Tuning the Automatic Transmission

15351 Views 31 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Brody, 7 mo ago

JFernald

Discussion Starter · Nov 11, 2016

I have a Lusso automatic and would like to know what options there are for tuning the transmission controller. I have never done this but understand that it is possible to change shift points and limitations on torque. Is this something that could be done with a plug-in module or would I have to go to a performance shop? Is it possible to increase the rev limit to 6500 rpms? Is it possible to make shifts quicker or smoother?

There are probably other questions that I don't even know enough to ask. Please help.

1 - 20 of 32 Posts

[email protected]

· #2 · Nov 11, 2016

There are a number of things that you can do with a TCM remap. Typically, it is increasing torque limiters, changing torque vectoring (which can drastically alter driving characteristics of the vehicle, in a beneficial way), shift points, shift times, and positive range can all be altered to some degree. Sometimes the rev limiters are placed there as well, and can be adjusted. We are currently testing TCM remapping for the automatic on a Classica.

However, I can tell you that to truly take advantage of a TCM remap, you will want an ECU remap to go along with it. Some of the torque limiters are associated with each other, and the performance gains will be rather dismal if the overall torque vectoring cannot be changed within the ECU.

On the automatic specifically, we are testing a beta ECU flash tune at the moment, and the drivability of the automatic has so for improved greatly.

Reactions: 2

Chaddy

· #3 · Nov 11, 2016

http://shop.500madness.com/fiat-124.../fiat-124-spider-autoflash-by-madness-pid4112
They also have a video about it on YouTube

Reactions: 1

JFernald

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 11, 2016

[email protected] said:
There are a number of things that you can do with a TCM remap. Typically, it is increasing torque limiters, changing torque vectoring (which can drastically alter driving characteristics of the vehicle, in a beneficial way), shift points, shift times, and positive range can all be altered to some degree. Sometimes the rev limiters are placed there as well, and can be adjusted. We are currently testing TCM remapping for the automatic on a Classica.

However, I can tell you that to truly take advantage of a TCM remap, you will want an ECU remap to go along with it. Some of the torque limiters are associated with each other, and the performance gains will be rather dismal if the overall torque vectoring cannot be changed within the ECU.

On the automatic specifically, we are testing a beta ECU flash tune at the moment, and the drivability of the automatic has so for improved greatly.

I have installed the Euro+Drive Lite, the V1 intake and a GFB DV+. Do I need anything else?

Reactions: 1

PureAdrenaline

· #5 · Nov 11, 2016

[email protected] said:
There are a number of things that you can do with a TCM remap. Typically, it is increasing torque limiters, changing torque vectoring (which can drastically alter driving characteristics of the vehicle, in a beneficial way), shift points, shift times, and positive range can all be altered to some degree. Sometimes the rev limiters are placed there as well, and can be adjusted. We are currently testing TCM remapping for the automatic on a Classica.

However, I can tell you that to truly take advantage of a TCM remap, you will want an ECU remap to go along with it. Some of the torque limiters are associated with each other, and the performance gains will be rather dismal if the overall torque vectoring cannot be changed within the ECU.

On the automatic specifically, we are testing a beta ECU flash tune at the moment, and the drivability of the automatic has so for improved greatly.

Will a transmission remap be part of the ECU rewrite??

Greg

· #6 · Nov 11, 2016

JFernald said:
I have installed the Euro+Drive Lite, the V1 intake and a GFB DV+. Do I need anything else?

Probably not, but just wait. We are working on some exciting stuff.

Regarding the TMC autoflash (sold under another name by our competitor), we don't think it works on the 124. TMC does not offer it for the 124, or say it works on the 124, at least as far as I can tell.

Greg

[email protected]

· #7 · Nov 11, 2016

PureAdrenaline said:
Will a transmission remap be part of the ECU rewrite??

Unfortunately no, they are separate. But that does not mean that an ECU rewrite won't affect auto trans characteristics, it definitely will. Just to a different degree.

PureAdrenaline

· #8 · Nov 11, 2016

JFernald said:
I have installed the Euro+Drive Lite, the V1 intake and a GFB DV+. Do I need anything else?

How much head room do we have?? Are we getting pretty close to the limits of the automatic transmission with these mods??

JFernald

Discussion Starter · #9 · Nov 11, 2016

Greg said:
Probably not, but just wait. We are working on some exciting stuff.

Regarding the TMC autoflash (sold under another name by our competitor), we don't think it works on the 124. TMC does not offer it for the 124, or say it works on the 124, at least as far as I can tell.

