Buyer's guide
Shiftec pneumatic paddle shift kit: complete buying guide
Faster, cleaner shifts. Every component chosen for your car, not pulled off a shelf.
A Shiftec paddle shift system is built from a small set of components that all have to agree with each other. Your throttle type decides whether you need a blipper, and which one. Your gear shifting mechanism decides whether a valve block is needed, and which one. Your ECU decides whether you need a dedicated controller at all. This guide walks through each decision in order so you land on the right build for your car.
Overview
The decisions you'll make
1
Drivetrain type
Drive-by-wire or drive-by-cable. Cable cars also choose a blipper.
2
Gear shifting mechanism
Gear Shift Servo, or Actuator 34 with a matching valve block.
3
Controller
Only needed if your ECU can't already run shift strategy.
4
Air supply
Air Power Source, or a Billet Compressor with an accumulator.
5
Paddle size
Small 60mm or large 125mm carbon paddle.
—
Included as standard
Gear Position Sensor ships with every build.
Decision 1
Drive-by-wire or drive-by-cable?
Every Shiftec build starts here. Your throttle type decides whether a blipper is part of your build, and if so, which one.
Drive-by-wire
No blipper needed. Throttle blip on downshift is handled electronically by your ECU.
Drive-by-cable
You'll also need a blipper to control engine rpm on downshift. Compare the two options below.
Blipper comparison, for drive-by-cable cars
Side Mount Throttle Blipper
Mounts directly at the throttle linkage and acts on it to blip the throttle. Fixed stroke with an adjustable end nudger to fine tune the amount of blip applied.
View →Cable Pull Blipper
The throttle cable passes through the blipper body and acts on the outer sleeve, so it doesn't need to be engine mounted, giving more flexibility in where it sits.
View →
Decision 2
Gear Shift Servo or Actuator 34?
This decides whether you need a separate valve block, and if so, which one.
Gear Shift Servo
Shiftec's professional gear shift actuator, a Le Mans-winning design. Shift valves are custom built into the actuator itself, so almost zero air path between valve and piston, faster response, lower air consumption, and no separate valve block to buy or mount. 34mm total stroke, DTM or Autosport connectors.
View Gear Shift Servo →Actuator 34
A robust billet machined aluminium actuator with adjustable rod ends and a 34mm total stroke, at a lower cost than the Servo. Since the valve isn't integrated, it needs a separate Pneumatic Valve Block.
View Actuator 34 →
Which valve block, if using Actuator 34
Two Way Valve Block
Standard gear shift functionality only. Used when there's no blipper in the system, generally the drive-by-wire path.
Three Way Valve Block
Adds blipper functionality to the same standard shift control. Used whenever a blipper is in play, generally the drive-by-cable path.
Both are variants of the same Pneumatic Valve Block, selectable on that product page. View Pneumatic Valve Block →
Decision 3
Do you need a controller?
If your car's ECU can already run shift strategy, blip, cut, and timing, you don't need a dedicated GCU. If it can't, one of Shiftec's controllers takes on that job.
ECU handles shift strategy
Your existing ECU outputs can drive the shift valves and blip signals directly. No GCU needed.
ECU doesn't handle shift strategy
Choose a GCU based on how much control and I/O your build needs. Full features for each are below.
Decision 4
Air Power Source or Billet Compressor and accumulator?
Both deliver the compressed air your actuators run on. The difference is how many parts you're buying and mounting.
Air Power Source
Shiftec's flagship air supply, in production since 2012 with class wins at Le Mans and Daytona and stage wins at WRC level. Combines the compressor, accumulator, and a bespoke control unit into a single CNC machined 7075 aluminium package, no separate accumulator or pressure vessel to mount and hose up. Runs standalone or over CAN. Pairs perfectly with the Gear Shift Servo.
View Air Power Source →Billet Compressor and accumulator
A lighter, more compact route that splits the job across two parts. The Billet Compressor is a bespoke designed, billet machined unit built for efficiency, with a flying lead or DTP connector as standard. Pair it with either accumulator below.
Which accumulator
Standard Accumulator
Stores air from the compressor for high consumption moments. Dash 4 and dash 6 JIC fittings, 10 bar rated. No built-in sensor, so pressure is managed some other way, typically through a GCU reading a separate sensor.
