GT 2+2 and Metal Gear Shift Gates

[jsa330]

fest:

I remember that pic from an earlier thread. It's what I used to wreak upon perfectly good model cars when I was a kid.

[fest]

bcat-

I still fondly remember that Jag XKE Model
that I stuffed the full blown chromed hemi drag mill into
(i think it was one with 2 blowers from the 'Tarantula' Dragster?)

[jsa330]

There's an old fashioned drive-in near where I live in Dallas that is a real well known hot rod and motorcycle hangout. The car folks stay on one side of the fence and the bikers on the other. This is a place where you actually see in real life the kind of stuff we used to build models of as kids. I mean like a 55 chevy with a full chrome supercharger sticking a foot plus out of the hood and 16" wide drag slicks, street legal. These hot rod guys take their cars as seriously as any Ferrari nut on earth, and have about as much $$ invested in them. It's a fun place to go in my car from time to time. On a nice fall evening you pay your five bucks, park in the show section, open your hood and just hang out. It's a nice crowd. The 330 always gets a lot of appreciative attention and questions, and they're in awe of the SOHC V12 with a factory 3-deuce setup and headers, especially some of the younger folks who don't remember the front engine Ferrari era.

[Pete]

Guys, guys, guys ... the gated shifter on many (if not all ... pretty sure it is all) Ferraris is purely asthetic. Many much earlier cars had them as the gated shift was the thing that controlled the gearlever shift rod ... but that was not needed for long (I'm probably talking gearboxes so early that the gears actually moved, ie. pre constant mesh gearboxes ... thus in the twenties before Ferraris existed).

Thus even the great 250GTO can function perfectly without the fancy gated shift ... as it is not required.

The only function it has ever served is telling the driver what gear they are in ... and like they really need to be shown :oops:

I also doubt very much if a transaxled Ferrari actually uses the gated shift that we see as a guide ... it would look like sh!t in no time. Note a Porsche does not have one nor need one, and also the hundreds of mid engined F1 cars that used the 'standard' Hewland gearbox.

Ferrari F1 cars DID use this gate and pissed their drivers off with it ... read what Gilles Villeneuve used to say about the gear change and gate on 'his' Ferrari.

Thus please, please guys look at the gated shifter for what it is ... a lovely but completely useless accessory (performance wise) that enhances the Ferrari driving experience as much as having the horsey surrounded in yellow on the steering wheel.

Pete

[Art S.]

Pete,

The Horsey on the steering wheel gives me at least 10mph through the turns!

Art S.

[Art S.]

Michael & Bluecat,

I'm pretty sure that partway through the 330 production Ferrari went from a 4 mount to a 2 mount engine setup, so although the 400 has a front mounted trans, some modification would be necessary.

This concept is something I'm thinking about for my next project. I think it is a good way to revive a parted out heap and have a lot of fun.

Art S.

[jsa330]

Pete,

The Horsey on the steering wheel gives me at least 10mph through the turns!

Art S.

And, I've noticed, 30+mph more on the straights, no matter what the speed limit!

Art:

I know comparing 1/24 models to reality is a dubious way to think out a project like you're proposing, but, my 25 cents worth:

In my Daytona engine into 250 SWB model project I found that the easiest problem to solve was the additional engine mounting points. The hardest, just the size difference between the two engines and fitting in the bigger one without disturbing steering or suspension components.

It's not quite as extreme as fest's fuel dragster engine into E-jag project but there are some similarities.

A hotrod project would certainly be a creative way to recycle an old Ferrari body/serial# and an engine that are otherwise just headed for the parts guys. And, the finished product would be a blast.

[Art S.]

Bluecat,

Interesting point regarding size. However, I thought the block remained the same from the 250 through the 365. If this is not the case, it complicates things. My thought of using a 400 is that is has side draft carbs (or FI) to reduce engine height compensating for the bigger block. I haven’t thought about head width of double overhead valve heads - may cause problems.

I'm pretty sure any four mount 330 will drop into a 250 chassis. Use a matching 5 speed box. A tweak of two and you've got something very scary!

Probably would require a bit of time but actual project costs should be reasonable compared to a numbers matching project and assuming I do it myself.

Art S.

[jsa330]

Art:

At this point my knowledge of 330/365 comparative block alone dimensions is zero, but the cylinder heads are bigger with the DOHC's and I think the oil sump and the timing chain assembly and cover, etc., on the front of the engine are bigger as well.

Why not do a hoodscoop with cold air box on 6 downdraft carbs? Don't hide the good part!:)

[fest]

speaking of crazee @$$ projects:
check this one out!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... me=MERC_VI

[330GT]

I've got a book/guide on how to mount a 330 V12 transversly in a 308 mated to the 308 transaxle. A guy actually did this and wrote the guide based on his experiences.

[Art S.]

Kerry,

I believe you own all of the necessary parts. Any plans?

Art S.

PS. Do you still have the spares that we previously discussed?

[fest]

how about this for a 'vision'
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... otohosting
now would someone please explain exactly how
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves fits into all of this?

[330GT]

Hi Art, no, no plans to mate the 308 and 330. Whatever the result, it would be a bastard.

I'll be bring the parts to Monterey. See you there.

[Art S.]

Kerry,

I was planning on going to Monterey, but now I'm not sure if I can make it. I hope to see you there but I'm not sure yet.

Regards,

Art S.