sequential transmission?

[WestTexasS2K]

I am looking at the possibility of going with a sequential transmission for my new engine. I was looking for some feedback from other users. I have never had a sequential transmission before. I plan on using it for street and track. I have a few concerns about the noise from the straight cut gears. I wouldn't think it would be a big issue with our cars since the wind noise is always present. I am curious as to the drivability of them on the street? What type of flat shift system are you using?

[yellowss7]

I have my yellow car with the Caterham 6 speed and the Orange car with the Sadev 6 speed sequential and the geartronix paddle shifter.

 

I can say that the Caterham 6 speed is equally at home on the street or the track. Easy to shift, clutch firm but communicative, very good all around. IMO

 

The Sadev in the other car, seems to be ALOT noisier, very quick on track, and with the flat up shift and Blipping on the down shift, it makes you feel like a driving god on the track. This car is set up with an extremely lightweight flywheel and a race clutch, which makes starting out a chore. The fact that you have to shift all the way up or down before getting to Neutral makes it a little less Street friendly IMO. I tend to think of this car more a track weapon than a street car. Now that may just be how the clutch and throttle are set up, but It is noisy, and harsh. Like I said, on track it is like butter if you just think about lifting on the upshift and the down shifts no longer require heel and toeing. Tom

[WestTexasS2K]

Thanks Yellow. The stock Honda transmission is great. It's quiet and shifts smoothly problem for me is gearing isn't optimal for me. First is useless unless you climbing a 45 deg ramp. Another issue with the stock Trans is 2-3 shift doesn't like power shifting you have to slow you shift down a bit for it bangs the synchro.

I think it would be sick on the track, but the price tag is a little scary. Especially if it doesn't hold up for the long haul.

[Alaskossie]

Tom,

 

Pardon me, but how can one really feel like a driving god when the electronics are doing much of the god-like work?

 

I can't flat-shift without breaking something, but I can do my own flippin' blipping, thank you!

 

If i were looking for the absolute fastest track times and didn't feel a bit chagrined at having the electronics giving me some some of the critical driving skills that an accomplished coachman used to perform, perhaps I might consider a different perspective. But I'm a street driver.

 

Your remarks on the Caterham 6-speed for street driving were right on. I have a longer-legged (lower numerically) rear axle ratio in my Caterham, to give the 6-speed more of an "overdrive" effect on the highway.

[yellowss7]

Tom, don't knock it until you try it. :drool: Doing 100++ mph down hill into an almost 90 degree left hander and trying to get from 6th to 4th without locking it up is a heck of a lot safer and when you just have to pull your finger back twice and then get back on the gas. :driving: Ask Kitcat how he likes finding 4th on his six speed during that little maneuver. :banghead:

 

I don't pretend to be a ballsy driver like Kitcat or Croc, I'm just out there having fun at 7 tenths. I like shifting the six speed, and was getting decent at heel and toeing, but the sequential seems to be ok for the F1 guys and they are driving gods.

[Alaskossie]

Tom,

 

Actually, I'd love to try it..... don't get me wrong.

 

I know that the sequential box with electronic assists is what the current F1 driving gods are all using (they obviously have to, to be competitive).

 

But I'm afraid that I am old-school -- I look on the earlier F1 drivers who had no electronic assists for engine and gearbox managements as being, without question, on the highest row of the F1 driving gods' pantheon.

 

Alaskossie

[TheDingo8MyBaby]

I've heard good things about the ppg s2000 gears - even the synchro version. I wouldn't recommend dog engagement on the street. It's not cheap though.

 

Straight cut gears sound great in my opinion, but they're tiring at freeway speeds. I've seen people use a helical top gear with straight cut other gears, though I'm not sure that can be managed in the s2000 box.

 

I know a few people that run G-froce and tremec boxes on the street. They do offer a lot of interchangeable parts that make them more comfortable for the street. The nice thing is part availability, but certainly aren't inexpensive either.

[Mondo]

If I could do this I wouldn't want a sequential (sorry for having sit through the commercial)

 

[xcarguy]

Loren,

 

I had a six speed sequential in my Birkin. To second what Tom said, the down side is having to shift thorough all the gears to get to neutral.......if you mind doing that. Personally, I didn't think it to be an issue. As for the noise, it's music to my ears. But then again, I like raw, loud, bangy, in your face performance.

[WestTexasS2K]

Dingo I looked at the PPG gears today. It looks like 6 grand plus labor to rebuild. I like the idea of a stock 6 th for cruising and reduced noise. I wasn't clear on what a dog box is. I think you just do clutch less up shifts but it needs a clutch to down shift. Maybe someone can clarify that for me.

[HOTTTCAR]

Loren

Here is a good explanation. http://automotivethinker.com/transmission/dog-engaged-transmissions-aka-the-crash-box-and-dog-box/ It's basicly a trans with out syncros to do the speed matching. It uses dog teeth on the face of the gear that are slamed into wider slots on the matching set. The slots are wide enough that the teeth have time to engage quickly but make a clunk as the speed matching is instantaneous. The syncro/clutch system takes more time to match speeds but shifts smoothly.

Gale

[RGTorque]

drove a dog box a few times. life span is fairly short as you do hit the gears fairly often when in the power and have a need for a quick change. all the locals that had one removed them after they got the bill for first rebuild... mind you this was for FWD vw's with 350-600 hp.

[Croc]

but how can one really feel like a driving god when the electronics are doing much of the god-like work?

 

He's happy flexing a few fingers when the rest of us enjoy a vigorous work out with our right hand!

[Kitcat]

I would add on the plus side of the sequential trans that it makes an inadvertent down shift from 5th to 2nd (rather that 4th) much less likely. (Not that I speak from experience or anything:)). And when you are sporting a $30K motor (like YellowSS), that could be a very expensive mistake.