Track Talk A place to talk about Track and DE Events, share driving tips and other Track related items. |
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#1
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PDK or Automatic on the Track
I'm new to my 2016 Cayman (base model with PDK). I've not yet had an opportunity to do an HPDE yet but I look forward to it next spring when it's offered. I have had an opportunity to do a "Track Attack" evening at Dominion Raceway. Lots of fun and I intend to go back. I'm curious, though: do most folks use the PDK paddles to shift on HPDE or DE events or do you just let the PDK automatic handle the shifting for you? Someone told me to let the automatic shift for me while I learn the racing line and the course. But I find I have better control of upshifts and downshifts with the paddles. In automatic mode, I have to stomp on the accelerator to make the car downshift to hit the revs; there is a noticeable lag doing that and I suspect I lose time on the course.
I do love this car! And I love the engine note. |
#2
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I let the Cayman R shift for me when I had it - it's much better than you will ever be in keeping the revs in the right place. Sport/Sport+ is a must, though. If you didn't get it, you can retrofit it.
Back to a manual transmission now - miss the PDK sometimes. ed
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ed 2016 GT4 2005 Lotus Elise 1994 RX-7 R2 |
#3
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#4
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I have a 2014 Cayman S with PDK and Sport +. I track it in Sport + and never need to touch the paddles. The mapping of shift points is smarter and faster than me, both up and down shifts. The only time I run in Sport mode on the track is when it's raining and the speeds are way down so can't really compare. My guess is you will be just fine letting it do its own shifting in Sport mode and if you need to downshift for a turn and it isn't downshifting fast enough you can pull the left paddle.
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Mike 14 981 Cayman S Wall of Dearly Departed Loved Ones 07 987 Cayman S 03 996 86 944 74 914 78 924 Bro Code Rule 43: When a Bro learns another Bro has been in a traffic accident, they must first ask what condition the car is in. |
#5
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In my experience, a PDK in Sport+ is fantastic. In Sport, not so much. I would agree with Ed, that you might want to look at getting the Sport+ shift points.
Sport < shifting yourself < Sport+
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2019 Corvette Z07 - Urf-Qke #777 2016 Corvette Z07 - LightSpeed #707 2014 Cayman S - Sparkles #81 2005 Corvette jackstand racecar |
#6
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In Sport + mode the car is intuitive. I would be careful "stomping" on the gas pedal to get it to downshift, particularly exiting a corner which can create problems even PSM can't fix. Stephen
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SJK '09 Cayman S '06 C2 Cab '02 Boxster S (gone to a good home) |
#7
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Ditto. There is a noticeable difference between Sport mode and Sport Plus. The shift points are not great in Sport mode. How aggressive you are driving in a particular corner also affects the shifting, even in Sport Plus, a bit. When I used to drive in Sport mode, there were times when I needed to downshift with the paddles (e.g., bottom of the hill at Pitt Race after turn 3), but it was rare. Sport Plus is fantastic and definitely what I always use now -- the throttle is much more responsive though, so I'm not sure it's the best thing to use when learning smooth inputs.
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Lara ___________ 2009 Cayman S x 2 PCA Potomac Chief Driver Ambassador #21 (Ladybug) and #28 (Bumblebee) |
#8
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Dirk
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Safety Chair, PCA Potomac Region Retired DE Chair, PCA Potomac Region. Retired Co-Chief Instructor PCA Potomac 2008-2012 1971 914/6 (Factory) 3.2 Track car 1988 911 Targa 1986 944 |
#9
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- Tony P. Currently - 1984 944 SP2 racer - 1977 911 KM Special vintage racer - 2012 Cayman R (also the wife's) - 2000 Boxster S (now mine) - 1995 993 (garage queen) - 2007 Cayman S (wife's track beast) - 2017 F350 (tow monster) - 2018 Jeep Wrangler Gone but not forgotten - 1989 944S2 - 1979 RX7 - 1986 944 - 1991 944S2 (in car heaven...) - 2001 Chevy Suburban 2500 (FIL's beast now) |
#10
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PDK Sport PLUS mode holds the lower gears longer(holds engine at higher rpm) which IMO is good for most situation on dry track. PLUS mode bundles sharper throttle response which is achieved by advancing the throttle plate angle. For example, in PLUS mode the driver pushing the gas pedal 30% will achieve 60% throttle opening at the engine. Basically full throttle opening at the engine is achieved with 50 to 60% at the pedal. This is why it can feel abrupt when using the throttle to balance the car in PLUS mode. Why was it designed this way? Probably to impress a potential car buyer on the first test drive...like damn this car feels fast at only half throttle I'll buy it now!
I would be nice to have factory PDK PLUS mode without the engine throttle advance feature bundled with it. No worries though, aftermarket has a solution COBB Accessport allow tweaking of shift points and throttle sensitivity. |
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