I forgive you man. It's not like you hit my shoes. Plus you saved my **** plenty of time.

 

You have mentioned one of the key benefits of the system , consistancy . There is more than likely less wear on the components as the systems shifts fast but with just enough force to get job done. It is not like making a quick shift by hand as your motion stops at slightly different positions depending on how fast and hard you push the shifter. Also when done manually the momentum of your arm and body are also a factor as the car accellerates and decellerates. According to our research this should improve the longevity of the tranny if anything .

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

For what it's worth, I just want to say that Danny is one of the best people I know. He is a really honest person and he has always been reliable and trustworthy in all of the dealings that I have had with him. I drive 100 miles one way to have him work on Kelli's car and I would never go anywhere else or let anyone else work on her car. We arrived at AMVIV with a dead radiator fan and instead of me having to pay $370 at the dealer for a new fan, he did a bypass for us at no cost that got us home and allowed it to be fixed at a much reasonable cost. The guy is a blast to hang out with and I love hitting the track with him. I consider him a friend, not just a mechanic. For those of you that have a MINI and have the good fortune to live close to his shop, I believe that you are doing your car and yourself a disservice not to bring your car to him for whatever it needs. What happened was uncharacteristic so I hope that those of you that have said you won't do business with Danny will reconsider. Erik I hope it doesn't keep you from coming out to the track with us. I promise you'll have a great day and probably learn a lot.

 

Seriously guys, we're all MINI folks, instead of bickering with each other over BS, lets just all get along and have fun. M|U, Nuts, Nam, SCMM, whoever you are, wherever you're from, lets move on .

Erik, whatever was said between us and whatever, I'm sorry for anything stupid I said. I hope you do come out to the track, cause it's definitely a blast .

To water under the bridge *Toast* .

 

I have a couple of questions.....

What leads you to conclude this?

What research was done and in what way?

 

The system has been around for a number of years in all kinds of cars . We are just the first ones to adapt it to the Mini. The precision of the solenoids allows for a much more precise positioning of the shift levers than could ever be achieved by a manual shifter. The movements are adjusted exactly to is what is needed to engage and disengage the gears with no over run or additional force . We have been running this in Peters R- 56 since late last year and have worked out all the timing programs with his car. We now have it in Bill's R-53 and have dialed it in there as well. Next up a Porsche tuner has asked us to work something out for that brand which will be our first venture into another market. We will be putting up a video tomorrow which will show a lot more than my words can do .On another note I wanted to thank you for bringing this back on track

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

it will be interesting to see what the long term effects are
do you have any plans of tearing a tranny down to see?

 

of course....right after the track day, I'm sure

 

Ok, having experience with some hardcore race cars that use paddles and a clutch... The purpose is NOT shifting faster, it's shifting easier. I would much rather leave both of my hands on the wheel when shifting. Bottom line, that's the only significant advantage.

Also, 200ms is not blazing fast for just the actuation, I guaranty that a "spirited shift" is just as fast or faster. The times on that "flappy paddle chart" include activating the clutch, shifting, rev matching and deactivating the clutch. If all that was going within 200ms I would be seriously concerned about the transmission.

 

I agree with you with the benefits being shifting easier and keeping both hands on the wheel. With the possibility of a missed shift taken out of the equation is it one less thing to deal with whether it is in the first turn at the track or the 405 Fwy The 200 ms speed is what we have found to be the best so far and have experimented with slower and faster programs. This is just for the shift actuation of course, your clutch pedal speed will vary

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

In all seriousness, has there been any consideration to mounting the paddles stationary to the sides of the steering column, rather than on the wheel it self (So they remain in the same location as the wheel is turned)? BMW does this and IMO it's a lot easier to use than one that rotates with the wheel (Found myself thinking way too hard with systems on Infiniti and other cars with paddle shifters that move around).