Greg

Here is the link to the Autoflash, (http://shop.500madness.com/fiat-124-spider-autoflash-by-madness-pid4112).
They don't have the 124 on their list of Fiat vehicles on the main 500madness site. That seems odd. You can only get there by searching for Autoflash. (http://500madness.com/index.php)

PureAdrenaline

· #10 · Nov 11, 2016

JFernald said:
Here is the link to the Autoflash, (http://shop.500madness.com/fiat-124-spider-autoflash-by-madness-pid4112).
They don't have the 124 on their list of Fiat vehicles on the main 500madness site. That seems odd. You can only get there by searching for Autoflash. (http://500madness.com/index.php)

Seems to be available for the 124....one of the reviews is for a prima 124. Interesting.

Greg

· #11 · Nov 11, 2016

PureAdrenaline said:
How much head room do we have?? Are we getting pretty close to the limits of the automatic transmission with these mods??

No, we have plenty of room left.

PureAdrenaline said:
Seems to be available for the 124....one of the reviews is for a prima 124. Interesting.

I suggest you look here: http://www.tmcmotorsport.com/autoflash-automatic-gearbox-tuning

Greg

JFernald

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 11, 2016

PureAdrenaline said:
Seems to be available for the 124....one of the reviews is for a prima 124. Interesting.

Based on the differences between what I have seen and experienced from the EDL versus the 500Madness, I'll wait for EuroCompulsion. At least for a while.

Reactions: 1

PureAdrenaline

· #13 · Nov 11, 2016

JFernald said:
Based on the differences between what I have seen and experienced from the EDL versus the 500Madness, I'll wait for EuroCompulsion. At least for a while.

I agree...actually pretty interested in seeing what this ECU swap will net.

JFernald

Discussion Starter · #14 · Nov 11, 2016

Greg said:
No, we have plenty of room left.

I suggest you look here: http://www.tmcmotorsport.com/autoflash-automatic-gearbox-tuning

Greg

They don't show anything for any 2017 models. And the Fiat section does not show any 124 Spiders.

PureAdrenaline

· #15 · Nov 11, 2016

I am not interested in their product...but it does appear they are putting it in a 124.

Greg

· #16 · Nov 12, 2016

JFernald said:
They don't show anything for any 2017 models. And the Fiat section does not show any 124 Spiders.

Exactly. TMC, the people who make that device don't say anything about it working on the 124. There is a reason for that.

Greg

Greg

· #17 · Nov 12, 2016

PureAdrenaline said:
I am not interested in their product...but it does appear they are putting it in a 124.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_S3_Z4rCek

It's very difficult for me to comment on this without seeming like a total @$$, but sometimes getting the truth out takes priority over appearances.

The TMC autoflash does not increase power or change the limiters on the 124. That's the reason TMC doesn't currently offer it for the 124. It certainly doesn't work on manual transmission cars. TMC is very clear that it's for "for automatic geared vehicles, tiptronic, and paddle shift vehicles".

What do we see in this video? I would argue that this video provides absolutely no evidence that it works on the 124. I see that that it plugs into the OBD2 port, which it would since all OBD2 ports are the same. Apparently a light comes on the on the device, but that only means it's getting power, nothing else. Since all OBD2 ports use the same pins for power, it's going to do that, it is NOT an indication that it's "working" or writing anything successfully.

The claim in the video that this works on the manual transmission is just plain wrong. All the limiters and parameters related to power on the manual car are in the Engine's ECU. Currently NO aftermarket company on the planet can write to the engine's ECU through the OBD2 port. This device doesn't do that, it can't do that and the manufacturer (TMC) doesn't say it does that. This is a case of a vendor probably not fully understanding the product.

TMC is a good company, all of their products work and do what they say, but in this case it seems that the vendor selling it is misinformed at best.

Greg

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Reactions: 3

JFernald

Discussion Starter · #18 · Nov 12, 2016

Greg,

I would have to agree. With the extremely vague claims made about their piggyback ECM (best, significant, noticeable, etc), I would be reluctant to buy from that vendor, until their claims are supported by the manufacturer.

From their videos, they are very proud of their dynamometer facility. But, they did not produce dyno results for their ECM. Did Hillary delete those too? Suspicious.

However, they did produce some nice videos on how to install their ECM. It actually helped me install the EDL.

Reactions: 1

Greg

· #19 · Nov 12, 2016

That's not their dyno facility.

I'm not saying they are bad guys or generally misinformed. They do have some nice stuff. I am just saying that they seem to have some confusion on that specific product.

Greg

Reactions: 2

PureAdrenaline

· #20 · Nov 13, 2016

Greg said:
That's not their dyno facility.

I'm not saying they are bad guys or generally misinformed. They do have some nice stuff. I am just saying that they seem to have some confusion on that specific product.

Greg

That being said...they need to get their act together. This misinformation could be very costly to a prospective customer. I always dig a little deeper about companies before I purchase anything...but some people just rely web site data.

Ok...my short rant is over. >

Greg do you have any time table when the new ECU for the 124 will be available?? Very interested to see the improvements that it will make.

Reactions: 1

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