ratchet shifters for auto '11 GT
 

I have a friend of mine looking into a new '11 GT. He drives quite a bit of stop-n-go inside large cities but would like to have the option to shift through the gears like a manual.

Now, some of the new cars from other manufacturers have the electronc paddle shift. Is there a way to set up a ratchet shifter with reverse lock out for this new auto trans or are there plans in the future to add the paddle shifter option?

If a ratche shifter is possible, what kind of mods would have to be done to the tranny and what kid of damages could occur if not done correctly.

I jsut came out of a 2005 C6 vette and was looking at this option but the planetary gears had a tendency to crack during down shifts. What issues do you guys think this new 6spd manual ford made would have?

I would classify my 2011 GT as 95% perfect. If it had paddle shifters like my old G35, it would be 100%. I drive 100 miles round trip to work 5 days a week. The engine and transmission are very responsive, but sometimes that downshift from 6th to 4th doesn't come as quickly as I'd like. When cruising through downtown Atlanta, I'd like to just keep the car in 4th until I hit GA400N.

If I had an auto trans that I could set up with a sequential shift type mechanism with hurst lightning rods I'd be the talk of the neighborhood... It's true. I always wanted to do that with the two vettes that I had but further research showed stuff like that tended to crack the planetary gears that the turned the drive shafts. I even had a shifter system mocked up and ready for trial. If only I could win the lottery.........