Paddle shifts on C6?
Discussion
Maybe a silly question...
I've seen some C6 autos advertised, and on looking at the pics, they seem to have a paddle shift. Is this on all C6 autos? Strange that I have only ever found one ad that specifically mentioned a paddle shift, and that was on a ZL465 C6.
Oh, and are they any good?
HELP!
I've seen some C6 autos advertised, and on looking at the pics, they seem to have a paddle shift. Is this on all C6 autos? Strange that I have only ever found one ad that specifically mentioned a paddle shift, and that was on a ZL465 C6.
Oh, and are they any good?
HELP!
The 6 speed paddleshift automatic was introduced on the 2006 model year Corvettes, replacing the 4 speed automatic.
I doubt that you will find a European specifiaction paddleshift registered before January 2006, but old stock 4 speed automatics were being registered up until March/April 2007.
I doubt that you will find a European specifiaction paddleshift registered before January 2006, but old stock 4 speed automatics were being registered up until March/April 2007.
Speaking of which - I've been toying with the idea of trying to build a paddle shift for my C5 (oh yes!). The idea was to use a staged linear actuator (which I haven't been able to find yet!) which would shift between the 4 manual settings of the gear-box. I'd replace the steering wheel with one of those aftermarket buttoned steering wheels and wire the respective buttons up to the actuator.
Could be pretty cool, and fairly easy, if I can find a stepped actuator!!
Anyone got any ideas on where to find something like this?
(Oh, and sorry for hijacking the thread! :P)
Could be pretty cool, and fairly easy, if I can find a stepped actuator!!
Anyone got any ideas on where to find something like this?
(Oh, and sorry for hijacking the thread! :P)
Hi there
I test drove a C6 Z51 with auto/paddle shift last week.
At first I drove the car in full AUTO (D) and found it to be rather boring, a sports car really should not be an AUTO. I put it to S mode which sharpened up the shifts a little but it was still boring.
Then I engaged the paddles, you have one either side. To go down gears you can pull either side towards you and to go up a gear you push away from you, again on either side. This mades things much better.
In paddle mode throttle response is like a manual, its instant and very crisp. Plus you get control over what gear you are in. So if you blasting towards a corner in 4th, get on the brakes and pull the paddle towards you to drop a gear or two. Down changes are more or less instant and getting back on the throttle in instant. Up changes are a little slower for some reason, take about 0.5s or a little less so nothing to slow and no doubt as quick as a human changing gear in a manual just feels slower because your not doing the change as such.
Overall with paddles it was a more fun car to enjoy, however I'd still preferre a manual but the paddle shift is night and day better over the full AUTO. Also the new 2008 C6 is supposedly getting a quicker AUTO software so it will change up quicker, sounds good to me.
I test drove a C6 Z51 with auto/paddle shift last week.
At first I drove the car in full AUTO (D) and found it to be rather boring, a sports car really should not be an AUTO. I put it to S mode which sharpened up the shifts a little but it was still boring.
Then I engaged the paddles, you have one either side. To go down gears you can pull either side towards you and to go up a gear you push away from you, again on either side. This mades things much better.
In paddle mode throttle response is like a manual, its instant and very crisp. Plus you get control over what gear you are in. So if you blasting towards a corner in 4th, get on the brakes and pull the paddle towards you to drop a gear or two. Down changes are more or less instant and getting back on the throttle in instant. Up changes are a little slower for some reason, take about 0.5s or a little less so nothing to slow and no doubt as quick as a human changing gear in a manual just feels slower because your not doing the change as such.
Overall with paddles it was a more fun car to enjoy, however I'd still preferre a manual but the paddle shift is night and day better over the full AUTO. Also the new 2008 C6 is supposedly getting a quicker AUTO software so it will change up quicker, sounds good to me.
astonlincoln said:
Wow! Thanks for the info guys!
I had originally decided to go for a manual to get more fun out of it, but it seems like the 2006 with the paddles is the way to go!
Anyone got one they want to sell?
Hi thereI had originally decided to go for a manual to get more fun out of it, but it seems like the 2006 with the paddles is the way to go!
Anyone got one they want to sell?
I still rate a manual as better, plus quicker too.
But if you feel your not great with a manual box and want the next best thing then the 6 speed Paddle/Auto is very good. The 4 speed AUTO I find just damn right boring, it takes to much away from the driving experience and afterall the Corvette is a sports car.
I have an 07 model C6 with paddle shift,and its great!!.
There is however a potential difficulty since the up-change is a relatively small button, and on steering wheel sweeps, you no longer have the button "under control".
Ergonomically, its not a true paddle shift.
The car however is fantastic.!
There is however a potential difficulty since the up-change is a relatively small button, and on steering wheel sweeps, you no longer have the button "under control".
Ergonomically, its not a true paddle shift.
The car however is fantastic.!
5 USA said:
[OcUK said:
I still rate a manual as ..... quicker.
A high level of abuse is needed to get quick times out of a manual plus a perfection of technique which is challenging to repeat. Under real world conditions big engined autos are very very quick. Yes agreed there but for me I like mashing through the gears as it adds driver involvement.
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