Six-speed clutchless manual

[MaineShark]

Six-speed cluthless manual

In trying to figure out my transmission, I've been getting pretty far into the "what if" side of things, and I'm curious about the potential interest in something that I have been working on:

Based on an automatic transmission and a external overdrive unit, it would give you six speeds and manual shifting. There would be no clutch to work (my big reason for wanting it, since my knee injury makes a clutch an iffy proposition), or to wear out. Other than the lack of a clutch, it should be functionally extremely similar to having a six-speed manual. You'd have an H-pattern shifter, just like with a manual. The only real significant differences that I can think of, is that neutral would be its own position (not the center bar), and you'd have a "park" position, as well, instead of leaving it in gear when parked.

I haven't really looked into the details of marketing it too closely, but here's my basic idea:
Since transmissions are heavy and expensive to ship, the system would be made up as a kit that you could install into a transmission, yourself, or have installed by a mechanic. It would include a replacement shifter assembly, modification parts that would need to be installed in the transmission, and the external overdrive and its wiring harness. You'd also need to have your driveshaft shortened to account for the length of the overdrive.

Obviously, a lot or the potential for interest depends on price, and I can't say that it would likely be an inexpensive conversion, but it would be nearly bulletproof, and offer six speeds instead of the typical four that overdrive automatics have.

So, I'm curious about how much potential interest people think there is. I'm seriously interested in doing this, myself, but I will approach the design different if I am designing it for potential production.

Joe

 

[Last Ride]

Sounds like a cool idea! I would be interested. In fact, I think there is a guy on the other forum developing a paddle-shift system for his 4L80E. Let us know what you plan to do!

 

[69MyWay]

Cool idea. I happen to like to use my clutch, but I can see the benefit of trying to get around it.

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

Interesting idea. I've raced on automatics before using the B&M full manual valve body. With a like reworking on the pressure passages to boast the presure, the trans would shift just as positive as any manual and faster, up or down. With a good racket shift the straight pattern was easy to work with. So a 6 speed with high gear as an overdrive would be great. I can tell you the a good auto can work faster, better and smoother than any manual with less damage to the drive train. While racing the auto stopped all the axle, u-joint and drive line breakage problem, not the memtion clutches.
I go for an overdrive and full manual shifting on my turbo 350 if it was available.
IN other words GO FOR IT and let me know how it goes. Depending on cost I may just buy one if you get the bugs worked out. GOOG LUCK and keep us posted on your progress.

 

[MaineShark]

Actually, from looking at it some more, an H-pattern just isn't realistically possible.

A saw pattern would work, as would a ratchet or sequential shifter of some sort, but Bryan's comment about paddle shifting has me thinking...

It would certainly be exceedingly cool, if not too complicated.

Is there such thing as an electronically-controlled Th350 or TH400? I suppose a 4L80E would work, but that would end up being an 7-speed tranny (yeah, 7 - one of the shifts would be skipped, since two of the ratios within 4% of each other), which might be a bit insane...

Although I could work in a "regular / close-ratio" selector switch, so it could be switched back and forth between 4-speed and 7-speed mode. But that means getting a feel for two sets of shiftpoints, and always remembering which mode you're in. The switch could also select between 4-speed automatic (for driving in traffic) and 7-speed manual (for fun). That would eliminate the issue of learning two sets of shiftpoints. And, double overdrives (.75 and .585) would allow for some pretty crazy rear gearing, on the "shred them tires" side of the debate

High coolness factor...

I think we're cooking, and I'm seriously thinking about this, if I can get a programmer who can help me work out the details of the computer to control it all.

Joe

 

[Last Ride]

I think the thing that the thing you would run into with the 4L80E/GV combo would be running out of space. Even if there was enough space for the combo, the driveshaft would be REALLY short at best. It might not entirely be worth it. I do know that they make a full manual valve body for the 4L80E. That would give four forward gears with an overdrive. From a packaging standpoint, that one might be more appealing. I think the TH400/GV setup would be more simple in the fact that you wouldn't need a computer to control it. Either way, I think some sort of a paddle shifter would be really trick. What about a pair of those Nitrous buttons that ricers like to use on their steering wheels a la "Fast and the Furious"? I think that would be a nice way to conceal the package. I guess I am getting ahead of myself, though. I have no idea how to go about making it happen. If someone does, I would be in line with the rest of them!

Bryan

 

[corvettecrazy]

i dont have much to add due to the fact that I dont know the technical side about everything you guys are talking about but I do have some thoughts.

it would be even cooler if you could put it in a mode in which paddle shifters could be used but still have the option to do it manually.

this would sell mighty fast for the C3 market but they would never touch the shelves if it was also designed for the c4 and c5.

Cool idea. I happen to like to use my clutch, but I can see the benefit of trying to get around it.

well look at the car you drive. i think a worn out leg would be worth it if I had that car.

 

[MaineShark]

Bryan: yeah, packaging might be an issue. And it may end up that the 4L80E, alone, would be the better bet. In either case, that paddle shifter thing is getting to me

it would be even cooler if you could put it in a mode in which paddle shifters could be used but still have the option to do it manually.

Not really possible. Well, I mean, you could have a console-mount shifter, but it would just be a big switch, and would do exactly the same thing as the paddles.

Paddles are manual shifting, though. One up-shifts, and the other down-shifts. About the same as a manual, except it's not possible to miss a shift, and you never have to take your hands away from the wheel.

Joe