ECU tune Transmission control unit?

[NiftySVX]

As far as the oil temp light goes, adjusting the threshold to a temperature of about 215 is that it would actually be a useful "warning" light instead of a light that seems to be some pointless engineering exercise that has absolutely no usefulness. However, I think that a transmission pan temperature of 215 is one that could be attained before transmission damage. Operating conditions such as aggressive driving, hill climbing or just very hot weather (or one in which the engine is running hot) could possibly cause the pan to reach that temperature. This would give validity to the message shown on the visor, since the coolant should cool the fluid back down and shut the light off. I REALLY think we could save transmissions this way.

Also, the lockup temp at 150 is outrageous. I am not sure why they made it so high. I think they had an idea that the fluid would heat to 150 and then stay in the range of about 150-195, however this just doesn't happen in these cars. There is no need for it to be that high as far as i know. 100 should be plenty hot for atf to perform as it should. Usually the lockup prohibit on these older cars was meant to ensure the coolant heated to operating temp as fast as possible for emissions purposes, but the engine is long since warmed up in winter months before the atf reaches 150. However, if we lowered that temperature to 100, then we would be able to keep the fluid temperature down on shorter trips, and i think it would also have a marked impact on fuel economy. I know here in oklahoma my converter won't lock up on my 10 mile trip to work if the outside temperature is below about 45. That trip is almost all freeway.

Thoughts?

[longassname]

i aggree about the light but not the lockup temp. The 150 degree lockup is to dry the fluid. If you were to make that daily commute everyday and never get your fluid up to temp your fluid would go bad shortly followed by your transmission.

[NiftySVX]

Ah, good one. I had not considered that... hmm. Makes sense now.

[longassname]

Thanks for the suggestion Nifty. What I've done is set both the warning light and overheat mode to come on at 212F and go off at 203F. This way the TCU will start taking action at the same time it tells you that you need to take action. I suspect we will save a lot of SVX transmissions with this (assuming people start using it).

[svxfiles]

I just checked the mileage on my Red 93 again.
19.7 mpg.

236.5 miles used 12 galloms 92 octane.

[oregondave]

Originally Posted by longassname

Thanks for the suggestion Nifty. What I've done is set both the warning light and overheat mode to come on at 212F and go off at 203F. This way the TCU will start taking action at the same time it tells you that you need to take action. I suspect we will save a lot of SVX transmissions with this (assuming people start using it).

LAN does this come with your tcu chip?

[oregondave]

Originally Posted by oregondave

LAN does this come with your tcu chip?

oops just looked and answered my own question!

[oregondave]

Originally Posted by NiftySVX

As far as the oil temp light goes, adjusting the threshold to a temperature of about 215 is that it would actually be a useful "warning" light instead of a light that seems to be some pointless engineering exercise that has absolutely no usefulness. However, I think that a transmission pan temperature of 215 is one that could be attained before transmission damage. Operating conditions such as aggressive driving, hill climbing or just very hot weather (or one in which the engine is running hot) could possibly cause the pan to reach that temperature. This would give validity to the message shown on the visor, since the coolant should cool the fluid back down and shut the light off. I REALLY think we could save transmissions this way.

Also, the lockup temp at 150 is outrageous. I am not sure why they made it so high. I think they had an idea that the fluid would heat to 150 and then stay in the range of about 150-195, however this just doesn't happen in these cars. There is no need for it to be that high as far as i know. 100 should be plenty hot for atf to perform as it should. Usually the lockup prohibit on these older cars was meant to ensure the coolant heated to operating temp as fast as possible for emissions purposes, but the engine is long since warmed up in winter months before the atf reaches 150. However, if we lowered that temperature to 100, then we would be able to keep the fluid temperature down on shorter trips, and i think it would also have a marked impact on fuel economy. I know here in oklahoma my converter won't lock up on my 10 mile trip to work if the outside temperature is below about 45. That trip is almost all freeway.

Thoughts?

