Steppers Alert! Got a new idea.... (m)

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

For those who have followed my reversed shift pattern DIY and if you are interested in a "new" project, email me <b>vpwseah@nettaxi.com</b>

That means you pple Alee, LilEccentricJ, johnLew, Ausgang...<img src="http://www.ethanwiner.com/Smileys/Laugh2.gif">

[Cowboy]

What's the new project?

(I'm scared to ask)

[bol]

It involves tweleve feet of 15gauge copper wire, two pounds of cement and a row of blue LED's...

[ALEX325i]

Originally posted by bol
It involves tweleve feet of 15gauge copper wire, two pounds of cement and a row of blue LED's...

Staying out of trouble?;)

[bol]

Originally posted by ALEX325i


Staying out of trouble?;)

Not really ;)

Passing the time waiting for jobs... the economy sucks.

[alee]

Originally posted by bol
It involves tweleve feet of 15gauge copper wire, two pounds of cement and a row of blue LED's...

Don't forget the live chicken. :D

[bol]

ah yes the mystical voodoo chicken

a live sacrifice must be made to the car gods.

[The HACK]

Originally posted by VinceTopasBlau3
For those who have followed my reversed shift pattern DIY and if you are interested in a "new" project, email me <b>vpwseah@nettaxi.com</b>

That means you pple Alee, LilEccentricJ, johnLew, Ausgang...<img src="http://www.ethanwiner.com/Smileys/Laugh2.gif">

Let me guess...Wiring the steptronic shifter so you can use the +/- buttons on the steering wheel to shift up and down?

[alee]

Originally posted by The HACK

Let me guess...Wiring the steptronic shifter so you can use the +/- buttons on the steering wheel to shift up and down?

I'm was guessing Vince got SMG II part numbers, but you may be closer than me. :)

-Al

[ALEX325i]

Originally posted by The HACK


Let me guess...Wiring the steptronic shifter so you can use the +/- buttons on the steering wheel to shift up and down?

That would be cool! ;)

Vince, if that's the project, I think you could even make some money with it... ;)

[johnlew]

Originally posted by VinceTopasBlau3

That means you pple Alee, LilEccentricJ, johnLew, Ausgang...<img src="http://www.ethanwiner.com/Smileys/Laugh2.gif">

Alee???!!! He still hasn't made the switch :( :)

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

Hack guessed it.

Actually, had this idea when I was pursuing the Alpina steering wheel. The Switchtronic concept by Alpina was first realised in 1993, which of course BMW soon produced it as Steptronic and now SSG (for non-M). Lexus is supposedly the first manufacturer that produced the shift-electronic in a mass-produced vehicle (GS400??). I might be wrong about this fact...can someone confirm?

So, I did testdrive the IS300 last year with the infamous Shiftronic system, neatly integrated into the steering wheel. Since that day, I have been trying to order the Alpina steering wheel with similar buttons, hoping to find a link between Steptronic and Switchtronic. See picture:
<img src="http://www.alpina.de/pics/shared/sw_e.gif">
<img src="http://www.alpina.de/pics/identity/b3_33_genf00/lenkrad_500.jpg">

But of course, Alpina being a snobbish "remanufacturer" wouldn't sell the wheel with the Switchtronic buttons.

Then came this from Studie JP.
<img src="http://www.studie.jp/tdm/newitems/newitem-phot/21-2.jpeg">

Someone in Japan retrofitted the SSG paddles into a Steptronic. And yes, it works fine. I emailed Studie, whom of course refused to tell me anything about the retrofit. Woohoo!
---------

So what's the project then?

Now that we know about the 2 switches for +/- (thanks to Bentley), perhaps one could wire another set of switches parallel to the present ones. Order the SSG paddles from Europe and retrofit the system.

But of course a few issues came up:

1) Need wiring structure for SSG paddle. I suspect each paddle works like a close/open switch.

2) Are the paddles integrated onto back of the steering wheel? Or part of the base?

3) Getting the right and complete set of parts for this project.

