MC Shift 4.7 Gearbox

Classico

Member
Messages
895
So looking at going from the ZF 4.2 to a MC-Shift 4.7.

Does anyone own or had experience with the MC Shift gearbox?

Clutch replacement every how many miles/kms etc?

I have a slight hill leading into my garage so would be reversing out every weekend. Not sure if that would add wear on the MC-Shift gearbox? Recall that the old Duoselect on the QPs didn't take kindly to reversing uphill.

Any thoughts appreciated.
 

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,757
Reversing up a slope is bound to wear the clutch more quickly than not having to make such a garage exit. But as a general rule I'd work on a clutch life of around about 40k miles.

I loved the box on my 4.7 MC-Shift. Indeed, the reason I swapped from a QP GTS to a GT MC-Shift was because I grew so frustrated and bored with the ZF box in the QP. I need some interaction when driving a Maserati, and the MC-Shift gives that in spades.

And with the MC-S you also get the side skirts, the switchable sports exhaust, and a host of other stuff not present on a 4.2 auto. You'll notice a big difference, while not having to spend that much extra. Definitely a worthwhile upgrade in my book.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
So looking at going from the ZF 4.2 to a MC-Shift 4.7.

Does anyone own or had experience with the MC Shift gearbox?

Clutch replacement every how many miles/kms etc?

I have a slight hill leading into my garage so would be reversing out every weekend. Not sure if that would add wear on the MC-Shift gearbox? Recall that the old Duoselect on the QPs didn't take kindly to reversing uphill.

Any thoughts appreciated.

If the hill is up into the garage, and you go nose into the garage, shouldn't be much of an issue.
I certainly wouldn't reverse up into the garage though if they are anything like the 42/GS!
 

azapa

Member
Messages
1,300
You will work ways around the box's failings as you get to know the car. Like not doing peak hour commutes, for example! I love it (now).
 

Doohickey

Velociraptor
Messages
2,496
Watch out for the fact that a facelift car is lower at the front than the 4.2 and the side skirts reduce the clearance in the middle. I scrape the front of my 4.7 much more than the 4.2 (and not because I'm going faster either!). If you've a steep approach to the drive/garage it could make a difference.
 

hoyin

Member
Messages
1,842
The mc shift box is lovely. A much more engaging drive for me. Felt like you were actually needed to ensure a smooth drive. This is what appeals to me not some computer controlled auto which bangs the gears in for you.

If you get one with the handling pack the car would be even lower. So beware.

Also I wouldn’t like to be reversing into a garage on a hill. It is quite difficult to feather the throttle reversing on flat ground let alone on a hill.

If you get to try one make sure you do the turn on ignition and let all lights go out. Might as well do the 3 pushes on the throttle before you start the car as well.

Who knows if that actually does anything.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

azapa

Member
Messages
1,300
And if you really want to try the 'box in it's nuttiest expression: drive a Stradale flat out in race mode. 50ms shifts will almost ache (and you'll wonder why the thing hasn't blown up, yet)
 

Ozmurc

Junior Member
Messages
91
I'm super happy with my recently purchased QP 4.2 F1. I already own a Murcielago e-gear. I live in central London and drive from home in Westminster to work in Mayfair, or the gym Shepards Bush (Westfield) with no issues with either car. You learn to drive these cars in traffic; just drive it like an actual manual, as it is. There is no difference between the Maserati, Ferrari and Lamborghini versions of these gearboxes in that the electronics and actuators are Magnetti Marelli, the pumps Denso, and clutches by Valeo (murcielago has the same friction plate as a 599). Somehow know one complains about the Ferraris in traffic, yet they have the same hardware and software driving the electro-hydraulics. I don't know why people think clutch wear is an issue in the Maserati; many get 40K or more out of a clutch. For comparison you'd be lucky to get 25K out of a clutch in the Murcielago owing to the AWD system and gearing (KISS point at 1350 rpm, but 1500 rpm is near 20mph... so an issue in slow traffic) further a clutch change is under £2K in a Maser, and £4.5K-5K average for a Murcielago as in the mid engine car its an engine + trans out job to change the e-gear clutch...
 

Moz1000

Member
Messages
820
Very happy with my MC-Shift 'box. Very satisfying shifting up the gears at 7000 rpm, and then back down under heavy braking, with rev-matching blips and over-run pops and rumbles!
Reverse is sometimes jolty especially when cold, but is ok so long as you remember to be gentle with the throttle.
Moz
 
Messages
1,117
Just be aware (if the GS is anything to go by) that clutches can also fail due to tang failure at any time irrespective of amount of friction material wear. Just keep £4k-£5k aside for a rainy day if the clutch needs doing.
 

outrun

Member
Messages
5,017
Just be aware (if the GS is anything to go by) that clutches can also fail due to tang failure at any time irrespective of amount of friction material wear. Just keep £4k-£5k aside for a rainy day if the clutch needs doing.

