Clutch question on a California T

Hello everyone,

I just purchased a 2016 California T. It arrived 2 days ago.
I am super happy with it. What an amazing car.
Love the body style and engine power.

My car is a CPO, 2 year New Power Warranty included, only 7K miles & it has everything on my wish list (Magneride, High Power HiFi Stereo System, Apple CarPlay, Heated Seats, Pozzi Blue, Cuoaio natural tan interior, Carb Fib Steering wheel with LED's, etc.)

Coming from a 360 Spider for 3 years, then an F430 for 3 years, I learned quickly that on the 360 & F430 I need to go easy on the clutch during initial take off to prevent premature clutch wear and prolong the life of the clutch.

My question is with the Cali T being a double clutch & I understand it's also wet clutch - do I need to go easy on the clutch too on initial take off to prolong the life of the clutch? Or it's not an issue with the Cali T.

And what is the expected life span of the clutch on Cali T?

Many thanks in advance.

Dan

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Thanks for the info!

Dan

 

Thanks Steve!

Enjoy yours as well.

I will be doing some minor upgrades to mine and I will share them here in case anyone is interested.

Dan

 

Thanks Vic!

And thanks for the great info about not worrying about the clutch on the Cali T.
Yes, I follow the manual, I always wait until the oil temp is at 160F before I push the car hard.
Happy to know I dont have to baby the clutch on the Cali T. Game on!

I agree with you on steering wheel. I have been driving the car now for 2 days and its difficult to get used to not having a turn signal stalk, difficult to figure out how to turn high beams on and off, and windshield wiper switch Im sure but I have not used it yet but that would be difficult too.

CarPlay option is nice, I use it 100% of the time as I no longer have to mount my phone on the windshield to use Waze app. Nice to also ask Siri anytime whenever Im curious about something. It's definitely an over priced option though.

I like a good stereo system so one of the must have is the HiFi High Power SNDB option.

My first impression was - it's good enough / decent.
Just like any stock stereo I've heard before = dull sounding / lifeless at low volume, pretty good sound at medium volume, harsh sounding at high volume.
I have my EQ set at max treble and sound is still lifeless at medium volume. Dull.....
My mid is set at about 60%.
I have bass set at about 85%.

Pros: JBL amp is very powerful. Good enough bass that I dont have to add a subwoofer.
Cons: Tweeters. Again, dull sounding at low volume and harsh sounding at high volume.
Even at medium volume we miss hearing the fine crystal clear silky smooth highs / clarity we all enjoy hearing.

So first order of business to improve the sound quality is to upgrade the tweeters.
I ordered some Focal tweeters from Crutchfield. I will install them soon and will post my review here in case anyone is interested.

Rear speaker access: Very easy, pop up the grill, 4" midrange is there and the 1" tweets. 3 screws. Super easy one to one swap out.

Dash board speakers (Left mid, Center mid, Center Tweet, Right Midrange).
I looked it up on the Workshop manual and its supposed to just pop up. For the life of me that grill screen just wont give and let go!
If anyone has any info on how to remove the grill screen on the upper dashboard speakers please share.

Thanks!
Dan

 

By the way, I created a separate post asking if anyone has a copy of the Workshop Manual and I would be willing to chip in for the cost. ($399.00 in eBay)
Crickets..................so I went ahead and bought one.

I purchased a Cali T workshop manual from an eBay seller last week. Just like any other WSM I've seen, it's good enough, it still lacks the step by step details....
If anyone wants a copy kindly PM me.

Dan

 

Thanks John!

Feel free to reach out to me if I can help you in any way.

Dan

 

The rear speakers are easy to swap out as all you do is pop out the grill, remove the OE midrange and tweeter and install your choice of speaker drivers.

The doors are doable as I've done it on my 360 and F430 but they are not as easy as the rear speakers on a Cali T.
The door panels will have to be removed.

The dashboard speakers (there are 4 of them) I dont know yet if they will be easy to do as I having a difficult time popping up the speaker grills. They just wont give and I am not sure if they are screw held or tabs / friction held.
If I can just pop out the dashboard speaker grills so I can see the speakers then and I can see if the screws are visible then they should be another easy 1 to 1 swap out.

