I'm a paraplegic and have conventional mechanical hand controls in my 2003 996TT with Tiptronic. I'm toying with the idea of designing and fabricating a thumb throttle system for the car. It'll be a lot easier if the car is throttle-by-wire. Does any one know if it is? I can't crawl under the dash to look.

If it is, are the electronics located in the throttle pedal assembly, or are they remote mounted?

 

Jvecci,

I like the idea of you hauling a$$ in a TT. I bet your one of those guys that also wants to turbo charge on their wheel chair. As for your question you will have no problem fabricating a thumb throttle because it is a throttle by wire. However, the electronics are not under the pedal. You will have to rewire to the remote location. I don't know where it is but by following the line I'm sure it is easily found. Have fun and good luck with your project.

Hey wait a minute. I can't help but wonder where your chair is going to go?

 

I have seen it done to a Viper. Not sure what was involved.Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Very cool project--good luck!
Who was the Indycar driver who drives with hand controls?
I bet his camp could help out, he must have some fun
p-cars in his arsenal.

Marty K.

 

What kind of thumb switch can provide the throttle travel/feel? I'd worry about reliability of the switch as well.

I've used a bar on the steering wheel that is clipped to gas & brake pedals back in driving school. It's got a lot of travel. I wonder if a button can do the same. Also, how do you control the brake? Maybe some sort of lever switch in place of the tip button.

 

Yes, the 996tt is throttle by wire.

 

It can be done fairly easily. If you need the wiring legends let me know I can help out. This is a pretty easy project.

 

Gentlemen

Thanks for your encouragement!

PorschePhd, I'll take any and all help you can provide as far as wiring diagrams, etc.

The concept as it stands is to procure another steering wheel and throttle electronics from a dismantler. I'll mount the electronics on the steering wheel in place of the airbag. A mechanical linkage will connect the thumb paddles to the electronics. A coiled wire will connect the whole shebang from the steering wheel to the dash.

I'd like to add a switch on the dash so I can switch between the thumb throttles and the foot throttle (which the mechanical hand controls are connected to) so I can use the hand controls when I'm parking, etc.

Regarding the brakes, I'll use the mechanical hand controls for now. I've regained some limited use of my right leg, so maybe I'll be able to use my foot on the brakes later on.

BTW, Alex Zanardi was the Champ Car driver referred to. In his book there's a picture of the thumb throttle system he uses in his BMW touring car.

Anyone know of a Porsche dismantler where I can procure some of the things I need?

 

http://911pcar.com/