As I sat in the carwash today I had a look at the gearshifter and thought of a cool looking mod. Instead iof the leather boot between the transmission tunnel and the bottom of the gear knob.
Why not just bin this peice of leather and get a ferarri style selector gate that fits neatly into the hole that's left behind? Does anyone know of a place that sells this mod? I assume that the naked metal under the leather looks perfectly presentable - all that would then be necessary is a machined metal knob (any suggestions?)
something like this:
m http://www.mrs-passion.com/_Shop/Pictur ... /tube4.jpg (http://www.mrs-passion.com/_Shop/Pictures/David/tube4.jpg) m
looks nasty IMHO.
Quote from: "krisclarkuk"looks nasty IMHO.
Is there
anything you do like Kris? s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
I think it be quite cool, done right.
Quote from: "rlack"I assume that the naked metal under the leather looks perfectly presentable - all that would then be necessary is a machined metal knob (any suggestions?)
Just re-read this... are you thinking there is a shift gate under the leather?
There isn't. Just a nylon cage to hold all the bits and the cables together, there is a pic of the TRD or B&M floating around on here that shows the assembly somewhere...
[EDIT] My bad, you mean the actual gear stick, don't you s:oops: :oops: s:oops: [/EDIT]
Unfortunately it doesn't work for the standard dashboard set up......
Quote from: "Slacey"[EDIT] My bad, you mean the actual gear stick, don't you s:oops: :oops: s:oops: [/EDIT]
Sorry to go off-topic but what does "My bad" mean?
Sundance s8) 8) s8)
It means 'my mistake' s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Is that in Americanese?
Sundance s8) 8) s8)
It's more commonly known as 'Slacey Slang' or 'how to talk to my mates in such a way that Ann-Marie does not know what the hell I am on about....but then again, nor do they.....oh well...my bad' s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Who was it that mentioned topic drift earlier s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
(Made me laugh though s:lol: :lol: s:lol: )
As for the selector gate though, if someone came up with something (although I run a B&M so I would probably have to do it myself), I would be interested... brushed aluminium please s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
This picture from MRS Passion was taken from an early prototype, that's why it's not very nice looking s;-) ;-) s;-)
I have enough trouble removing the Ginsters crumbs and fag ash from the current leather hood, without there being a 3 inch chasm big enough for my od-daughter to fall down:-)
Quote from: "rlack"fag ash from the current leather hood
you smoke in your car....? NNNNOOOOOOOOOO s:shock: :shock: s:shock:
I drive about 25k-30k a year in it. Normally a 4.5 hr commute from Kent to Islington and back most days. As a smoker I'm left with little choice. I tend to find that the smell doesn't hang around because it's a hard leather interior. I also always have the window open and hold my cigarette up to the gap.
If I smoke in the V6 Audi the smell stays there for up to a week....yeuch!
Oddly I never smoke in the house - even when it's snowing.
Quote from: "rlack"machined metal knob s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Now then, I'll have to ask the wife whether she likes the sound of that or not!
Sorry
Andy
Quote from: "krisclarkuk"something like this:
m http://www.mrs-passion.com/_Shop/Pictur ... /tube4.jpg (http://www.mrs-passion.com/_Shop/Pictures/David/tube4.jpg) m
looks nasty IMHO.
I think it would actually look better if it looked more like a gate, with 'fingers' to provide a slot for the lever to go in, rather than just a hole...
I absolutely agree - that's what I had in mind
But looking at the spacing on that prototype, I don't know if that's possible with the stock shaft. It looks like theres no room for fingers on the gate.
Why not chop your manual in for an SMT?
There's apicture of the gate halfway down this page here (http://www.motortrend.com/features/112_0208_trans06/)
I didn't read the review - it looked like a US site. But no SMT review I have read properly describes the system anyway (IMHO, of course s;-) ;-) s;-) )
Nah - it's too shiny!
Quote from: "filcee"Why not chop your manual in for an SMT?
