AT Paddle Shift Replacement Feeler Thread
 

Hi everyone, just wanted to show that we have love for the AT's too. Thanks to @sevi21, we were able to get our hands on an AT model for R&D purposes. We noticed the biggest complaint was the small paddle size so we wanted to see for ourselves.

The thing we noticed was that there wasn't a whole lot of room between the steering wheel, paddle, and stalks. Originally we were planning on making aluminum stick-on pieces from "waste" material cut out of our wing uprights, but after driving the car we felt a stick-on extension might not be the best choice because it would further limit the space. Another thing was that the spring weight felt good, but could be a little heavier for a more solid shifting feel.

So this is the idea for what we came up with

http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7cb8f585.jpg

The top is about 25mm longer, the bottom is about 15mm longer. This would allow the driver to shift even with the hands at the 10/2 o'clock position or the 5/7 o'clock position. We're trying our best to retain the OEM curvature to keep the same feel of the OEM paddle. The idea is to make the paddle out of CNC'd aluminum for better tactility. We are also trying to incorporate an adjustable spring system that you can preload to adjust to force needed to shift the paddles. So you could effectively use the same force or increase it for a "heavier" shift feel.

If we can keep the OEM electronic box, we will do so, but if we have to make a custom box, we will. However, the development on the electronics side will likely have to wait until the end of May because our electrical engineer won't have free time until after the Indy 500 (he's currently the lead EE for an Indy Car team).

We are not married to the design or the ideas and we would love input from the AT owners.

Yo,

1. What type of aluminium? This looks like it'll take ages on the CNC machine.
2. Perhaps finger grooves on the other side of the paddle (can't be seen from the steering wheel side)? better ergonomic and nonslip due to the rising edge of the finger groove. This could be a market differentiating feature? Maybe use a 3D printer first to see if it actually works?
3.Adjustable spring system sounds awesome!

1. Just any basic aluminum that takes well to anodizing was what we had in mind. Nothing fancy, as it's a cosmetic piece, not a structural one. We don't have to use CNC and can use other processes.
2. You mean like ribbing, kind of like how a steering wheel would have? If the thickness of the paddle allows for it, we could add the feature. We may end up making it out of plastic, it really depends on what will bring the cost down and how many are ordered. Unfortunately, most of the time, 3D printing costs as much, if not more than CNC and there's no way to amortize the cost, keeping the price the same whether we make 1 or 1 million.
3. Thanks, we're heavily influenced by motorsport so we wanted to create a way to replicate that sensation of a heavy shift paddle

Would like a wet carbon or something xD

Very interested. I would personally prefer aluminum with the -/+ machined in.

Carbon fiber would be cool, but to be honest I don't know if it would be the right material for this application. It would be difficult to make a shape that felt ergonomic without a lot of machining. Then it wouldn't look pretty. While not impossible, it would take a lot of time and care to make it looked as good as you have it pictured in your head right now.

I just left it out of the model because it will depend on the final material. If it is metal, it would be etched in, if it were plastic, it would be embossed.

If we are to use printing methods, we could make the material a buyer option. The options would be plastic, glass-filled nylon, aluminum, stainless and titanium.

Is 20mm and 15 mm going to be enough extra length?

How would you install them? I do like that stick on pieces are a easy install.

matte black would be nice

The top side will be 25mm/1" taller. The bottom side is as long as it can go while leaving room for the cruise control stalk.

They would be direct replacements for the OEM unit.

If the paddles are made of some kind of metal, we'd leave it in the metal finish and leave the color choice to the end user. It saves us time and you money. Painting a paddle matte black before installation would be a breeze.

Perhaps if you keep the OEM electronics box, people can send in their current OEM box after they install the new CNC aluminum one to bring costs down?

We are looking into this and doing a core exchange so you don't have to leave your car immobile.

Metal and bigger.

I'm very interested, but of course it all depends on price.

I'm interested as well, aluminum would be great.

Can't wait to see it on the car.

You are correct, +25 and -15 mm should be ok. I think I was thinking about the really long ones shown as concept in the previous post on this topic.

We just need some more so you can reach the paddles on the sharp turns.

Maybe have 86 annoed into the paddles? Mite b cool
I hate the stock plastic ones.

id be down for a group buy though

Anyway to make the paddles a bit larger?

