"The ManuTronic function allows manual gear selection via the original equipment speed control (cruise control) switches. This feature allows up and down-shifting through all four gears at any time, using the Accel and Coast buttons located on the steering wheel."


Been meaning to make one of these, but haven't had the time. Then heard that the new '05's may have a 5th gear, so I thought I'd wait and do it to that. Do need to gather more operational info like all trans. parameters monitored/ controlled by the PCM. Its been my only beef with the L, need manual control of the trans. Keep posting the info as you get it.

 

Just an FYI for those interested...

I spoke to Level Ten about their shiftronic product. At first, I thought it may fit the bill. It's not far from the goals of the original post...

The shiftronic replaces the OEM wiring harness on the transmission and runs to a switch box that is mounted in the cab. There's a button for every gear--just push to enter the gear. Also a switch for the TC.

One problem is it won't allow you to go back to automatic mode without manually disconnecting it from the tranny.

--Rip

Edit: forgot one bit of info from Greg at Baumann. Their manutronic adapter will allow a user to map the controls to any input instead of just using the cruise controls. Depending on how all of this goes, it should be possible to mount paddles on the steering wheel that can control the manutronic... How cool is that...

 

OK,
then who is going to be the one to buy a Shiftronic setup and overlay the OE wiring harness with a however many pole switch that will take the circuit from OE automatic to Shiftronic.

Certainly possible based on the description above if one can find the appropriate selector switch. I know they are out there, for example, RS-232 data switches have twenty five poles.

 

I'm more interested in up/down controls changing gears vs. push button into gear myself, but the Level Ten stuff may be interesting for someone else. Madferraristi, you may want to get more info from the horse's mouth--talk to Sam at Level Ten. I didn't get into much detail with them on trying to rig up a switchable wiring harness. He seems to be the expert inside on the product.

Hopefully something will work out with Baumann that will make paddle shifting possible.

--Rip

 

Ditto for me. I've already earmarked some of my Christmas bonus.

If someone will get the tranny done and Ayrton will hurry up with the bump steer kit, and I get some real seats, I will have the road racing machine I've been shooting for.

I can see it now -- end of the back straight, hit the braking point, click down, click down, click down, turn in, hit the apex, and then pour on the Tabsco. Pure wood. Now add the Gear Vendors overdrive and I'm Michael Shoemacher.

 

ttt -- trying to keep this on the radar

 

ttt again

 

First thing to do is, using the breakout box, since it is my understanding that there is not one solenoid for each gear, determine which solenoids are energized and which are not for which gear.

Then, using a panel of buttons that only allow one to be depressed at a time, set up a breadboard with the necessary relays and make it happen.

Then it needs to be packaged in such a way as to be marketable.

However, I understand that both Level 10 and Baumann Engineering have done it or at least have the circuitry figured out.

 

ttt yet again

 

I had posted the question once to Greg about creating a pseudo paddle shifter on our trucks. At the time Greg had indicated it wasn't too practical. The ability to paddle through the gears would be great for anyone. Just a switch to put it in paddle mode then tap some paddles. Seems easy enough but I'm not tranny expert. I'd think I'd rather have a dedicated addon paddle for this than trying to use the cruise buttons. A little more feedback. An LED indicator would also be very nice.

My wifes Acura has a sport shift mode where you just toggle through the gears and it is sweat to be able to control the tranny that way. You can hold it right at the engines tq peak so when you want to pull out and pass you go right now, no waiting for the tranny and pcm to decide what to do.

 

Tim, thanks for keeping the attention on this. I'm hoping to have some more information to post pretty soon.

--Rip

 

OK. We need an interested person in or around Pendleton, South Carolina.

Baumann will do the engineering work if someone can leave a truck with them and pay for the R&D. I imagine we could negotiate R&D cost pricing based on interested people and potential sales if we could get an accurate and realistic count.

However, we still need a truck that could be left with them for a time. It is not possible for me to leave my truck in SC for testing.

Any takers? I'm sure as a group we could negotiate a good deal and help offset costs of R&D. Can we get a reasonable count on those interested? Please jump in so we have some leverage for discussion.

--Rip

 

I'm interested; but I don't have much money. Just married, honeymoon- x-mas, wifes b-day ... ugh!

Would it be free

 

I'm definitely interested.

Ask them for an order of magnitude cost so that we can see how many of us need to step up to make this happen.

 

Exactly. I'm interested in principle, but would need a ballpark at least before I could sign up.