Manual gearchange. V12 vs V8 vantage
Discussion
I have read a bit about the heavy and resistant gearchange on the V8 manual cars.
This surprised me because I recently sat in a V12 and gave the gears a go - it was fantastic. Sensible clutch and really light gearchange. Felt as easy as a Mondeo.
But then I read again that the V8 gearchange was heavier than the V12's.
So... Why? I would have assumed the V12 would have the bigger, heavier gearbox and the tougher gearchange, just as it's a heavier, torquier engine. Why is it the V8 that gets the heavy gearbox?
Is the V8 gearbox really a problem? For everyday usage? Compared to a manual BMW, Porsche or similar?
Can anyone comment who has tried both?
This surprised me because I recently sat in a V12 and gave the gears a go - it was fantastic. Sensible clutch and really light gearchange. Felt as easy as a Mondeo.
But then I read again that the V8 gearchange was heavier than the V12's.
So... Why? I would have assumed the V12 would have the bigger, heavier gearbox and the tougher gearchange, just as it's a heavier, torquier engine. Why is it the V8 that gets the heavy gearbox?
Is the V8 gearbox really a problem? For everyday usage? Compared to a manual BMW, Porsche or similar?
Can anyone comment who has tried both?
My V8V crunches between 1st & 2nd and is a bit of a pig in the cold too. It's MUCH better when warm but 1st / 2nd is never as easy and smooth as 3rd, 4th etc, regardless of weather?
My day to day cars are a dream to change compared to the V8V.. It seams daft to me? Then again, i am not a techy so i have no idea why this is!
My day to day cars are a dream to change compared to the V8V.. It seams daft to me? Then again, i am not a techy so i have no idea why this is!
All the manual gearboxes are the same 6 speed Graziano based unit.
They are all mounted at the rear of the car (transaxle layout) and connected by cables to the gearstick / linkage assembly. Some are just going to be better than others because of the way they have been set-up, I would bet beer vouchers that those that are very baulky can be adjusted to be better; I used to have my Maserati manual adjusted every service or when needed (550 gearbox).
The weight of the DBS/V12V or Sarah Maynard solid billet gearknob helps with the positivity of the shift as well.
The baulkiness when cold is just natural for the type of system, of course it's better when warm, there is oil that needs to move around. You can help by running though the gearbox (1st to 6th and back) when waiting at idle, helps shear the cold oil. The 1st to 2nd excessive baulking appeared on some cars and was helped by the addition of a plastic guiding widget in there.
So the differences are not from one car type to another car type, they are from one box/linkage to the next. It does seem the later cars are better sorted, entirely natural from a development perspective.
They are all mounted at the rear of the car (transaxle layout) and connected by cables to the gearstick / linkage assembly. Some are just going to be better than others because of the way they have been set-up, I would bet beer vouchers that those that are very baulky can be adjusted to be better; I used to have my Maserati manual adjusted every service or when needed (550 gearbox).
The weight of the DBS/V12V or Sarah Maynard solid billet gearknob helps with the positivity of the shift as well.
The baulkiness when cold is just natural for the type of system, of course it's better when warm, there is oil that needs to move around. You can help by running though the gearbox (1st to 6th and back) when waiting at idle, helps shear the cold oil. The 1st to 2nd excessive baulking appeared on some cars and was helped by the addition of a plastic guiding widget in there.
So the differences are not from one car type to another car type, they are from one box/linkage to the next. It does seem the later cars are better sorted, entirely natural from a development perspective.
I would say that the gearbox( manual ) in my V8 is superb!, a little stiff from 1st to 2nd when cold, so what? Are you really that limp wristed that it is a problem?
We used to teach our children to have the mindset of a fearless warrior, we now teach them to have the mindset of a fearful worrier.
We used to teach our children to have the mindset of a fearless warrior, we now teach them to have the mindset of a fearful worrier.
yeti said:
All the manual gearboxes are the same 6 speed Graziano based unit.
They are all mounted at the rear of the car (transaxle layout) and connected by cables to the gearstick / linkage assembly. Some are just going to be better than others because of the way they have been set-up, I would bet beer vouchers that those that are very baulky can be adjusted to be better; I used to have my Maserati manual adjusted every service or when needed (550 gearbox).
The weight of the DBS/V12V or Sarah Maynard solid billet gearknob helps with the positivity of the shift as well.
