Is is a cost issue why Ford does not offer a slapstick gearshift automatic transmission like the Nissan 350Z and others? I drove the 350Z and it is a really nice addition to the auto.

 

You got me. In the Lincoln LS the Sport Models have what Ford calls SST. And it has the "slapstick" shifter. Since the 05 Mustang has the same 5R55S trannie one woudl think that's it's a natural to put SST on the new Mustang too.

 

I remember the rumors way back that the next SVT will have paddle shifters. They have the conversion already developed(but not sold publicly) and another version of the same tranny as the cobra in the Austin Martin. :scratch:

 

kevin..

they had pictures of the mule on BON over a year ago

the slapstick would be nice for the autos, but it is not the same as a real gearbox for me

 

Manual controls for what is basically a standard automatic ought to be fairly easy and cheap to implement, which is why you see them so often now. What with ATX control being essentially 100% electronic, plugging in some switches is readily doable.

As for various versions of electronically controlled and automatically clutched/shifted "manual" type trannies, well, that's a different matter altogether requiring much more extensive add on electronics, selenoids, servos, etc., and would likely be a several $K addition.

An interesting new box is Audi's DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox), which has remarkably quick shifts, on the order of less than .1 seconds vs. nearly .5 seconds for a regular manual. In just two shifts for the quarter mile and you're looking at around .5 seconds saved overall ... potentially!

 

Question: If SVT is considering SMG for the Cobra, why doesn't the Ferrari competitor (Ford GT, of course) have one? I hope that they offer it, but, optional only.

 

If you're talking about the Vanquish...it's uses a variant of the tranny used in the Ferrari 360 Modena F-1.

And yes...I will sound like a friggin' broken record.......

But I think they should focus on getting IRS before all this electronic doo-dads. I mean really....do we need paddle shifters ina Mustang. It's not like any of us are threatening to become the next Michael Schumacher.

 

Where is the IRS **** when you need him

 

From reading interviews etc.....the reasoning behind the GT not having driver's aids is because they wanted to be a pure driver's car. To let the driver have as much control as possible over the car's dynamics.

Besides....there's something just so right about executing the perfecting downshift

 

I will not be silenced

 

i wouldn't buy the SMG. I like a manual clutch.

 

I don't know if you were here then. A thread got shut down by Dan for getting out of hand with arguments over IRS. He got to be the IRS ****.

 

Development time and cost I presume. The Ford GT was brought out on a very tight development and production schedule, with a smallish develoment staff and a lot of other technological things to wrassle with.

The Cobra, being much more a money-maker for Ford, with a commensurate R&D budget, would, I think, be a more likely candidate for Ford to cut their teeth on these new tranny technologies.

 

I will be silent [/b][/quote]
That's better.

 

That's better. [/b][/quote]
It's a conspiracy by the drag racers and NASCAR I'll tell ya!

Oh well...I think it's valid point..but hey...not my board. B)

 

Don't get me wrong, it is a valid point. I was just bringing up the IRS **** thing. Ford should (and I think will) offer IRS in some future, non-cobra car. They will need to offer live axle or figure out how to make the IRS non-hop for the drag racers.

 

It's a conspiracy by the drag racers and NASCAR I'll tell ya!

Oh well...I think it's valid point..but hey...not my board. B) [/b][/quote]
I'm just playing around Joe. I got this custom title because I shut down an IRS thread where tempers were getting heated and before I knew it, I was the IRS ****.

Funny thing is, I'd probably opt for IRS if they offered it.

I think Ford probably did a great job with the current setup and you can't beat the live axle for strength so looking on the positive side, eh, its not that bad.

 

Paddle shifted cars utilize a clutch. It uses the T56. Now I am a decent driver, but I cant quite shift in .15 sec with perfect modulation myself :scratch:

 

my personal take on this is keep the paddle shifters off of a mustang. Straight up autos or Manuals. I know it's achaic to a degree but the heck with it. I think paddle shifters are rediculous.
That's my ONLY beef with the Vanquish..but i think you can get regular shifter for them.

 

Paddle shifted cars utilize a clutch. It uses the T56. Now I am a decent driver, but I cant quite shift in .15 sec with perfect modulation myself :scratch: [/b][/quote]
They use a manual clutch? I always thought they were automatics with a "manual mode" that gave the driver the control of the shifter.