck in traffic in the Fiat I still ***** about it!

 

If you’re ever near Palm Springs you’re welcome to try my EAG converted 599, have put maybe 7,500 miles on it. If you are also able to drive one converted by another company, you’ll have a solid comparison to help you decide. Either way; it’s epic - go for it.

 

I've been wanting to drive one for a long while. That's what has stopped me from taking the plunge. Do you have any issues with rev drop, etc on upshift and downshit? That to me is the biggest concern.

 

Great question, part of the conversion involves software recalibration to not only address this, but also a noticeable power bump.

 

Trevor fixed those problems.

 

And he never stops! Spoke to him two days ago, I now have the latest greatest Trev sauce.

 

My '09 599 is converted using a shift rod kit, way superior to the early EAG cable kit. If you're near Toronto and it's not, well, negative a billion degrees outside, you're welcome to try mine and see what you think.

And yeah, Trevor (360trev)'s tune ensures the revs stay where they need to be, and also can add the HGTE tune to the car. It's game changing.

 

Tom, that's funny
We (my wife and i) have 3 Abarth 595, one 2014 turismo and two 2020/21 esse esse, all 3 with the manual box.

Daniel

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A pic of yours please.

Daniel

 

I will send you a PM. I have a converted 599 that is better than those by a long shot.

 

I’m sure this will be epic! I would love to see this conversion in the GTA area when the weather breaks.