There are some Fchat members with the Valeo option. In most basic terms, it was the predecessor to the F1 gearbox, except without any true automatic option. Essentially there was a standard 5-speed shifter with the traditional metal shift gate, but no clutch pedal. The clutch was operated by computer when the shifter was moved. If one tried to shift to the wrong gear or start in anything other than 1st, the buzzer would sound. While I've never personally driven one, all reviews indicated the system worked pretty darn well, but like the F1 system, tended to be a little more jarring during shifts at normal city driving speeds than an experienced left-clutch-pedal human.
Pick me pick me..... I have one. When I advertise it for sale one day it will read, Ferrari Mondial T perfect for the older, disabled ferrari buyer who no longer has cartilage in his or her knee but wants to still drive a manual car. The valeo incorporates an electric motor that quite simply pushes in the clutch and lets it out. This motor is situated just above the bell housing and there is a connecting rod with 2 rose joints that connected to a fork pivot which pushes the pressure plate and clutch out when you move the gear lever. There are micro switches in the gear lever gate which detect movement, these switches tell the motor to engage or release the clutch. The amount of throttle tells it how quickly or slowly to engage the clutch or disengage it. There is an ecu for all of this however I have not had the pleasure of having discussions with it as yet, nor am I looking forward to it. The system is very good, you can not stall the car, if you pull up in 3rd gear as soon as it recognises revs dropping below 900rpm the clutch disengages and then if you plant your foot it will sound an alarm to say you are in too high a gear and WAKE THE F##K UP. You can do the usual cold run 1st to third till the gear box warms up, once it is warm gear selection can be done faster than a normal change as the clutch is faster then you are. I have had minor issues but due to seals weeping and contaminating the clutch plate surface. I am yet to find a manual for this system as the standard books say nil.
By the way, they are not at all jerky, it is all in the revs, if you get the revs right... just like when you use a normal clutch .. then it engages beautifully and you feel like the Grasshopper mastering a new kung fu move. Quite simply all that it is doing is your left foot action allbeit a little faster, hill starts are better than a manual clutch IMO.
yes, only one, a fellow who had a bad leg , hip or knee had the valeo installed by the factory in his f 40
Hi Rik, My God, I've done so many "Valeo inputs" here on Fchat over my 6 1/2 years of this relationship (and I believe that you and I have bantered back and forth) during those inputs ------------- that I'm tempted to say "search - Valeo". OK, damnit - - I'll try to find the article - - and I'll post it again Folks, if anyone who is interested in a Mondial, has an opportunity to pilot a Valeo equipped example, DO NOT F-----G PASS UP THE OFFERING!!!!~!~ Cheers, Hank
Still happily driving my rhd mondial t valeo coupe which i think is one of only 3 in the world. Can't wait for it to become a colector car and sell for the same price as the california spyder. eh eh.
Hi Frari, - what color is yours? Pom, who lives in Thailand, has a Valeo coupe also - so that's two. I wonder who has #3 if indeed, #3 is still alive. Cheers, Hank
http://www.lfsc.com/1992-ferrari-mondial-t-cabriolet--c-288.htm This seems like a great deal for someone looking for a Valeo trans Mondial T. This is a very good dealer. Just passing it on. No affiliation with the sale. Thanks
+1 pappy. If I didn't have Rachel, the car you speak of would be on the truck to California. Cheers, Hank
