Is it possible to change the auto Gear shifter

[platinum0921]

I'm not sure what to call this, it's the portion that connects to the top of the transmission that interfaces with the driver to shift gears. What I want to do is replace the whole shifter with one from another vehicle that has tiptronic controls. I'm sure it's possible... but just don't know how to do it. Anyone have any experience switching it out with one from a different model or car? I'm talking about an sc400/soarer auto trans. Thanks!

 

[Zuffen]

The way the trans ECT works it can't both shift automatically and be run with a tipronic controller.

You need to be either fully auto of fully tiptronic.

I believe it would be possible to combine the two with some electronic wizardry but I can't see you getting a shifter that will fit the car nicely and have the rocking motion you need for tiptronic.

Most trans controllers use paddles or switches mounted on the steering wheel or mounted on the steering column.

 

[platinum0921]

Actually it is possible to switch out the shifter. Right now I have an FTO shifter that I need slightly modified to fit it is really a simple change. It just needs a lever added to connect to the transmission shift lever that the normal SC shifter connects to. I'll add pictures if anyone is interested. But the bolt patteren is very similar. The hardest part or most time consuming part is taking apart the center console, it all has to come off to get to that portion.

 

[sideshow]

tip tronic is electronic and has nothing to do with the shifter is done in the ecu that controls the gbox
so a tip tronic shifter just has 2 micro switches internally and signal is sent to auto ecu

i have done the tip tronic on my steering wheel with remote control from back of wheel to kdogs tip tronic unit

it has been wired into the existing auto wiring but so i dont get feedback i have to unplug the auto ecu for tip tronic to work properly

car still runs good with it unplugged

i did hook up a switch to switch between the tip tronic and full auto
but was gettin feedback down some wires so the tip tronic was still powered up when i had switch switched to full auto

but in back of my head i have the ideas and theory to get the switch from full auto to full manual to work

but at the end of the day how muc are u willing to spend

as a minimum it will cost atleast 500 bucks if u dont have any tip tronic units

 

[platinum0921]

Already have all that covered. Once I get the controller i'll let you know how it ended up. But all and all the whole setup will end up being less than $300usd. I'll post pics of the finished product for those looking to do something similar.

 

[cribbj]

Curious how/what you're going to do for manual shifting? Most Tiptronic setups have paddles on the steering wheels.

I had approached these guys: http://www.twistmachine.com/ awhile back to see if they would adapt their setup to the OEM Toyota/Lexus airbag equipped steering wheels, however they declined to do it. If you're in Japan, or Oz don't have need of the airbag steering wheels (BIG IF - just ask Zuffen who's in insurance underwriting) then these guys make a really nice paddle setup.

 

[platinum0921]

That's what this thread was about. I am swaping the gear shifter with one that has a tiptronic upshift downshift movement. I'm going to use a manual trans leather boot to cover it up.