[SDDave]

Hey all-



OK- time for some crazy talk- Flash, pay attention; there may be a new project here...



Back when I had my 914s (10+ years ago), I frequented all the 914 chatter. I remember someone coming up with a way to configure a motorcycle's gear-shifting mechanism into a sort of paddle-shift for the 914 transmission (end result was something very similar to a shifter-kart setup for those of you who have karted). It's been so long now, I could not even BEGIN to remember all the details, but I know he made it work...



ANYWAYS- fast forward to two days ago when I'm leafing through the new Excellence, and notice the FVD ad on pages 40-41 (I'll pause while you all run to get your copy <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> ). On the right-side page, there is the ad for the steering wheels, showing "Now available with 'Paddle Shifters'".



SO- has anyone ever tried, or even thought about trying, this with the 968? The mechanics involved for the 6 speed would be mind-boggling, BUT what about those of us with Tiptronics (like myself)? I guess I could try and sort through the factory repair manual to see how the Tiptronic is configured at the gear-shift, but I'm assuming the stick is actuating buttons on either side for the up- and down-shifts... how hard would it be to move that actuation/impulse to a button (like current Tips) or paddle shift setup?



Let the games begin!!





Dave

San Diego

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[rustech]

I bet it can definately be done with a tiptronic, but no way would it be cost effective on a 6 speed. It is a very interesting idea, I almost wish I had a tiptronic to try it on. Good luck if you so choose to accept the mission. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[saxman]

Without knowing anything about how the trip is set up, I really can't imagine it being that difficult. I'm sure there's probably just some microswitches rigged up to trigger when you shift up or down on the stick... I imagine you could relocate/rewire these to some in the steering wheel.





But hey, I'm just blindly speculating.

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[KMR968Turbo]

Although it's not a paddle shifter this might be fun to try and get to work:



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-996...sspagenameZWDVW

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[968 Cab]

hmmm.... I've been wondering the same thing since I had to repair the microswitch actuator in my Tip. Basically there are 2 microswitches that are easily accessible once you remove the gearshift cover (that's an easy 5 minute job). It would be a really easy job to run the wiring since these are simply SPST switches.



I figure that it would improve the driving experience a lot to be able to shift while keeping both hands on the wheel - especially in the twisty mountain roads we have around here.



Here's a photo of the tip switch plate under the shifter console if you've never opened it up. Yep, a real Rube Goldberg contraption.... basically the shifter movement "pushes" the metal pins in the plastic blocks which in turn actuate the microswitches on either end of the central switch (that engages when you move the shifter over to the Tip slot)! Old School Rules!

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[saxman]

well that makes it look like it'd be extremeley easy to make it work

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[SDDave]

968 cab- BEAUTIFUL picture!! Makes it seem so simple, really...



So I guess this post has been transformed into the "Who wants to try it first!?" post <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Anybody think FVD would, ehem, 'donate' a wheel to someone with a "Tip and a plan"? Anybody have any ins with FVD as a vendor, partner, etc? It sounds like we might be able to generate enough interest for a small group buy from them if it works? Anything bringing the price under $1000 for the steering wheel would be gtg with me!





Dave

San Diego

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[flash]

way ahead of you



the system exists - was developed for the corvette - the patent engineer attorney that worked on it lives 3 doors down from where we just left - will work with almost any manual transmission



i'll look into the cost

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[968 Cab]

Should be simple for the electrical connections - I was thinking of "L paddles" like the F355F1 I got to drive as they could be "fixed" to the column rather than having to rotate with the wheel - which would be a big job. We need someone with a machine shop now.



BTW, the reason I had to repair the Tip mechanism is the plastic guide blocks for the shift mechanism pins have a rather sturdy long spring (it's extended in the photo) and a flimsy plastic retaining plate that probably failed over time when it got too brittle. So it went "boing" and no more tip upshift as the pin would not return after an upshift. I just made a simple metal bracket and created a new guide pin for the spring and voila, works like a charm again, and won't break. I've got an old post about this somewhere on this site.

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[chris]

Wow, I can't belive it's a mechanical process! Actually pressing buttons...I suppose I always assumes it was completly electrical. Amazing.

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[968 Cab]

hmmm google search came up with a few interesting results:



http://www.twistmachine.com/products/shrifter.html



photos of a retrofit to VW Phaeton and Toureg



http://forums.vwvortex.com/zeropost?cmd=...id=1822354



http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1896298

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[saxman]

so who is going to be the first to try this? I would be much more willing to consider a tip car if this was an easy option.

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[EEZATOY]

My thoughts on this - why couldn't you just use a late TIP steering wheel? It all ready has the shift buttons and could use a standard TIP clock spring - just need to wire it to the 968's electronics... And no I don't have a TIP, but if this could work I would consider it for a second covertible... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/dry.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Sam

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[saxman]

buttons on the steering wheel are so passe...



paddles to me mean serious buisness... actually useful under serious driving, etc



little buttons on the steering wheeel don't have the same usefulness... more of a way to try and pass off an automatic as more than it is





is the difference all in my head? probably

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