Semi-auto transmission

[Storer]

Watching the videos from Spatz and V8Dom reminded me that our old manual gearboxes are starting to look rather "old fashioned" against the modern semi-auto boxes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi, Bugatti (I would include Aston Martin but theirs is a bit carp) and many lesser cars too.

I am not referring to a sequential racing box!

I know the biggest problem is all the electrics and that the system is integrated into the car's engine and abs systems. But is there anybody out there that is trying to "crack" the system or build a bespoke TCU (transmission control unit) and if so for which box?

What happened to the Zeroshift box that was muted a few years ago. I think it was similar to the boxes used in F1 today?

Anybody?


Paul

[02PRUV]

I'm just about to pull the trigger on doing a paddle shift sequential dog box. Still using the LS ecu and interfacing the gearbox ecu to it to cut the ignition for gear changes

[Storer]

02PRUV said:

I'm just about to pull the trigger on doing a paddle shift sequential dog box. Still using the LS ecu and interfacing the gearbox ecu to it to cut the ignition for gear changes

Presumably not for road use. Town driving would be a bh.


Paul

[02PRUV]

Storer said:

Presumably not for road use. Town driving would be a bh.


Paul

It will be used on the road

[356Speedster]

I definitely don't think that manuals are out of date, infact, if there was no manual option on the Ultima, I wouldn't have bought one. I love the fact that there is nothing assisted or nanny-state about the car, it's one of the most appealing factors of the car for me.

I admire the engineering of putting such systems into Ultimas and in racing where every 1/100th counts it makes sense, but on the road, I want to be part of everything the car does and feel the satisfaction of a well timed gearchange.

Maybe I'm just old fashioned

[F.C.]

These guys look pretty serious contenders for automating a synchro box,
Auto bionics have a cable mount solution for robotic actuators (provided the forces involved are within their tolerance).

Synchro boxes are definitely do-able, think BMW SMG 1. Not perfect but almost certainly refined enough for most Ult owners I'd have thought.

The seqshift sight has an Ultima in their gallery with a nice looking shifter, seen it on here as we'll.

http://www.mastershift.com/


http://www.sqsracing.com/produkt/277:363:sqs-seque...

£2-3K should see it done!!

[MarkWebb]

I am also considering a sequential box which will be used on the road. I am planning on using the clutch at times when I don't want the jerkiness of off power sequential shifting. The major question is will using the clutch prolong the life of the dogs or not?
I have some experts saying yes and some saying no! My decision would be a lot easier if they would agree.

[UltimaCH]

If I recall Peter (UltimaCZ) in his red GTR had the sequential system installed by the guys mentioned by Tony above http://www.sqsracing.com/produkt/277:363:sqs-seque...
I may have a video of a test drive with it installed. Let me see if I can dig it out...

I found something on Youtube which is not what I was looking for but you can see the sequential shift working up/down and a gauge indicating the gear number: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py2pvW6GNHY&fea...

Edited by UltimaCH on Wednesday 24th October 16:36

[F.C.]

UltimaCH said:

If I recall Peter (UltimaCZ) in his red GTR had the sequential system installed by the guys mentioned by Tony above http://www.sqsracing.com/produkt/277:363:sqs-seque...
I may have a video of a test drive with it installed. Let me see if I can dig it out...

I found something on Youtube which is not what I was looking for but you can see the sequential shift working up/down and a gauge indicating the gear number: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py2pvW6GNHY&fea...

Edited by UltimaCH on Wednesday 24th October 16:36

Yes Peter's red GTR is the one I was talking about, I think he sold it last year.

[MarkWebb]

I believe that Canam Dave has the SQS sequential type shifter on a synchro box.

[RS AUST]

Mastershift in the USA do a system. Two cables, to electric motors ,ecu controlled using imputs from clutch pedal ,clutch hydrolics, throttle position,speedo and rev sensor. They make the gearbox shifting hardware to suit the early g50 box but is easily modified to suit the g50-52 box.
The gearsifter looks conventional or you can have steering wheel mounted paddle shift.
I know all this as I am just completing the install in my LS7 powered GTR.
RS AUST.

[V8Dom]

im sure i saw a thred on here last year of a guy designing a shifter for the g50 box..looked like a m/c design

His design ment just forward or reward movements of the gear lever and all the 'H' pattern done at the rear..

If it was designed then a simple electric solinoid could be added too afterwards, but never seen the end result

Dom

[F.C.]

MarkWebb said:

I am also considering a sequential box which will be used on the road. I am planning on using the clutch at times when I don't want the jerkiness of off power sequential shifting. The major question is will using the clutch prolong the life of the dogs or not?
I have some experts saying yes and some saying no! My decision would be a lot easier if they would agree.

If your thinking of using a proper sequential straight cut gearbox on the road, I think you need to take a ride in a car with such a set up before making the decision.
A sequential dog box for road use would be purgatory IMO and if the gears are straight cut aswell, more than twenty minutes drive and you'll go nuts with the noise.

[MarkWebb]

I spend an awful lot of time driving a race car with a dog box and straight cut gears. Some love it and some hate it. I am undecided as to whether I can put up with it on the road for the couple of thousand miles that I do each year in my Ultima.

Edited by MarkWebb on Thursday 25th October 09:02

[F.C.]

MarkWebb said:

I spend an awful lot of time driving a race car with a dog box and straight cut gears.

Do you wear ear plugs?

[MarkWebb]

You have a point and yes a pit comms system. Agreed loud whine. Thats why I am still considering it only. The expense is somewhat prohibitive as well.

[Storer]

RS AUST said:

Mastershift in the USA do a system. Two cables, to electric motors ,ecu controlled using imputs from clutch pedal ,clutch hydrolics, throttle position,speedo and rev sensor. They make the gearbox shifting hardware to suit the early g50 box but is easily modified to suit the g50-52 box.
The gearsifter looks conventional or you can have steering wheel mounted paddle shift.
I know all this as I am just completing the install in my LS7 powered GTR.
RS AUST.

Pictures of your install and a website address for Mastershift would be very useful please.


Paul

[Storer]

Found the website for Mastershift

What transmission are you fitting it to, and can you give me a ball park figure for what it costs complete.


Paul

[MarkWebb]

The guys at SQS were looking at automating the whole thin I think.

[3Dee]

Really nice to see the forum slowly coming back to life with more posts!

Keep 'em coming!