Vic discovers 116 Gearbox

["Bill Magoffin" <billm@domain.elided>]

>I'm very happy with the handling as it is now but I'm assured that using
>heavier springs should improve things even more. Can anyone comment on
this?

>On the minus side the gearbox is a real pain. Second gear is really a hit
>and miss affair which I believe is one of the less desirable traits of this
>model. Can anyone (especially in Australia), give me an idea of what I
>could be up against to make the gear changes become a little more
>predictable. Someone even suggested that using the gearbox oil that Ferrari
>uses will help for smoother changes but this certainly sounds like a wives
>tale to me <g>. I'm in Brisbane so if anyone knows good gearbox people
>please yell out.

Vic,

Welcome to the 116.

Firstly, if you have not done so already...join AROCA (Qld) immediately! For
servoice --support club members and mag advertisers.

Suspension mods should be done in as a complete system. It is unlikely that
a change to rear springs in isolation will make the car handle better...most
likely worse. It is not common for the rear 116 springs to sag. If they do
they are best placed with ones similar to OEM. Unless you want to go stiffer
and lower all round .. in which case the torsion bars should be done too. At
this point in it's life, the single most beneficial thing you can do to your
car is have any worn suspension bushes replaced (check- caster rod bushes,
lower control arm bushes) and ball joinmts/tie rod ends. Get a decent wheel
alignment which includes setting of Caster and checking of Camber. 116's
require TOE OUT. Then get a decent set of shocks all round...Koni's on the
rear, Bilstein or Spax on the front.

As far as the gearbox goes...the design has some inbuilt shift dynamic
limitations...however correctly adjusted and lubricated shift mechanisms
operate quite acceptably. Have a specialist check out the shift linkages for
adjustment and bushing wear...service as necessary. Cold shifting will
improve considerably by use of Synthetic gearbox oil. The AGIP stuff (which
Ferrari does use) will work well...expect to pay $20 a litre for the (just
over) 2L you will need. Once the box is hot you will notice little
difference thn with a good mineral oil. A good practice with the 116 is to
learn how to double shuffle...!!

Regds

Bill

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