Zf 8hp70 mated to sbc

[cmcnitt]

I just finished swapping a 8 speed auto from a dodge ram into my 67 chevelle.
I'm posting this only to offer anyone interested in doing this any help / advice based on what I did to make it work.
it's really not too bad, I decided to rip the existing controller out of the tranny and used an external one.
other than that I used an ati adapter plate and 153 tooth gm flex plate to mate it up.
I am currently manually shifting using two buttons, shift up and shift down. I'll be adding auto mode someday however manual mode is really what I was after,
I actually only lock up the converter after 8th so it feels like a 9 speed.
it's basically the same as the hellcat tranny, I shift in under 200 ms and it barks the tires in every gear.
there's probably better trannys to use but I've tried 2sp, 3sp,4sp od, and a t56. This 8 spd kills them all :)
Again, I'm only posting to help others interested in doing this, it took me a lot of searching to find the info so I'd be happy to help anyone save some time do this.
A

[patoke]

I am interested in learning more about how you made it work. What external controller did you use? Thanks, Pat

[USAZR1]

I'm interested in learning more,too.

[andrewb70]

Would love more info and pictures. How big is this beast?

Andrew

[raustinss]

What was the reason for the idea of an 8 speed ....and why not use a gm 8speed ? ...just curious, please don't think I'm being rude

[cmcnitt]

hey guys, sorry i didn't respond sooner.
anyway, ive been running the same trans for about three years now, I bought a used one out of a 2014 ram truck with the hemi. I initially installed it in my 67 chevelle behind a 30ish hp sbc. Since then I put in a 5.3 ls with big turbo (of course). After 3 tries at the texas mile and blowing up 2 ls motors I finally killed this poor transmission although it really wasn't it's fault, I programmed a trans brake into it and the ls with turbo blew through it and torched a clutch. I never even tried a trans brake before, drag racing isn't my thing .
Anyway I'm putting it all back together now so I can take pics, I'll post over the next few days. I had adapter plate made from an online machine shop and I'm now using tci flexplate and stock ls starter. I built a controller using an online board manufacturer (maybe $75 total invested). I had to pull the valve body out, remove the stock controller, then wire the solenoids to the main connector so i could control each solenoid individually. you could do this and use most any controller however they are expensive in my opinion.
so cost is about $800 for used 8hp70 out of a 2014 -up dodge ram hemi
adapter is about $250 online (i can send you the cad if you want it)
i'm using the '53 tci flexplate which was overkill however i blamed the last ls blowup on the $45 amazon plate i was using. turns out i stuck a piston
about $100 in controller / wiring
and i bought a driveshaft from the driveshaft shop. they already have an adapter to get from the stock ram flange to a cv joint then a 1310 on the other end.

I honestly don't think you find a better trans for driving, its the same trans bmw (google 8p45r) uses in their race car only they run without a converter. that's my next project btw.
with the sbc at The Texas Mile i was shifting at 7k without lifting with 4.11 gears and it went over 150mph. it shifts in 150 ms, with a controller you can shift anyway you want as each shift is a clutch to clutch shift so you release one clutch and engage another. I first hit the engage clutch full pressure, wait 50 ms, then release the other clutch. it would bark the hoosier r4's all the way into 5th. honestly i'm afraid to try it with the ls, it makes 750rwhp. the one thing I don't like about it is the torque converter, no one offers anything for this trans. that's why I'm going to try direct drive and launch off of the beefiest clutch in the trans. it actually has a clutch pack designed for this, it's the same clutch that the bmw race car uses to launch.
well, I'll post some pics soon. I'm not trying to sell this thing to anyone but I can honestly say that it's by far the best trans I've ever seen, especially considering how cheap they are and the bone yards are filling up. ok, last story.. So the original trans was in it going into March with a fresh 6.0. I put it on the dyno 2 days before the mile and was working on the tune, i was in 5th gear with converter locked at about 2300 rpm, i stabbed it and when the turbo spooled up it blew through what was left of the clutch i hurt with trans braking. so i put it on the trailer and took it to the mile, hoping i could run without using that clutch. after trying everything we could thing of someone ran to a local bone yard and grabbed a complete trans for $800. by morning we were ready to make a run.
I originally went with this trans because i was underpowered but wanted overdrive, i had the original glide but wanted overdrive. after shopping around I just didn't like the options. I happened to ride in a new ram with the hemi and 8 speed when they came out and thought man it would be great to have this in my car. after researching the crap out of it I just decided i had to have one. he only 'technical' part i'd say is getting a controller connected, i'm a software guy so i didn't mind taking the time to figure it out. I will say that I almost pulled this trans out in favor or a manual 6 speed when i put the 6.0 in but I've grown fond of this 8 speed and didn't want to hang a pedal for a clutch. If you read up on the 8hp70 you'll see it's a cool design and very efficient. plus it only weights 200 lb.
rant off, pics to follow soon

