Retrofit / Custom Tiptronic on Series 1

[Burns]

As we all know series 1 Stagea only came with the normal non triptronic auto but the series 2 came with the same auto but with tiptronic shifting functionality.

Has any one thought about adapting a series 2 tiprtonic system to a series 1 or making a module / switching system to allow tiptronic shifting?

I remember when I was researching putting a Lexus 1UZ V8 into a Volvo I came across instructions for setting up a tiptronic style shifter to control the auto box. In the Lexus the auto trans control computer and engine management computer are combined and if going to aftermarket management the auto would not shift. They were getting around this by wiring up a 5 position rotary switch that gave current to certain wires to control what gear was select and lock up the torque converter.

I assume that the Stagea auto must work the same way. If someone with a bit of electronic smarts had a play around they could probably work out what signals the ECU was sending to the trans to get it to select each gear and lock up the torque converter.

It would probably then be possible to bypass the ECU and manually control the trans shifting with some sort of combination switch or through a module that takes inputs form two click switched on the steering wheel.

[tigerleo62]

Just my 2c worth, but I reckon triptronic is a waste of time - doesn't feel like a real stick and the lag in the change ruins any of the feel in the control of the box... You can get much the same control using the go and stop pedals and leave both hands on the wheel... Also without a clutch, changing just a gear selector just doesn't feel right to me...

What I would like would be for the dash lights to reflect what gear the car is actually in rather than simply diplaying what position the gear lever is in. My last car had triptronic and the dash lights reflected what gear the auto box was in - that I miss, but not the triptronic shift. I also found that with my previous car the fuel economy REALLY sucked when using the triptronic - the Stagea doesn't need much help in the fuel sucking department!

But, just my 2c

[surfstagea]

ive definately thought about it. if it was cheap enough i recon it could be a possibility. have no idea how to find out about it though?? i predict i will just wait it out for a real manual conversion and spend tiptronic money on more urgent needs like intercooler and suspension

[tang0]

anyone with a S2 tiptronic care to comment on how the change is ???

personally i've never driven a tiptronic that changes when you TELL it to change ...

then again, i've not driven too many performance autos ....

cheers

[Brazen]

Got the tiptronic Series 2 and it is fast and smooth... and Tigerloo - u can still keep 2 hands on the wheel coz the gear-shift controls are mounted there Ive driven tiptronics many times in FTOs and Magnas and BA falcons - and there is just no comparison to the Nissan - awesome tiptronic box :wassup:

In second and third at full acceleration the full gear change happens within about 500 revs max (ie press the upshift about 500rpm before you want the actual shift), but with first to second change and full acceleration I upshift about 1000 revs before i need the change coz its climbing so fast. But yeah - slick and fast - and I might even go the valve body upgrade to get em even sharper

Its so nice being in control of the auto change - especially the kick downs happen so much better in my opinion over a straight auto too - you can drop your foot and spool up the boost just before dropping it into second and it really surges nicely.

[surfstagea]

sounds pritty dam sweet. im also watching the manual conversion thread with great interest. i wonder if anyone might know what a tiptronic retrofit might be worth?

[tigerleo62]

Got the tiptronic Series 2 and it is fast and smooth... and Tigerloo - u can still keep 2 hands on the wheel coz the gear-shift controls are mounted there  

I wondered what those buttons were in your pic in another thread - thought it might have been stereo contols :headspin:

I'm still not convinced with the need for a triptronic - even if the Series 2 is quicker than other shifts - not using a clutch just seems, well, not right when changing gears... No, actually it is WRONG TOTALLY WRONG

Besides, I'm too lazy to change gears now...

BTW Brazen, does the series 2 change down automatically when you brake?

[Brazen]

Yeah has a safety mechanism built in - changes down and up if you **** up... down im not sure at what revs but it does it, and up when you're too far into the redline! :wassup:

[tigerleo62]

Yeah has a safety mechanism built in - changes down and up if you **** up... down im not sure at what revs but it does it, and up when you're too far into the redline!  :wassup:

See, that's what I don't like with the triptronic - you brake into a corner and go to change down, but the auto has already changed down and you end up in first and, well, that kind of sucks - no, it's BLOODY HORRIBLE!

I understand the safety thing, but I guess just at what RPM it automatically changes down is going to affect the 'feel' of driving the box...

[Gary2]

I have never been a fan of autos but because of circumstances I had to buy an auto and with the tiptronic I'm having a ball. You can just stick it in drive or if you want to have fun you can manually change it especially before you get to a corner or roundabout you just slot it down one and bye bye. Mine in manual mode has yet to change down or up a gear unless I make it do so but I am having trouble getting used to the steering wheel change, to me that is abnormal.

Now just waiting for the MV Automatics shift kit. :aroused:

Gary

[Brazen]

Nah Tigerloo it doesnt change on you in that way - its more like when you are just about at a full stop at the lights and you realise you left the tiptronic in 4th and the engines about to cut out at 1 rpm - just about then it downshifts you to first

And Gary - have you already ordered that from MV?? I was looking at it last week - so I might use you as the test dummy and wait for your write up on how the tiptronic and auto feels with the new valve body! Make sure you let me know!!

[Gary2]

Yeah Mate

Allready ordered and paid for just have to wait until he gets some housings back to modify. I don't know if the changes are going to be alot quicker as that could possibly be the electrics but I don't find that a problem as I just change 500 rpm before I want it to change. Also going to fit an oil cooler to it as well to try to keep it a bit cooler, I hope.

Will let you know how it goes.

Gary

[AlexCim]

Bring back memories, but can a S2 GB be put in an S1, along with the computers, steering wheel etc?

Id rather just build an S2 box up already with the manual controller...?

[Abo Bob]

The two transmissions are pretty much the same in their major parts and gears but the valvebodies are completely different and the transmission control unit is completely different and is actually one unit with the ECU.

I am some of the non turbo models had a separate unit for the trans but I don't know if any of them were tiptronics. If they were you could use one of them.

Bu5ter has just built an auto up - of the older style your series on1 - and used a B&M shifter or something like that. I'm not sure what other mods exactly though. That could be a better option than trying to put some series two parts on your series one.