Paddle Shift

[N2 Vipers]

Wasted R&D? Money to develope? Hello, the thing already has been developed by Mercedes!

 

[SylvanSRT]

as far as i know a sequential or SMG,F1,audi double clutch style of a "clutched" transmission/trans axel is not in use on any mercedes street cars. the trans they use in all their cars are much more similar to a std automatic trans including the SLR. these shiftable automatics i have heard commonly refered to as auto-manual

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Wasted R&D? Money to develope? Hello, the thing already has been developed by Mercedes!

Yep. There shouldn't be any additional development expenses. Just put it right in. Linkage, electronics, fitting a Mercedes tranny in between a Viper V10 and driveshaft should fit no problem. Mercedes and Viper car lengths and design are close enough. Tranny supports should be identical or close enough. Floor clearance can't be a problem. It's a direct replacement. Probably a 10-minute job. Since it's so easy and there's so much demand for it I think I'll start my own aftermarket paddle shifter conversion shop. Make big $$$.

Investors please?

LOL It's as simple as switching to colder spark plugs (which has engineering issues as well).

Please don't tell me you have an engineering degree or run a manufacturing plant.

 

[N2 Vipers]

Wow, what optimism! Maybe we should take away ABS, 14"Brembo brakes, the improved suspension of the SRT, improved V10 of the SRT,etc. These things just didn't grow on the car; of course they have to be developed! What is wrong with improving the breed? Would you like to go back to Gen I technology? Geeze, lighten up!

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Paddle shift aint improving the breed.

But fear not Mr. Baird. It's only a matter of time before you get all those aids that make you a better driver. By then maybe GM or Ford will come out with their version of a raw driver's car and I'll switch over.

I ask again, why did you buy a Viper when there are so many other choices that have all that stuff you like?

 

[N2 Vipers]

Hi Chuck,
I really don't want to get into a pi$$ing match with you, but...My first Viper was a 96 GTS, my present one is a 01 GTS with a Roe Supercharger and many modifications. I have owned a Pantera, Ferrari, Porche, 3 Vettes, and some I can't remember. I raced shifter karts for 15 years, formula juniors for 6 years, and Viper Days. I have raced at racetracks all over the US, including Daytona. You seem to have a closed mind so I don't see any point in carrying this any further. Just thought a paddle shifter would be a nice option, as it is the future in high performance autos.

 

[Warfang]

Wow, what optimism! Maybe we should take away ABS, 14"Brembo brakes, the improved suspension of the SRT, improved V10 of the SRT,etc. These things just didn't grow on the car; of course they have to be developed! What is wrong with improving the breed? Would you like to go back to Gen I technology? Geeze, lighten up!

Improving a breed is not the same as genetically altering it. Gen1's had brakes... we give it better brakes. Gen1's had suspension... we get better suspension. Gen1's HAD NO TC... that's the breed. Get over it. It's like mating a chihuahua with a st. bernard and calling it a better chihuahua. News for you... it's NO LONGER a pure chihuahua.

Yes... ABS, etc. are in ALL Vipers today. Everyone that buys a Viper pays for the development costs for these. Now if these nannytechs are optional, who then pays for their development? They would have to charge an obscene amount to recoup their costs, and you'll be first in line to ***** about that. DC is better off making them standard if that's the case. You're better off getting aftermarket stuff.

Chuck's right... sooner or later DC will cave in and you can kwiturbitchin. As the purists move to another platform, we eagerly await you to come poopoo THAT party as well.

 

[madman]

Gen1's HAD NO TC... that's the breed.

That's bshxx. Unless all 'purists' live in warm belt and are so shortminded that they just don't see that driving viper at 30-50F is no joy. And guess what, they just don't make any winter tires for viper. Or maybe you guys are so selfish that you don't want northeners drive Viper as long as you do? I mean did you try to drive Viper in dry/wet weather at 30-40F?

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Hi Chuck,
I really don't want to get into a pi$$ing match with you,

Just some good discussion and arguments (aggravating as they are LOL). As long as nobody is getting personal.

Even if you are WRONG!

See you next month when this topic comes up again.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Gen1's HAD NO TC... that's the breed.

