Can I disable PDK "kickdown"?
04-11-2017, 04:41 PM
#31
I have designed a kick down eliminator. It is an ABS resin button that replaces the OEM snap button. It is very easy to replace it or switch back to OEM if you don't like it. No wiring involved, just pop out the existing snap button and pop in the eliminator. If anyone is interested in trying it, just let me know.
04-11-2017, 05:20 PM
#32
Instructor
I'm sure someone will correct me (inevitably) but... if you are in sport plus mode, there is no kick-down no matter how many times you press the button on the floor. Sport Plus is designed to always be on the gear that provides the maximum amount of acceleration at that given speed and condition. I too have noticed an intermittently occurring down shift on certain corners. What I have found through data and time is that I let my speed drop below a certain threshold; therefore, the PDK downshifted. When I hit the corner with the right momentum, no problem.
04-12-2017, 02:23 PM
#35
Nordschleife Master
I have had the chance to co-drive in a friend's I class PCA base carrera pdk car in the last few pca races. Have also done a lot of setup/testing in the car. We have never had any issue with the extra downshift but it does do it sometimes when you over-slow for a corner. Like has been said before it doesn't seem to do it unless the kick down switch in the pedal is activated. (or you significantly over slowed the car in the middle of the turn) It works the same on the up shifts. If you want it to hold the gear all the way into the rev limiter just don't click the switch. Click the switch and it up shifts spot on at redline. (in auto, cant remember trying in manual mode) The only thing I wish the transmission would do is downshift a little sooner on its own. I will just manually click the downshift if I know it will delay it too long. I think the transmission is fantastic. I run it in auto and let it up shift on its own and only manually downshift to get it into the lower gear sooner. Another thing is that it drags the clutch a little on the downshifts which gives it a slightly different feel under braking but again it hasn't been an issue.
04-12-2017, 02:38 PM
#36
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I have had the chance to co-drive in a friend's I class PCA base carrera pdk car in the last few pca races. Have also done a lot of setup/testing in the car. We have never had any issue with the extra downshift but it does do it sometimes when you over-slow for a corner. Like has been said before it doesn't seem to do it unless the kick down switch in the pedal is activated. (or you significantly over slowed the car in the middle of the turn) It works the same on the up shifts. If you want it to hold the gear all the way into the rev limiter just don't click the switch. Click the switch and it up shifts spot on at redline. (in auto, cant remember trying in manual mode) The only thing I wish the transmission would do is downshift a little sooner on its own. I will just manually click the downshift if I know it will delay it too long. I think the transmission is fantastic. I run it in auto and let it up shift on its own and only manually downshift to get it into the lower gear sooner. Another thing is that it drags the clutch a little on the downshifts which gives it a slightly different feel under braking but again it hasn't been an issue.
I would definitely choose a pdk over a manual in the same class of car if there is no significant rules penalty.
I would definitely choose a pdk over a manual in the same class of car if there is no significant rules penalty.
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www.peterkrause.net
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Specializing in Professional, Private Driver Performance Evaluation and Optimization
Consultation Available Remotely and at VIRginia International Raceway
04-12-2017, 05:48 PM
#38
I have an 09 and it definitely has the kick down. Ironically I have always tried to use it as a mechanism to indicate I have over slowed and subsequently applied power too abruptly and my input requires more squeeze and less on/off... I have always viewed coming through a lower-mid speed corner carrying enough speed on the way in and allowing a smoother throttle application on the way out without any kick down as the car telling me I got it right... I consciously note it when it happens as a learning mechanism.
Other than that PDK in Sports Plus is spot on in auto minus the occasional downshift.
Other than that PDK in Sports Plus is spot on in auto minus the occasional downshift.
04-12-2017, 11:47 PM
#39
Rennlist Member
I have designed a kick down eliminator. It is an ABS resin button that replaces the OEM snap button. It is very easy to replace it or switch back to OEM if you don't like it. No wiring involved, just pop out the existing snap button and pop in the eliminator. If anyone is interested in trying it, just let me know.
The answer? Get a GT3 with PDK-S, which is programmed to not kick down automatically.
Or get a GT4 with a manual.
04-13-2017, 10:39 AM
#40
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by Gary R.
Big difference between the two, including that Sport+ will not shift into 7th gear, max's 6th out..
04-13-2017, 05:21 PM
#41
Rennlist Member
Just to add some clarity to an older thread (fortunately I've been able to drive all these variants at one time or another on the track & I own a 997 Carrera with gen 1 PDK/Sport +) ...
997 Carrera with PDK (PDK gen 1 & 2) will always kick down regardless of throttle map selected. Kick down can be minimized in auto mode with sport + but not eliminated.
991 Carrera with PDK (PDK gen 2 & 3) will always kick down regardless of throttle map selected. Kick down can be minimized in auto mode with sport + but not eliminated.
991 GT3/GT3 RS PDK-S (PDK-S gen 1) purposely designed not to kick down in either Sport or PDK Sport modes. Shorter gears and faster shifts than Carrera PDK.