View →Accumulator with Integrated Pressure Sensor
Same job, with a pressure sensor and air filter built into the billet end cap. Connects straight to a GCU for accurate compressor control. A natural fit alongside the Gear Shift Servo.
View →
Decision 5
Small or large paddle?
The Single Function Paddle is available in two sizes.
Small Carbon Paddle, 60mm
The standard size, suited to most cockpit and steering wheel layouts.
Large Carbon Paddle, 125mm
A taller pad for applications that need greater surface area, easier to find under load or with gloved hands.
View Single Function Paddle →
Included with every build
Gear position feedback, built in
Standard
Gear Position Sensor
Every Shiftec build we spec includes a Gear Position Sensor, so your dash and controller always know exactly what gear you're in. Hall effect technology, IP67 rated, rated for over 50 million movements, and built to run from -40°C to 125°C. One less thing to source, one more thing that just works out of the box. View Gear Position Sensor →
GCU500 / 501 / 502
View GCU500 →- Entry level, fully featured USB and CAN based gearbox controller
- 501 adds throttle position sensing (TPS) for drive-by-wire blip control
- 502 adds a second, independent CAN channel
- Outputs for shift valves, compressor, blip and cut signals, shift lights
- 6 analogue inputs, including 2 differential inputs
- Dedicated speed input, direct USB communication
- Full closed loop 3 stage shift control
GCU800
View GCU800 →- A more capable step up, same USB and CAN foundation
- Outputs for valves, compressor, blip and cut signals, shift lights
- 8 analogue inputs, including 2 differential inputs
- Dedicated speed input, direct USB communication
- Full closed loop 3 stage shift control
- Extremely lightweight, 150g, 11mm deep billet housing
GCU900
- Everything the GCU800 offers, plus clutch control capability
- Suited to more complex systems, including conversions of historic hydraulic based vehicles
Prefer it ready to go
Prebuilt shift kits
Club Sport, hardware only
The full Club Sport hardware set, Compact Compressor, Accumulator, Gear Shift Servo, and paddles, with no GCU included. The right pick if your ECU already handles shift strategy.
View kit →Club Sport with GCU500
Everything in the hardware only kit, plus the GCU500 gear controller for cars that need a dedicated shift strategy brain.
View kit →Club Sport with GCU501
Same Club Sport hardware, stepped up with the GCU501 for drive-by-wire cars that need throttle position based blip control.
View kit →Pro Sport Shift Kit
The professional level build. Gear Shift Servo upgraded with an Autosport connector, a professional motorsport wiring loom, and the Billet Compressor with the option to upgrade to the Air Power Source. GCU800 can be added.
View kit →
FAQ
Common questions
What's the actual difference between the Gear Shift Servo and Actuator 34?
The Gear Shift Servo has its valves built in, so it's a self contained unit. Actuator 34 is a separate, lighter actuator that needs its own valve block, either two way or three way depending on whether you're running a blipper.
Do I need a GCU if my ECU already controls shift strategy?
No. If your ECU can already run blip, cut, and shift timing, Shiftec's actuators and valve blocks can be driven directly from it. A GCU is only needed to take on that job when your ECU can't.
Do drive-by-wire cars need a blipper?
No. Throttle blip on downshift is handled electronically on drive-by-wire cars. Blippers are only needed on drive-by-cable systems.
What's the difference between the Side Mount Throttle Blipper and the Cable Pull Blipper?
The side mount unit acts directly on the throttle linkage, so it has to be mounted near it. The cable pull unit lets the throttle cable pass through the blipper body and acts on the outer sleeve instead, so it can be mounted somewhere more convenient, away from the engine.
What's the difference between the Air Power Source and a Billet Compressor with an accumulator?
The Air Power Source integrates the compressor, accumulator, and control unit into one billet machined package. Running a Billet Compressor with a separate accumulator gives you more flexibility in mounting but is two components instead of one.
What's the difference between the Club Sport and Pro Sport kits?
Club Sport uses the Billet Compressor and a separate accumulator. Pro Sport steps up to the fully integrated Air Power Source. Both include the Gear Shift Servo and paddles as standard.
Not sure which build is right for you?
Tell us about your car and we'll help you spec the right Shiftec build.
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