Mendeola SDR-5

I had a chance to check on the Mendeola SDR-5 transaxle. This is the transaxle designed for the GTM. Mendeola has a online catalog that is populated with photos of the GTM and Superlite SLC. They state that the SDR-5 was "Based on a mid-engine 2 seat, 2 wheel drive sports car with a wheelbase between 92" and 102" which weighs between 2400 and 2800 lbs. Front to rear bias: 45%F - 55%R. Rear tires P295 - P325 on 18" or 19" wheel."

Mendeola SDR5 transaxle. This was designed for the GTM.

Sounds like a GTM to me! There have been a lot of numbers thrown around about the SDR-5 transmission. These are the published numbers from Mendeola:

• 650 horsepower
• 600 foot-lbs torque

The knock on Mendeola has been their failure to deliver the original SDR transaxles to Factory Five customers on schedule or even a little behind schedule. My understanding is the original orders have been fulfilled. I inquired of Factory Five what kind of deposit and lead time they required for future SDR orders. Factory Five indicated they were not taking any SDR orders at this time.

The Mendeola website is running a banner ad indicating the SDR is coming soon. The online catalog that opens for the banner ad lists the SDR5. Page 7 has the following pricing:

• SDR5 Transaxle - $10,950
• GTM Mount - $475
• Master Shift Setup - $2400
• Gear Dash Indicator - $295           

There are probably some other things I need, so the entire transmission and shifting setup could cost somewhere north of $16,000. This is $4000 to $5000 over budget. Not good news on the money front, but great news on the durability front for a transaxle that is brand new and can handle the HP and torque coming off a LS 376/525 EFI engine.

Paddle Shifts

The GTM cockpit is not spacious. My strategy is to leverage technology (e.g. Smart Mirror, inTOUCH screen) to provide space. I would like to have a center console similar to the one in my Corvette.

Gary Cheyne's GTM fitted with paddle shifters to Porsche G50/20 transaxle.

One place to regain some space is to eliminate the gear shift between the seats. The way to do this is to go with a paddle shift solution. The C5 Corvette (base donor car for the GTM) does not have paddle shifts. So I am reading through the blog posts on SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) and come across a post for Master Shift.

Paddle shifter unit. t uses the horn wire to send signals to the controller unit.

Master Shift makes paddle shifters for automatic and manual transmissions (including the Porsche G50/20). The hardware is available for C5/C6/Z06 steering columns. They have already installed the system in a Factory Five GTM. It can be retrofitted to a variety of older and component cars.

Shift hardware that converts the G50/20 from shaft driven to cable driven .

This is how it works:

1. Shift command is transmitted via the horn wire to a electronic controller.
2. Two cables are connected from the controller to the shift hardware mounted on the transmission.
3. Shifts are not executed until the clutch is engaged. 
4. Safeties are built in to prevent neutral and reverse shifts
5. The controller is programmable.
6. A dash display indicates current gear.