 

some over the line stuff has been said by everyone involved... i think we can all agree on that. we'll work it out over smoked tires and brakes... or beers... or whatever it happens to be at that time and place. no grudges no hard feelings... lets just move along and get back to your regular scheduled mini discussions.

randy: are there any plans of integrating the clutch into the system? has any one that has adapted this system done that yet on any marque?

edit: Forgot to add that I'm apologizing for any long term damage i may have done... It's one of those agree to disagree situations where no one comes out a winner not me, not anyone.

 

randy: are there any plans of integrating the clutch into the system? has any one that has adapted this system done that yet on any marque?

No thoughts about a the clutch at this time . We feel that would put the system into a price situation that is WAY out of the Mini catagory. Perhaps for the Porsche crowd , we will see

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

It is possible . The paddles on the wheel are the first adaptation. Perhaps a stationary unit could be something down the road. The first two options are the bump stick shifter and a paddle set for the Momo style wheel.

Randy
M7 Tuning

This is option 1

 

Sounds good. The stationary unit could have some appeal to people who truly do want to use this in a race environment but don't want a bump style shifter.

 

Can you expand on the research conducted? You've said that so far you have the unit in two cars. I've already acknowledged that the system has been around for a while. Are you basing your statement on the unit's performance on other vehicles?

And a follow up question. Is this reversible? As in if someone buys it and decides to sell the car later, can it be put back to stock? Or are you pretty much stuck with the car afterwards?

 

Yes the same basic system, servos ,cables and all hardware has been used for a few years now . As a matter of fact the mini is about the least demanding of all their applications .

It is 100% reversable .

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

A little more detail please. You state 2-3 days install time. I would assume about the same to reverse it. What parts get changed? What, if any, parts would need to be replaced in the reversal?

 

I don't get why you want the paddles attached to the column and not the wheel. Look at any race car and they'll be on the wheel. Maybe on a daily driver it would be better to have them stationary but I doubt anyone is dropping bank on this system to improve ergonomics on their morning commute.

 

I would say that on the race cars the lock to lock turn is a lot less than on a street car. Hence the paddles attached to the wheel make sense. But for a street driver stationary paddles would make more sense. Specially once you're out on the track going the wrong way.

 

Ya it's definitely not about ergonomics, just that if the steering wheel is upside down, then right is no longer up and left is no longer down. It gets confusing when you have to factor in the orientation of the steering wheel, especially while on the track. If it was mounted stationary, then flipping the right paddle would always shift up, and left, down.

As Goal said, most race cars have very quick steering racks, so you're not turning the wheel 2.5 turns to lock like on a street car.

I'm pretty sure anyone who has the money to convert their MINI to a full blown race car would opt for a true, clutchless sequential shifter anyway .

 

Could you show me where I say 2 to 3 days for the install ? If that is what was said then that needs to be updated. The only parts that need to be replaced are the ones that were taken off the car to put this system in . It is a complete bolt in and 100 % reversal .

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

For those worried about this situation we have this option available now with both a tall stick ala WRC / Touring Car style or the standard short shifter. Also a non wheel mounted system is not out of the question. We aren't just throwing the basic system out there with no future options , what fun would that be We have some demos set for this Sunday at VCR if you are really as interested as the number of posts seem to show you are. Come on bye. Thanks for the bump

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Quoted directly from your website:

"We suggest installation to be done by your trusted, local auto shop as there is a lot of work involved. If you are comfortable with electrical wiring and mechanic work, you may be able to do this at home with the help of a friend. This is by no means a small task and we expect typical installation to be at least 2 to 3 days worth of work (depending on skill level)." Feel free to update us on the parts list.


Don't start this BS. I have clearly stated that I have no interest in purchasing this. As stated in this post: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&postcount=103. Please see disclaimers #2 &#3.

Number of posts? I could've let the BS continue. Instead I tried to bring it back on topic. Now, either be forthcoming and discuss the merits, or...

 

That would be for an at home install, the shop time is shorter . To answer your original question again it is
100 % reversable . I think the merits speak for themselves but I am happy to address them further as we have been.

Randy
M7 tuning