[Interceptor5588]

How big is it compared to the 4L80E / 6L80E?

[cmcnitt]

I don't have any good videos but here's a few:


video of first time trying it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt8Zwa5WdZo

transbraking with sbc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9lEzFv7CwU

dynoing it, i ran 6th gear with converter locked, with pull made about 740rwp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfpPlPLdj6w

and failed attempt at the texas mile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDo18OigXd4

pics
this shows how a ls wheel is too big to fit inside of the bellhousing.
I've been running a 153 tooth plate however i had to modify the starter for it to work.
I'll be using a 1" spacer / adapter next time so the flexplate doesn't have to reach into trans
151528

this is the first adapter, it's only 7/16" so the flexplate sticks out past it.
151529

I'll be using 2 plates like this, 1/2" each
151530

the computer i'm using. if i had to do it again i'd just buy the pcs controller or similar
151531

the converter pilot is 1.337", i just cut one out of aluminum. I'm make a steel one next time
151532

this kinda shows it's size, i did have to open up the tunnel a little and will open it up more for the driveshaft going forward
151533

[cmcnitt]

way late with answer but at the time i couldn't find a gm 8 speed to try. they are still expensive and hard to come by compared to the 8hp which thanks to dodge rams can be found everywhere. so 8hp is lighter, smaller, cheaper

[andrewb70]

I like the native CV driveshaft. Does the kitty littler make a Dodge transmission work better? ;-)

Andrew

[cmcnitt]

I like the native CV driveshaft. Does the kitty littler make a Dodge transmission work better? ;-)

Andrew
Seens like ever since I bolted the turbo on the Dodge got scared :) the hellcat in it met it's match lol

[USAZR1]

Are you located in Texas?

[Pongto66]

New to the site,
Ive been watching this thread for some time. I am building a truck with zf 8hp70 and would love to see an update on this and talk to cmcnitt

[tunahemi]

CMCNITT could you tell me where you got the controller from. I am trying do something similar and having a hell of a time getting anything to work. How are you shifting PRND and how is manual working. I have just joined the site and sorry if I overlooked something.

[Pongto66]

CMCNITT could you tell me where you got the controller from. I am trying do something similar and having a hell of a time getting anything to work. How are you shifting PRND and how is manual working. I have just joined the site and sorry if I overlooked something.

I sent you a pm

[tperry]

CMCNITT could you pm me i have some ideas/Questions about this transmission and the elimination of the converter.

[Mikes41]

Can you do the same thing with the Hellcat 8hp90? I’m building a 41 Willy’s with a hellcat motor and not having much luck finding a trans to put behind it. There are no stand alone computers for the 8hp90 that I’m aware of and I thought the 8hp70 wouldn’t hold up to the horsepower. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.

[Brandy-p]

What controler is it and how you switching PRND?
When lockup is on?

[Brandy-p]

From my research I know its teensy 3.6 or 3.5 fitted on board with optoisolated trasistors. CMCNITT can you share code for teensy?

[Mhooper]

Hi I realize this post is a little older but I’m interested in getting information on controller for the 8 speed automatic. I am building a 68 dodge crewcab and have a 2016 5.7 Hemi and 8 speed automatic. Thanks

[Supertruck2.0]

I would like to get information on the controller also. Been looking everywhere for one.

[lxmodguy]

Where did you find that adapter?