That's bshxx. Unless all 'purists' live in warm belt and are so shortminded that they just don't see that driving viper at 30-50F is no joy. And guess what, they just don't make any winter tires for viper. Or maybe you guys are so selfish that you don't want northeners drive Viper as long as you do? I mean did you try to drive Viper in dry/wet weather at 30-40F?

Oh Gawd, how did any of us survive the 60s, 70s and 80s without TC? Must've been those quality high traction bias-ply tires back then.

 

[vipermansrt04]

Chuck you seem like a real purist , good luck with your 1998 , but believe it or not some of us like techolgy. Its called progress , and its ok to let the viper evolve.

 

[RS27J9A]

Chuck you seem like a real purist , good luck with your 1998 , but believe it or not some of us like techolgy. Its called progress , and its ok to let the viper evolve.

Would you ******** a mechanical dick to bang your wife because she liked it better???


Some things are best left the hell alone.

 

[vipermansrt04]

Ya Ya ,I would man you are one smart guy , good luck with your old gen 2.

 

[RS27J9A]

Ya Ya ,I would man you are one smart guy , good luck with your old gen 2.

Just clearing that up.

 

[Warfang]

Chuck you seem like a real purist , good luck with your 1998 , but believe it or not some of us like techolgy. Its called progress , and its ok to let the viper evolve.

Would you ******** a mechanical dick to bang your wife because she liked it better???


Some things are best left the hell alone.

haha... best line all week!

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Chuck you seem like a real purist , good luck with your 1998 , but believe it or not some of us like techolgy. Its called progress , and its ok to let the viper evolve.

But I keep wondering, what made you tech guys buy a Viper? It doesn't have the granny aids you want and a Z06 does have the goodies and the Z06 is in the same performance/price catagory. And the Z06 certainly looks very similar.

Not being a smartazz, seriously I wonder. The major difference between the two is tech...so why buy the lesser tech of the two if tech is so important? It doesn't make sense to me.

 

[N2 Vipers]

Because we LOVE Vipers!!!!

 

[Early93Viper]

It basically all comes down to one word "purity"

If you don't understand why the Viper doesn't have Paddle shifters, Traction Control, and other Gadgets I have to refer you to this saying:

"If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand."

Some people just understand the Pure concept behind the Viper. And others.....(See saying)

 

[INSOMNIAC]

Let's face it, the Viper 6 speed is junk.

Really? I've got over 100K miles, probably more than a 1000 1/4 passes and countless high speed runs on my 98 and it is still bone stock including the clutch.

I replaced the tranny in my 97 after 35,000 miles, 5 years of tracking (road and some drag) and prior to my purchase it was a school car.

I also hear all the Vette and Fbody guys wanting Viper trannys.

So what exactly is junk about it?


As for paddle shifters. You gotta be kidding.

Stock Viper T56 cluster shafts are junk. Also, it would have been nice to get the triple synchro like the vette T56's. Much easier to shift.

I might present the minority here but I would love to have a Sequential Transmission with helical gears from the factory (definitely not automatic).

Then, I wouldn't have to spend all this money on G-Force tranny.

 

[RavenFan_94]

Ya Ya ,I would man you are one smart guy , good luck with your old gen 2.

Just clearing that up.

Serious brain power from the dinosaurs.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Because we LOVE Vipers!!!!

But why? "just because" isn't a reason.

I can clearly state why I love Vipers. Why do you tech guys love them?

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Stock Viper T56 cluster shafts are junk. Also, it would have been nice to get the triple synchro like the vette T56's. Much easier to shift.

Then, I wouldn't have to spend all this money on G-Force tranny.

LOL uh-huh. And us purists are called whiners? Too funny.

 

[INSOMNIAC]

Stock Viper T56 cluster shafts are junk. Also, it would have been nice to get the triple synchro like the vette T56's. Much easier to shift.

I might present the minority here but I would love to have a Sequential Transmission with helical gears from the factory (definitely not automatic).

Then, I wouldn't have to spend all this money on G-Force tranny.

LOL uh-huh. And us purists are called whiners? Too funny.