I think this feature might have saved my first tranny. I was high centered in snow and stupidly plowed forward slowly...then noticed my temp guage, while not in the red, was noticeably higher than it ever has been before or since. Tranny hadn't been perfect and took some time to go into reverse, but after this incident, it was DONE. If i'd had this tran temp light mod I would have shut my car down to cool much earlier I bet, potentially saving that tranny (and $1,800).

[oregondave]

Originally Posted by svxfiles

I've now had a chance to drive it with the chip, AND I REALLY LIKE IT!!!
It holds the car in the lower gears for longer letting the engine get up to "towing speed".
The one thing that I did not like about the SVX, stock or 4.44 was that it shifted out of first gear in like ten feet!
LAN burned this one for my Claret so it (at WOT) has the 7200 shift to second that is most likely too high for a stock engine.
So on my next chip for the Red 93, I'll get the stock 6500 RPM mapping.
For $50.00 if you can solder it in yourself, this thing is a steal!
Thanks, again,
LAN

So to confirm, whole new tcu unit not required, just custom shift map?

I don't know how to solder ****...is this something a good shop should be able to do?

[SuberNatural]

You can also send your tcu (with directions) to www.moates.net. They can chip it for you, burn the ROM, and supply all of the sockets - chips - etc.

[oregondave]

Originally Posted by SuberNatural

You can also send your tcu (with directions) to www.moates.net. They can chip it for you, burn the ROM, and supply all of the sockets - chips - etc.

So buy the product from LAN then send it to them to do?

Ok, only issue is not having my car for awhile - she's my DD.

[longassname]

if you don't know how to solder you should buy the complete tcu.

Originally Posted by oregondave

So to confirm, whole new tcu unit not required, just custom shift map?

I don't know how to solder ****...is this something a good shop should be able to do?

[svxcess]

I had an opportunity to drive svxfiles 93 SVX with this chip in it and I totally agree with all that has been said about it.

I drove my 96 Polo for 2 hours to get to Toms, so I was very familiar with how my transmission shifts. One of the first things I did when I got to Tom's house was take his 93 with the chip for a drive.

His car has the approximately the same mileage as mine and the smae stock 3.545 gears, so a direct comparison was easy.

At highway speeds, everything was identical, but it was at the lower speeds wher the differences were immediately and pleasantly apparent.

From a dead stop, it stayed in the lower gears longer between shifts. The shifts at the increased RPMs seemed quicker and firmer than I am used to.This is how the 4EAT should have shifted all along.

I really like the way this chip transforms the powertrain characteristics and am seriously considering having this installed. Another important benefit is the lower ATF temperature limit for the warning light / overheat mode. When the ATF warning light came on in my son's 92 pearlie, I knew it was long dead. A lower temperature warning would have bought me a little breathing room and possibly take some actions before major damage was done.

Great job, LAN. I really cannot find anything negative to say about this.

.

[longassname]

Thanks,

It has been suggested to me that everyone should have one of these TCUs and that I should do something to get the ball rolling and get them out there so that more people can find that out--specifically it was suggested I have a sale. I thought it was a good suggestion so it's on sale now. The TCUs are now on sale for $199 shipped for the first 10 purchasers.

[svxfiles]

Originally Posted by longassname

Thanks,

It has been suggested to me that everyone should have one of these TCUs and that I should do something to get the ball rolling and get them out there so that more people can find that out--specifically it was suggested I have a sale. I thought it was a good suggestion so it's on sale now. The TCUs are now on sale for $199 shipped for the first 10 purchasers.

I really think that we should support people like LAN, TomsSVX, Mychailo, Dayle, Earthworm, and Stevesby.
They are spending time, money, effort to help our SVXi live longer, and perform better!
I also really like the improvements this chip gives.
So, for the next ten buyers, if they bring the ECUTune transmission TCU here, I will install it for free.
The same thing goes for the next ten TomsSVX intakes.
Buy it from them, and I will install it here at no charge.

OT

PS, Don't tell Di!





Notice that I picked the easiest things to install.