I don't have any good videos but here's a few:


video of first time trying it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt8Zwa5WdZo

transbraking with sbc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9lEzFv7CwU

dynoing it, i ran 6th gear with converter locked, with pull made about 740rwp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfpPlPLdj6w

and failed attempt at the texas mile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDo18OigXd4

pics
this shows how a ls wheel is too big to fit inside of the bellhousing.
I've been running a 153 tooth plate however i had to modify the starter for it to work.
I'll be using a 1" spacer / adapter next time so the flexplate doesn't have to reach into trans
151528

this is the first adapter, it's only 7/16" so the flexplate sticks out past it.
151529

I'll be using 2 plates like this, 1/2" each
151530

the computer i'm using. if i had to do it again i'd just buy the pcs controller or similar
151531

the converter pilot is 1.337", i just cut one out of aluminum. I'm make a steel one next time
151532

this kinda shows it's size, i did have to open up the tunnel a little and will open it up more for the driveshaft going forward
151533

[josetapia]

I just finished swapping a 8 speed auto from a dodge ram into my 67 chevelle.
I'm posting this only to offer anyone interested in doing this any help / advice based on what I did to make it work.
it's really not too bad, I decided to rip the existing controller out of the tranny and used an external one.
other than that I used an ati adapter plate and 153 tooth gm flex plate to mate it up.
I am currently manually shifting using two buttons, shift up and shift down. I'll be adding auto mode someday however manual mode is really what I was after,
I actually only lock up the converter after 8th so it feels like a 9 speed.
it's basically the same as the hellcat tranny, I shift in under 200 ms and it barks the tires in every gear.
there's probably better trannys to use but I've tried 2sp, 3sp,4sp od, and a t56. This 8 spd kills them all :)
Again, I'm only posting to help others interested in doing this, it took me a lot of searching to find the info so I'd be happy to help anyone save some time do this.
A

messaged you for info

[GRIMMEY71]

Is this thread dead, did we get trolled?

[mikesanto70]

****ing RAD MAN!!!

[ilikeike]

The OP hasn't been on in almost 2 years, pretty sure he won't be answering anymore questions.

[Vimes]

Shame this is an old thread. I actually found a company that makes standalone controllers for this transmission. I was looking for a way to run an 8L90E, but an 8HP90 will work just as well for my project.

http://www.soundgermanautomotive.com/pcs/

And, from my email conversation with the company:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Me- I saw on your website that you have a standalone controller for the ZF 8HP90 transmission. What exactly is needed to stick an 8HP90 behind a non-computerized engine?

Them - Just TPS and RPM is required inputs from the engine. We also need the 8hp shifter to go with the transmission.

Me - Excellent, just what I wanted to read. Can you recommend anyone who can build an adapter to fit the transmission behind a Chevy engine? If not that's OK, I can probably find someone. Finding an 8 speed to go behind my engine has been a major stumbling block that you have solved. I am assuming that your controller also allows me to set shift points along the RPM band where I want them?

Them - All tuning is done with something like HP Tuners. There is an OBD port on the harness for tuning the transmission.

Me - Excellent. I'm doing suspension work at the moment, then will be moving on to the engine and transmission. I'll order when I'm ready, should be a couple of months. I'm assuming a shifter from a 2016 Dodge Charger will work? They came with the 8 speed.

Them - Yes. 2016 shifter is fine. I have used ones in stock as well if needed for 150.00.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So now, I need to figure out how to bolt an 8HP90 to the back of an LS3 block. Worse comes to worst, I'll ask the shop I want to use to build my engine if they can do an adapter as well, if I bring them a transmission. I figure if this trans can live behind heavy Hellcats and Demons, one can live behind my engine.

[andrewb70]

I thought the PCS controller had it's own software...having to buy HP Tuners just for this occasion sounds expensive.

[Vimes]

I asked, they said no. Must be programmed with something. Yes, the initial buy-in cost is painful, but the ability to do unlimited updates to your car's programs is a pretty good salve for the pain. I bought EFI Live a number of years ago, and it hurt at the time, but I've made hundreds of programming changes to both my cars and my family's cars for a lot less than hiring a programmer for each would have cost. Unfortunately EFI Live won't support Dodge stuff except for their diesel trucks. If EFI Live won't talk to the ZF transmission, I'll be getting HP Tuners. EFI Live seems to want out of the car tuning business they way they talk on their message board, while HP Tuners has been expanding what they cover like mad, so there's that.

