Massive Question for a Massive Task

[UNLS1]

please dont tell me you are doing a mugen mock up and u have an auto!
Thats an EPIC FAIL on so many levels......

cant people drive sports cars anymore?

[Nathan-Mugen]

copy/pasta......but still interesting. i like the paddle

Paddle shift vs. manual

Just to distinguish between Ferrari’s paddle shift transmission or BMW’s SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox), and the one on the Honda Civic – both the Ferrari and the BMW have semi automatic or sequential manual gearboxes, whereas the Honda Civic has a standard torque converter automatic with the option of paddle shifting.

In the case of a Ferrari or BMW, the computer blips the throttle on every downshift ensuring that revs are perfectly matched when the lower gear engages. This novel experience continues to be quite a lot of fun, at least for the first 60 minutes. I can’t say the same for up shifts however, at least not on a BMW 645CI SMG – while downshifts are smooth and enjoyable, up-shifts are slightly hesitant at anything less than 6000 RPM.

On the automatic Civic in S mode, both up and downshifts were surprisingly smooth, even though it’s missing a blip while downshifting. Downshifts can be performed coming into a corner, even at fairly high RPM, ensuring reasonable drive coming out of the corner. This is clearly a feather in the cap of the Civic’s transmission, unlike some others that first give you the option of choosing a gear but then overrule your command in a very patronizing manner. The Civic will even allow you to hit the limiter at the top end, which is not to say it won’t provide any security to its engine either – it won’t let you downshift if you run the risk of over revving the engine, it’ll also automatically shift to first when you come to a standstill.



At the end of the day, however, the automatic just isn’t as involving as the manual. Additionally, quicker shifts can be achieved by using the manual rather than the automatic in S mode. The shifts on the manual may not have the rifle bolt precision as Honda’s sports car, the S 2000, but it’s manual gearbox is a joy to use nonetheless. In my opinion, if there’s one character trait that helps distinguish one car above the other, it’s a direct, short shift manual gearbox. The joy of going up the gears in a well-sorted car can in no way be matched by flicking a paddle on one side of the steering wheel, regardless of how much it makes the driver feel like Michael Schumacher. Moreover, the thrill of mastering the evasive art of a perfect downshift while matching revs by heel-and-toeing can in no way be equaled by a silicon chip that does the same.

This is not to take away from the technological tour de force that is a paddle shift gearbox. We now live in a world where computer chips give us the luxury of the perfect downshift by the flick of the paddle. This translates to a great deal of comfort in the real world of endless traffic jams. In the automatic Civic, you can enjoy the best of both worlds – you can leave the Civic in the purely automatic ‘D’ mode when you’re commuting back and forth from work, and shift to ‘S’ mode when you come across an inviting piece of road.

All things considered, serious drivers should still go for the manual – it’s a much more involving and complete experience. We need to keep in mind, however, the decades of development enjoyed by todays’ manual transmissions. The paddle shifts of today have been around for far less time and their pace of development has been tremendously quicker. It’s safe to assume that these will continue to get better with time. As it stands currently, the paddle shift is more of a convenience device than a sporty one.

[UNLS1]

hmmm ok so u have a civic and trying to compare with a BMW or ferarri .

if u dont know how to drive a manual i guess thats fine, can always learn.

Mugen make these cars in Manual for a reason, would be the most boring car ever with an auto with ur little paddel shifters.

but hey its ur money and car!

Lol i always said we would sell heaps more S2000's to women if they came in auto!

[Stig]

as far as i am aware, this should not be too much trouble at all. the engine bays on the type r's are actually a tad smaller than the standard civic, i'm sure it will take abit of work granted. but i am gonna say entirely possible

he doesnt mean that, he means that you are not able to register a older model engine in a newer chassis (i.e - your 07 engine into your 09 chassis)

correct me if im wrong

[ekdez]

will there be any legal issues when trying to put in an 07 built engine into an 09 car (as urs is, nathan)?

as far as i am aware, this should not be too much trouble at all. the engine bays on the type r's are actually a tad smaller than the standard civic, i'm sure it will take abit of work granted. but i am gonna say entirely possible

lol nathan. he means its illegal to put an older engine into a newer chasis.

[Nathan-Mugen]

well, this is the last task anyway. and its a strictly 'for fun' car. i think it should be ok. once the whole conversion is complete the only driving this car is going to be doing is 1am on the highway to have fun . and as for manual. if i was going to just do a straight swap over that way, i would have bought a manual car in the first place. it's going to look like a mugen but obviously not going to be one. so why bother sticking to the rules

[howy]

well, this is the last task anyway. and its a strictly 'for fun' car. i think it should be ok. once the whole conversion is complete the only driving this car is going to be doing is 1am on the highway to have fun . and as for manual. if i was going to just do a straight swap over that way, i would have bought a manual car in the first place. it's going to look like a mugen but obviously not going to be one. so why bother sticking to the rules

If fun's the only reason can I suggest you not have 'fun' on the highway at 1am... but rather have 'fun' on the track instead?

That way you won't hurt yourself or other drivers?

[Stig]

im thinking now, wouldnt it be cheaper just to import a fd2r then if you're just going to do this for "fun"?

[burak213]

hey OP you sound like a hoon.

and have no idea what you're on about.

you want to make your car illegal cause you cant find another engine? and now go racing at 1am?

cmon man do it properly

[ryanc]

ppl like the OP give us honda drivers a bad name and ppl think of us as 'hoons' because of ppl like the OP

[black8thgen]

if your gonna do this stuff, man just go to the track - safer and prob feels more worth it

[Fung]

it is quite true...as pointed out by stig....

i think you can go track for like a few times a month...with your imported fd2r...
than building your auto Mugen RR which may have a lot of troubles running and even if its drive-able.....dun think RTA or insurance would accept this beast of yours...=[