Anyone Ever Think About F1 Paddle Shifting??
i know it may seem far fetched but i really like the ideal of paddle shifting on the z...
has anyone looked into this (i've already done a search couldnt find nething)....

i just wanted to see if i was the only one who thought of this as well...

 

I'd personaly love it. I have also heard that there are universal kits out there to turn mannies into SMG's. But i may just be an idiot.

Cap'n Tater

 

There is a pic somewhere on the forum of a JDM Z with F1 style paddle shifters behind the wheel. If its possible that would be insane to say the least.

 

I've thought about trying to interface the steering wheel off a GS400 in my G35. Just like in the GS4, U PROBABLY could use the tiptronic shift mode to make it happen. Just a thought.

 

I can totally see how semi-automatics are practical for most street cars and driving situations, but I personally hate them.

I guess I'm an old-school "purist", and driving to me involves control of the machine. I was an F1 fan since the early 80's and I personally think the racing was ruined by semi-automatic transmissions. It used to be that if your missed a shift, you got passed. Now, if your transmission breaks or gets stuck in a gear, you're out altogether.

Heel-and-toe used to be an art that took time to develop skills and master, a rewarding experience in the art of high performance driving, and the modern semi-automatics make it so anyone can shift like Tsuchiya-san (I guess that's the point).

Call me old school, but I will always choose a traditional clutch and shifter for "feel" and complete driving satisfaction.

All that said, I do appreciate the technology in the latest Audi semi-automatic in the 3.2 TT that uses dual-clutches for seemless power delivery and a real semi-automatic tranny (no power-sapping torque-converter).

 

It would be possible with a sequential box like the new $60,000 HKS unit but it would be virtually impossible to retrofit a standard manual.

 

Are there any companies out there that do this as their primary business.... im sure alot of people are interested in it....
not only for the 350z but for other cars as well....

 

I'm a big Formula 1 fan and I think it's a cool idea, but only for a race car. I wouldn't want to shift as fast as I could on a 20k rpm revving 900hp+ engine with a manual gearbox (I'm sure I'd mess everything up). On a street car, I don't like automatics at all and SMGs to me are for people who don't like manuals and want an excuse (SMG has faster shifts they say). There's nothing like ripping through the gears with the engine revvin high, but that's just me...

 

why is it that every thread about autos has someone come in and go, "well i think thats autos in a sports car is not for me". thats not what the topic is. its about f1 shifters only. sorry to go off, but i've seen countless threads hijacked and turned into a at vs. mt thread. anyways, there are contact points where the manumatic shifter hits to tell the ecu to shift. this means that there are wires that could be connected to a f1 shifter. i'm more than willing to try this, but i cant find any paddles shifters to mount to the cover over the steering wheel. however, this would bypass the shifter, but with the right relay confiquration its possible to shift with either (f1 paddles or gear shifter). its actually a really simple idea, and could be done with very easily. the only parts needed are of course the f1 paddles, wire to run from the gear shifter to the paddles, and a spare cover to properly mount the paddles. if anyone can find a link to where i could buy some f1 paddles, i'll definetly try this, and i'm almost positive that it will work.

 

What about the Team 5 Zigen Twin Mode clutch?

 

I know the Nissan A/T's an electronic version so I just figured that since so is the Lexus it could be possible. There's also an airbag in there to consider so perhaps SSR's point of external paddles would be best. I just liked the idea of being able to auto-shift w/o taking my hand off the wheel ala Tiptronic. I've talked with old friends on the ClubLexus site who have retrofitted their GS300's with the GS4 steering wheel thumb controlled buttons but I don't know how compatable the two Japanese makers software is. Besides, if A/T's are so bad, how come the F1 cars plus even Ferrari R going to them?

 

I didn't say it was bad technology (actually I pointed out that the new Audi DSG is superior semi-auto tranny technology), I just prefer the "feel" of a traditional manual and that it is more "pure" to the sports car driving experience IMHO.

F1 also went to traction control and launch programs (which they banned this year- thank goodness). Sure it makes you go faster, but then the electronics are driving the car more than you are, is that fun and satisfying?

As I stated, I see the use in this for street cars and most urban driving situations, but I prefer my driving experience more involving. One of the unique things about the Z is how much engine/drivetrain vibration comes up through the shifter - some people hate it, but I'd hate to miss out on it. Good luck on your project though, it will be interesting to see what develops on this thread.

ajk4 - Don't you just love being able to express your opinions on any subject you wish at any time? If not, Al Queda and the Taliban are looking for a few good extremist to blow themselves up (although my military buddies will be more than happy to do it for them)

 

all the opinions about paddle shifting, sequential manual gearboxes, tiptronic, etc aside...

you could pretty easily hook up some paddles to the sport-shift in the A/T version of the Z.

However, this wouldn't be anything like a real F1 Paddle-shift gearbox, as found on an F1 car, an F1-model Ferrari 355 or 360, or the SMG-II M3. All of those systems are true manual gearboxes with electronically actuated clutches.

The Z's "sport-shift" automatic is a normal automatic gearbox with a torque-converter, and the sport-shift just lets you tell the computer which gear you want to be in.

The two systems are worlds apart in performance and capability. To put a true F1-style computer controlled sequential manual gearbox in the Z would have a ridiculous pricetag, beyond $10,000, and probably much higher.

It's not worth it, unless you're awash in money and you can't find anything else to spend it on.

 

They banned launch control but not traction control. They also banned computer shifting, on a few cars last year the shift points were programmed into the steering wheel computer and it shifted on its own, the driver just steered.