Hi everyone,

I'm going to pick up my car on Saturday. It's an automatic but I prefer to shift my own gears. It's getting a 3800 SC.

My plan is still to use the F23 transmission, but I like to make sure that I explore all options before I commit to something.

I was looking into paddle shifters and it seems like this might be a good option. It would allow me to avoid setting up the clutch, pedals, cables, and flywheel and would allow quicker shifts. I could leave the original transmission on the engine and save myself a headache there.

Does anyone have experience setting these up? Are they a major PITA? I've seen some computers for less than $500. Might not be so bad. Wiring doesn't scare me if I have a diagram to go off of.

Any comments/links would be appreciated.

quote Originally posted by dhen: Hi everyone, I'm going to pick up my car on Saturday. It's an automatic but I prefer to shift my own gears. It's getting a 3800 SC. My plan is still to use the F23 transmission, but I like to make sure that I explore all options before I commit to something. I was looking into paddle shifters and it seems like this might be a good option. It would allow me to avoid setting up the clutch, pedals, cables, and flywheel and would allow quicker shifts. I could leave the original transmission on the engine and save myself a headache there. Does anyone have experience setting these up? Are they a major PITA? I've seen some computers for less than $500. Might not be so bad. Wiring doesn't scare me if I have a diagram to go off of. Any comments/links would be appreciated.

The paddle shifters are really just buttons that send signals to the transmission's ECM, nothing more. But I will say I have a lot more fun with a manual transmission than paddle shifters. If this is something that you only drive on the weekends and want maximum fun, go with a manual transmission. It will take much more time, and the vehicle will probably be down longer.

Unless your transmission has the "right" computer for paddle shift, I'd thing it may be a PITA to set it up. Wouldn't a paddle shift require an electric transmission.

I am unsure just how they work, IMHO, if you want to shift, get a manual transmission or shift the auto manually, rather than trying to get something to work that wasn't there originally. Your car and your dime to do what ever floats your boat.

Thanks. It seems that the paddle shifter isn't really anything special. I just wanted to cover all my bases.

Just shift the auto with the auto shifter if u really wanna shift the gears....Who is doing ur swap?

I'll be doing my own work. I'm in no hurry.

I think I'm going to go manual.

Unless you do some "build" on the stock trans - shift kit, performance clutches, etc. the paddle shift is just an electronic shifter. The trans will not shift any faster or harder than using the auto shifter "manually".

What is the goal of shifting yourself? Better lap times on a road course? With a SC you are not going to need to be doing any shifting really...

I'm really not a fan of automatics. I like to shift my own gears. To each their own.

But I'm curious, why would I not need to shift with a SC?