4) Bentley won't be of much help since SSG paddles is for Euro specs (not a big issue really)

Even without the paddles, as long as one could make a set of parallel switches. Wire both with cheap button switches from the Shack, tape the button switches to the steering wheel. Not exactly aesthetically sound, but should work.
------------

Comments? ;)

[johnlew]

Doesn't sound too elegant, but....you first! :D I like the way it's integrated into the Alpina wheel. We'll have to see the SMG to see how the paddles are hooked on.

[dannyxi]

Vince, you are a genius!

If you can pull this off and make it more elegant (marketable) and w/ easy to do instruction, you will make lots of money...:) More than Jim's Demon eyes for sure.



Danny

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

Elegance sells... lol!!

Well, the Shack button switches will be prototypes then. If these cheap button switches work and if the paddles work similarly, then boom! We have a "bridge" to carry the signals.

It's easy to guess that a tap on the paddle (forward or backward) closes the switch for + or -. Theoretically, one can wire it to the S224 switch under the shift bezel. ;)

<img src="http://www.e46fanatics.com/phorum/attach/e46_new/SSGSteeringWheel.jpg">

Project might just be ready before summer, given that I have time to spend on this.

John will you be the second on the list? ;)

[ChetG]

Vince, id def. be interested to have a go. I was interested to see the step reverse thing aswell, thing is my 02 already has it :) Sounds very feasable, definately a bit crude, but it makes sense.

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

Chet, good to hear from ya! Well, I might need a bit of help from you. If and only if you've got the time.

If you do drop by the dealer next time, could you take some pics of the SSG on 325/330? Perferably from behind the wheel. So I can get a good idea of how paddles are integrated. SSG isn't available here. :(

I can probably ask more about p/n from Sytner Nottingham. ;)

Originally posted by ChetG
Vince, id def. be interested to have a go. I was interested to see the step reverse thing aswell, thing is my 02 already has it :) Sounds very feasable, definately a bit crude, but it makes sense.

[ChetG]

yeah, of course vince,

I havent yet found a dealer with any SSG cars, I dont think you can even order it yet, But I will keep a look out, and will take some pics as soon as i see one. BTW, where can i find a B3, im turning into a bit of an Alpina fan after my little drive in the B10 V8. It will be interesting to see how the M5 compares.

Ill let ya know if i see any SSG cars

later vince.

[Alex Baumann]

Originally posted by VinceTopasBlau3
Chet, good to hear from ya! Well, I might need a bit of help from you. If and only if you've got the time.

If you do drop by the dealer next time, could you take some pics of the SSG on 325/330? Perferably from behind the wheel. So I can get a good idea of how paddles are integrated. SSG isn't available here. :(

I can probably ask more about p/n from Sytner Nottingham. ;)



Vince,

this picture is from an E46 M3

http://www.leo.nutz.de/bmw/leo/pics/pic13.jpg

[exBMWannabe]

Wasn't too interested in the reverse shift as I'm used to it, but paddles? I'll try that out when you get a couple up and running. Count me in as an interested party.

[alee]

Hey Vince, maybe you can get some of that E65 shift action going with the shifting stalk. :p Sorry couldn't resist!

You've got a serious case of evil genius going on. :D Will be following closely to see where this one goes. Seeing as my step shift bezel is being held hostage by US Customs, I'm really far behind everyone else with my step reverse. :D

-Al

[The HACK]

Originally posted by Alex Baumann


Vince,

this picture is from an E46 M3

http://www.leo.nutz.de/bmw/leo/pics/pic13.jpg

Looks like you CAN order euro or SMG M3 steering wheels and those will probably have the extra wiring that you can splice into. Of course your car would have to be in sports mode before you can access the gears. Very interesting mod indeed.

I've got the parts CD up to June of 2001...So unfortunately I can't get access to the SMG part numbers, otherwise I'd love to help out.

