How cool would it be to shift your manual transmission with just the push of a button or the bump of a lever? Well, at SEMA 2011 the guys at MasterShift [1] were showing off their all new electronic paddle shifters for C5/C6 Corvettes with manual transmissions, and based on what we saw, these things look like a ton of fun.
[2]The MasterShift Electronic Paddle Shifter setup integrates perfectly with your stock steering wheel.
The MasterShift Electronic Paddle Shifters [1] work perfectly with the stock manual transmission in your C5/C6 Corvette, and don’t require any internal modifications to the transmission. The electronics allow you to fully customize how and when you want the transmission to shift through the paddle shifter that mounts seamlessly on to your factory airbag steering wheel, while you still control how the power is applied to the wheels through the factory clutch. You “bump” the car into whatever gear you want, push the clutch, and the MasterShift control module puts the car in gear for you. Then, when you are ready, you release the clutch and off you go.
[3]Normally, the shifter would be removed, but the guys at MasterShift left this Corvette one hooked up to illustrate how precisely their module can actuate the shift linkage.
MasterShift’s Electronic Paddle Shifter for late model Corvettes was developed with the Corvette Racing Team’s engineering firm, Pratt and Miller. So you can rest assured that it has been designed, tested, and approved by folks who know the Corvette inside and out.
[4]This is what the regular T56 MasterShift Module looks like hooked up to the shifter pedestal.
Even if you don’t have a Corvette, you can still get one of MasterShift’s cool electronic paddle shifters. They have units for most models of the T56, Tremec TKO 500/600, and soon they will have offerings for Muncie M21 and M22 transmissions. They also have paddle shifters for automatic transmissions from GM, Ford, and Chrysler. Check out MasterShift’s website [1] to get all the details.