Paddleshift

[ReginaldPerrin]

Has anyone fitted a Flatshifter (electric) to a car? or are the pneumatic ones better?

I would like to fit to an FTR gearbox so if anyone has got any info/help if would be greatly appreciated....

Thanks

Reg

[andrewcliffe]

We looked after a car for a while which had an FTR box with a paddle shift system. When it worked it was quite good - however:

1) needed a much bigger battery to power the solenoid and throttle blipper = extra weight

2) the solenoid itself was heavy = extra weight

3) it was very sensitive to adjustment, and you had to dismantle the linkages to change ratios.

So for a questionable tiny gain over a well adjusted reliable sequential stick shift system, you had an expensive, heavy, battery sapping lump on the back that you were forever tweaking to get to work properly.

I think there are better things to devote time and money on which will make a car go quicker.

[schomosport]

Phil Read is running a pneumatic one on his motorbike engined Dallara. I don't have his contact details, suggest if you want to pursue it ask admin. to forward a message for you.

[andrewcliffe]

Graham is using the bike's gearbox, so less load required than the original F3 gearbox.

Most F3 cars have a flat shift device - i.e. keep go pedal buried to the floor, by having a momentary ignition cut - some by a paddle or button on the steering wheel, done in conjunction with the gear change, some are built into the gearshift mechanism.

[RedRedWine]

Might be an idea to ask on Uphill Racers as hillclimbers and sprinters get up to all manner of engineering escapades.

Some of the 397 to 301s with conventional boxes seem to have done ok in the past.

Dammit, accidentally agreed with Kevan. Promise I won't do that again.