CourseAutomotive & Motorsport Applications open

Sequential vs. H-pattern gearbox course

Online course of 300 hours in sequential versus H-pattern gearboxes. 6 modules covering transmission architecture, H-pattern versus sequential shifting, actuation systems, gear ratios and maintenance and reliability, with ISO 6336, ISO 1328-1, KISSsoft and an assigned technical tutor.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate

Sequential vs. H-pattern gearbox course — studying from Ireland

Ireland has a modest automotive footprint, with activity centred on component supply, automotive electronics, testing and aftermarket services rather than vehicle assembly. Motorsport and performance engineering are represented by teams, specialist workshops and engineering consultancies, often linked to the Irish motorsport community. Engineers in this area work on powertrain components, vehicle dynamics, sensor integration and testing for both established manufacturers and suppliers. Regulatory oversight for road vehicles comes from national and European type-approval bodies, while industry collaboration is coordinated through automotive and engineering associations.

Fees for Ireland: €644 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in Ireland

  • Department of Transport
  • Motor Industry Ireland (MII)
  • Engineers Ireland
  • Motorsport Ireland

Typical roles

  • Automotive Engineer
  • Vehicle Dynamics Engineer
  • Powertrain Test Engineer
  • Motorsport Performance Engineer

Questions from Ireland

Which Irish bodies are relevant for recognising automotive engineering qualifications?

In Ireland, Engineers Ireland is the principal professional body for engineers and runs chartered engineer registration. Automotive vehicle standards and roadworthiness fall under the Road Safety Authority and the National Car Test system. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so their recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide. Confirm this with them before enrolling if it matters for your career.

Where do automotive and motorsport engineers typically work in Ireland, and do employers value online study?

Ireland has automotive supply chain and engineering activity, along with motorsport and vehicle-related design roles, though it is a smaller market than larger European countries. Employers usually weigh practical experience and proven skills heavily. An online private qualification can complement a CV, but whether it is valued depends on each employer, and no outcome can be guaranteed.

How do I fit this programme around work and what language level is needed?

Study is fully online and taught in English, so you need a good working command of English for technical reading and written assignments. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. Each student receives an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible, so raise that with your employer early.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Distinguish the architecture of sequential and H-pattern gearboxes.

02

Compare the performance, reliability and cost of both systems.

03

Calibrate actuation and ignition cut systems.

04

Calculate gear ratios for each circuit.

05

Plan the maintenance of a competition gearbox.

06

Apply regulatory restrictions.

07

Diagnose typical transmission faults.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Transmission engineers.
  • Gearbox mechanics.
  • Competition maintenance technicians.
  • Track engineers.
  • Shift system calibrators.
  • Chief mechanics responsible for driveline reliability.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter competition motor sport.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 6336 (load capacity calculation of spur and helical gears)
  • ISO 1328-1 (accuracy of cylindrical gears)
  • ISO 281 (bearing rating life)
  • Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code (technical regulations for competition cars)
  • FIA GT3 Technical Regulations (technical rules for GT3 cars)
  • AGMA 2001-D04 (gear rating factors)
  • KISSsoft
  • Romax
  • MoTeC i2 Pro
  • OptimumLap
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Role of the gearbox in the driveline
  2. 1.2Manual H-pattern gearbox with synchromesh
  3. 1.3Straight-cut sequential gearbox
  4. 1.4Dog-engagement gears and dog rings
  5. 1.5Selector drum and forks
  6. 1.6Close ratios and gear spacing
  7. 1.7Transverse versus longitudinal layout
  8. 1.8Transaxle gearboxes in single-seaters
  9. 1.9Splash and dry-sump lubrication
  10. 1.10Practical: stripping down a sequential gearbox
  1. 2.1Shift time and loss of traction
  2. 2.2Synchronisers and wear
  3. 2.3Gear selection errors
  4. 2.4Driver workload
  5. 2.5Double-declutching and heel-and-toe
  6. 2.6Regulations that mandate the H-pattern
  7. 2.7Purchase and maintenance cost
  8. 2.8Reliability in endurance racing
  9. 2.9Advantages in historic categories
  10. 2.10Case study: comparing shift times in telemetry
  1. 3.1Mechanical sequential lever
  2. 3.2Steering wheel paddles and pneumatic actuator
  3. 3.3Electro-hydraulic shift actuators
  4. 3.4Drum position sensor
  5. 3.5Ignition cut on upshifts
  6. 3.6Automatic blip on downshifts
  7. 3.7Seamless shift in F1
  8. 3.8Calibrating cut times
  9. 3.9Safety in case of actuator failure
  10. 3.10Lab: calibrating a quickshifter
  1. 4.1Calculating speed in each gear
  2. 4.2Final drive selection
  3. 4.3Gear spacing according to the circuit
  4. 4.4Torque curve and optimum shift point
  5. 4.5Sawtooth diagram
  6. 4.6Changing ratios in the pits
  7. 4.7Ratios homologated by regulation
  8. 4.8Gear ratio simulation software
  9. 4.9Effect of tyre diameter
  10. 4.10Workshop: calculating ratios for a circuit
  1. 5.1Service life of gears and bearings
  2. 5.2Inspection of dog teeth
  3. 5.3Oil and particle analysis
  4. 5.4Gearbox oil temperature
  5. 5.5Adjusting selector clearances
  6. 5.6Replacing parts between events
  7. 5.7Mileage log per component
  8. 5.8Typical failures and their causes
  9. 5.9Specific tools and fixtures
  10. 5.10Case study: season maintenance plan
  1. 6.1Definition of the vehicle and applicable regulations
  2. 6.2Comparative analysis of alternatives
  3. 6.3Choice of gearbox type
  4. 6.4Calculation of ratios per circuit
  5. 6.5Proposed actuation system
  6. 6.6Maintenance plan
  7. 6.7Life-cycle cost estimate
  8. 6.8Reliability risk analysis
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is KISSsoft, Romax, MoTeC i2 Pro and OptimumLap, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for gearbox strip-down and inspection, quickshifter calibration and gear ratio calculation. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final project.

Standards covered: ISO 6336; ISO 1328-1; ISO 281; Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code; FIA GT3 Technical Regulations; AGMA 2001-D04.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 6336, ISO 1328-1 and ISO 281 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:KISSsoft, Romax, MoTeC i2 Pro and OptimumLap, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a competition transmission project choosing the gearbox type, ratios per circuit, actuation system and maintenance plan, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Vehicle and regulations
Define the vehicle and the applicable regulations.
Gearbox choice
Compare the alternatives and choose the gearbox type.
Ratios and actuation
Calculate ratios per circuit and propose the actuation system.
Maintenance and cost
Draw up the maintenance plan and life-cycle cost estimate.
Final project
Deliver the report with the reliability risk analysis, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Transmission engineerGearbox mechanicCompetition maintenance technicianTrack engineerShift system calibratorChief mechanic
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with KISSsoft, Romax, MoTeC i2 Pro and OptimumLap, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

No prior qualification is required; you need a computer able to run the programme software, an internet connection and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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