Paddleshift thoughts

[Andy44]

Hi guys,

I'm new on here, so please be tolerant of any daft questions I might ask.

I've been running a 1300 Prosport last year on a few UK trackdays. I get a lot of fun from just 'having a blast' rather than worrying too much about the ultimate lap times, which is a good job considering my driving 'talents' Anyway, for this year I'm looking at fitting a paddleshift system. I've read other people's comments about paddles Vs. stick but paddles are definitely the way I want to go.

So, after doing a bit of research, I've found a few suppliers that can offer a system for my car. I haven't contacted any of them yet because I would prefer to first talk to the people with the experience so that I have a better idea of what questions to ask them when I pick up the phone.

So, the basic question is this: what are your thoughts on the various systems on offer, in terms of performance & reliability, ease of fitment, price, 'quality', customer service, and the important one, potential for gearbox damage. I've heard a few horror stories about the electric solenoid systems, but can't find much specific information. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers, Andy.

[ScottHughes]

Have you tried Radical..?

[J Wright]

Hi Andy
YHM

[Andy44]

I assume you mean this one: http://secure2.cyberware.co.uk/~rad-shop/acatalog/...

I don't think it will work with my car because I'm using a Suzuki OEM management system which can't do the ignition cut. Doesn't the Radical one only work with the MBE or Life ECU's?

[barryv12]

you are right in that the radical system will not work unless you have an mbe or life. I have had experience of both radical and Proshift systems. Although radical took a while to get theirs to work once fixed it was ok. The proshift system i had fitted by proshift and to my mind was the better system. The theory is that pnuematic system generate the most amount of power when you least need it at the end off their stroke. the solenoid systems power diminish at the end of their stroke so it is kinder to the gearbox. The solenoid system is very simple and simple is usually best.

have a chat with roy at proshift he knows his stuff

in general paddle shift suits these cars very well and can change gear smoother faster than any human being ever can. the top formule all use them for one reason only because you can lap faster with them than without

hope this helps

[Andy44]

Barry,

I don't know much about solenoids, but it says exactly the opposite on the proshift website, it says: "the very nature of electronic solenoid gearshift operation is such that it delivers a rising power curve from it's rest position".

But, I did a bit of pneumatic control some years ago and I know that the force produced by a pneumatic cylinder is exactly the same throughout the stroke because it's directly proportional to the applied pressure. Also, compressed air provides a soft cushion (because air compresses!) if something gets in its way. To my mind, this seems more suited to gear shifting?

What was wrong with the Radical system when you tried it? Did it have an auto-blip?

[Count Johnny]

I run the Proshift system, on my Speads, and think it's jolly lovely.

This said, I suspect that the Geartronics system may be functionally a little better - but you pays your money and takes your choice.

As mentioned in another post, Roy (Proshift) is really helpful.

By coincidence, I'm off to Proshift for set up tomorrow morning. Time well spent, IMO.

C 'Johnny' S

[doctordave]

try flatshifter.com he tells me that radical is going to use his system,worth a go.dave.

[Andy44]

Johnny,

Do you know anyone who runs the geartronics system? It's one that I've been looking at and it certainly seems far more sophisticated than the rest of them. Is it just marketing, or is there really a big advantage with this closed loop they talk about? What they say on their website certainly seems to make sense.

[barryv12]

i would say given your intended use the simpler the better, there is no limit as to what you could spend on a system. the point is what do you need and what level of sophistication is required for a 5-10 year old bike engined track day car. I would definately go for the autoblip option. most systems worth having are going to be about 3500k upwards.

on the positive side once fitted and working the driving experience is amazing

[Count Johnny]

Andy

My pal, Matthew of CTR developments, has the system on his Arachnid BEC and they also use the system on their racing 935.

He swears by the system itself and lauds the support that he gets from Gearshift.

This said, this car (like mine) has the Proshift system which, I'm sure you'll agree, works:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxKQeWDkFII&fea...

CJS

[Simon T]

Spend the money on engine or suspension. You'll go a lot quicker with that than any paddle shift work - (Assuming you can heel and toe )

S

[jp-speed-triple]

if you have a 'stick' you'll save the session/ race/ gearbox when the trick bits fail.

VOE

Edited by jp-speed-triple on Monday 22 February 13:19

[barryv12]

heeling and toeing, how quaint. swap the pneumatic tyres for solid ones avoids punctures swap your ecu for a distributor and points a couple of magnetos and you will be unstopable

[Count Johnny]

Personally, I think 'Flymo' should be applauded for his 'heeling and toeing', back to basics, approach to motorsport.

For example, have you seen the 2010 version of his car?



Me, I'm going to go the whole hog and fashion a car from deer antlers, using only a stone axe, and drag it along over felled tree trunks, b0llock naked, save for beard.

[Andy44]

Simon,

Like I said at the top of the thread, I'm not particularly bothered by ultimate lap times, but having driven several road cars with paddleshift I think it's just a far more enjoyable driving experience.

So, what about paddleshift being unreliable? I've found quite a few bad comments on various forums about the proshift system failing or being generally unreliable, but is this typical of them all?

[Simon T]

Barry and Count, given your 2009 race programmes I take it DFS is providing your 2010 cars?

Andy, have you considered cruise control? I find the adaptive version in my road car is execellent as it slows you down if you get too close to the car in front



Simon

[jp-speed-triple]

lol

[barryv12]

i wish my racing program was sponsored by dfs unfortunately it was standard fireworks. press the starter button and wait for it to go bang about two and a half hours is normally sufficient.

[gixermark]

Andy44 said:

Simon,

Like I said at the top of the thread, I'm not particularly bothered by ultimate lap times, but having driven several road cars with paddleshift I think it's just a far more enjoyable driving experience.

So, what about paddleshift being unreliable? I've found quite a few bad comments on various forums about the proshift system failing or being generally unreliable, but is this typical of them all?

Hi Andy,

if you are 'just' after the physical feel and physical use of paddle vs stick.. you can easily add a paddle shift system that uses either cable or rods to make the change... you can obviously add one of the flat/pro shifter systems in addition to this to give blip on down shift and ability to change flat out on the way up...