New GT3 PDK Reverses Shift Pattern!
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New GT3 PDK Reverses Shift Pattern!
While reading through the new (JUN) edition of "Road & Track," which is full of great Porsche content as a salute to the 911's 50th, I noticed this paragraph in the GT3 article on page 63:
An interesting and welcome (IMO) change. Will this new arrangement also be found in future PDK 991 cars of the more mundane variety? If so, it will finally bring Porsche into line with most of the other marques who offer similar transmissions.
And, could this helpful change be retrofitted (software?) to current 997s with PDK? Probably not, but it would be nice...
"By reversing the shift pattern, Porsche has finally admittted – without actually admitting anything – that its Tiptronic (torque-converter automatic) and PDK (dual-clutch) shift levers have been backward for years. The GT3's lever now operates like a sequential race 'box, with a push forward for a downshift and a pull for an upshift."
An interesting and welcome (IMO) change. Will this new arrangement also be found in future PDK 991 cars of the more mundane variety? If so, it will finally bring Porsche into line with most of the other marques who offer similar transmissions.
And, could this helpful change be retrofitted (software?) to current 997s with PDK? Probably not, but it would be nice...
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
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I wish we could reverse it on our 997.2 cars too! It's so much more natural to pull for up shifts!
Is it software related or mechanical too? I am curious if anybody knows. If a vendor came up with a reversal kit I think they would sell like crazy!
Is it software related or mechanical too? I am curious if anybody knows. If a vendor came up with a reversal kit I think they would sell like crazy!
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From: North Bay Area, CA
I do know that the new PDK has been extensively modified hardware-wise for the GT3 with quicker shifts, modified paddle operation (shorter throw, quicker response, and more tactile feel), lighter internals, different gear ratios, etc. My suspicion is that the stick throw direction is more than just a software change, but I don't know that for a fact....
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From: San Carlos, CA 94070
Maybe it's because I am German, but the shift mode in my PDK (push = shift up, pull = shift down) comes much more natural to me than the pattern in my BMW
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From: Ohio
The current configuration is the ultimate 'retro' style. Think about a horse. To slow the horse you pull back on the reigns. To get it to go faster you loosen the pressure with a forward motion. It's late. 
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From: San Carlos, CA 94070
Thread Starter
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From: Los Angeles
I love my PDK, and I do find I shift with the shifter as often as I use the paddles.
My problem is Porsche's push to upshift/pull to downshift is exactly opposite to my daily driver (MINI Cooper S). Constant brain retraining. (First World problem.)
My problem is Porsche's push to upshift/pull to downshift is exactly opposite to my daily driver (MINI Cooper S). Constant brain retraining. (First World problem.)
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
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And I wonder... How the heck did Mini get it right?
Poseur
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
To think this is so complicated! I think I'll use a transmission in which I simply put a lever into a particular position for 1st, another for 2nd, and so on up to, say, 6. Oh, yeah, that's a manual transmission!
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From: MA
and it is still not clear to me how one is supposed to service this pdk gearbox when time will come to open it up. it was a lot of time since it was introduced but I do not think anybody ever heard a word from a factory on this matter. on a usual racer oriented RS car people redo/refresh gearbox every other season, I really do not believe this PDK is so immortal so it never needs to be serviced if driven hard.