Solid State F1 Relay

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Ozmurc

Junior Member
Messages
91
As well as my QPV F1, I have had for a number of years an e-gear Murcielago. They basically share many Magnetti Marelli components/denso component with of Course the alfa selespeeds. The problematic F1 relay I noticed is able to be replaced by a solid state one. I've just ordered the basic version for the QP, and the advanced version for the Murcielago. I'll put some pics up when I install it, and see if I can notice any shift differences (claimed by manufacturer).

I doubt I'll notice the difference shift wise, but I like the idea of a solid state part from a reliability perspective, hopefully preventing a pump failure, which is my main concern with these cars (I still chose to buy an F1 car over an "Automatica" as I dislike toque converters..)

For those that haven't seen this on Ferrari-chat forum, here's the link:

https://www.scuding.com/Shop/en/ecu-solutions/101-smart-emt-relay-ecu.html

I checked my relay, and I had part number 233100, which is 4 prong, type 1 relay in the list in the link.
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,793
Let us know how it goes. We've had a bit of discussion on here and there's no conceivable reason it should impact shift :)

I'd probably fit one, but not based on their marketing some of which is right dubious, frankly ;)

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Ozmurc

Junior Member
Messages
91
CatmanV2 said:
Let us know how it goes. We've had a bit of discussion on here and there's no conceivable reason it should impact shift :)

I'd probably fit one, but not based on their marketing some of which is right dubious, frankly ;)

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absolutely agree; doubt I'll feel a difference. I have however changed a security relay in my Alfa Brera to Solid State latching relay, and it did cycle on/off quicker, and of course won't wear out. Since the speed and longevity of this relay will impact pump life, thats enough for a reason to change for me. I may play around with a cheap electronic relay when I see how this one works.
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,793
Pump life != different shift. But yes, I'd like a solid state one when I get another F1 box. Simply because there is no chance of it latching on and burning out the pump without me noticing. Speed claims I find very *very* dubious from that post but hey....

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RobinL

RobinL

Member
Messages
456
CatmanV2 said:
Pump life != different shift. But yes, I'd like a solid state one when I get another F1 box. Simply because there is no chance of it latching on and burning out the pump without me noticing. Speed claims I find very *very* dubious from that post but hey....

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Sorry but back on topic, briefly, I bought fitted one earlier this summer. I didn't think on my 4200CC there was any difference in gear shift in Manual and Sport (my preference)
However in Auto there might have been a little less slip between gears. I wasn't expecting anything as mechanically there should be no difference - the hydraulics are up to pressure, or not, but it's enough that I may put the standard relay back in to compare again?
Does have the benefit of a bit of peace of mind though!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk
 
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Ozmurc

Junior Member
Messages
91
CatmanV2 said:
Pump life != different shift. But yes, I'd like a solid state one when I get another F1 box. Simply because there is no chance of it latching on and burning out the pump without me noticing. Speed claims I find very *very* dubious from that post but hey....

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to paraphrase Maxwell Smart... "would you believe..." I noticed a difference in shift!

In standard/comfort mode, shifting manually, I always found that the 1-2 shift needed to be done at 3000 rpm, and was a bit slow. I found the same for the 2-3 shift. After installing the new solid state relay, I can shift from 2-3 comfortably at 2500 rpm... its noticeably quicker/smoother (same going back down).

I never found the higher gear changes (from 3-4 etc) to be to slow, but def the 1-2 & 2-3 shifts. Now 1-2 is a touch smoother, but 2-3 substantially better.

I haven't yet compared auto mode or sport mode.

Overall, for the money (I bought the basic version), I'm impressed I can notice anything, especially since I really just bought it for peace of mind/pump longevity & security.
 
mjheathcote

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,038
As already said from an engineering point of view it is only switching a hydraulic pump on when the pressure drops to the lower set point, and off when the pressure is back up again to the upper set point.
It won't make a blind bit of difference to the shift quality or speed of change for what I can see!
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,793
mjheathcote said:
As already said from an engineering point of view it is only switching a hydraulic pump on when the pressure drops to the lower set point, and off when the pressure is back up again to the upper set point.
It won't make a blind bit of difference to the shift quality or speed of change for what I can see!
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Rather my point. Not a double blind test and it's something that has had money spent. Can't recall the phrase but there's a known bias to justify things we've bought. Commonly seen as the 'Recommend what I own' behaviour on the Internet :)

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Zep

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,283
CatmanV2 said:
Rather my point. Not a double blind test and it's something that has had money spent. Can't recall the phrase but there's a known bias to justify things we've bought. Commonly seen as the 'Recommend what I own' behaviour on the Internet :)

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I think the term is confirmation bias. As I see it and other have said - it is just a relay operating based on a control signal. If the original relay was working correctly then there is no reason for there to be a difference. A sticky relay or one with poor contact giving intermittent or low pump pressure could well give an improvement, but this is because something was broken, not because it is "better".

The way I see it there are already some good reasons to buy something like this, so shift quality should be at the very bottom of anyones list of reasons.
 
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