After market hill assist?
 

Hello all,

This may sound like an odd question. I have 2001 996 Turbo. I was wondering if there is any after market solution for hill assist.

Many thanks,

RG

I think it would be costly and complicated. Would be a warranty night mare to the mfg if the unit failed and burned up brakes and tires and cause a fire.
I've not seen any kits for cars other than some adaptation on hold 40's and 50's classic cars.

I still use my handbrake because my clutch pedal contact point is somewhere at the top of the release

if you find the pedal transition hard, just use the handbrake

Thank you all. Would someone mind explaining the hand brake method to me? The pedal transition (for me) has to happen very quickly and it's absolutely nerve racking. I know it may sound silly. Your help is appreciated.

RG

You basically pull up the handbrake with your right hand to hold the car stationary. Once you are clear to release the clutch to begin moving forward you simply release the handbrake to the down position. Might take just a little practice, but once you get used to it you should't have any issues at all.

They were popular in 30s-50s but agree would be hard to adapt to our cars.

Thanks everyone. I will give it a try on a hill before trying it in traffic. I appreciate the help.

Learn to drive stick and it should be a non-issue. Holding the brake will also help you learn.

For what it's worth, the e9x (when on a hill) leaves the brakes applied for a second when you take your foot off to help with this exact issue.

Are you just having issues feeling the slip point? you should be able to raise the clutch nearly to the slip point and then give it gas as you release the brake. The slip point can be a PITA on these cars, removing the "helper" spring on the clutch pedal will help make it easier to feel the slip point in my experience.

If I might expand on the technique... Stop - foot on the brake. When ready to start moving, engage the hand brake with your thumb depressing the lock so the handle is free to move at any time. Begin to slowly release the clutch until the RPM indicates you have engaged the transmission - the car will start to move. Release the hand brake and continue to release the clutch fully. Gas as required throughout. As you learn, you will be able to do this faster and faster until the hand brake is no longer needed.

^^^ one mod to that - after engaging the handbrake, and with the thumb pressing down on the release, let go of the foot brake and begin slowly bringing up the RPMs, as the clutch comes up and you feel it trying to move release the handbrake and apply more gas.

The trick on a hill with any stick is to bring the clutch up some while the foot brake is still engaged, as you begin to get to the slip point the RPMs will drop slightly and you can let off the foot brake and give it gas while keeping it stationary slipping the clutch. This takes a little delicate work and these cars stock SUCK at it - I blame the clutch spring I mentioned earlier. Once that was removed the clutch was easier for me and I no longer stall my car - I've been driving stick for 30 years too...

You could also try installing a line lock and wire it reverse on the clutch so it disengages on clutch release.

^^^^^NO!!!!!^^^^

Think that through, do you never brake with the clutch in? Line lock would prevent fluid from flowing and hold the brake at whatever point it was at when engaged! NOT meant for use on the street with a driving car and also not meant to be engaged for long periods of time...

If I may break this down to distinct steps to further simplify learning.

On hill with foot on brake
1) Pull up handbrake with release button held in
2) Release foot brake
- You should pull on the handbrake hard enough to not let the car slide back, but not overly hard for the next steps
3) Bring revs up and hold rpms steady
- rpm commensurate with steepness of hill and pressure on handbrake
4) Let out clutch until the car begins to move forward
5) Release handbrake
- When learning, you don't actually need to release the handbrake until the clutch is fully engaged and the car is moving forward. Car has plenty enough power to overcome handbrake. Though as you get better you'll want to blend steps 4 and 5.

I didn't say to use the clutch to engage it just to disengage on release when getting ready to move.
Or use something else to disengage. I once had line lock wired to the hand brake light and would engage and disengage with just one small pull and it worked just fine.
.