We believe this was a batch of GS clutches only which have now been mainly sold and replaced with a strengthened part. Beware "cheap" sell offs from the likes of Eurospares as it could be old stock.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
We believe this was a batch of GS clutches only which have now been mainly sold and replaced with a strengthened part. Beware "cheap" sell offs from the likes of Eurospares as it could be old stock.

This, go main dealer and check the production date is within the last 2 years.

Love the CC box in its 42/GS/GTS and Strad guises....it just adds to the drama.

Also, if you reverse down the slop into your garage, shadowing the brake = no clutch wear backing it out again :)
 

Ozmurc

Junior Member
Messages
91
my recommendation is to get your clutch re-faced in full kevlar by MD clutches (was mad dog clutches); Andy is a sponsor on the scuderia forum. I've had him rebuild my murcielago e-gear clutch and it was a less than half the price of a new clutch, and far better in operation. This is assuming you didn't have the "tang failure", so why not use a proven part.

http://mdclutches.co.uk
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,549
It would be great to see a successful reface of a Maserati clutch. There have been many who claimed it. None have come back after the event. Interesting your e-gear seems to be OK

C
 

Ozmurc

Junior Member
Messages
91
It would be great to see a successful reface of a Maserati clutch. There have been many who claimed it. None have come back after the event. Interesting your e-gear seems to be OK

C

OK, I haven't yet pulled the clutch on my QPV, but I have actual experience doing it on cars like a Murcielago- there's a pick of me with my engine+trans out of my car doing a clutch change in my home garage (no lift, jacks only) on this Pistonheads feature (may have posted this before):

https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-features/diy-supercars/36673

I have loads of pics of the clutch (original and refaced), pressure plate etc.

Considering the fact that the clutches from factory for both Ferrari & Lamborghini are Valeo, I don't see why the Maserati one would be different. Plenty of US guys run refaced clutches on their Lambo's and Fezzas; I've previously used:

http://www.exoticclutches.com/our-clutches/other-makes

Barry who runs the place is very helpful, and US customer service is always great.

I know on the US lambo forums many have also successfully used:
http://hitechexotic.com

On my 2nd DIY clutch change I thought I'd try some one local, and Andy from MD Clutches did an excellent job.

Given the amount of Lambo and Ferrari owners running refaced kevlar F1/e-gear clutches, I don't see what makes Maserati clutches different. As pointed out here, probably well known to this forum, there are many similarities between Fezza/Lambo/Maserati on this matter:

http://craig-waterman.com/?p=174

Visually to me the clutch (twin disc setup) looks like a Gallardo clutch to me. I note that Craig says that so far kevlar clutches have been unsuccessful in the Maserati, and I do find that strange seeing all the twin turbo Gallardos run kevlar twin disc clutches..

One of the reason's that I felt comfortable buying the QP with the much maligned (in the press) F1 box is that in my books its no different to the Ferrari/Lambo, which I have ample experience with. I'm happy to be a guinea pig on this matter, and at average 10-12K a year of driving, and being in central London, I guess I've got about 18-24 months of driving before a clutch change is due...
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,549
Very interesting indeed. There have been attempts by (I'm sure) MD to do 4200 clutches. They guys that were telling us all how wonderful it would be posted one video where it was clearly slipping / destructing, then vanished.

I wonder if it's just the difference in the material that the software can't cope with

C
 

Ozmurc

Junior Member
Messages
91
Very interesting indeed. There have been attempts by (I'm sure) MD to do 4200 clutches. They guys that were telling us all how wonderful it would be posted one video where it was clearly slipping / destructing, then vanished.

I wonder if it's just the difference in the material that the software can't cope with

C
Ok I've now got caught up on Maseratilife forum.... all I can say is um, wow (well really F*** me!) what a can of worms... I find it so odd since its really common in Gallardo world.. and not uncommon for Murcielagos either.

To be fair the Maserati iteration of the F1 gearbox changes FAR more smoothly than my murcielago ever did (even on factory sintered clutch). I was so blown away by how nice the engagement is in the QPV that I immediately put a deposit on the car. I was actually in the middle of converting my Murcielago to a manual gearshift, and the Maserati experience made me rethink and explore improving the murcielago e-gear shift... (i.e exploring shift points, engagement curve etc).

I guess I have a some time to research the issue, as I don't need a clutch change yet. The lucky thing with the Maserati is that a clutch change is cheap, even for OEM parts. Really is a bargain exotic! (madly in love with my QP! amazing car for the money, my wife thinks there's something wrong with me....)

I'm away on holidays this weekend, but when I get back I'll be going to see MD Clutches (another clutch for the murcielago, but hey I have 60K miles on mine) and will ask about the whole Maserati kevlar situation.
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,549
I guess I have a some time to research the issue, as I don't need a clutch change yet. The lucky thing with the Maserati is that a clutch change is cheap, even for OEM parts.

Well, I guess, when compared to a Murcielago :D

C
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
It was my understanding that MD will not touch a GS / 4200 clutch with a brown stick. But maybe things have changed.