I am wondering if any one is working on shift paddles for the 5AT 350Z and ZR

CESAR

 

a forum member made his own awhile back, cant remember who did it though.

 

There's a Japanese company that already has the paddle shifters for the JDM 350Z. I read it in either HyperRev or some other Japanese mag, specifically related to the 350Z.

 

I'd love that. Nissan, are you listening? 2007 please, and give us a button start to go with it.

 

Paddles would be nice but if it's not the smg f1 style tranny then it wouldn't be fun.

 

seeing as the f1 smg style transmissions are a $10k+ option on most cars i dont think we'll ever see on in the z.

 

true, I cant imagine paying 40k just to have that.

 

Nissan's 5AT is more advanced than most F1 Shifters. The only real advantage is that the F1 shifts slightly faster but, not by much.

The problem with adding paddle shifts to the 5AT is finding some way to add them without causing the shifts to be slow or jerky. Maybe Nissan can take some hints from Porsche.

 

Is it better than SMG on the m3?

 

You're usually right, Al, but I think you're off your rocker with this statement. If that was true, you'd see Honda/Porsche/BMW all fighting to beg Nissan for a copy of their 5AT design for their race cars.

 

huh? where are you getting that from? If it is slow or jerky, how is it more advanced?

 

WHERE can I get this!?!? This is exactly what I have been wanting for mine.

 

It's not better or worse than the SMG on the M3. Choice between a Tiptronic-type sequential shifter or a F1-type sequential shifter is driver preference. The Nissan 5AT is just more advanced because of driver and environmental adaptable programming and the way it executes it's shift algorithms and profiles. The SMGIII will be the first of the consumer level F1-type shifters that has at least a basic automatic driver adaptable program. The SMGIII can automatically select it's DriveLogic setting without driver input. Currently, on the F1-type shifters you have to pre-select from a fix set of shift profiles (ie BMW's DriveLogic). The more advanced Tiptronic-type shifters (Porsche Tiptronic S, AMG SpeedShift, McLaren SLR Shifter, Nissan 5AT, etc.) use real-time learning algorithms and continually adapt to the driver and the environment. In the case of the SMG, it uses the same exact gearbox that the MT uses. The only difference is that it uses an electro-hydraulic clutch and shift programs similar to the torque converter based transmissions.

 

Yes, copying is probably the greatest form of flattery but, why copy when you already have one. Honda didn't have very good luck with their version. Porsche and BMW had torque converter based sequential shifters long before Nissan designed the 5AT. If anyone did any borrowing of ideas and designs it was probably Nissan. Nissan's 5AT is very similar in design to one's used by Porsche and AMG and that's not bad company. When Nissan designed the 5AT it had over 100 patents pending. Porsche and McLaren use a tiptronic-type transmission on their track cars. I'm not really sure why it isn't more common. You'll have to find out from someone who races in F1. Some of my guesses would be because of race rules, performance perception, driver preference.

 

you make me so excited when you talk like that hehe..

i sure do enjoy shifting myself over any eletronic shifter.

john

 

Over at 350Zmotoring a member (N74dv) there added push button shifting to his 5AT and commented that his shifting was slower to the point that he had to pre-plan his shifts. The problem isn't with the idea. The OEM tranny programming on the 5AT just wasn't designed to work with push button or paddle shifting. The programming would have to be modified to work well with paddle shifting or the a new program would have to be installed.

I don't remember where I saw it but there is a website or a vender that sells aftermarket paddle shifters for the BMWs. Some of the people over at the BMW forums commented on jerky shifting because the original software wasn't designed for it.

From what I've read, you can't just change the hardware and expect improved performance without upgrading the software.

 

So what's the difference between pushing in a clutch and moving the lever and pressing a button to get the same effect?

Its still "you" who made the decision.

 

+1

I had an 01 Lude with their sport shift auto trans. There were a ton of problems with that trans. To Honda credit though, they actually owned up to the problem and did the right thing by giving all ss owners several extra years of warranty on the trannies. Still would have rather had a good trans to start with but at least they didn't try to sweep it under the rug like some other car companies do with major problems.

 

If you are looking for comparisons, try the DSG gearbox Audi offers on the TT and the new A3. It is light-years better than the BMW SMG in smoothness and response. Cost can't be too high when it is the standard "manu-matic" in the A3. Main difference to the AT5 in the Z is the DSG does not use a torque converter. Shifts feel just like a manual, although the computer does blip the throttle on a downshift. That same tranny will show up in the new Golf GTI and Jetta later this year and by 2007 in the Boxter and Cayman. So, Nissan, we know it can be done for less than huge bucks. How about it?

 

As someone who used to own a BMW M3 with SMG II -- can tell you there is no comparison between it and any auto tranny (including the 5AT on the Z).

I say no comparison because they are so different. The 5AT is the customer that wants an auto tranny. Could be for a variety of reasons -- traffic, lack of skill, smoothness, convenience, whatever.

The SMG really is for the customer that would have normally gone with a stick and will not be bothered by thinks like abrupt shifting -- but will wants the latest in tranny technology. SMG is a next gen technology that allows the incorporation of a traditional clutch and flywheel interface, and none drivetrain loss or additional weight associated with ATs (SMGs on the M3 weight 14 lbs more than the regular 6spd). SMG shifting is also designed to be very fast (thus the abruptness), and instant upon command. My experience with the AT is that it does not respond nearly as quickly to manual upshift or downshift commands.

The SMG is truly superior tech -- and for me (a driver that has no interest in owning an AT sports car), the SMG is the only viable alternative to a stick. Any claim that the 5AT is more advanced that an SMG or DSG is crazy.

BTW, the SMG is a $2800 option on the M3. I think Audi/VWs DSG is even less expensive.