Paddle Shifters with A10

Blueclyde · 03-19-2022, 09:39 PM

How many of you track guys with auto use the paddle shifters instead of letting the car shift itself? I’ve got a lot of track experience but have a new to me ZL1 as of last August that I’ve only tracked once at Mid Ohio. I have some local track days planned at Grattan and Gingerman here in Michigan, both tracks I know very well. The one session at Mid Ohio was interesting with the A10, as I had come straight out of a 19 SS/1LE which I tracked a ton. I found not knowing when then entry downshift was coming to be weird. Wondering how many of you guys use paddles for the certain timing of engine braking on corner entry.

synolimit · 03-19-2022, 10:11 PM

mid ohio's my home, haven't been there yet in the 1le but i'll probably use both. if it means anything the lightning lap at VIR was done in full auto.

Stephen12ZL1 · 03-19-2022, 10:13 PM

I use the paddle shifters as I have found in a few areas there are 2-4 extra shifts (up & down) which are unnecessary. These extra shifts cause excessive fluid temperatures and potential overheating. Yes, you have to experiment and find a rhythm but it isn't that hard. Downshifting the appropriate number of clicks during threshold braking can be difficult as is upshifting in a high g turn. The auto program also hangs the rpms near redline the entire lap and causes excessive engine oil temp as well. Many guys use auto for 25-30 min sessions but I just can't. The torque of the LT4 is a beautiful thing and you can squeeze throttle in certain turns (especially if slightly downhill) in a numerically higher gear with less engine braking. To each their own but I convey less stress on equipment my way and run similar lap times to the "fast guys". You can also upshift at 6300 rpm or so and lose nothing on the longer straights.

Stephen12ZL1 · 03-19-2022, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synolimit

mid ohio's my home, haven't been there yet in the 1le but i'll probably use both. if it means anything the lightning lap at VIR was done in full auto.

true...if you are at full tilt with no traffic and need one banzai lap, auto will suffice. For a full 25 min session with traffic, you better learn to use the paddles.

20Bluezl1 · 03-19-2022, 10:27 PM

All I use is the paddle shifters I find that the auto doesn't keep me in high RPM and gear. Also I feel like the downshift is more predictable with the paddles and helps to slow you down a little.

TheRealJA105 · 03-20-2022, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

I use the paddle shifters as I have found in a few areas there are 2-4 extra shifts (up & down) which are unnecessary. These extra shifts cause excessive fluid temperatures and potential overheating. Yes, you have to experiment and find a rhythm but it isn't that hard. Downshifting the appropriate number of clicks during threshold braking can be difficult as is upshifting in a high g turn. The auto program also hangs the rpms near redline the entire lap and causes excessive engine oil temp as well. Many guys use auto for 25-30 min sessions but I just can't. The torque of the LT4 is a beautiful thing and you can squeeze throttle in certain turns (especially if slightly downhill) in a numerically higher gear with less engine braking. To each their own but I convey less stress on equipment my way and run similar lap times to the "fast guys". You can also upshift at 6300 rpm or so and lose nothing on the longer straights.

Yep all of this. I always used the paddles

SCCAForums · 03-20-2022, 12:15 PM

I 100% use the paddles. Never left it in Auto mode. Did back to back testing with another friends A10 ZLE, and 50 degree cooler trans temps Manual mode vs Auto.

For a Hero lap, probably fine, but if tracking for the day… get used the the paddles.
Best regards,
Dave

Heartbreaker · 03-20-2022, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueclyde

How many of you track guys with auto use the paddle shifters instead of letting the car shift itself? I’ve got a lot of track experience but have a new to me ZL1 as of last August that I’ve only tracked once at Mid Ohio. I have some local track days planned at Grattan and Gingerman here in Michigan, both tracks I know very well. The one session at Mid Ohio was interesting with the A10, as I had come straight out of a 19 SS/1LE which I tracked a ton. I found not knowing when then entry downshift was coming to be weird. Wondering how many of you guys use paddles for the certain timing of engine braking on corner entry.

I leave it in auto. The car is always in the right gear. It is an amazing transmission.

Blueclyde · 03-20-2022, 07:02 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it. I’ve only had this car on the track once. It’s a standard ZL1 and I upgraded to ZLE wheels and tires this winter. I’m definitely going to try to run with the paddles. That realizability of downshift timing is what I’m looking for. It sounds like cooler trans temps is a bonus. Going to do this for sure.

ponyboy96 · 03-20-2022, 10:08 PM

I just run in auto.

