What do you have to look out for when buying a Ferrari 512TR ?

Sounds good but I disagree. Ferrari design changes were for different reasons.

 

Poor architecture from the very start and the problem worsened as the cars it was used in got heavier and more powerful. It had coarse splined shafts and very small drive gears in 1st and 2nd to get the desired ratios. It caused 2 issues. With coarse splines and small diameters the distance between the major diameter of the ID and the minor diameter of the OD caused the gear to be very thin and broke easily as shown in 2 of my pictures. Before my move I had a box full of broken gears. The other problem was all the load of a very powerful engine being distributed over the very small gear tooth area of such a small gear. Then ad in the fact most change oil at 15000 mile intervals which is way too long and you get excessive wear.

 

I would suspect spalling from In correct heat treat? Maybe I'm wrong! your ideas? There is a gearbox oil pump and filter, I believe gears received enough oil. If additives fail with time? How come some other makes of gearboxes go years without oil change or problems? This all speculation on my part!

 

I believe what you say is the cause.

 

Most transmissions handling high loads from either weight or power don't have so many design compromises. That gear box was designed for a much lighter car with a smaller, less powerful engine and skinny tires. It was not considered very robust in those either. Many cars over the years have been well known for transmission issues but they were inexpensive to fix. Citroen Traction Avant, every Saab and every British sports car made for starters.

 

I have told people for years. Americans are hotrodders and race stoplight to stoplight. These gear boxes will not take that. in 3rd,4th and 5th you can do pretty much what you want but 1st and 2nd are just for getting up to speed.

 

Question, I've read that the clutch in the 512 TR is significantly heavier than the clutch in the Testarossa.

Horsepower increased from 380bhp to 421bhp.

Any thoughts?

Joe

 

Not sure Id say that. Its a different clutch and less expensive. In my opinion one of the real improvements in the 512. Neither has what I would call a heavy clutch. 512 clutch is the same as in 456, 550, and 612 too.

 

first of all: gradulation ! ! !
enjoy the toy

what you mean exactly? normaly the fans not work when driving - also just now it is not very warm there in germany outside. so they may work after driving or at engine idling. when you drive full speed you not hear the fans.

what have been done to the gearbox? what to the diff? under revise you can understand much. too much sometimes

 

Looks really good enjoy it in good health.

 

Not sure about the later models. Do a search on "AC power transistor".

If that is the issue to which you refer, it requires a reach inside your ductwork to replace a relatively inexpensive part.

It is on my to-do list as well.

Congrats on the car!

 

I think he is referring to the radiator cooling fans? Are you referring to the heater- A/C interior fan?

 

congratulations !
looks so familiar

 

o/t. I honestly have never done anything like that. Most likely this is due to owning several organ donor bikes over the years. The acceleration from a vehicle with four wheels is plain boring. Yawn.

Never did a single burn out with a Countach - ever. I have no experience with that. Same with the others. I drove it like a truck when I was with the car around town. Protect the clutch. If you want true acceleration try one down and five up.