Here you go. Quote the whole thing. Don't cut it up. I was being sarcastic.
I want a beefed up Sequential Transmission with helical gears from the factory, not paddles.

Sooner or later, the "unpure" breed will get paddle shifters and TC anyway.
Look, you even have a website. LOL

 

[VOI9 ASP]

I remember the SRT boys at one of the VOI's asking everyone in one of the seminars if they would like to have a paddle shifter. They got the same response as what I am reading here. Some wanted it and others did not.

I have been driving my sons BMW M3 all day. It has one and I don't care for it at all. It takes a lot of getting use to.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Stock Viper T56 cluster shafts are junk. Also, it would have been nice to get the triple synchro like the vette T56's. Much easier to shift.

I might present the minority here but I would love to have a Sequential Transmission with helical gears from the factory (definitely not automatic).

Then, I wouldn't have to spend all this money on G-Force tranny.

LOL uh-huh. And us purists are called whiners? Too funny.

Here you go. Quote the whole thing. Don't cut it up. I was being sarcastic.
I want a beefed up Sequential Transmission with helical gears from the factory, not paddles.

Sooner or later, the "unpure" breed will get paddle shifters and TC anyway.
Look, you even have a website. LOL

Sorry. Sarcasm can be kinda difficult to pick up on the internet.

 

[DodgeViper01]

Wasted R&D? Money to develope? Hello, the thing already has been developed by Mercedes!

Yeah you have a point. And Mazda, Chevy, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and a few others.

 

[VENOMAHOLIC]

The main thing wrong with the 6 speed is the skip shift that supposedly saves gas mileage. Everybody just revs higher in 1st. What a joke that is.

Seriously, electronic nannies are just one more thing that can go wrong. I just spent $350 to have the ABS on my Blazer fixed. The fact that they needed a computer to diagnose the problem makes it even less practical for home mechanics. I bought a 2000 RT/10 specifically to avoid ABS as I never liked it on any car I owned with it.

Throttle by wire that the Corvettes have is also a disgusting feature. The loss of direct connection to the engine with a throttle cable in favor of a computer control takes so much out of the physical driving sensation.

Anybody that wants more of this kind of tech advances on the Viper should pass up buying Vipers, or even Corvettes and just play Playstation and live in the perfect virtual world. Every variable there is controlled by computer and you can race all over the world without even leaving your livingroom. Just be sure to select the new Z06 on the PS2 because only in fantasyland will that oversophisticated car not have a real life tech malfunction.

 

[WILDASP]

Gen1's HAD NO TC... that's the breed.

That's bshxx. Unless all 'purists' live in warm belt and are so shortminded that they just don't see that driving viper at 30-50F is no joy. And guess what, they just don't make any winter tires for viper. Or maybe you guys are so selfish that you don't want northeners drive Viper as long as you do? I mean did you try to drive Viper in dry/wet weather at 30-40F?

FYI,we DO get temps in the 30-40F range down here.It doesn't bother me at all in the Viper as long as there's no snow or ice on the road,but then I do check my tire pressure and take it easy until the tires are warmed up a bit.Like Chuck says,some of us drove some pretty powerful cars back in the sixties and seventies, on tires that were junk by today's standards,and without TC or ABS(oh,the horror!);we didn't wreck.Aside from snow,the main problem on northern roads is sand and salt-not good for any car,of whatever transmission type.I trust that answers your question.

Shifting is not a problem in a Viper with a clutch,gearbox and shifter in proper working order,(assuming the driver has no physical handicaps).For those of you who find it a distraction from your driving pleasure,I would suggest that the problem resides between the seat and the steering wheel,and you might wish to find yourself a car that will relieve you of this burdensome task.There are plenty to choose from,with whatever degree of nanny-tech your little hearts desire.I know it may be a shock,but some of us neananderthals do derive some sense of pleasure from such things as smooth heel-and-toe downshifts achieved through skill and practice,without the aid of a computer.We would rather the car did not try to drive itself! If some of you get your way,and turn our beloved Snakes into some sort of "Viper-Lite",we'll move on to something else.The comments from some of you suggest that you want the Viper look or image,without the effort to develop the skill to drive the car;how sad!I might add that the suggestion that improving a suspension,increasing horsepower,or adding bigger and better brakes is somehow equivalent to adding traction control,active handling,or a computer-assisted transmission is ludicrous.Improving the car is one thing,having a computer help you drive it is quite another.IMO,cruise controls, paddle shifters, or active handling on a Viper are about as useful as the non-functional vestigial mammary glands adorning the belly of a male hog.I'm sure we'll keep revisiting this debate,as some of you will never be happy until you can push a button and have the car drive itself while you admire the scenery.....or whatever.Would you like for it to make you a fresh latte,too?

