[Andy T]

have recently bought a '99 360F1 and have a couple of queries:

Performance - subjectively it doesn't seem any quicker than my '91 Testarossa. I have stats from several uk road tests according to which the Testarossa did 0-60 in 5.2 secs and 0-100 in 11.2. According to the August '99 test of the 360F1 it did 0-60 in 4.2 secs and 0-100 in 8.8. Autocar was surprised by how quick it was but had the test gear checked and it was accurate. I appreciate 'seat of the pants' isn't exactly the most accurate method but presumably a 360 should feel quicker than a Testarossa?

Transmission - the shifts from 1 - 2 and 2 - 3 are harsh, and there is a distinct clunk and shudder from 3 - 2 and especially 2 - 1. The idle seems a bit rough which I guess doesn't help but the whole gearshift seems unacceptably rough to me. Are these signs the tranmission needs adjusting, and/or is the clutch on its way out? Is sorting an F1 transmission a 'black art' or should any specialist be able to sort it?

Leaving aside the obvious 'sell the F1 and buy a manual' option, is converting an F1 to a manual using s/h parts feasible? I understand the F1 is simply an automatically shifted manual so logically it should be possible to add the parts to make it a full manual - i.e. clutch pedal assembly, new centre console etc - and lose the F1 auto shifting kit?

Is a Larini with test pipes useable on the road or will it make my ears bleed and the neighbours hate me?

TIA Andy

 

[Boxer]

have recently bought a '99 360F1 and have a couple of queries:

Performance - subjectively it doesn't seem any quicker than my '91 Testarossa. I have stats from several uk road tests according to which the Testarossa did 0-60 in 5.2 secs and 0-100 in 11.2. According to the August '99 test of the 360F1 it did 0-60 in 4.2 secs and 0-100 in 8.8. Autocar was surprised by how quick it was but had the test gear checked and it was accurate. I appreciate 'seat of the pants' isn't exactly the most accurate method but presumably a 360 should feel quicker than a Testarossa?

Transmission - the shifts from 1 - 2 and 2 - 3 are harsh, and there is a distinct clunk and shudder from 3 - 2 and especially 2 - 1. The idle seems a bit rough which I guess doesn't help but the whole gearshift seems unacceptably rough to me. Are these signs the tranmission needs adjusting, and/or is the clutch on its way out? Is sorting an F1 transmission a 'black art' or should any specialist be able to sort it?

Leaving aside the obvious 'sell the F1 and buy a manual' option, is converting an F1 to a manual using s/h parts feasible? I understand the F1 is simply an automatically shifted manual so logically it should be possible to add the parts to make it a full manual - i.e. clutch pedal assembly, new centre console etc - and lose the F1 auto shifting kit?

Is a Larini with test pipes useable on the road or will it make my ears bleed and the neighbours hate me?

TIA Andy

Has your 360 Modena received the F1 software upgrade ? If not, this could be causing the issues you describe. It also sounds like you car is in need of a service/tune up if the idle is rough. 360's should idle very smoothly once the cats are warmed up.

Coverting an F1 to a manual would be cost prohibitive but could be done (to the same extent that anything can be done if you are willing to throw enough money at it).

 

[rwschumm]

Hello Andy - Steve on this list (Ferrari328GT) told me about the Autoenginuity software and scan tool, which he has used to read 355 key engine and emission trouble codes. It apparently won't work with minor codes such as airbag, etc. After he demoed it to me on my Toyota truck, here in Phoenix, I also purchased it. The company is actually here in the Phoenix area.

The nice thing about this tool is that it also comes with software called Speedtracer, which allows you to do your own performance testing! I haven't verified if it works with a 360, but it would not surprise me, since the current engine management/emissions standard is OBD2 as on all 96 and newer cars here in the US.

So if your car has the ODB2 plug under the driver-side dash (not sure that european cars have this, but I would think so), this tool may help. Just search for Autoenginuity on Ebay.

PS - just trying to help, I'm not affiliated with this company in any way.

Rick

 

[rwschumm]

To update: I rec'd my Autoenginuity scanner and software, and read through the manual. The manual says European cars have a standard called EOBD (I think it is) which is similar to OBD2, but you'd probably want to check with the Autoenginuity people before buying one for a European car.

I haven't used mine yet on my Toyota, so I'm not sure yet how to access and use the Speedtracer software, but I'll update on how it works. Still looking for a 355! :drive:

Hope this is helpful.

Rick