997/991 Carrera in Sport + mode disables 7th gear (overdrive) in both manual and auto modes. In manual mode upshift as per driver, in auto mode up shift at redline.
991 GT3 in Sport and PDK Sport allows 7th gear (non-over drive) in both manual and auto modes.
997/991 Carrera PDK and 991 GT3 PDK-S are adaptive transmissions only in Auto mode (this is another reason why many drivers use auto mode on the track).
In short for the PDK driver to reduce or eliminate kick down:
use a 991 GT3 - in manual or auto mode or
in a 997/991 Carrera - use auto mode in sport +, avoid throttle pedal past kick down point (extra tension as previously noted in earlier posts) but use an active throttle to keep rpm at or very near redline such by definition there can be no kick down to a lower gear. Note - paddle usage in auto mode resets adaptation logic forcing it to start over with a new map - this can be beneficial depending on how adaptive the auto mode is on a particular track and whether it is to the drivers liking or not.
Personally I have found the PDK cars to be surprisingly involved from a drivers perspective but in a subtle and different manner than a MT car. All are a lot of fun on the track.
997 Carrera with PDK (PDK gen 1 & 2) will always kick down regardless of throttle map selected. Kick down can be minimized in auto mode with sport + but not eliminated.
991 Carrera with PDK (PDK gen 2 & 3) will always kick down regardless of throttle map selected. Kick down can be minimized in auto mode with sport + but not eliminated.
991 GT3/GT3 RS PDK-S (PDK-S gen 1) purposely designed not to kick down in either Sport or PDK Sport modes. Shorter gears and faster shifts than Carrera PDK.
997/991 Carrera in Sport + mode disables 7th gear (overdrive) in both manual and auto modes. In manual mode upshift as per driver, in auto mode up shift at redline.
991 GT3 in Sport and PDK Sport allows 7th gear (non-over drive) in both manual and auto modes.
997/991 Carrera PDK and 991 GT3 PDK-S are adaptive transmissions only in Auto mode (this is another reason why many drivers use auto mode on the track).
In short for the PDK driver to reduce or eliminate kick down:
use a 991 GT3 - in manual or auto mode or
in a 997/991 Carrera - use auto mode in sport +, avoid throttle pedal past kick down point (extra tension as previously noted in earlier posts) but use an active throttle to keep rpm at or very near redline such by definition there can be no kick down to a lower gear. Note - paddle usage in auto mode resets adaptation logic forcing it to start over with a new map - this can be beneficial depending on how adaptive the auto mode is on a particular track and whether it is to the drivers liking or not.
Personally I have found the PDK cars to be surprisingly involved from a drivers perspective but in a subtle and different manner than a MT car. All are a lot of fun on the track.
07-03-2021, 07:56 PM
#42
COBB PDK tune can remove the kickdown. If you already have an Accessport you can add PDK tune to it for $700. I just pickedup a brand new Accessport for $1200. I’m going to add the PDK tune to it.
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12-24-2021, 03:58 AM
#43
Rennlist Member
kickdown eliminator
I have designed a kick down eliminator. It is an ABS resin button that replaces the OEM snap button. It is very easy to replace it or switch back to OEM if you don't like it. No wiring involved, just pop out the existing snap button and pop in the eliminator. If anyone is interested in trying it, just let me know.
12-26-2021, 02:35 AM
#44
Rennlist Member
Hi there,
I have one thing that drives me crazy when tracking my car and I was wondering if there's a fix for it:
Even in SportPlus mode the PDK will upshift if it "feels" you're a gear too high.
Example: You're taking turn 3 in Laguna Seca in 3rd gear and now want to accelerate out of the turn. The PDK will now downshift into 2nd gear. If you don't notice that and think you're still in 3rd you will hit the limiter very quickly
(This would be horrifying, you lose a car there, and a wall awaits you on the left, as you know. Italics mine.)
Again: This is in SportsPlus mode, this throws me off so much that usually i give up fighting the PDK and throw it into all-automatic in frustration. Any ideas?
I have one thing that drives me crazy when tracking my car and I was wondering if there's a fix for it:
Even in SportPlus mode the PDK will upshift if it "feels" you're a gear too high.
Example: You're taking turn 3 in Laguna Seca in 3rd gear and now want to accelerate out of the turn. The PDK will now downshift into 2nd gear. If you don't notice that and think you're still in 3rd you will hit the limiter very quickly
(This would be horrifying, you lose a car there, and a wall awaits you on the left, as you know. Italics mine.)Again: This is in SportsPlus mode, this throws me off so much that usually i give up fighting the PDK and throw it into all-automatic in frustration. Any ideas?
Another thing, I ran it in full automatic, and my foot was to the floor never touched the shifting paddles there. At Willow Springs in Turn 3, I used the shifting paddles coming into Turn 3, and going up the Omega if I was a little slow going up the hill...in other words, when I screwed up the turn.
Last edited by Martin S.; 12-26-2021 at 02:37 AM.