LSA · 03-21-2022, 01:49 PM

Auto only. It's always in the right gear.

Gear spacing is too close for the paddles. They're not particularly responsive either.

joeyazzata29 · 03-21-2022, 02:08 PM

Im about 20 track days in between my old car 2020 10spd SS(sold) and my A10 SS 1le, I only use the paddles and ive never had an issue on track with trans temps or anything.

JacobC1983 · 03-21-2022, 02:38 PM

I also always use the paddles on track and autocross on my A10 ZL1.

03-19-2022, 09:39 PM	#1
Blueclyde Drives: 2023 ZLE Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Detroit Posts: 1,717	Paddle Shifters with A10 How many of you track guys with auto use the paddle shifters instead of letting the car shift itself? I’ve got a lot of track experience but have a new to me ZL1 as of last August that I’ve only tracked once at Mid Ohio. I have some local track days planned at Grattan and Gingerman here in Michigan, both tracks I know very well. The one session at Mid Ohio was interesting with the A10, as I had come straight out of a 19 SS/1LE which I tracked a ton. I found not knowing when then entry downshift was coming to be weird. Wondering how many of you guys use paddles for the certain timing of engine braking on corner entry.

03-19-2022, 10:13 PM	#3
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	I use the paddle shifters as I have found in a few areas there are 2-4 extra shifts (up & down) which are unnecessary. These extra shifts cause excessive fluid temperatures and potential overheating. Yes, you have to experiment and find a rhythm but it isn't that hard. Downshifting the appropriate number of clicks during threshold braking can be difficult as is upshifting in a high g turn. The auto program also hangs the rpms near redline the entire lap and causes excessive engine oil temp as well. Many guys use auto for 25-30 min sessions but I just can't. The torque of the LT4 is a beautiful thing and you can squeeze throttle in certain turns (especially if slightly downhill) in a numerically higher gear with less engine braking. To each their own but I convey less stress on equipment my way and run similar lap times to the "fast guys". You can also upshift at 6300 rpm or so and lose nothing on the longer straights. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

03-20-2022, 12:15 PM	#7
SCCAForums Drives: Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: AZ Posts: 388	I 100% use the paddles. Never left it in Auto mode. Did back to back testing with another friends A10 ZLE, and 50 degree cooler trans temps Manual mode vs Auto. For a Hero lap, probably fine, but if tracking for the day… get used the the paddles. Best regards, Dave __________________ 2022 SS 1LE - Vivid Orange - SCCA CAM-C & Optima Ultimate Street Car GT Katech, MSD, QA1, Hurst, Anderson Composites, ProParts USA Custom Suspension, MFR Engineering, Forgeline Wheels, G-Loc Brakes, Nine Lives Racing, MTX Audio, Penske Rapid Repair

03-19-2022, 10:11 PM	#2
synolimit Drives: 22 ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Ohio Posts: 233	mid ohio's my home, haven't been there yet in the 1le but i'll probably use both. if it means anything the lightning lap at VIR was done in full auto.

03-19-2022, 10:27 PM	#5
20Bluezl1 Drives: 2020 Zl1 A10 Riverside Blue Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: NJ Posts: 1,227	All I use is the paddle shifters I find that the auto doesn't keep me in high RPM and gear. Also I feel like the downshift is more predictable with the paddles and helps to slow you down a little.

03-20-2022, 07:02 PM	#9
Blueclyde Drives: 2023 ZLE Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Detroit Posts: 1,717	Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it. I’ve only had this car on the track once. It’s a standard ZL1 and I upgraded to ZLE wheels and tires this winter. I’m definitely going to try to run with the paddles. That realizability of downshift timing is what I’m looking for. It sounds like cooler trans temps is a bonus. Going to do this for sure.

03-20-2022, 10:08 PM	#10
ponyboy96 Drives: 2020 ZLE A10, 2018 F250 Diesel Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Atlanta Posts: 148	I just run in auto.

03-21-2022, 01:49 PM	#11
LSA Drives: Fast Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: My Garage Posts: 76	Auto only. It's always in the right gear. Gear spacing is too close for the paddles. They're not particularly responsive either.

03-21-2022, 02:38 PM	#13
JacobC1983 Drives: 2019 ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Missouri Posts: 488	I also always use the paddles on track and autocross on my A10 ZL1.

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