[andrewb70]

This is why I prefer Holley EFI :-)

[theboz]

"So now, I need to figure out how to bolt an 8HP90 to the back of an LS3 block. Worse comes to worst, I'll ask the shop I want to use to build my engine if they can do an adapter as well, if I bring them a transmission. I figure if this trans can live behind heavy Hellcats and Demons, one can live behind my engine."

https://transmissioncenter.net/shop/chevy-ls1-series-motor-to-dodge-hemi-with-nag1-adapter-kit-ch1000401/

[Vimes]

"So now, I need to figure out how to bolt an 8HP90 to the back of an LS3 block. Worse comes to worst, I'll ask the shop I want to use to build my engine if they can do an adapter as well, if I bring them a transmission. I figure if this trans can live behind heavy Hellcats and Demons, one can live behind my engine."

https://transmissioncenter.net/shop/chevy-ls1-series-motor-to-dodge-hemi-with-nag1-adapter-kit-ch1000401/


Sweet, thanks!

[TrendSetter]

so what is PCS supplying for that $1000? a wiring harness? I thought the tcm was built into the transmission and theyre telling you to buy HPT to tune that?

I'm picking up a 8hp70 this morning to attempt this swap (5.3 in a chevelle) and will be building my own controller similar to the guy that started this thread.
I am also planning to make my own adapter. If anyone has accurate bolt pattern dimensions for the trans that would be helpful. I have come across engineering drawings of the chevy bolt pattern but not the dodge yet.

[Vimes]

so what is PCS supplying for that $1000? a wiring harness? I thought the tcm was built into the transmission and theyre telling you to buy HPT to tune that?

I'm picking up a 8hp70 this morning to attempt this swap (5.3 in a chevelle) and will be building my own controller similar to the guy that started this thread.
I am also planning to make my own adapter. If anyone has accurate bolt pattern dimensions for the trans that would be helpful. I have come across engineering drawings of the chevy bolt pattern but not the dodge yet.

The TCM in the transmission talks to the ECM over CANbus. From what I gather, what you're buying is a little box that takes in the RPM and TPS signals and converts it into a CANbus signal that the transmission can understand, and allows you to connect to the TCM so you can program it. Plus, you can connect it to a shifter so yes, a wiring harness but also the translator box. I've tried to make sense of the CANbus stuff but I've never been able to wrap my mind around computer programming. If I could I wouldn't be a phone company tech, I'd own an automotive business selling things like transmission controllers, BCM programmers, and other junk. :) The one that the OP made bypassed the TCM and turned his transmission into a manual trans, and he's triggering the gear shifts directly by pushing a button. This thing lets the trans shift like it was in the car it was originally installed in. You might not even need HP Tuners if your rear ratio and tire size are the same as the car the trans came in.

[whitepark]

Looks like this company makes a stand alone controller for ZF 8hp's. European based company https://htg-tuning.com

[gxb930]

I just joined this board because of the thread. Sounds like a great option and I'm definitely going to pursue it. Especially when 6 speeds for GMs are ridiculously overpriced. One of my vehicles has the TCI Controller driving a 4l60E. That was a no brainer for a 4 speed. It mated to a FAST EFI BBC.

[dap03]

I'm picking up a 8hp70 this morning to attempt this swap (5.3 in a chevelle) and will be building my own controller similar to the guy that started this thread.
I am also planning to make my own adapter. If anyone has accurate bolt pattern dimensions for the trans that would be helpful. I have come across engineering drawings of the chevy bolt pattern but not the dodge yet.

Any luck on that controller?

[dap03]

Okay so I've been super curious about this for the past couple of days so I've done a little research.

This address is to a profile and it's liked projects on hackaday that closely resemble what OP's YouTube channel contains.

https://hackaday.io/projects/hacker/473611/likesandfollows?sort=date

Maybe one of these is the controller he uses. A picture of his is attached.

He states that he removed the valve body and controller and wired in his own in order to control the solenoids that operate the clutches. Attatched is a picture of the solenoids, and also a picture of how they are to be engaged. Also a key to what each picture shows.