Can you show the stock paddles next to the ones you are proposing?

:bow: Love It! Would love aluminum and a heavier racy feel! :bow:

I'd be interested as well.

Tapped from my Note 2

Unfortunately we don't have a way to compare them side by side, but you can take a ruler and measure it from the OEM paddle. It will be about 1" longer at the top and about 5/8" longer on the bottom. Will be roughly the same width.

The paddles are now in at the dealership. I'll be picking them up tomorrow and Zach, our EE will start working on them in his spare time to see what we can do about the box.

what price range are we looking at?

We haven't started the development yet so it's hard to tell what it will cost. We will try to come up with a few different solutions. I will get the price of OEM paddles as reference later tonight. Looks like there's plenty of interest though so we will get started on this project as soon as we can :]

Edit: forgot to get the price :[ Got the paddles though, we'll begin development and exploring all options shortly

http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/...psf8ecd894.jpg

http://quests.society.qub.ac.uk/wp-c...s_everyone.jpg

A core exchange will be possible. It does not need a new box.

I do not like the stock paddles. They are too short. If you want to shift in a roundabout or sharp corner, it is difficult to locate the paddles.

The paddles of my GT-R are much longer and better.

http://cdn.cnet.com.au/story_media/3...an-gt-r_17.jpg

http://cdn.cnet.com.au/story_media/3...an-gt-r_17.jpg

But the car is no fun to drive in a roundabout ^^

Suggestion: Shorter Travel
 

One thing I would like to see is the travel on the paddle to get shorter. There seems to be too many millimeters between when I first touch the paddle to when it actually engages the switch. A 50% improvement alone would peak my intrest to the point of purchase.

Very interested in these! (*cough* anodized blue aluminum would be nice *cough*)

Sorry for the bad picture, but this is what the paddle shifter looks like disassembled

http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3e2b9056.jpg

Just the paddle

http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/...psd0252db3.jpg

There are a few things I noticed when playing with the shifter:

1. The paddle itself is a lot larger and more intricate than originally anticipated. Making the entire piece of billet aluminum will likely be too expensive for the average consumer
2. The spring binds and won't shift properly if the spring preload is changed
3. The spring seems to be a custom size and rate, so swapping springs may be difficult to do
4. The black box can be left alone if the paddle is swapped

So where does that leave us? There are a few options

The entire paddle can be made and you can replace the entire piece (either at home or by sending it to us) or we can design a paddle that slips over the existing paddle to act as an extension or we can make a simple stick-on piece. Personally, a slip on extension would be the easiest for end users and better looking, but this is really a choice up to you guys and gals. Would you still be interested in something like this?

I like the idea of a slip on/stick on piece. It takes one sec to put on and it fixes the problem of size. :) All in baby!

Slip on/stick on is cool with me.

I don't have an AT, but I think it'd be cool to make a full replacement that fits where the stock one does and has a shorter click, adjustable spring preload, etc. Would probably be $$$ though.

To make the paddles cheaply out of Aluminum, you could use a rapid prototyping machine to make a plug, make a mold, cast it, CNC the mounting points only, and use a tumbler or vibrating table with an an abrasive media to get a nice finish on the exposed part of the paddle.

Nathan

I had thought about it, but AFAIK only a small percentage of the owners have AT's, and most are in the US. It could be investment casted, but I don't think anyone would pay close to 4 figures for replacement paddles. However, if anyone is willing to pay, we can always do custom one-offs ;]

True, casting only really shows a price benefit when you have large quantities or aren't paying for the man hours it involves.

Nathan

How long would it take before stick/slip ons be able to be made and sold?

Slip over!

Slipover would be easiest/least cost, as long as the joint was tight with no free play either new or over time. Adhesive, set screw or both to ensure solid mount?

Realistically, July-August would probably be the earliest it'd become available.

im down for a slip on, but how would you compensate for the move of the overall paddle towards the steering wheel without making it look clunky ?

that's what makes it so tricky to design ;p however, we don't shy away from a challenge. to be honest, this is not a high priority on our list of things to do right now, but it seems like there's a lot of interest so i will keep working on some ideas in my free time. please be patient and watch for updates.

- earl

you guys should look at the evo x mr / 08+ ralliart paddles for reference.. Even though i got bored with the twin clutch gear box, the paddles were dam good and I don't think i ever heard of any failures on evom.