PCS push button shifter - is it fast?

[gus454ss]

Hi guys,

Is anyone using those PCS push button shifter?
Is it really fast as it claims?
Not cheap.. worth it?
I've recently read about it on Hot Roding Magazine, but there is not too much info out there.

72401

[NorwayCharger]

I am waiting for more info too...

[makoshark]

This controls the physical part of the shift. It may shift quicker than you can by hand, but you still have the internals of the transmission itself to do the actual shift. With that said, this product will not increase the ability of the transmission to actually perform the gear change.

[Steve Chryssos]

That is correct and so refreshing to read.

A well built, quick-shifting transmission and matching converter are the cornerstones to fast shifting -- not the input device. Some have dragged transmissions out of the junkyard, sprayed them with rattle cans, then complained when their shiny but worn out transmissions don't shift quickly. Those types always seem to have the highest post counts. ...And the videos of the wannabe manumatic company who's car bounces off the rev limiter with every shift? Yeah, it's the trans and converter.
I can't tell you how many people call to claim that their paddle shifter is shifting slow when the paddle shifter signal time, in itself, is fixed at 125 millisec. Look at the whole system.

System = Transmission + Converter + Computer + Input Device.

Also remember the following in contrast to a 3 pedal car: With most automatics, power is still being transferred to the driven wheels DURING the shift process. There is no power interrupt. Power gets through while the shift is happening. With a 3 pedal car, net power to the driven wheels during the shift = zero.

As for PCS's pushbutton shifter, we can't wait to try one. At about 1/3 (or maybe even 1/4) the size of the Mastershift system it is compact. The PCS system's action is positive and consistent action. Proper redundant safety measures appear to be in place. Because PRNDL function is safety critical, we shied away from these automated devices in the past. The PCS system appears to have all the bases covered. I want mine and we hope to sell these and report back.
Steve

[greg5436]

Steve when do you expect to have your unit from pcs. Thanks greg

[Steve Chryssos]

I don't know, Greg. I'll find out.

[CFster]

Steve, it would be great if you could integrate something like this with your paddle shift, thus eliminating the engine braking problem with the 4L60 in OD.

[Poorhousenext]

Lot of people ask if Paddles shift fast. I'm not sure if car's TQ converter meets streetfytr68 System = Transmission + Converter + Computer + Input Device requirments for fast shifts Converter wise it's stalled at 2800 RPM and stall may be less than that. Rest of his Sytem requirements I think he would say meets his System requirements.

Let you be the judge of if the shifts are fast enough are not. You might not be able to match the low level of RPM lost between shifts car has. That's a big reason the converter stall is only around 2800 RPM. May hurt 60" times. Don't know that yet.

Sorry about not knowing how to embed video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjlvJsT3Rxc

Trans auto shifting. Little hard to hear more than 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd shifts. Chase car was Honda SUV which is a little slower.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=322802264464830&set=vb.119997261403488&type=3&theater

[CFster]

Paddles have no effect on how fast it shifts.

[Steve Chryssos]

Workin' backwards... Paddle response time is defined as the delay between when the paddle is depressed and when the trans controller receives the request. From there some trans controllers process shift requests more quickly than others. A loose converter definitely takes longer to complete a shift than a tight converter with a locked up converter taking the least amount of time. The biggest amount of delay takes place within the transmission itself. The 6L's -- being clutch to clutch shift darn quick. "Lydia", a truly amazing beauty by the way shifts about as quick as anyone can hope for. That video "feels" like 300 to 400 millisecond shifts. The OE's actually dumb down shift times to avoid scaring average consumers. I'm guessing Lydia has had some tuning done.

A bone stock 4L60E transmission with the wrong converter and the wrong tune will take forever to shift -- especially as rpm approaches redline. We take calls to to deal with that issue all day long. The stubborn folks expect magic. (Hold the phone closer to your car, sir... Closer, closer.. :rotfl:) The smart folks step up for the right converter, a shift kit at the very least, and some tuning time. We can sometimes fudge the tune to fix a lazy 2-3 upshift.

