Retrofitting a CS TCU on my 360 F1
Discussion
Hi All,
I have recently purchased a November 2002 360 Modena F1 and it has been suggested that the CS TCU offers a remarkable improvement over the standard gearbox software.
I don't mind the car being a bit more aggressive (my other car is a GT3...) and I would like the changes to be a bit more like the standard Sport setting above 5k rpm all of the time,
Can anyone provide a insight and experiences of this modification and also the best place to source the unit?
Many thanks in advance
Simon
I have recently purchased a November 2002 360 Modena F1 and it has been suggested that the CS TCU offers a remarkable improvement over the standard gearbox software.
I don't mind the car being a bit more aggressive (my other car is a GT3...) and I would like the changes to be a bit more like the standard Sport setting above 5k rpm all of the time,
Can anyone provide a insight and experiences of this modification and also the best place to source the unit?
Many thanks in advance
Simon
Eurospares sell them. The part number is 196986 and it is about 1500 quid inc.
Occasionally they come up second hand but still fetch about a grand.
You need a good specialist who understands the system well to get the most out of it. It should be a couple of hours labour as it is plug in and set up.....
I'll get flamed again as but IMO try before you buy!
I drove one and the difference was fairly small even to my early car.
You will probably need a sports exhaust to get the most from the downshift blips as otherwise they just flutter the exhaust valves.
I can't argue the clutch management and ability to fine tune the TCU is better on the later ones but unless your car is driving particularly badly now the difference may not be what you expect.
Just my 2p's worth.........M
Occasionally they come up second hand but still fetch about a grand.
You need a good specialist who understands the system well to get the most out of it. It should be a couple of hours labour as it is plug in and set up.....
I'll get flamed again as but IMO try before you buy!
I drove one and the difference was fairly small even to my early car.
You will probably need a sports exhaust to get the most from the downshift blips as otherwise they just flutter the exhaust valves.
I can't argue the clutch management and ability to fine tune the TCU is better on the later ones but unless your car is driving particularly badly now the difference may not be what you expect.
Just my 2p's worth.........M
The CS map will not flash onto any of the regular 360 TCUs as the chip architecture is different. You need different hardware - your options are:
a) Buy a brand new CS TCU
b) Buy a second hand CS TCU
c) Source a F430 TCU and flash the CS map onto it
As to fitting, anyone with an SD2/3 or equivalent (and the relevant knowledge) can do it in less than an hour.
a) Buy a brand new CS TCU
b) Buy a second hand CS TCU
c) Source a F430 TCU and flash the CS map onto it
As to fitting, anyone with an SD2/3 or equivalent (and the relevant knowledge) can do it in less than an hour.
mike01606 said:
I drove one and the difference was fairly small even to my early car.
You will probably need a sports exhaust to get the most from the downshift blips as otherwise they just flutter the exhaust valves.
I can't argue the clutch management and ability to fine tune the TCU is better on the later ones but unless your car is driving particularly badly now the difference may not be what you expect.
Just my 2p's worth.........M
It made a massive difference to my 00 car. I think this is the best mod ever. Completely transformed the car. I drove standard car for a year or so and then got CS TCU installed, so I can compare the difference. I had sports exhaust though. Maybe yours was not set up properly or set up by someone who did not have good understanding of the system. I was not happy with the initial set up I had on installation and got it back to the dealer after few hundred miles to adjust the settings. Was brilliant since for around 4 years now. You will probably need a sports exhaust to get the most from the downshift blips as otherwise they just flutter the exhaust valves.
I can't argue the clutch management and ability to fine tune the TCU is better on the later ones but unless your car is driving particularly badly now the difference may not be what you expect.
Just my 2p's worth.........M
With regards to clutch management you can not even compare standard vs CS TCU, the 2nd one is miles ahead. I had got clutch overheat beep sound all the time in the city (checked clutch readings often and it was fine) whilst I never heard this beep sound ever since I installed CS TCU. Driving is much smoother as well etc
I think it is deffo worth doing, just make sure you have someone knowledgeable to fit it
My 2p...
I think the issue is different expectation and how your car drives before you make the change.
It is an early F1 system with a single clutch and its performance can be influenced by a number of factors such as the general condition of the whole system.
The specialist I use has changed two early TCU's this year as the PIS would not come down and they were undriveable. The CS TCU solved the problem on those cars.
Mine had an annual last week and he said it drives really well. Clutch wear has been 4% in 6k miles of mainly in-traffic driving and I've never seen an alarm.
I still keep looking at making the same change but cannot justify it to myself at the moment. Maybe as the clutch wears I will think differently.
Everyone else cannot be wrong
.....
It is an early F1 system with a single clutch and its performance can be influenced by a number of factors such as the general condition of the whole system.
The specialist I use has changed two early TCU's this year as the PIS would not come down and they were undriveable. The CS TCU solved the problem on those cars.
Mine had an annual last week and he said it drives really well. Clutch wear has been 4% in 6k miles of mainly in-traffic driving and I've never seen an alarm.
I still keep looking at making the same change but cannot justify it to myself at the moment. Maybe as the clutch wears I will think differently.
Everyone else cannot be wrong
.....Edited by mike01606 on Tuesday 7th October 21:06
Thanks all for the replies and some really useful information.
I have a Sport Exhaust system (Novitec) and the car has just had a new clutch fitted by Ferrari but I have also had it checked by a very good specialist to make sure it's set-up correctly - they believe the car is driving as well as it should and were very complimentary about the overall condition :0)
Given the conflicting views, I will use the car until the next service, early next year, and then see how I feel. If there's a chance of a ride out in a car with the CS TCU fitted in Kent then let me know!
Cheers
Simon
I have a Sport Exhaust system (Novitec) and the car has just had a new clutch fitted by Ferrari but I have also had it checked by a very good specialist to make sure it's set-up correctly - they believe the car is driving as well as it should and were very complimentary about the overall condition :0)
Given the conflicting views, I will use the car until the next service, early next year, and then see how I feel. If there's a chance of a ride out in a car with the CS TCU fitted in Kent then let me know!
Cheers
Simon
We've been looking at this same issue too with our 2000 car. We weren't really sure if we could justify the cost at this point but we would like to improve the way the car pulls off from standing. We're also considering a later non-CS TCU for the possible improvements that'd bring. Does anyone have any thoughts on those?
Simon T said:
Massive, In sport mode it now shifts like the Ligier, up or down. In normal mode the clutch control is much smoother starting off.
Well worth it!
Simon
Thanks for that......smoothness during normal driving is domething I don't want to lose. Well worth it!
Simon
Good to hear the car drives well and particularly the pick up is improved.
M
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