I will share here what I learn.

Dan

 

Thanks for sharing info Vic.

I'm still experimenting with my EQ settings. I've only had my car for 3 days. Will do some more tweaking as I drive it and use the stereo more often.
All I know from my own ears is I am missing the clarity I am used listening to from a set of high quality tweeters. Silky smooth highs I love.

We are all different and we each have our preference. Like I tell everybody - different strokes for different folks.
Do whatever makes you happy & whatever puts a smile on your face.
Your car, enjoy it, tailor it to your liking.

I will share here what I learn.

Here's a photo of the rear speakers.
If you want to see what they look like its simple.
Pop up the speaker grill from the bottom using plastic pry tool and there they are.
|
I tried already, I removed the screws. Mids and tweets pop out with quick disconnect connectors.

I learned that the rear speakers are 4", 4 Ohms and it is the same size used by BMW and BavAuto Sound, except the cone on ours is made of Kevlar.
I have a spare BavAuto 4" speaker when I had my BMW M4, I will try it and see if it produces a better sound than OE. Physically its plug and play. Connectors are different but no big deal, easy to add a connector disconnect.

Dan

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Thanks for the info Vic.

Amazing what Ferrari charges for these things.......................

I played around with audio settings today in my garage (I'm recently retired so I have time now to play : )

I adjusted the faders to rear only. What a huge disappointment with only the rear speakers working............
I swear a $19.95 Kraco stereo sound much better. So muddy sounding. Horrible........
I'm not sure if the horrible sound quality is from the head unit, from the JBL amp or because of the speakers used.

I will record an audio of before and after speaker replacement soon and share it here.

So I thought I'd go with the easiest first - the rear speakers.
As I mentioned I ordered some Focal tweets for the rears so I will start with that and see if sound quality improves.
It's supposed to arrive on Friday so I will get right on it.

Then I will try replacing the midrange and see if that makes the sound quality even better.
And that should take care of the rears.
Front speakers will be next project.

I just realized I am going off topic (sorry) so I will start a new thread soon.

Dan

 

Thanks Frank!

Great to hear from you buddy.

Hopefully this covid stuff goes away soon.
Next time you visit Seattle let me know. Lunch or dinner is on me this time.

Dan

 

Hi Dan!

Loving my new car.
It doesnt sound like the F430 with the Kline Exhaust (awesome Formula 1 sound) but its a different kind of sound. Satisfying & puts a smile on my face.
I may get an exhaust valve controller or unplug the exhaust hoses and see if I like it.
I read threads here that exhaust sounds much better with the hoses unplugged.

I will post a review here on my 2016 Cali T after a month of ownership.

For now, after 3 days of ownership:

Pros:

• Outstanding looks and body style. Get lots of attention that its almost embarrassing....
• Amazing power and torque (553hp and 557 /bs/ft torque). And max torque available on 7th gear. Blows my mind.
• Much better build quality. Leather is super nice.
• Gear selector button on the center console is very easy to push to engage. Light touch.
• I like the CarPlay, Heated Seats and HiFi Option is good.

Dislikes:

• For the amount of money they charge for the options the Infotainment / Stereo System could be better.
• Center console gear selector push button switch panel lights are way too dim.
• Turn signal sound is way too low. I cant hear it.

Upgrades I've done already:

• Replaced dome lights, map lights, door lights and trunk lights with LED's. Much brighter now and the bulbs dont get hot.
• I installed switched 12V power wire for Dashcam and Valentine 1 radar detector. Dashcam installed. V1 almost done.
• Replaced side markers yellow lens to clear lens. Im not a fan of yellow.

Next:

• Upgrade speakers of stereo system.
• Install front view and back up camera.
  
• Etc.

More coming.......Will post DIY info here soon in case anyone is interested.

Dan

 

Hi James,

I think that is very kind and generous of you. Thank you!

Kindly eMail me at [email protected] so I can send you a link to my dropbox server.

Kindly use the same eMail address for either PayPal or Zelle.

Thanks again!

Dan