6th gear is 1:1 on the AT (5th gear on the MT). I did the dyno runs in 4th on the MT (137mph@6800rpm), so you'll want to run in 5th gear with the AT.

 

I will test the "kickdown" feature in a couple of minutes. Assuming this is drive by wire, will the throttle be full scale on the potentiometer before engaging the kickdown (I assume a switch?). If not, then we're missing potential air and fuel delivery, no? Of course, if there's a simple way to disconnect the kickdown this becomes moot.

 

Yes, if you go to the kickdown, but don't engage it, you are at WOT. The kickdown is a physical switch in the pedal and you can feel a small pop when it engages. Try it with the engine off and it should be pretty easy to tell once you know it's there.

 

Yes, I checked and it functions just as you described. When we do the dyno test and track day, I'll likely simply tape a piece of wood behind the pedal, thickness trimmed to be just enough to prevent switch actuation. thanks, folks.

 

Am I missing something here... Why don't you dyno it in manual mode and shift with the paddles?

 

It will still downshift if you depress the pedal to the kickdown switch.

 

Really, you should be fine on a trackday. Even if you hit the kickdown switch, there has to be enough 'room' for the car to select the next gear without immediately bouncing off the rev limiter. Unless you're short-shifting pretty substantially it will most likely never kick down.

As an interesting aside, I have a friend with an F-Type R who tracks it fairly regularly (not as much as his Panoz GTS tho!) and he has decided that the automatic shifting is actually very good on the track. The shift strategy even adapts to the track driving and gears down very early. I think I still prefer paddles, but he is right it does 'learn' and become very aggressive.

 

Not sure about the F-Type but the older Jags like the XKR would not kick down even at WOT if the steering wheel was not in the straight ahead position, or close enough to it.

The idea was that it would not kick down and whip the car around mid corner.

That may have changed, but i'd be surprised if it has.

 

Heard you guys get a shout out on The Smoking Tire podcast today. Nice to see you guys getting some recognition. Hopefully Tavarish does a good job spreading your name around!

 

Having road raced a good bit, I like most of the decisions on when things happen to be mine when I'm behind the wheel. Getting to be an older fart with my mom's knees, and also bowing down to the superiority of modern technology and today's automatic transmissions (there is no way on God's green planet that anyone shifting a manual can outshift an 8 speed automatic!) - I chose this car not in small part to the fact that it is an automatic, AND that it is AWD. Yes, I should be fine on track day - but I remember when I built my Cobra replica - my first event I ran on street tires (vs. R compound) thinking I would actually not push the limits as much. That was a mistake, I almost went off the track on an high speed sweeper because I DIDN'T have the grip of the R tires. In other words, I'm likely going to come to comfort quickly with this car and push it hard - so I don't want a downshift in the middle of a high exit speed to do some weight transfer jiggles and upset my concentration. Sorry to ramble, it's just I'm very impressed with this automobile and am looking forward to having fun on a track with it. BTW - I looked hard a buying a Panoz GTS some years ago - great car!

 

NICE!!

I will have to take a listen. It's flattering to get on more people's radars, especially considering we pretty much bootstrapped this company into what it is today.

 

You're certainly getting some attention! You should look into B is for Build on youtube if you haven't already. Good guy doing an Aston Martin drift build. Might be opportunities there.

 

So I have a V6 base stick shift. Love it. Considering your ECU tune and springs. Can you point me to some customer reviews?

 

Do it... absolutely positively do it.

 

+1. VAP has a lot of experience tuning these cars and will work with you to get it exactly to your liking.


Shameless plug...thinking about a short-shifter?

 

Yes. Thinking short shifter and crank pulley. The shifter is a joy as it is but I know it could be even better.

 

Interesting, haven't listened to the podcasts but just came across these Smoking Tire reviews last night:

Jaguar F-Type V6S Coupe -One Take Matt's mommmm's car. (Really)

You Tube

Jaguar F-Type R-Coupe RWD - One Take

You Tube

"The V6 couple with the manual is gonna be the one to have..."
before it was even out, and then:

Jaguar F-Type Coupe V6S Manual Gearbox - One Take
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2L4GMX3iio#t=513.641

 

All I can really do is point you at this forums in general. We have lots of customers on here who have done those mods, and hand on heart, I don't think we have an unhappy one amongst them.

 

I have a V6 base (auto) with the VAP tune+crank pulley. Makes a wonderful difference! I highly recommend it.

 

I have a 2014 R (RWD) and living in Europe where it rains too much, I doubt I will ever want more than 550hp. But I just wanted to say that I enjoyed the thread and kudos to VelocityAP for their considered approach and customer centricity.