What specific experiences do you have with 2nd gear in your 3x8? Mine WILL NOT shift AT ALL when cold for 1.5 miles; then it will begrudging will go into gear (no grinding), ...and then it will be perfect! I've tried every gear oil there is. I have learned to live with it.
I warm it up a few minutes. It will not engage or grind until that "magic moment" that it just slips in... then all is well...
my 75 GT4 goes into 2nd even when cold. but my 328 takes 5 minutes. The GT4 makes up for it by leaking oil profusively under the car though.
I think the 348 is just the worst. My Mondial t (and formerly my 348) would be unfit for second gear use for at least 10-15 minutes. I usually wait until the engine oil temperature gauge shows that the needle has risen to the first line. Recently, I drove a 3.2 Mondial and noticed that the 328/3.2 Mondial shifteris just so much better than the 348/Mondial shifter. Of course, Ferrari took a step backward when they went from mechanical linkage to cable linkage. My 512 TR was ready for 2nd gear in just about 3-4 minutes. Also mechanical linkage. (I know linkage probably has nothing to do with it, but I'm just noting it anyway.)
My 1987 328 takes over 5 minutes in warm weather. It is also engine speed dependent. Higher engine speed reduces shifting effort.
My neighboor's Daewoo Something-or-other has fluid second gear access after the ignition key is turned and after the car has sat outside all night. Back on topic, my 328 takes a few minutes in colder weather. As I posted elsewhere, in the 1986 R&T introduction test of the 328, the editors found that 2nd gear was unattainable for several minutes, so it's probably the nature of the beast. Gear oils have improved over the last 25 years, so the design flaws of Ferrari's old five speed can probably be ameliorated with the right lubricants.
Since I switched to Redline it goes into second immediately. Before the switch to Redline it would go into second after a very short time (perhaps half a mile) with relatively little effort.
I'd say after I let the 328 warm up approx 5 minutes or a bit more, it will shift to 2nd. I usually drive out of my neighborhood, slowlyin first, and once at the main road its all gooood. Probably .05 - 1/10 a mile.
I put Redline NS in the gear case and it helped a lot. There was a big difference. Now I can get into 2nd within a few blocks of starting up. Then, it is all good.
all good down here..... i have a new 2nd gear snycro + the new L/hand +R/hand ring nuts for the g/box shafts if anybody is rebuilding there gearbox.........
My car will go into 2nd when cold, but it will chatter just a bit. Give it a block, maybe two (literally!) and it shifts smooth as silk! JIM
Like butter, really? I find these transmissions to be pretty notchy. Nothing like a modern transmission. After years of driving modern BMW's and other new imports, when I first got my Ferrari I brought her to my mechanic because I thought something was wrong. It got a green light from him and compliments from other ferrari guys who have driven her. However,I would never describe it like butter. It feels exactly like my old Z3 with the short shift kit on it... It certainly has nothing on that Ferrari Challenge Arcade game
I find the Ferrari engagement to be positive and direct. Before I got the Mondial, I always assumed shifting would be effortless. I have been repeatedly told that the tranny operates exactly as designed. That being said, they are just not the hot knife through butter feel I always imagined it would be. ...but boy do I love the snick snick sound. BTW, I used to have Lancias. My Zagato's shifter was this massive microphone looking job that had to be over two feet long, it was pretty effortless but vague as all hell. Of course, the linkage was complete crap. Driving cross country, the shifter fell limp in my hand. I drove 300 miles with only one gear---3rd. Eventually, we just gave up and put her on a U-haul. Of course, It couldn't climb the ramp unless we got a running start. We got up to 20 mph, climbed the ramp and locked the brakes. I was certain we were going to fly through the trucks cabin...Oh the joy of Italian cars.
I always let my car warm up till the yellow light goes out, then go first-->third for a few minutes. Second doesn't become truly smooth and effortless until engine and oil temps are at full operating range. Same thing was true of my 330 2+2...19 years older than the 308, totally different engine and drive train.
