jim010

I bought these paddle shifters from Philip on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Paddle-Shift-Kit-2013-2014-Ford-Mustang-Select-Shift-Automatic-Trans-Shifter-/221530378688?hash=item33943d51c0&vxp=mtr
These are 3D printed using ABS plastic. Because they are printed, they have a layered look to them. This makes them look 'home made' and unfinished. I knew this when I bought them, so that was not an issue. You just need to be prepared to sand and paint these.

Installation was quite simple. Philip is also reasonably quick to respond to e-mail questions. The kit came with installation tips, and how to remove the radio transmitter and replace its battery. Installation instructions, however, are on this youtube video:

jim010

So this is what the paddle kit looks like with the layered look. If this is not an issue, then you can skip the sanding and painting that I did.

I sanded them with a 120 grit sand paper first. Then I used 600 to smooth it out, and then finally I used 1000 and 1500 to finish off the surfaces that will be seen.

Some filling was needed. I used a fast drying white putty for this.

jim010

The radio transmitter is not built into the paddle assembly, but slides into it. It is not hard to take out.

The paddle kit itself is only made of 3 pieces, plus the radio transmitter.

jim010

I painted the housing with a satin black acrylic lacquer. This turned out to be too shiny, so I wet sanded it with 2000 grit to dull the black.

The picture shows it sanded and ready for painting.

I did not paint the paddles, as I figure that the oils in my finger with eventually make the paint rub off. I tried to sand it as best I could, but the underlying pattern of the printing remained, despite being smooth. For now, I think it will do just fine, but I may eventually use plasti-dip on the paddles.

I am not done with finishing these, but I wanted to put them on and start driving with them.

jim010

I am not a fan of the clip on look, and have decided to cut the tabs off and use black hex screws to attach the casing to the wheel. I'll probably do this next month some time.

Overall, I am happy with the paddle shifters. As I knew about how the shifters would look, I already knew that I would be finishing them, so that was not an issue for me.

I was not a fan of the button on the side of the shift ****, but this adds a lot of fun to driving. Right now, when flooring it, second comes up pretty fast. When I hit the paddle to shift to second, the computer takes so long to actually shift the car that I have redlined and have to back off the gas. It also does not allow quick double taps to drop 2 gears for passing. Zeroaviation has given me a tune to fix this, so we'll see.

I have worked with Matt on a few big projects, like the retrofit of the 13/14 LCD cluster into the 10-12 cars, and am now working with him on retrofitting the LCD cluster into the 05-09 cars. Dependable in my experience, to say the least.

http://www.redliners.com/

jim010

If you are looking to do this in a 11/12 car (mine is a 2012), then you need to read this thread:

https://themustangsource.com/forums/...-autos-536398/

Blown CS

I have been looking at these for a year now and my fear was if they had a delay. Post back once you get your thoughts on the update.

jim010

The delay is from the PCM, not the paddles. I haven't put in Redliner's tune yet to fix that.

tukatz

I know a lot of people bemoan the lack of paddle shifters in the Mustang and bad mouth the SelectShift button on the side of the shift lever, but where is your right hand when you are shifting a manual gearbox Mustang?

jim010

The difference is that it is just a button. There is no moving of the stick, like you have in other sport shift set-ups to go up a gear or down. The tactile feel is lousy. The paddles are much more satisfying. I would think that within the next 10 years, traditional manuals will probably be gone anyway, and paddles will be the way to go. The supercar companies don't even offer stick , and haven't for a while.

mustangfan410

As far as the finish, have you thought about using a matte or satin clearcoat so it protects the finish?

Blown CS

Not to mention if you have a drink cup in the holder, the button is hard to get to.

Blown CS

So you're saying the transmitter doesn't cause any additional delay. The delay from the button compared to the paddles are same?

tukatz

That would have to be a darned big drink cup.

hctr154

Was thinking about this myself...but I think $250 is too much. Maybe I can get a used one in the future from someone who decides to trade their car in.

wheelman

How do you paddle shift when turning?

Jazzman442

Watch Formula One. Its easy test drive a car with Paddles you wont have an automatic with out them.

jim010

Philip is the ONLY one who makes paddle shifters for these cars. And he only makes a handful. If you are looking to get some from someone else, you may never find a used set. At one point I heard rumours that Husrt was making a paddle shift kit, but they no longer have any info on that, and Hurst has told me that nothing is in development.

These are much more fun than the button, BUT you will need to put in the effort to smooth them out. You can do this either by sanding as I did, or an acetone bath. Check out the video below:

hctr154

^^^I wouldn't mind sanding and painting them...just think $250 is too much. But I'm the type that searched Craigslist forever before finding an O/R H pipe for $100 bucks!

mustang5o

I wouldn't use that as an indicator of things to come. Those high end auto transmissions have been around for years and are still expensive to make. Plus, Ford didn't even offer an auto for the GT500 or now the GT350. Maybe not 10 years but 20 or 30...still not sure even then.

That being said, if they offered a Performance Package on the 2015 autos I'd be trading in my Track Pack car tomorrow. Paddle shifting adds a lot of added fun to driving an auto when you want it and you can still cruise casually when you don't (or in bumper to bumper traffic).