[ayn]

Vince you've got too much free time there huh? It doesn't look too hard tho, if we can get a hold of an SMG steering wheel, should be no problem... Too bad our Bentley manual doesn't cover the M3. But with a meter we should be able to beep out the wiring pretty easily...

--Andrew

[LilEccentricJ]

Vince, You are completely off the hook man! I love it! … but you first, hehe.

OK, despite the headache and “near” black eye, I have found that I use the Step a lot more with the reversal. This AM when I left the house I power braked (DSC off) about 40’ in front of the house thanx to 1st gear. There is a nice 9” patch of rubber in the street now. :D

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

<b>dannyxi:</b> Making a profit out of this?? ;) lol! Provided that it works first...

<b>ChetG:</b> Thanks very much for the help then! :) Btw, to test drive an Alpina check out ANY Sytner BMW dealer. I see that you reside in London...hmm...Nottingham and Sheffield have the largest inventory of Alpina (new and used).

<b>Alex:</b> Thanks for the picture! I knew I saw that somewhere...indeed..the same guy installed the Eisenmann system on his M3.

<b>Alee:</b> This project may take a much longer time to realise. In the mean time, work on your reversed pattern first. ;) Also..the E65 shift stalk does sound cool too...lol!

<b>Hack:</b> Yikes...I am actually ordering the Alpina steering wheel tomorrow. But will ask about a switchtronic version, if at all possible. Right now, there are still two possibilites: either the entire wheel has to be changed or one could change just the back housing of the wheel. Thanks for the help on the ETK. My 2002 ETK (right up to E65) should be arriving soon...

<b>LilEccentricJ:</b> You left a patch of rubber in front of your house??? C'mon!! <img src="http://www.ethanwiner.com/Smileys/Talker.gif">

<b>ayn:</b> Free time? Nah. Just like to challenge myself to electrical diagrams. I can probably complete the new electrical diagram under 2 seconds. Just need a couple of parallel switches. Can't think of anything else (components) that might need to change the wiring. Don't even need to get a SMG wheel or paddles first. Just test with some button switches or door-bell one way switches. You've any suggestions?

[LilEccentricJ]

Originally posted by VinceTopasBlau3
<b>LilEccentricJ:</b> You left a patch of rubber in front of your house??? C'mon!! <img src="http://www.ethanwiner.com/Smileys/Talker.gif">


Yea, but only the right wheel... oh, and the ground was a lil wet :p

[johnlew]

This is all starting to sound quite serious...will be interesting to track the progress, great to have brilliant minds at work.

[exBMWannabe]

heh, more like mad scientists;)

Love the new smilies.:thumb:

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

Thanks to all who read and posted...

I am getting more info each day learning about the paddles. Part numbers for the M3 wheel with paddles and regular sport wheel with paddles will be in soon.

Here is the plan:

1) I need to get the idea to work first before even think about getting the wheel with paddles. Like I mentioned, two button switches, some wiring from S224 might seem to work.

2) Let's push the dream forward a little. If the idea works, then I am most willing to get the wheel ordered from UK or elsewhere in Europe. Based on an educated guess, the paddles are switches themselves built into the wheel. A tap closes the switch.

3) Now comes the interesting part. As much as I love the idea of paddle shifting, it might not be feasible for me. Why? Because I will have the Alpina wheel soon (finally!). No use for me to own both the Alpina wheel and the paddle shift wheel. So what does this mean? Some lucky fellow will have the first paddle-shift retrofit... :thumb:

[Alex Baumann]

Originally posted by VinceTopasBlau3
3) Now comes the interesting part. As much as I love the idea of paddle shifting, it might not be feasible for me. Why? Because I will have the Alpina wheel soon (finally!). No use for me to own both the Alpina wheel and the paddle shift wheel. So what does this mean? Some lucky fellow will have the first paddle-shift retrofit... :thumb:

Are you getting the Switchtronic wheel ?

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

:(

To think that Alpina would sell me with the Switchtronic is like asking Burkard Bovensiepen to send me a bottle of wine.

Originally posted by Alex Baumann


Are you getting the Switchtronic wheel ?