There's apicture of the gate halfway down this page here (http://www.motortrend.com/features/112_0208_trans06/)
I didn't read the review - it looked like a US site. But no SMT review I have read properly describes the system anyway (IMHO, of course s;-) ;-) s;-) )
That's what I did with my 2nd roadster, and I will more than likely go smt on my 3rd! s:D :D s:D
The actual function of the smt is easy - pull back for upshift, push forward for downshift. It's only a fairly small movement (4-5cm?) and so feels very positive and firm. You can also shift with buttons on the steering wheel if you prefer, but I tend to find that it feels a bit awkward trying to use those when the wheel isn't straight, so I still use the stick - plus it feels more natural...
To quote the site above:
QuoteThis transmission's character largely depends on whether you're shifting up through the gears, or down. Upshifts feel lazy; though well executed, they're just slow. They're probably not any slower than a moderately aggressive, human-executed shift, but since that human is doing nothing but waiting and observing, the speed--or lack thereof--at which things happen is exaggerated. This would be a much sweeter package if they could just speed it up a bit.
Ain't that the truth!!! Someone pleeeeeeease remap the smt ecu!! s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
Although to be honest, with a slight lift you can coax the box into making it's best job and there isn't so much jerkyness.
Quote"Downshifts, on the other hand, are magic: nearly instantaneous and very smooth, as the engine-management software blips the throttle to match the revs. The MR2 achieves neither a performance advantage nor a loss by having the SMT aboard.
I love the downshifts - everything the upshift should (could? s:D :D s:D ) be like!!
It's one of my favorite roadster moments: arrive at a junction/roundabout, shift a little early (prob around 2500rpm) and hear that wicked blip! If I knew how to do that properly with a manual then I could save myself the extra cost of the smt and get aircon instead!
what about this gate:
http://www.web-cars.com/miura/123-26_a.html
id love to have a chrome gate in my car s8) 8) s8)
Ever considered why the gate is the first thing to go when the car gets prepped for racing?
Just imagine how awkward it is to do cross-gate gear changes (ie. 2nd to 3rd) s:( :( s:(
Quote from: "Tomr2"what about this gate:
http://www.web-cars.com/miura/123-26_a.html
id love to have a chrome gate in my car s8) 8) s8)
That a Miura if I'm not mistaken.
Quote from: "markiii"Quote from: "Tomr2"what about this gate:
http://www.web-cars.com/miura/123-26_a.html
id love to have a chrome gate in my car s8) 8) s8)
That a Miura if I'm not mistaken.
Even I could work that out....... the clue is in the URL s;) ;) s;) s;) ;) s;) s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Quote from: "rlack"As I sat in the carwash today
How come nobody picked up on that bit? s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted: s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
I'm inclined to agree that I don't think you could make a gate that looked 'right' on the 2 (i.e. Ferrari / Miura style).. Shame in a way.. But then aren't gated boxes like that meant to be a pig to learn how to change gear in? I wouldn't know personally, never having driven one s:cry: :cry: s:cry: s:) :) s:)
Sometimes I wish I'd gone for the SMT.. Other times I don't.. Maybe I'll just have to get one of each in the end s:D :D s:D s:lol: :lol: s:lol: In reality though, I'd put money down that I don't change up as fast as the SMT does in normal driving.. Would be interesting to have a ride in one, one day.
Quote from: "aaronjb"Sometimes I wish I'd gone for the SMT.. Other times I don't.. Maybe I'll just have to get one of each in the end s:D :D s:D s:lol: :lol: s:lol: In reality though, I'd put money down that I don't change up as fast as the SMT does in normal driving.. Would be interesting to have a ride in one, one day.
After taking Steve's out for a drive i would seriously consider one next time... while not too impressed with the upshift (nothing wrong, just not outstanding) the downshift is the nuts! s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted: You just cant stop changing the gears with the buttons - and they are in the perfect place for where Andy @ North Weald tells you to hold the wheel... hhmmmmm, wonder how much Mr T would give me for a trade in for a 04 SMT? s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
why is a 2 with SMT slower than a manual? is it the extra weight, or is it weight and the combination of how long it takes the computer to change up? i thought it could change up as fast as a human anyway if not faster?
btw, how do you a racing start in an smt? hold it againt the brakes?
