I think a few of you knew I was having this done, so I thought I would post a few pictures up. Basically I have a 6 speed Quaife sequential dog box. I can not rate this highly enough, it really does revolutionise the car, and in my opinion for track days is the best mod you can make to your car. I have had the box fitted for about 4 thousand miles with no problems.
For all of this time I have been talking to a company called Pro Shift in Derby who specialise in power shift systems for sequential gearboxes. Basically they fit an electro magnetic ram to the gearbox and this is controlled by a pair of titanium paddles mounted to the steering wheel F1 style (its about as close as I will ever get) I still retain the clutch and everything else stays the same but instead of pulling and pushing a lever, i simply click right for up and left for down.
The reasons I have had this done (other than for the bling factor) are:
Weight. The gear lever and cable mechanism for the Quaife is quite a few Kg’s
Full throttle gear changes. Basically when you pull the paddle, it cuts the coil pack for a split second (to unload the gearbox) then it changes gear (no clutch required) and then turns the coil pack back on again. So the throttle can be kept wide open, therefore not interupting the air flow through the engine
Speed of shift. I thought I could change gear fast before, but bloody hell, it is absolutly unbelievable now, you can adjust the speed of the change and it is AWESOME how fast it changes gear.
Quality of change. The change is very consistent. it applies the same force every single time, where as I have baby’d it before now and missed the gear or bounced dog off dog, which means you end up with no gears. Pro Shift have stripped down season old bike engines and they have been as new inside, where as before they would have worn dog rings etc and need a rebuild.
I only have pics of the steering wheel end, as the box is off being reworked by Quaife.
Is the cable hanging down the output from the paddles?
What sort of cost on the conversion?
AND you’ve got a cool extra HUD element!
Graham, what’s the ballpark on the box?
Ian
Hi Mate,
No the wheel is in exactly the same place.
Yes I did have to change the wheel though
Yep the telephone wire is the output from the paddles, but before you ask, no it doesn’t get in the way.
The conversion will be sold as a kit and is about �2,000
Whats a “HUD” element???
Ian, the quaife 6 speed sequential lists at �4,250 + VAT But it will need internal modification by Quaife to work with the paddles as basically the power shift system changes gear quicker than a standard box can handle. It’s not a big deal, just different indent spring on the selector barrell and a bigger indent claw to make sure you only go up and down one gear at a time.
Graham, get the kettle on I will be at your place to drop my Ohlins off at a about 3pm!!!
I have been ribbed by certain Exigers for my current gauge fetish and the connecting of their external alarms to one small LED on the binncle, where mixed with my shift lights I will have created a monsterous Head-Up Display (HUD).
You on the other hand have a wacking big LED digit in there…which would actually fit rather nicely below my shift lights!
With labour, the box and paddles sound slightly over �8k! Although it does seem like a good way of making better use of the engine and making the thing all the more special.
I bet the shift would be a back breaker around town though!
I bet the shift would be a back breaker around town though!
Ian
I would be more concerned about it being a crank breaking - this is a problem I know the much more expensive shifters have and the software needs to be programmed very carefully with each engine installation to make sure it works. I think these guys have done quite a few bike engines with this system on so hopefully they know the pitfalls and account for them.
Only paddle shift I have used on track is the F360 and that works well so long as there is not too much going on that confuses the electronics. Great on flat tracks but when the ABS/traction control/shifter are all going it seems to get itself in a bit of a muddle.
I bet the shift would be a back breaker around town though!
Ian
I would be more concerned about it being a crank breaking - this is a problem I know the much more expensive shifters have and the software needs to be programmed very carefully with each engine installation to make sure it works. I think these guys have done quite a few bike engines with this system on so hopefully they know the pitfalls and account for them.
Only paddle shift I have used on track is the F360 and that works well so long as there is not too much going on that confuses the electronics. Great on flat tracks but when the ABS/traction control/shifter are all going it seems to get itself in a bit of a muddle.
I did have the crank breaking issue going through my mind. My solution for peace of mind is to use a sprung clutch plate to absorb any sudden shocks. I think the factors on my side are the car will be light, and it won’t have that much power (relitively speaking)
I have an E46 M3 SMG road car and the paddle shift on that is very very good and I have heard eclipses the Ferrari system on the 360. However my Lotus is in an alltogether different league it really does change gear like an F1 car!!!
The speed of the change with the dog box is only goverened by how fast you can move your hand etc. But the power shift system is like haveing the 6 million dollar man pulling the lever for you.
The electronic control box that sorts everything out allows you to adjust the shift speed, length of ignition cut, speed duration (how long it holds the plunger at a given point) etc etc etc.
Hi Sean, this sounds interesting. I too have the Quaife 6-speed sequential in mine - exactly the same as yours. It has just been rebuilt by CTS (gearboxman.com) - a couple of dogs were worn - believed due to previous owner not using the clutch on downshifts. It was also leaking oil from the reverse selector cable - a new type reversing mechanism has been developed by Quaife which was fitted and cured the leak. G/box back in the car now and working wonderfully. So how do you select N or reverse using this system of yours? is there a seperate lever which pulls on the reverse/neutral selector?
My Merc/BRABUS SL has paddle shift buttons - they’re rubbish. You have to think ahead, if you want to change gear at 6000rpm then you flick the switch at 5700rpm - by the time the system thinks about it it’ll change at 6K!!?? It’s a tarts car really but it will massage your butt as you drive!!
Just checked out pro shifts web site - I think this’ll be a job for winter. Another few questions Sean. The actuator/solenoid - the barrel type thing that physically pulls/pushes the gear selector on the gear box looks quite large. As the selector is on the underside of the gearbox is there sufficient space for the actuator - just wondered if the undetray might get in the way. I notice that they do a clutchless downshift option too - did you opt for that, might help preserve those precious dogs.
![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/SeanBicknell/steeringwheel2.jpg[/image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/SeanBicknell/steeringwheel2.jpg%5B/image%5D){kind=link}
![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/SeanBicknell/steeringwheel4.jpg[/image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/SeanBicknell/steeringwheel4.jpg%5B/image%5D){kind=link}
![http://www.proshift.co.uk/images/cars%203.jpg[/image]](http://www.proshift.co.uk/images/cars%203.jpg%5B/image%5D){kind=link}
![http://www.proshift.co.uk/images/cars%2027.jpg[/image]](http://www.proshift.co.uk/images/cars%2027.jpg%5B/image%5D){kind=link}