[Steve Chryssos]

Steve, it would be great if you could integrate something like this with your paddle shift, thus eliminating the engine braking problem with the 4L60 in OD.

I wish this were the case, but the push button connects to the manual valve and frequent up/down shifting through the manual valve will turn your transmissions into hamburger. Paddle shifters need to speak directly to electric shift solenoids. The workaround to the 4L's inherent freewheeling design is to put your floor shifter or column shifter into 3rd gear, then tap up/tap down between second and third gear. Resist the temptation to tap down into second gear going into the turn. You'll also want the controller tuned so that your converter locks up in 2nd and 3rd and stays locked up at 0% TPS. That sends you into the turn locked up with the overrun clutch engaged. Then, downshift into second coming out of the turn. As the steering wheel is just about unwound, hit the minus paddle.

The 4L, therefore, is at a disadvantage going into the turn, but sees a real advantage coming out of the turn as the trans kicks down into second and rpms increase rapidly rather than climbing slowly with a 3 pedal car. Upshift back into 3rd half way down the straight as redline approaches. 3-2, 2-3, 3-2, 2-3. No 1st gear, no overdrive.

Fun, Fun, Fun

[CFster]

I installed the Sonnax heavy duty 2-3 shift valve, that enables the overrun clutch in 1-2-3, vs. only in 3rd. This is nice, but it's a pain to have to physically shift from OD to D to enable the braking feature (then shift back), especially when you're driving on the road. What about only utilizing the D to OD motion of the push button - somehow integrating that into the paddles, then solenoid shift from there?

I've seen some of your other posts - how can a different converter help with engine braking? I'm interested in tweaking my transmission.

Also, has anybody come up with a way to engine brake with an 80? Like I said I have the 60, but I think it has a Corvette servo in it (Phoenix Trans), so it shifts kind of firm, even with shifts set all the way soft with the Compushift. I was thinking of putting a bone stock 80 in it.

[Steve Chryssos]

I installed the Sonnax heavy duty 2-3 shift valve, that enables the overrun clutch in 1-2-3, vs. only in 3rd. This is nice, but it's a pain to have to physically shift from OD to D to enable the braking feature (then shift back), especially when you're driving on the road. What about only utilizing the D to OD motion of the push button - somehow integrating that into the paddles, then solenoid shift from there?

That would be pretty cool. And not all that impossible to achieve when the pushbutton shifter becomes available. However, during performance driving, I never use overdrive, I put it in 3rd and get on with it. As far as I'm concerned, redline in 3rd gear is top speed.

I've seen some of your other posts - how can a different converter help with engine braking? I'm interested in tweaking my transmission.
By tuning the converter different than everyone.
Also, has anybody come up with a way to engine brake with an 80? Like I said I have the 60, but I think it has a Corvette sprag in it (Phoenix Trans), so it shifts kind of firm, even with shifts set all the way soft with the Compushift. I was thinking of putting a bone stock 80 in it.

Goodness, I would NEVER give up a Phoenix built trans for a stock '80. Phoenix makes a great transmission. Please give me a call and we'll set up an appointment to go through your tune. You get free lifetime Teach and Tune as a Twist customer. As for engine braking bits, no. There's a lot of vaporware products out being talked up, but nothing tangible. Nothing drives me crazier than vaporware....

[CFster]

Yeah it's been a good transmission. I have Greg at Phoenix sending me truck servo so I can soften up the 1-2 shift a little, so then I'll have a baseline - then we can go through the Compushift tune. Thanks.

[Steve Chryssos]

Cool. Yeah, call me and I'll chew your ear off for two hours about the converter, like a proud papa. I'm less inclined to comment on the web. Better yet, we're happy to provide references. First we'll go through the tune, though.

[CFster]

Cool. Yeah, call me and I'll chew your ear off for two hours

You're starting to sound like Savitske now!