Anyone for a sequential shifting MX5?

Simon Hardman · Post by **Simon Hardman** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 8:18 pm

Hi All,

Was having a drool at various hugely expensive Japanese speed bits and came
across this:

http://www.gtmotorsports.co.nz/details. ... ch=product

For a mere $4000NZ you can convert an NA MX5 to sequential shifting. I am
pretty sure this is for real as I saw an article on a similar gadget for
older 4 speed manuals in Street Machine.

Now all we need is a NZer to build an equivalent for sane money...

Simon

Matt & Sarah Avery · Post by **Matt & Sarah Avery** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 8:43 pm

You're right about the hugely expensive bit. A carbon fibre boot lid
would be nice, but at over $2000!!! They have to be joking.
I read an article on installing one of those bolt-on sequential kits to
a skyline for drag racing. It is apparently just a series of levers that
converts the sequential motion into the usual H pattern. If I remember
correctly it didn't rate too well. I can't see any point in fitting one
to an mx5.
M@

EricW · Post by **EricW** » Wed Mar 03, 2004 8:04 am

Now, if we could come up with a "Tiptronic" for the auto, I could really go
for that, but what planet are these guys on with their pricing. If I wanted
a $300,000 MX5, I'd buy a DB7 and save myself some work!

Eric

Simon Hardman · Post by **Simon Hardman** » Wed Mar 03, 2004 5:00 pm

My thinking was that if you were able to produce a sequential shift action
from a lever on the transmission tunnel then it would be semi trivial to
hook up some steering column mounted paddles operating it by cable. The mx5
already has the best gearshift I've ever encountered, so I'm not sure if
there would be much point, but it would be a cool toy...

Probably get what you pay for, but personally I'll just window shop and keep
telling myself I saved $600 by buying my suspension braces from mx5Mart, and
another $400 on the radiator cover...

Simon

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 7:05 pm

Theres a gearbox developed based on the Ford escort
Rocket box thats sequential. They say its a very good
thing indeed, but at around $6000 it would have to make my lunch too.
Glenn "SLYDIT"

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 7:35 pm

Perhaps I am too old, but I can't get enthused about sequential gearboxes,
and especially paddles on the steering wheel. Might be a good idea in some
situations but for the sort of driving I would be doing in my '5, I would
far rather have the standard manual shift arrangement. I would have thought
that the last thing I would want to do while rotating the steering wheel is
wonder what position the paddles are in. At least the present lever is
always in the same place. In a F1 car, then I can see the advantages, but
not for everyday driving. Sequential makes sence on a motorbike as well of
course.
If I am heading towards a very tight hairpin corner and want to drop from
say fourth to second, then I want to do that in one operation, not have to
move a sequential lever twice. Or am I missing the point? I might change my
mind if I get the chance to drive one perhaps.

Grant.

Lou Girardin · Post by **Lou Girardin** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 8:59 pm

Good ones, like the Ferrari F1 and Alfa Selespeed are the dogs nuts. The
rest seem to be average to very bad. If it doesn't shift quicker than a
conventional box there seems to be no point.
Now, bike shifts. They're the ticket, clutchless upshifts as quick as you
can twitch your toe.
Lou

Matt & Sarah Avery · Post by **Matt & Sarah Avery** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 9:59 pm

Only the Ferrari and Alfa ones Lou?. You wouldn't be biased towards all
things Italian now ,would you??

I find that chap on "Top Gear" quite amusing, with his vehicle reviews.
He seems to despise all vehicles with steering wheel paddle shift
thingys, but then again he and his colleague have made a few disparaging
remarks about mx5s, so that does his credibility no good.

Simon Hardman · Post by **Simon Hardman** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 8:09 am

The impression I get from reviews is
A) Everyone hates manualised automatics (IE using a torque converter)
B) The automated manuals (IE electronically controlled clutch and gear
shift) are good, but usually either slow on the change or jerky, as they
don't have a human regulating the clutch.
C) The Audi DSG is supposed to be pretty much the best around (smooth and
fast)

But anyway, with this gadget you would have a similar situation to a
motorcycle gearbox in that you are still manually controlling the clutch,
and mechanically driving the gear shift, therefore how fast/smooth the
changes are would be up to you.

Simon

Lou Girardin · Post by **Lou Girardin** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 9:58 am

Nope, the clutch is controlled by the shifter too.
Lou

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 12:32 pm

Actually it's 180ps at 9800 rpm. Still make it go quite quick though! Max
torque at 7000 rpm. Wonder what it's like pottering around town?

Grant in very pleasant sunny Blenheim. Just been to Picton on a fault. Great
way to have an hour in the MX5 (and get paid per km too).

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 1:55 pm

Yes, I also noticed it was actually 420 tonne/hp, not 420 straight hp. That still makes it a straight 185 bhp, frightening in something that size and weight I would think.

Eric

sfhardman · Post by **sfhardman** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 2:12 pm

If that isn't quite enought theres another English outfit (ZCars) which makes
another 7 replica (called the Tiger I think) with twin Kawazaki ZX12 motors
and 4wd. Which I guess would give you 350 odd hp, though it brings the weight
up over 600kg. Does 0-60 mph in 2.9 sec on street tires. They also offer to
convert your (classic) mini to twin mid mounted ZX9 power...

Simon

[...]

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 2:43 pm

As far "off topic" as we should venture perhaps, but when you think about it, a 1500cc water-cooled Honda Gold Wing engine could be interesting in a light car

Eric

Lou Girardin · Post by **Lou Girardin** » Sat Mar 06, 2004 6:17 am

The Hayabusa 'box and clutch would die pretty quickly from having to deal
with 4 times the weight and I suspect that the car wouldn't be that quick
with all the power and torque so far up the rev range. You'd have to run a a
5 or 5.5 to 1 diff to make it usable.
It's better left in the bike, 160km/h in 6 secs.
One of the main problems with the F1 system apparently, is morons treating
it like an auto in traffic, holding it on the accelerator, and burning out
clutches
Lou

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