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Calling Flatshift experts! Pro-Shift Vs Flatshifter Pro Vs Other.
DANMAN - 18/9/13 at 11:36 PM

I am looking to add clutchless upshifts and clutchless downshifts (possibly with throttle blipping) to my ST Blade using my existing cable operated paddles and am trying to decide which way is the best to go. I am worried about gearbox damage (after knackering 4th gear dogs at Winton and having to replace the box) and also want to get smoother shifts so it is easier on the drive train. It would be good if it can also be reasonably functional at lower round town speeds. Has anyone used both of these products and if so how do they compare? Or are there other alternatives out there?

Twin40 - 19/9/13 at 07:03 AM

Hi,

I'm running the Flatshifter expert (which i am certainly not) and so far it hasn't been the best experience. I've never been able to get the downshift unit to work, even though I had AB performance fit the complete kit, and even sent the unit back to flatshifter for a rebuild.

I've also experienced missed gears and dodgy upshifts, which now has destroyed the clutch.

I'm not saying this is specific to the Flatshifter unit, I imagine 90% is down to system setup. However don't assume its a simple plug and play item!

C.

russbost - 19/9/13 at 08:16 AM

First I am no expert on either system, just learning about the Flatshifter range. I would think for your purposes you would want the Flatshifter Expert, not the Pro, Pro is aimed at road use, Expert for track

"Flatshifter Expert Racing Quickshifter you still change gear manually using your gear-lever
The latest version the Flatshifter Expert also enables full or part throttle clutchless up shifts and clutchless downshifts, but is designed for race or performance driver use ie fast road driving track days and motorsport use, amongst other improvements & upgrades it enables faster and more down shifts (approximately 4 in 1 second) and has a unique soft restore feature to bring the ignition cut back in softly so that when changing gear in the wet or mid corner etc. it is far less likely that you will unsettle your car or motorcycle, the Expert system also has our intelligent ignition cut system , the Expert kit is only £100 GBP more at £749.00 GBP than the Pro system,works on its own or with the Flatshifter Max electric gear selector system ."

Re the damage to gears etc. this is from a race organisation in the States who've been using their (Flatshifter) products

"Lawrence we hear it often said that quickshifters can damage your gearbox, have you stripped and checked your gearbox after a championship winning season using the Flatshifter Expert system. any comments please??

Hello Graham,

We have not seen any abnormal wear beyond what a racing does to transmission. It actually looks better than average."

Obviously as has already been said I'm sure a lot is in the setup, but I'm lead to believe they are relatively straightforward to fit. If you decide on Flatshifter then I should be able to order for you & get you a small discount if that's of any help

Rgds Russ

gaz_gaz - 19/9/13 at 08:22 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Twin40
Hi,

I'm running the Flatshifter expert (which i am certainly not) and so far it hasn't been the best experience. I've never been able to get the downshift unit to work, even though I had AB performance fit the complete kit, and even sent the unit back to flatshifter for a rebuild.

I've also experienced missed gears and dodgy upshifts, which now has destroyed the clutch.

I'm not saying this is specific to the Flatshifter unit, I imagine 90% is down to system setup. However don't assume its a simple plug and play item!

C.


That's quite worrying, I just bought the expert system and had planned to have AB install it so there where no issues at all as my next outing is Spa next month.
If its going to require "adjusting" I may just leave it until I get back.

Also worth noting the prices listed are plus VAT

grazo - 19/9/13 at 07:28 PM

quote:
Originally posted by DANMAN
I am looking to add clutchless upshifts and clutchless downshifts (possibly with throttle blipping) to my ST Blade using my existing cable operated paddles and am trying to decide which way is the best to go. I am worried about gearbox damage (after knackering 4th gear dogs at Winton and having to replace the box) and also want to get smoother shifts so it is easier on the drive train. It would be good if it can also be reasonably functional at lower round town speeds. Has anyone used both of these products and if so how do they compare? Or are there other alternatives out there?

Hi ,
This is graham from Flatshifter, please give us a call and we will get your problems sorted out , there are 100`s of these systems in use with lots of extremely happy customers, latest letter from wealden engineering rec about 3 weeks ago.

HI Graham,
We have very successfully run an early version of the quickshifter/flatshifter gearchange system for the last 10 years on an OMS Sprint car, and having studied all of the available makes and types of systems available for a lightweight motor cycle engined single seater for the new car we have constructed for this seasons racing, I decided to use the latest version the Flatshifter Expert This system is a very well engineered yet simple system, easy to install and set up, a real " Plug and Play" in modern terminology. I became very aware of the overly complicated and programmer reliant systems made by other manufacturers, and of course the significant price differences when these systems require replacement ECUs and other major components.
Having installed the Flatshifter Expert to a Gen2 Hayabusa, with the Flatshifter electronic paddle shift, we have now run the car in two events, both without any faults in the system and winning FTD at Goodwood in only our second time out. I continue to be totally impressed by this system and fully recommend it to others. (FTD = Fastest Time of the Day)
FRANK CATT - WEALDEN ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENTS

Twin40 - 20/9/13 at 02:01 PM

Hi Graham,

As I stated previously - I'll probably find that most of the problems we've experienced is due to the lack of my 'experience' on using these systems! I'll give you guys a call next week for some help.

Thanks.

Clive.

DANMAN - 22/9/13 at 07:39 AM

Thanks for the replies. Seems that there isn't a great deal of experiences for me to go off though. I am worried that I'll end up having to replace another gearbox, particularly when it comes to downshifting which is why I was hoping to hear from those who have used these units in anger and whether they save boxes or knacker them? I don't mind spending the extra on a Pro-Shift system if it is better but don't want to spend my money on either if they aren't going to be kind to the gear box.

hobbsy - 22/9/13 at 07:58 AM

Take a look at geartronics.co.uk and the closed loop section. Anything that runs a fixed cut has potential to cause damage IMHO. However that said I'm running an early flatshifter system but did go through a gearbox (see avatar).

grazo - 22/9/13 at 10:02 AM

Hi Graham from Flatshifter again, another customer feedback letter below from a long term user of the Expert system he has businesses across America rebuilding and reconditions gearbox`s.
regards
Graham
Hi Graham,

VIR In-car video is up on YouTube!! Check it out and it will show you how awesome your system works.

It worked great at VIR! We won both races and we set a new track record by 1.1 seconds! (Expert system)

Feel free to use it or any of my videos for your promotion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfoQ01ZoxcY&feature=channel_video_title

Thank you,
Lawrence ********

Vice President of Manufacturing

'10 DSR National Champion USA
'09,'10 Cendiv DSR Champion
'05,'07 Cendiv EP Champion
'06 P National Champion USA
Question to Lawrence (above) a gearbox manufacturer / repairer & racer.
Lawrence we hear it often said that quickshifters can damage your gearbox, have you stripped and checked your gearbox after a championship winning season using the Flatshifter Expert system. any comments please??

Hello Graham,

We have not seen any abnormal wear beyond what a racing does to transmission. It actually looks better than average.

Other than that, we have won every race except one where we decided to run intermediate tires in heavy rain and finished 4th. We also have set a new track record every race weekend. Been quite a fantastic season.

Thank you,

Lawrence Loshak

Vice President of Manufacturing

"ETE-Reman - Your Better Than New Choice"

2012 Season Yes, we’ve had a pretty good season, 1 2nd, 3 wins, 2 track records and 1 DNF when in 1st place during first race of the season.
TextWe have not seen any abnormal wear beyond what a racing does to transmission. It actually looks better than average.