F1 Clutch Slippage

I thought you were having a CS TCU put in.

In any event, good question. I'd also be interested in the answer.

 

The PIS on the CS TCU would be adjustable. Hopefully those that know much more than I do will reply but my understanding is that the time to full engagement is a function of throttle and speed. You get on it hard and it will grab almost immediately. I ease my car off the line and I get a very smooth launch and the clutch is fully engaged in about a car length. BUT I don't have the CS TCU, I have a newer standard TCU.

 

mine used to grab and fully engage by about 1500RPM now its closer to 2000RPM but my clutch life is nearing the end. Its been about 15,000 miles since the last PIS adjustment, I was surprised the dealer did not do it at my last annual. It changes with time and mileage, but what is more important than RPM is getting to grab quickly, 2000RPM is too high and I will be going somewhere (not my dealer) to get my PIS adjusted in the next few weeks.

 

Is it possible you might have technique issues if you are still jerking (as most do when first driving F1) - the consensus is more throttle initially then once the clutch has fully engaged to ease slightly - also down shifting to first without stopping then accelerating is often very jerky as first gear is very low which is why many posts suggests short shifting to second as soon as rolling

there was a great post about 3-6 months back summarising technique for optimum clutch which obviously covered starting off - its not a revs thing - its more feel http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/142326810-post7.html

 

RPM only affects clutch engagement indirectly in the sense that too much RPM too soon results in excessive clutch slippage (just like a manual). The F1 clutch engages immediately at the first sign of throttle movement after brake release and the progress to full bite is controlled by how far and how fast the throttle is moved.

It’s a matter of “feel” and consistent throttle manipulation to get rapid clutch engagement without jerking. Basically, if you’re not getting silky smooth full clutch bite in a single car length, you’re slipping way too much. Here is a reference for proper technique at launch: Question about 360 F1 clutch? - FerrariChat.com

 

I am also getting used to the 360 F1 and have noticed the slow take off time when I try and pull off from a standing start. I must try the gentle approach - let it engage and then go. If I try to be too hasty it definitely sees to slip for a good few seconds - not good for the new clutch!

 

Both.

So take it back and tell them your results. A lower PIS will reduce the RPM that clutch engagement occurs.

Ask them to set it to 4.2mm (factory recommended minimum PIS for the CS) and monitor the input shaft speed at idle in gear, using the SDX computer, to see if there is clutch drag. If there is they should iterate it up by a small amount until there is no clutch drag.

 

360 F1 clutch engagement between gears is normally butter smooth regardless of RPM until you approach red line. It’s unlikely that interaction between a factory CS TCU and standard ECUs would cause such a problem. It’s not clear what you mean by a “flashed” TCU but if you’re not running an OEM TCU, that would be the first place I would look for funky F1 shifting.

Noticeably jerky clutch engagement at low RPM can also be caused by the driver letting off the gas mid shift attempting to “help” the F1 system. The owners manual explicitly instructs to hold steady throttle while shifting. If you’re doing that (i.e., using correct technique), it sounds like something may be amiss. The Ferrari F1 is a very sophisticated and complex system so any further internet diagnosis would be speculation based mostly on ignorance and misinformation. Perhaps a factory trained and experienced technician using an OEM SDX computer would be a good bet.

 

It seems like the PIS would have to be pretty whacked out to affect shifting that way but it’s certainly feasible. Please let us know how it goes after resetting.

 

There's way more to setting up a clutch than PIS. There could be many issues causing poor take-up. It's just everybody focusses on the PIS setting as the only adjustment. There are many cars driving around with marginal systems or leaks working at 60% efficiency that are put down to a simple adjustment. Find somebody that properly understands the f1 system and it's known issues and pay them to put it right. The difference is night and day..

 

Alan, good to hear. I think the normal PIS is 4.6 with the standard TCU installed. How many days was the car at FCI before they got to it?