 

[Warfang]

Gen1's HAD NO TC... that's the breed.

That's bshxx. Unless all 'purists' live in warm belt and are so shortminded that they just don't see that driving viper at 30-50F is no joy. And guess what, they just don't make any winter tires for viper. Or maybe you guys are so selfish that you don't want northeners drive Viper as long as you do? I mean did you try to drive Viper in dry/wet weather at 30-40F?

Odd... I live in the San Francisco area. It's currently 30-40F with some wet grounds from sporadic rain, and I did not slip and kill myself in my Viper... and this isn't the first time! I put about 1k/month on my snake. To quote a famous .44Magnum toter: "A man's gotta know his limitations."

Drive at a moderate speed, and be extra cautious. Learn vehicle dynamics and understand when NOT to push your snake. The best advice I got from someone here was to be one gear higher than you normally would at the same speed when driving in bad road conditions. Despite the favorite joke of the feet being the best TC, it is really your COMMON SENSE. No TC can substitute that.

If you are stupid enough to stret race a nannyteched vette at 100mph under these conditions, then good riddence to you when you scrub! Darwin speaks! Just make sure you don't take out a family in a minivan.

 

[Warfang]

Gen1's HAD NO TC... that's the breed.

That's bshxx. Unless all 'purists' live in warm belt and are so shortminded that they just don't see that driving viper at 30-50F is no joy. And guess what, they just don't make any winter tires for viper. Or maybe you guys are so selfish that you don't want northeners drive Viper as long as you do? I mean did you try to drive Viper in dry/wet weather at 30-40F?

FYI,it we DO get temps in the 30-40F range down here.It doesn't bother me at all in the Viper as long as there's no snow or ice on the road,but then I do check my tire pressure and take it easy until the tires are warmed up a bit.Like Chuck says,some of us drove some pretty powerful cars back in the sixties and seventies, on tires that were junk by todays's standards,and without TC or ABS(oh,the horror!);we didn't wreck.Aside from snow,the main problem on northern roads is sand and salt-not good for any car,of whatever transmission type.I trust that answers your question.

Shifting is not a problem in a Viper with a clutch,gearbox and shifter in proper working order,(assuming the driver has no physical handicaps).For those of you who find it a distraction from your driving pleasure,I would suggest that the problem resides between the seat and the steering wheel,and you might wish to find yourself a car that will relieve you of this burdensome task.There are plenty to choose from,with whatever degree of nanny-tech your little hearts desire.I know it may be a shock,but some of us neananderthals do derive some sense of pleasure from such things as smooth heel-and-toe downshifts achieved through skill and practice,without the aid of a computer.We would rather the car did not try to drive itself! If some of you get you way,and turn our beloved Snakes into some sort of "Viper-Lite",we'll move on to something else.The comments from some of you suggest that you want the Viper look or image,without the effort to develop the skill to drive the car;how sad!I might add that the suggestion that improving a suspension,increasing horsepower,or adding bigger and better brakes is somehow equivalent to adding traction control,active handling,or a computer-assisted transmission is ludicrous.Improving the car is one thing,having a computer help you drive it is quite another.IMO,cruise controls, paddle shifters, or active handling on a Viper are about as useful as the non-functional vestigial mammary glands adorning the belly of a male hog.I'm sure we'll keep revisiting this debate,as some of you will never be happy until you can push a button and have the car drive itself while you admire the scenery.....or whatever.Would you like for it to make you a fresh latte,too?

I agree with everything except your sarcasm at latte... that and a cupholder would be PERFECT, but I'm just a pansy that way.