Shawn is that the same system that he Mckenna cars are using?

 

i don't know anything about the mckenna cars specifically but if they are real race cars with real race budgets i am sure they are using true sequential gearboxes. Before a bunch of people start spouting off untrue things let me define a couple types of gearboxes and shifter setups:

Auto: torque converter, planetary gears

Normal manual: usually helical cut gears, shifted in an H-pattern, can shift from 1st-4th or any other combination. Has a clutch that is operated by depressing a pedal.

True Sequential gearbox: almost always straight cut gears. gears have to be selected by going up one or down one: 1-2-3-4-5-6 and back down. There is no clutch needed to change gears although without some other provision you do need a clutch to start off. Most motorcycle gearboxes are sequential boxes. The disadvantages in a street car are that they are very difficult (expensive) to make so that they can deal with lots of torque, also the straight cut gears are very loud and not smooth.

This FVD shifter: Everything is the same as the normal manual but it shifts through the gears sequentially. So there is still the same need for a clutch, just instead of changing the gear from 4-5 going through neutral you will just press up on the shifter. The benefit of this is that it is it eliminates the possibility of selecting the wrong gear, something which has already taken out one Carrera GT.

SMG/F1 style tranny: Basically the same as a normal box with this FVD shifter except the clutch is controlled by a computer.

This is just the basics but hopefully it helps clear up some confusion.

-Steve

 

In reference to FVD useing Ruff,Gemballa, and Techart copies.
You could not be further from the truth. Those are actual parts from those companies. Most of these companies sub contract there production lines out to other companies, We just happen to use the same sub contractors. The Porsche community is very small and the tuners are all friends with a strong working relationship.
As far as the shifter, It was a joint Project between cartronics and FVD, It is supposed to be great but I have not tried it personally yet. Hopefully I will try it in the next week.
Cheers
Bryan

 

If memory serves, the factory was experimenting with a true sequential tranny. I recall them showing a clip about it on Speed during an ALMS race. They said they are not using the clutch for upshifts but they are using for downshifts as they are still testing and want to be sure that the tranny finishes the race.

 

Hey what up bud...you are welcome to throw it in my car as a "demo"
Good luck at Daytona,
Evan

 

So you are saying that RUF, Gemballa, Techart, etc. have no patents on their designs?

You simply have your sub contractors make you a batch and you multiply the price X 3 ?

 

The Alex Job/Mekenna car use a different shifter than the one in the photo. It also uses a strain gauge on the lever so when it's pulled the engine management is signaled to cut the engine allowing a matched gear change without lifting your foot from the gas pedal. The transmission is basical a "GT" straight cut gear box that allows the shifting without the use of a clutch. They are recommending that you use the clutch for downshift. This set up is an option for the 2004 GT3RS cars

I'd like to learn more about the FVD shifter though... looks pretty cool.

 

Give Bryan or *****(sp?) a call, they can tell you anything you need to know about it!!
Evan