Paddle Shifters

[SHOSKER]

I have had my SHO for 41/2 months and have put on 15,000 miles already. One thing that bothered me was the delay in the auto transmission in shifting down when in heavy traffic while I’m trying to “shoot the gap”. I find myself preferring the use of the paddle shifters over the auto when in heavy traffic or on the twisty roads. Shift down, turbos boost up, and then take off.

Just curious if anyone is finding themselves using the paddles more than they thought they would. I know some have said it should be more of a Ferrarish system (one for up and one for down). The setup works for me.

 

[SHO U UP]

Can't say I use mine a whole lot. A few, spirited runs now and then or on some curvy back roads I may slide it into "Manual mode". I would probably do it more if I could have the sound of a V-8 growling while downshifting when coming to a stop. But I let the auto tranny do its thing most of the time.

 

[First-SHO]

I do, but hate having to use my thumb to downshift. Left is for downshift and right is for up-shift. I wish they would get the retrofit kit done.

 

[SHOrod]

SHO U UP hinted on one of the reasons I don't find myself using the paddles much. I cannot hear the engine downshift. On my 2007 G35 that I traded in for this SHO the paddles were left for down, right for up and I could easily hear the engine so the delay didn't bother me too much. But on this car, the delay mixed with the lack of audible feedback and smoothness in downshifting cause me to sometimes downshift again thinking I didn't downshift enough, then ending up going too far. A quick glance to the tach or the gear indicator sadly hasn't become part of my routine yet. So far it's been easier for me to just leave it in auto and press a bit further on the throttle.

One software mod that I'd like to see is something like Infiniti's "Drive Sport" mode. It is a mix between the manual mode and full auto mode. When first shifting to manual mode it enters "DS" and will perform predictive downshifting/engine braking, run to higher rpms before shifting, and shift more firmly than full auto mode. I found it to do a much better job than I could with the paddles. That's the only feature (well, maybe I miss the RWD sometimes too) that I miss from the G35. I don't miss it enough to regret the trade though.

-Rod

 

[TACAMO]

I was driving way up in the Sierras two weeks ago and was very disappointed at the effectiveness of the manual mode to slow the car down in descending corners...agree about the lack of audible input...would look down at the tach and be surprised at the RPM and the speed the car was still carrying. It's not like a good manual in my opinion or even as good as my wifes FJ Cruiser for driving in the mountains.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

I was driving way up in the Sierras two weeks ago and was very disappointed at the effectiveness of the manual mode to slow the car down in descending corners...agree about the lack of audible input...would look down at the tach and be surprised at the RPM and the speed the car was still carrying. It's not like a good manual in my opinion or even as good as my wifes FJ Cruiser for driving in the mountains.

If you want some "Audible Output" do what I did and have a muffler shop install magnaflows in back. Cost me under $325. for the satin ones which I painted black for a stock look. Not loud at all, in fact at steady speeds over 45, you don't really hear them. "Purrrr-fect"! About 1/2 the sound as my 2 G8's with Magnaflows. ABSOLUTELY NO DRONE!

 

[itguy08]

I'm also not impressed with the ability of the car to hold back with the trans. In previous cars you could feel some resistance when you downshifted. With the SHO you can get all the way down to 2nd or 3rd and not feel any braking.....

I wonder if it leaves the Torque Converter unlocked and that's why we don't feel any engine braking?

 

[esfoad]

I believe it's more likely the lower compression of a turbo motor that limits how much the car will slow down in lower gears.

 

[SHOZ123]

This is done to help eliminate the blowby that would be the death of a DI car. Especially a turbo one. The Electronic Throttle is being help open a bit which is why there is no big engine braking feel.

They do this on my Genesis Coupe too but most folks call it rev hang. So much complaining has been done about it that Hyundai came up with an ECU flash to address it.

Personally I don't mind as my catch can hardly ever has anything in it. If you had an AF gage you would see that when coasting the FIs shut off which will greatly improve gas mileage.

 

[buff30SHO]

I drove the 2010 SHO up and down Ute pass on highway 24 west of Colorado Springs several times this summer and thought the paddle shifters and transmission worked fine. It wasn't quite like how my '92 SHO with a 5-speed would go up and down the pass, but it seemed effective. I had also taken my '92 up and down Pikes Peak a few times. The brakes were always as cool as can be at the Glen Cove check on the way down. I didn't get a chance to do Pikes Peak with the 2010 this summer. I'll have to wait for next year.

 

[TACAMO]

Bob- thanks for the input on the magnaflows.

 

[way2evil]

If you want some "Audible Output" do what I did and have a muffler shop install magnaflows in back. Cost me under $325. for the satin ones which I painted black for a stock look. Not loud at all, in fact at steady speeds over 45, you don't really hear them. "Purrrr-fect"! About 1/2 the sound as my 2 G8's with Magnaflows. ABSOLUTELY NO DRONE!

Video please

 

[SHO U UP]

Video please

xs 2!! I'm waiting on the Magnaflow kit to hit my shop anytime.

 

[First-SHO]

What is the kit #?

 

[SHO U UP]

What is the kit #?

#15769 is the Magnaflow kit bro.

 

[First-SHO]

#15769 is the Magnaflow kit bro.

Thank you sir!

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Video please

I wish I could do a video and post it, but when I've used my Cannon T1i. the video's haven't posted using photobucket. Any suggestions?

Will say that inside and outside sound levels are about 1/2 the Magnaflow exhaust systems I have on my 2 G8's. (A very pleasant "Growl") I did not remove the 3rd cat or the mid-muffler, like in my G8's. Surprisingly, the G8 that has the H-pipe is much louder parked, but less noticeable at highway speeds, because the sound is lower/deeper, vs x-pipe Magnaflow street system with mid muffler.

Would guess this is mostly "Noise Fluff", adding no real HP, considering the restrictions of the 3 cats & mid-muffler. Thinking that I would remove 3rd cat and mid-muffler, if I could have a shop make me an x-pipe section that could be switched with stock section, if it turns out to be too loud, as this is our over-the road hauler.

At least I know there's an engine under the hood!:laugh_ti: