Buzz,
I didn't realise that the upgrade was only for the WC trans. Was that on their website somewhere? It would be a shame, because there are any number of broken NWC T5s around the world....
Not having synchros means that you have to match the rpm of the engine to the gear that you are about to engage. This means little when you are accelerating because most guys would simply lift off the gas pedal for a split second and just pull the shifter into the next gear. No clutch disengagement at all!!! Set up an aftermarket Engine Management System to retard the timing when it detects pressure on the shifter, and you don't even have to lift off the gas. How good would that be ?!?!
Downshifting requires a little blip of the throttle to keep the rpm matched to the lower gear ratio. Many guys are in the habit of "heel and toeing" because it's easier on the trans, and it makes for smoother driving in any case.
David Salkowski (here on ClubCobra) was the guy that convinced me that it was worth giving Mike Long of G-Force a phone call a while back. David's immaculate ERA - that's running nearly 9sec 1/4 mile times naturally aspirated
- has a GF5R trans. He says that the dog engagement is absolutely no big deal, and you get used to it straight away. In fact, he says that many passengers don't even realise that there's a racing trans in the car.