456GTA slushbox? Rifledriver around?

This is what I came up with, nothing I would really want to read...
"Automatic transmission made the 412 (in manual form, one of the most under-rated of Ferraris) quite ghastly. But the 456's four-speed, automatic gearbox is of far higher quality. It starts off as a GM unit, but is then heavily modificato by FFD-Ricardo, so there is some British input to this Ferrari."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=/motoring/1998/04/04/emferr04.xml

But, I could not find anything else linking the two together...umm....only other part I could find was that gm ownes some stock in fiat (around 2005)...which means part of ferrari as well...sorry guys

 

They were built by Ricardo in the USA. Says so right on them.

And the 400-412 had a straight out of a truck TH400 which many considered one of the most rugged autos ever made. Maybe that writer should stay with whatever topic he is knowledgable of.....whatever that is.

 

They were built by Ricardo and use some Turbo Hydro parts in them. Every time we show a component to a knowledgeable transmission guy he says "Oh ya that is a so and so" then when he gets us one, it is different.There are many proprietary parts in that gear box, more than anyone knows and even some ZF stuff so do not assume you will be able to walk down to AAMCO and pick up what you will need.

I do have a gearbox for sale for serious parties.

 

hmmmm..with a solid V12 and strong auto box maybe it's time to consider buying a 400. Have ridden in a couple and found them most enjoyable on long trips.

 

Ferrari contracted FFD- Ricardo to manufacture the Auto trans for the 456. I was told they do units for buses and other large applications.

Its a heavy duty slush box with variable programming via sport mode on /off position, (D) position, (3) or manual shift. The car is a different beast depending on your selection and throttle speed.

I went to school for the GTA transmission, taught by Umberrto Mazzoni, tech director for FNA at the time.
Basically he stumbled through the theory and funtion of the auto trans, nothing new, unless your only backround is Ferrari... It took all we could muster up to stay awake, me and my sole class mate John Amette (FNA zone tech rep.). I grew to like mazzoni but Ken McKay was the best instructor FNA ever had.

At the end of it all, beyond doing elec.diagnosis, converter or seal replacements, we were told that no internal parts would be available through the Ferrari network, all repairs or replacements would be via FFD-Ricardo/ exchange program. Pretty much all I got out of it was the opertunity to flogg the press car and get familiar with the different characteristics of the trans. and a days pay...


Adam

 

I guess in the end it is like everything else, source out the parts you can so you can make more money in the end...I just alway figured Ferrari to be different...

 

Billybob,

I'm a west coaster! Started wrenching F-cars as a pup in Nor-Cal at a dealer, Moved to So-Cal and kept it up in OC and SD. Pulled a short stint in Seattle, then did 12 yrs. in the SF bay area. Got involved in racing Ferrari's internationally. I even worked with Rifledriver for a while when he came back to the dealer network. Currently I'm living in North County San Diego where I plan to stay! I love it here! I tried working for a few establishments down here but soon realized it was better for my clients and myself to operate out of my own bat-cave by the beach. I guess since people still pay me i'm a pro?


Sorry for giving you the short answer B-bob.....I hope you're not as bored reading this as I am.......


Adam

 

Billybob,

Give a shout if you ever need a hand.

Good old PV! On my first move from Nor-Cal to So-Cal I briefly turned wrenches on Porsches in a shop on Western, just below PV Drive N.

The owner Dieter and the parts guy Billy were part of the original Vasek Pollack crew. A few of the others went on to form Andial.

I worked there with a friend of mine, Tony Callas, the owner of Callas Rennsport, just down the street from you in Torrance.

I worked on Derek Bells 911 SC a couple times while I was there. Ironically 13 years later, I was buckling Derek into the F50 GT #001 for some exhibition laps at Pikes Peak International, during the 2000 FCA National Meet. After his first session in the car , I asked him what he thought? While removing his helmet, His response was "F***ing Incredible!, F***ing Incredible!, F***ing Incredible!" Followed by, "it's a shame they didn't campaign the car!"


B-bob, You said you like stories! I 've got a few....

Adam

 

so one would suggest to stay with a manual gearbox or an auto? or is it possible to even change to a 6 speed auto if the casing/unit is similar to a normal GM ?

 

An interesting project that has been discussed here is fitting a Corvette 6 speed auto transaxle back there and giving paddle shifters to the car. Still not my COT but it would be a better ride with 2 more cogs in that baby.

 

I had a 400 i Cabriolet and it was a great car...

I loved the part in the owners manual that said "Do not downshift from D to 3rd in excess of 102 MPH"

cheers,

bill