TCU hacking

[Carl Morris]

It's too bad Mike (the original granny tranny dude) had to part the 1g auto. People have started posting about how to hack the TCU on the dsm-ecu list. Seems pretty interesting, and it looks like you could use the same emulator that ECU chip hackers use to play with TCU shift points on the fly, and then just burn a chip when you had it the way you wanted it.

Anybody here running or building a fast automatic DSM? I don't know if the TCUs changed completely on the 2Gs like the ECUs did, so maybe everything I'm talking about is 1G specific.

[JackM]

Hey, you should switch your GVR4 to an ATX, LOL! I have one here including all the parts you need for the conversion :)

Jack

[Wolf]

Anybody here running or building a fast automatic DSM? I don't know if the TCUs changed completely on the 2Gs like the ECUs did, so maybe everything I'm talking about is 1G specific.
I am actually working on making Mikes old A/T a bit faster. Its actually just about stock again right now, and ready to start upgrading. I would not mind getting some of the info on it.
Mike

[Carl Morris]

What happened to the super A/T Mike had built, did it get sold separately? Are you using the stock TCU? There's really no info to give, except that somebody comfortable using an emulator to program their EPROM ECU will also be comfortable changing their shift points using the same emulator on their TCU.

[Wolf]

Yea, he sold it seperate, but the one it has now is rebuilt with new end clutches and a shift kit. We will get there, but it took a bit to get it all back together and running right, so now it is saving up to do so.
Mike

[Hemicolt]

This is what some of the local csm guys are getting into my buddy paul is working on an a/t awd (w4a33-1) set-up for his colt and i'm working on a a/t fwd (f4a33-1) set-up for mine i just need to find a decent tranny..


Davis

[Carl Morris]

So are the people planning to run autos assuming that the stock shift points will be acceptable, or do they have plans for how to control that?

[Wolf]

I have actually been looking int TCUgo to give our auto the ability to shift up manually. Anyone have any pos or neg insight into it?
Mike

[Hemicolt]

I don't know for sure what the other guys plan on doing but i'm going to be running the Ipt electr-matic manual controller http://www.amsperformance.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=21_146&products_id=876 it's like a stand alone for your tranny... I looked up the tcugo and there is a thread about it on dsmtuners looks like the guy that did the write up likes it...

[Wolf]

Hmmmm. I think I like that set up a bit better. Not too pricey for us, so I may look into it a bit more as well to make sure I keep my options open.
Thanks Bro.
Mike

[Carl Morris]

I've heard the TCUgo is not available, maybe you can still get used ones, though.

I just started this thread to make people aware of the possibility that a whatever-stall strengthened tranny with a hacked factory ECU may become a good combo.

[Wolf]

^^Yea, I saw that today when I was looking. And used electronics are not always at the top of My list without knowing who I am buying from.
Mike

[fivetodrive]

Does anyone know if the TCU is specific to the models or are they all the same? I saw a few at the yard today and thought they would be good to practice putting sockets in!

[Blackmage]

i found something that does the same thing as the tcucongo does but it needs wireing

http://www.rmtmods.ca/manual%20shift.htm

check that out i was thinking about doing that too my a/t one day

[Wolf]

Did the read through on that. Wow, the more I see the more I would love to try.
We never wanted an auto, but we bought this one to sell and decided to keep it, but all this info is good reading. Keep it comming.
Mike

[Blackmage]

yeah if anyone else reads that article let me know if you try it because i'll pay someone too do it too my car soon as i fix it