Ferrari Mailing List: Re: 456 gt search

[Todd Walke (racertod]

Hans wrote:

> Could be wrong, but I don't think that the 456 auto box is GM
> derived.  I remember reading (Forza??) that it was sourced from
> a small company in Michigan that may no longer be around.
> The same article said that either whole units or parts were
> somewhere between difficult and impossible to get.

        They were made by FFD in Detroit, now owned by Ricardo (one of the 
premier transmission 
designers):  http://www.motortrader.com/13380/Automatic-Ferrari.ehtml

        Note this reply from Ricardo concerning the GTA trans (from FChat):

"Thank you for your enquiry regarding the Ferrari 456GT automatic transmission.
For reference only this transmission was modified from a GM Northstar 4L80T 
(transverse V8) and some parts may be common to this transmission.
The supply and support to Ferrari of this transmission was handled by a 
separate company and any further details should be sought via Ferrari directly.
I hope that this is of some help."

        Basically it's 4LT80T guts in a case designed to fit the 456.  On 
the same FChat thread, some one noted that a shop opened one up to try to 
correct some defect and found mostly GM bits, but with several Ferrari-only 
parts as well.


Todd
Seattle,WA
'86 GTI, Red of course. (exciting racey car)  264,000 miles
'87 Golf, Polar Silver. (boring work car)     600,000 miles <- Yeah, baby!
http://www.pureluckdesign.com <-Ferrari & VW stuff