The baulkiness when cold is just natural for the type of system, of course it's better when warm, there is oil that needs to move around. You can help by running though the gearbox (1st to 6th and back) when waiting at idle, helps shear the cold oil. The 1st to 2nd excessive baulking appeared on some cars and was helped by the addition of a plastic guiding widget in there.
So the differences are not from one car type to another car type, they are from one box/linkage to the next. It does seem the later cars are better sorted, entirely natural from a development perspective.
What he says They are all mounted at the rear of the car (transaxle layout) and connected by cables to the gearstick / linkage assembly. Some are just going to be better than others because of the way they have been set-up, I would bet beer vouchers that those that are very baulky can be adjusted to be better; I used to have my Maserati manual adjusted every service or when needed (550 gearbox).
The weight of the DBS/V12V or Sarah Maynard solid billet gearknob helps with the positivity of the shift as well.
The baulkiness when cold is just natural for the type of system, of course it's better when warm, there is oil that needs to move around. You can help by running though the gearbox (1st to 6th and back) when waiting at idle, helps shear the cold oil. The 1st to 2nd excessive baulking appeared on some cars and was helped by the addition of a plastic guiding widget in there.
So the differences are not from one car type to another car type, they are from one box/linkage to the next. It does seem the later cars are better sorted, entirely natural from a development perspective.
Had my DBS box adjusted not only is it better to get in reverse when cold its also better in forward gears no matter hot or cold.
Glad i had this resolved.
V8 Animal said:
yeti said:
All the manual gearboxes are the same 6 speed Graziano based unit.
They are all mounted at the rear of the car (transaxle layout) and connected by cables to the gearstick / linkage assembly. Some are just going to be better than others because of the way they have been set-up, I would bet beer vouchers that those that are very baulky can be adjusted to be better; I used to have my Maserati manual adjusted every service or when needed (550 gearbox).
The weight of the DBS/V12V or Sarah Maynard solid billet gearknob helps with the positivity of the shift as well.
The baulkiness when cold is just natural for the type of system, of course it's better when warm, there is oil that needs to move around. You can help by running though the gearbox (1st to 6th and back) when waiting at idle, helps shear the cold oil. The 1st to 2nd excessive baulking appeared on some cars and was helped by the addition of a plastic guiding widget in there.
So the differences are not from one car type to another car type, they are from one box/linkage to the next. It does seem the later cars are better sorted, entirely natural from a development perspective.
What he says They are all mounted at the rear of the car (transaxle layout) and connected by cables to the gearstick / linkage assembly. Some are just going to be better than others because of the way they have been set-up, I would bet beer vouchers that those that are very baulky can be adjusted to be better; I used to have my Maserati manual adjusted every service or when needed (550 gearbox).
The weight of the DBS/V12V or Sarah Maynard solid billet gearknob helps with the positivity of the shift as well.
The baulkiness when cold is just natural for the type of system, of course it's better when warm, there is oil that needs to move around. You can help by running though the gearbox (1st to 6th and back) when waiting at idle, helps shear the cold oil. The 1st to 2nd excessive baulking appeared on some cars and was helped by the addition of a plastic guiding widget in there.
So the differences are not from one car type to another car type, they are from one box/linkage to the next. It does seem the later cars are better sorted, entirely natural from a development perspective.
Had my DBS box adjusted not only is it better to get in reverse when cold its also better in forward gears no matter hot or cold.
Glad i had this resolved.
Often the issue is poor lubrication on the cables
When you adapt to the weight, and balkiness when cold it's really not a problem, just takes getting used to.
Throws me a bit when I drive "normal" cars but not for long.
The weight of the clutch pedal can be an issue, but Bamford Rose have various options to improve that - it's only really an issue if you drive a lot in heavy traffic anyway.
- Steve
Throws me a bit when I drive "normal" cars
but not for long.The weight of the clutch pedal can be an issue, but Bamford Rose have various options to improve that - it's only really an issue if you drive a lot in heavy traffic anyway.
- Steve
My V8V was a little hesitant going from first to second. However, I had the AM service billeting done to correct this under warranty and it has a wonderful shift now. The bulletin calls for replacing the gear linkage and lever as well as the gear oil.
Putting the DBS Power Rangers shift knob helped improve the feel even more.
Putting the DBS Power Rangers shift knob helped improve the feel even more.
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