Quote from: "Tomr2"why is a 2 with SMT slower than a manual? is it the extra weight, or is it weight and the combination of how long it takes the computer to change up? i thought it could change up as fast as a human anyway if not faster?
btw, how do you a racing start in an smt? hold it againt the brakes?
It's the time it takes to change AND the launch.
Check this video to see the difference, it's huge:
m http://www.midsouthspyders.com/videos/J ... Willem.mpg (http://www.midsouthspyders.com/videos/Jared%20vs%20Willem.mpg) m
('03 SMT should be faster than the previous SMT's)
Quote from: "Tem"Quote from: "Tomr2"why is a 2 with SMT slower than a manual?
It's the time it takes to change AND the launch.
I'm not sure about the upshift - it's quicker than me, but maybe slower than Schumacher (not that he uses a manual these days anyway s;-) ;-) s;-) ). The elastic band does seem to take a while to wind up froma standing start though ...
Quote from: "Tomr2"btw, how do you a racing start in an smt? hold it againt the brakes?
Never tried it, as I'm not sure how bad the damage would be if you got it wrong. I recall seeing something on Spyderchat about 'interesting' ways to operate an SMT, none of which looked like they would help with mechanical longevity, e.g. select 'S' from standing with about 4500 rpm on to get away fast, or coasting in neutral at running speed, then flipping the lever over and letting it select an appropriate gear s:? :? s:?
Quote from: "Tem"('03 SMT should be faster than the previous SMT's)
I definitely noticed an improvement between my '01 and '03
Quote from: "Tomr2"btw, how do you a racing start in an smt? hold it againt the brakes?
It's not an auto - so that wouldn't work (the reason it works in an automatic is the torque convertor, which of course an SMT doesn't have - it has a normal clutch). At best it'd do nothing, at worst you'd need a new clutch after burning it out s:) :) s:)
I seem to recall a review that stated they tried a 'racing start' in the SMT on a drag strip - revving it to x000 RPM and putting it in first - which resulted in a lot of 'awful noises and smells', and the SMT waiting a seemingly random amount of time before engaging first.. I think they found it made their quarter mile time no quicker too, although caused no permenant damage (apart from, presumably, a shortened clutch lifetime!). That will have been a pre '03 SMT ECU of course, so the effects could be different on a newer car.
Quote from: "filcee"I'm not sure about the upshift
I am s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted:
Well, it sure feels slower, but I have never timed it or anything. But I'd say SMT changes in about the time it takes me to change in everyday driving. But I do change a lot faster when I really wanna go...
The downshift with SMT is perfect though s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Quote from: "Tem"Quote from: "Tomr2"why is a 2 with SMT slower than a manual? is it the extra weight, or is it weight and the combination of how long it takes the computer to change up? i thought it could change up as fast as a human anyway if not faster?
btw, how do you a racing start in an smt? hold it againt the brakes?
It's the time it takes to change AND the launch.
Check this video to see the difference, it's huge:
m http://www.midsouthspyders.com/videos/J ... Willem.mpg (http://www.midsouthspyders.com/videos/Jared%20vs%20Willem.mpg) m
('03 SMT should be faster than the previous SMT's)
bloody hell! a 2 with SMT really is a lot slower (off the mark anyway) were they both standard? Lets hope they can perfect it for the mkllll 2 like audi have with their brilliant DSG system - rather heavy though
vauxhall is currently looking into a new smt style gear box for the vx lightning. it has two clutches one for gears 1, 3 and 5 the other for 2, 4 and 6. it engages the next gear before dropping the previous gear thus keeping the power on constantly
i take it they've copied off VW/Audi then which uses 2 clutches, so the next gear is already pre-selected
sounds about right they have actually looked into with vw and fiat.
i also heard they were looking into a pulley style gear box in order to reduce the weight. personally i don't like the sound of a pulley driving the cars power
would like to see how that all worked s:? :? s:?
i will see if i can find some pics