Unwanted PDK down shift in manual mode

[Rodney Naghar]

When you activate the kickdown switch there is no more fuel or performance (ie no mapping change). You're asking it in essence to give you maximum acceleration and in its 'opinion' that is given to you in a lower gear with higher RPMs. You're giving the car control to make that decision by kicking down.

It if you want to stay in third then accelerate just short of pressing that button.

 

[SterlingMess]

I have an early Gen II 997 with PDK and the latest software. On track, in manual mode, I might select 3rd for a particular corner. I'm confident the engine has enough torque to pull me out in third and so I squeeze the throttle to the end of its travel, but without activating the wide open throttle switch. This all works okay.

However, if I do activate the WOT switch because I want the full potatoes on the exit, the gearbox automatically downshifts to 2nd. I understand that the system thinks that if I am demanding WOT that I want the most rapid acceleration, so my question is really, is there any difference between full throttle (before the WOT switch) and full throttle with WOT switch activated? Does the switch just tell the software to change down, or does it delver more performance/fuel too?

I just want to use the engine's torque to accelerate me as quickly as possible in 3rd rather than automatically changing down into 2nd when I'm in manual mode!

The alternative is, I manually select 2nd and use the WOT switch on exit, but I'm not convinced I get to the next corner any quicker.

Has anyone else experienced this? I don't expect PDK-S does the same thing...

 

[SterlingMess]

Thanks Rodney, I think you are correct.

(I avoided using the term "kick-down switch" because the PDK will kick down with a rapid throttle position change without activating the switch. I have had manual cars with wide open throttle switches at the end of the throttle pedal travel - I believe their purpose is to tell the engine management system you want the whole potato. Of course with an auto box this inevitably involves changing down too. It is the fact that manual cars have WOT switches too that made me wonder whether the engine had more to give with it engaged over and above full pedal travel.)

 

[McMurray]

Interesting post, I have an early Gen 2 with PDK, with the up date software does your car automatically blip t throttle when you down shift? My mate has a 991 with PDK and his car gives a satisfying blip on the down shift

 

[SterlingMess]

Hi McMurray

No! The blipping on downshift is only on the 991 unfortunately! The latest update for the 997 is only bug-fixes I believe (judder at pick up etc) - no new features.

Windy

 

[McMurray]

Thanks for getting back to me Windy. Pity about the downshift, love PDK box on twisty road or track, it's like driving a video game

cheers

Steve

 

[Booman]

Hi McMurray

No! The blipping on downshift is only on the 991 unfortunately! The latest update for the 997 is only bug-fixes I believe (judder at pick up etc) - no new features.

Windy

Am I missing something here guys, are you saying your PDK 997's don't blip on downshifts? My GTS certainly does, but it has the Sports Chrono Package Plus fitted, do yours?

g

 

[SterlingMess]

Hi McMurray

No! The blipping on downshift is only on the 991 unfortunately! The latest update for the 997 is only bug-fixes I believe (judder at pick up etc) - no new features.

Windy

Am I missing something here guys, are you saying your PDK 997's don't blip on downshifts? My GTS certainly does, but it has the Sports Chrono Package Plus fitted, do yours?

g

Mine does not 'blip', no. It rev-matches perfectly of course so there is no risk of over-revving, but there is no 'blip' that might persuade a passer-by that the car is actually a manual and I am heel and toeing! (I do not have Sport button, PSE or Chrono.)

Here's my latest video from the PCGB track day at Anglesey on Saturday:

[link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn1xa777_-w]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn1xa777_-w[/link]

If you forward to 1:10 you can see me pulling the left paddle for 3rd to 2nd. You can see the rev counter increase but no audible 'blip'.

 

[Rodney Naghar]

Rev matching and blipping are the same thing. When you drop down a gear you can see the revs rise to 'match'

The 'blips' are more obviously 'blips' in lower gears and from higher revs.

 

[SterlingMess]

Ordinarily I would agree with you Rodney, but the latest cars (my OPC have recently loaned me a couple of Caymans) with PSE and Sport mode, make an exaggerated, very audible exhaust sound! Much more than 100% accurate rev matching. More akin to old-fashioned H&T where the tendency is to rev slightly higher than required.

Anyway, we're getting off-topic now!

I'm 99% convinced that the engine is delivering max power with full throttle with or without the WOT switch open on a 997.2 3.8 DFI engine.

 

[McMurray]

Hi "G" interesting that your GTS does the blip thing, from reading various articles the GTS has recently become the run out model, which gets a ton of goodies thrown at it to encourage buyers to buy the old model just as the new one comes out. Win / win customer gets a cracking spec whilst not paying full price for all the goodies. There also seems to be some crossover from the arriving new model, the 997 GTS has sill covers very different to other 997 models but they are similar to a 991. Back to the case in point, PDK 991s have the blip & it seems the Blip on the 997 GTS is another example of subtle crossover. Would make sense as the Gen 2 997 & Gen 1 991 share the same engine & I presume the same gearbox.

It sounds like it's a software application, I wonder if I spoke to my friendly OPC if they would upgrade my PDK software to the same as the GTS ?

cheers

Steve

 

[jml3p]

Hi "G" interesting that your GTS does the blip thing, from reading various articles the GTS has recently become the run out model, which gets a ton of goodies thrown at it to encourage buyers to buy the old model just as the new one comes out. Win / win customer gets a cracking spec whilst not paying full price for all the goodies. There also seems to be some crossover from the arriving new model, the 997 GTS has sill covers very different to other 997 models but they are similar to a 991. Back to the case in point, PDK 991s have the blip & it seems the Blip on the 997 GTS is another example of subtle crossover. Would make sense as the Gen 2 997 & Gen 1 991 share the same engine & I presume the same gearbox.

It sounds like it's a software application, I wonder if I spoke to my friendly OPC if they would upgrade my PDK software to the same as the GTS ?

cheers

Steve

Hi Steve

If you do see about PDK software upgrade would you please let me know?

Kind regards

Jonathan

 

[Booman]

Hi "G" interesting that your GTS does the blip thing, from reading various articles the GTS has recently become the run out model, which gets a ton of goodies thrown at it to encourage buyers to buy the old model just as the new one comes out. Win / win customer gets a cracking spec whilst not paying full price for all the goodies. There also seems to be some crossover from the arriving new model, the 997 GTS has sill covers very different to other 997 models but they are similar to a 991. Back to the case in point, PDK 991s have the blip & it seems the Blip on the 997 GTS is another example of subtle crossover. Would make sense as the Gen 2 997 & Gen 1 991 share the same engine & I presume the same gearbox.

It sounds like it's a software application, I wonder if I spoke to my friendly OPC if they would upgrade my PDK software to the same as the GTS ?

cheers

Steve

Hi Steve, yes the GTS came heavy on spec as standard, including that peach of an engine/gearbox combo, it's a great second hand buy now!

I wasent aware the earlier 997's didn't have the blip/rev match software, hence my previous question.

As Rodney has pointed out, this feature is quite benign at slow speeds/revs on the car, but when tanking on a bit, with the 'sport plus' button pressed it really makes its presence felt & heard, sounds fabulous

I can't see why an OPC couldn't do the upgrade, unless your car must have the Sports chrono package fitted??? Give them a buzz see what they say, it's certainly worthwhile if they will/can do it!

Cheers, Glenn...

 

[JCX]

My turbo rev matches and blips nicely.

 

[Anthony]

Operates on C2GTS!

 

[Anthony]

Likewise.