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Retro Fit Paddle Shift on Gen 2 Carrera

H

henry997

New member
Hi - After a spell in a BMW M5 I'm returning to 911 world and looking to by a plain Gen 2 Carrera with a PDK box. I have a strong preference for the paddle shift system and am looking to retro fit the paddle shift (more cars to source from that way) to any otherwise spec'd PDK car that I might buy. Having discussed this with one Porsche dealer I was told that whilst it's technically possible, and indeed a listed priced modification (approx. £900), Porsche have directed their suppliers to only provide the necessary hardware to new build demand. As such main dealers are not able to carry out the modification. 1) Are any members familiar with this issue ? 2) Are there any gremlins with early Gen 2 Carrera's (not S) cars that make it worth holding out for a later car with factory fitted paddle shift? (Dare not think about just going for a 991).

Thanks - Henry
 
If you are meaning fitting the SportDesign steering wheel to a PDK-equipped car that has the 'button' steering wheel as standard, then this is an option from the Tequipment range.

I have just bought a 997.2TT which was factory fitted with the button wheel, and the dealer kindly swapped it out to a paddle wheel FOC. The price you mention is about right.

Aside the Turbo S, not sure any PDK cars have paddle wheel as 'factory'...?

From Tequipment catalogue:

"SportDesign steering wheel
This steering wheel adds a sporty touch and is available for vehicles with manual transmission or PDK. In conjunction with PDK, it has two gearshift paddles, the right- hand paddle shifts up and the left-hand paddle shifts down. Both versions are available in leather or Alcantara."


F35092E30B5E43B489D3D4E62A5E4304.jpg
 
IIRC the paddle shift came in as a factory fitted option around the end of 2009 with the introduction of the Gen 2 turbo. There are aftermarket wheels available - Gemballa et al (see p 34 here)

http://www.gemballa.com/media/cat2011/GEM_G97_parts_2010_web.pdf

or here

http://design9114-px.rtrk.co.uk/fu/pt67_466_-cma81-cmo539/Porsche/997-MKII--911--2009--/Steering-Wheels-With-Air-Bag/

They can be fitted to tip cars as well as PDK
I'm pretty sure the Porsche Tequipment paddle wheel also will be a straight swap (but not free!) - the only issue would be if the car has a multi-function "button" wheel as the paddle wheel doesn't come with "multi-functionality"! Methinks your Porsche dealer might have talking out of his exhaust pipe but I will consult with mine (who do know their stuff[;)])
No particular gremlins I'm aware of either on these cars.

Edit - Having read Jon's comments below personally, having had both types of wheel, I find the paddles are so much better but I know of others who prefer to have a multi-function wheel with buttons over paddles. The old horses for courses stuff again![;)]
 
I have a 997 PDK with the button shift and actually don't have a problem with them. I thought about changing, like you, to paddles in between choosing the car and picking it up. Over the last 10 months, I can honestly say I haven't found it an issue. In fact its easy to get used to as you can change down with left hand and up wiith right hand if you want. To be honest i probably use both sides equally.

The other thing to say is, the gear box is just fantastic - see if you can get sport chrono plus as well as it does sharpen up the car when you want to get moving...

As an aside, I had a loaner with the paddles and maybe because it wasn't my car and i had adjusted the seats, wheel etc properly, but i found the paddles obscured my view of the dials.

hope that helps

jon


 
There has been some discussion on this conversion on the forum. See here.

Exeter OPC were running a special promotion on this conversion at one time. May be worth contacting them.

Regards,

Clive.
 
After i got my latest Audi estate with paddles i got confused in the 997 and sometimes changed the wrong way ....
I had the paddle change (Turbo) steering wheel retrofitted and its great now with both cars the same.
One thing.... the paddle wheel has lights/indicators in it for sport mode. This will only work on model year 2009 onwards cars. Mine is a MY 2008 and does not have the neccessary software/hardware installed to drive the lights.
 
I have just sold my 997 with its original one refitted and the Sport Design Steering wheel is currently on ebay !

Northway in Reading swapped it over for £35 !
 
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