Just got feedback from Oakley. Their personal GT3 demo car has done 112,000 miles on the shifter and been through two clutches. No issues with syncros thus far...

 

This is NOT comparable to PDK. I would however compare it to the SMG II style transmissions from BMW (the ones in the M5 and M6, not the new M3) which I don't think much of to begin with. But at least they have an automated clutch and an automatic mode, so it's not really even comparable to those.

More of a poser mod IMO and would be better off with paddles. A real sequential is a no lift, no clutch needed shifter. Who want's to drive around on the street like that, having to row through all the gears in traffic every time you go from 5th or 6th to cruise down to 2nd. That's a lot of useless clutch engaging/disengaging. Fun sometimes, but mandatory every time = no fun unless you are practicing to learn sequential type shifting for a 997 Cup.

 

A real sequential requires clutch and heel and toe to downshift... or at least the cup cars I have been in. Only shifting up gears 1-2-3-4-5-6 does not require the use of a clutch.

My 997 GT3RS is used predominantly for track... my car spends 90% of its time either on the track or driving on expressways akin to Autobahns to get to the track and back home... with very little need to row the gears then.

So my desire to look at this stems simply from the insurance that there are no mis shifts giving me more time to concentrate on other stuff when on the track. Pressing the clutch in for an up shift really isn't a hassle for me and the fact I still need to heel and toe my downshifts whether in a true sequential or this "faux" sequential system keeps the playing field level. Its the ability to just not have to concentrate on the H gear pattern in the thick of things, and the 997 RS tends to give me some grief around some sweepers when rushing a 2nd to 3rd shift... maybe I need to just calm my gear shifting down a bit... and that really may be the cheaper more realistic alternative.

If I use this car daily I would agree with you, just to get to neutral would be a total pain in traffic and at the lights, but for my current usage of the car.... which is largely the track... it still holds some interest.... a poser mod it is not as far as I am concerned... have to agree though that it would be better on the steering in the form of paddles and there is just such a kit. BUT I am not sure that I could as easily get used to shifting with the paddles and still having to use a clutch as compared with having the shift mechanism in the normal centre console position.... I am a slow learner that way... and if I ever get into a cup car (my friend is still trying to convince me to buy his previous season car), I would at least be part way through the learning process as you pointed out.

 

Good point, your concept makes sense. My comment still stands for primarily street driving.

 

Guys

I might have some insight here. I do have the same unit on my project car as is offered by Oakley. Also, there is reference elsewhere in this thread to a unit being offered by Porsche, "but was not an option on the retail cars due to expense". My unit was originally purchased from a German company called Cartronic for about $5400 (adjusted for then current exchange rate). They apparently developed this unit, and actually, I even viewed some of the earlier prototypes. How it found its way to Porsche, or even Oakley, is a string of info that I do not have. Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to experience its use as my car is obviously not complete yet. My interpretation is that this unit really only converts the pattern shift action to a forward and aft action for upshifts and downshifts. The ONLY benefit that I can see is maybe reduction of mishifts and the ability to know in the heat of racing that you go up or down to get a gear, that is it. To compare this unit to a real sequential gearbox is comparing apples to oranges.

Here is the link for Cartronic: www.cartronic-motorsport.de/e/cartronic_sqs_eg.html

I will let you know in January how everything works out.

 

Yeah, that's what we've gathered, other than looking like a sequential it's safer but less functional than a true manual. I find it hard to believe it's any faster shifting, most of the time of a manual shift is in the clutch-in/throw motion.

If they made it no lift shift like the CTS-V they might be on to something.

 

I have the Oakley in my GT2. It has a GT1000 build and the acceleration is so quick that the risk of a mis-shift was a concern. It's a great track mod but I would not want it in a daily driver. Stop light to stop light can be a real pain as you need to row through all the gears. My previous car had a real seqential shifter with straight cut gears. It was a blast but also something that I wouldn't want to drive everyday. Straight cut gears sounds like rocks in a blender.

 

IMO, the shifting is no quicker than a standard h-pattern. This is due to fact that you're still engaging the clutch. It really is just an insurance policy.

 

Here it is being installed and tested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M216DVI-TgU

 

BTW Harold, I would not part with any money through Oakley Design... as far as I am aware Mr Jon Oakley is a wanted man

 

You'd have to be stupid, or not care what happens to send any money to Oakley given the information that's easily available here and other forums about them.

 

GMG is working with M7 (a Mini...yes Mini...tuner) to create a alternative solution with a bumpstick or paddle shift sequential shift system.

I'm unsure if it is available yet, but it should cost considerably less than the Oakley solution.

http://m7sequentialshifter.com/

 

That's more street friendly and I would prefer it over an true automatic with paddles. Would be fun on mountain roads too. Torque converters are slow and suck.

But the clicking though it sounds like they put a logitech G35 wheel with paddles and shifter in the car. Looks like it reacts the same too.

 

Clearly not a perfect system, and could use more refinement. Would be interested in hearing Fabryce's opinion on how it handles the task on the track.

 

Looks interesting IMO. Did a quick Google on Oakley design and found nothing untoward. As I'm the curious sort could someone maybe PM me a link or two about what's going on there?

Funny, first 911 engine I ever saw was on a stand - windowed. When I asked I was told it was used on a Bonneville test car with a prototype electronic shifter... that missed a gear! The guy told me the driver said "the noise just went away" when he hit the upshift! Turbo Perofrmance Center Mike Levitas... - grrrr..... but neat toys to look at anyway!