Don't know if it will help anyone but perhaps it could. 180587180588180589180590

[TrendSetter]

Any luck on that controller?

i made a bunch of progress when i first started the project but have been focusing on other things lately. im hoping to pick back up on it soon.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1936026-1973-chevelle-wagon-2-turbos-zf-8hp70-maybe-2.html#post20283632

[qwk406]

Keep us posted, this has caught my interest!

[Vimes]

And it all came crashing down. Just realized while talking to my brother about possibly doing this transmission in his car that the adapter setup and standalone controller wouldn't be able to use torque management, and without torque management the engine would smoke the transmission by slamming more torque than it's rated to handle at it on the shift. Oh well, it was a nice idea while it lasted, but I'm going to have to rethink my drivetrain now.

[dap03]

And it all came crashing down. Just realized that the adapter setup and standalone controller wouldn't be able to use torque management, and without torque management the engine would smoke the transmission by slamming more torque than it's rated to handle at it on the shift. Oh well, it was a nice idea while it lasted, but I'm going to have to rethink my drivetrain now.Are you saying that having a plc or something like that controlling the solenoids would make it destroy itself?

[Vimes]

Are you saying that having a plc or something like that controlling the solenoids would make it destroy itself?

No, wasn't even thinking about that. What I was going to use was a standalone controller that uses an RPM and TPS signal, but there's no way to use torque management since it's a one way path from the PCM to the TCM. What kills this for me is I was going to start with an LS3-based 427 that the builder said makes over 700TQ at the crank. And, once I had it up and running and had all the bugs worked out of the truck, I was playing with the idea of turbocharging it. The only way the 8HP90 is able to live behind the Hellcat engine is torque management. Without torque management, I'd kill it after just a few runs.

So far as what you're doing with direct solenoid control, so long as the engine you put in front of it doesn't make too much more than what the trans max input torque is, it'll be fine. In other words, torque management isn't something you'd need to worry about unless your engine is quite a bit stronger than the trans can handle.

[dap03]

Looks like cmcnitt was running a turbo LS. Seems like quite a stout trans for anything other than a purpose built race engine. He said it was making 740whp.

[dap03]

Can someone with more transmission knowledge chime in?

The tcc (torque converter clutch solenoid) controls the lock up right? Cmcnitt said that he has his only lock up in 8th gear. Is that the best way?

The way I'm looking at it, if the tcc has the same voltage as the other solenoids at max, I could program it to engage in a few different ways.

1) I could set a toggle switch to turn it on or off. You could be in any gear, turn the switch on, and you'd be locked up.

2) You could have it where you have to up shift from p-r-n-1st-1st lock-2nd-2nd lock-3rd-3rd lock and so on and so forth. I guess it would be sort of like 18 gears.

3) I could make it where the 8th gear is the only one that locks up or 7th and 8th. That mean those have an extra shift after each of those gears.

4) It could be variable so that there is a dial wired in where you control how much lock up it has. That's if the voltage is 0-5v or something like that.

5) It could be on a timer where it slips on its own after time. It snap on or gradually come on.

This is only if it's what I think it is and you can adjust the voltage to adjust the tcc solenoid.

Also if the LPS solenoid is similar maybe the harshness of shifts could be adjusted?

Most of this is speculation but if someone can verify this then I could make some of these as PLC's pretty quickly.

[Vimes]

I'm no expert, but I have programmed a few TCC lockups over the years, and have installed locking converters in vehicles that didn't come with them. If an actual transmission expert posts up and disagrees with any of my points, their advice would be more valid. With that disclaimer...

The torque converter is a nod to the IC engine's need to maintain a minimum RPM to stay running, and acts like a clutch for a manual transmission. The TCC lockup changes the torque converter from the equivalent of a clutch that slips like mad below 1000RPM into a solid connection between the engine and transmission. If the TCC were to stay locked until the car came to a stop, as in your Option #1 should the driver forget to disengage the TCC, the engine would die just as it would if you stopped a stick shift in gear without engaging the clutch. Ask anyone who ever wired a lockup transmission to a toggle switch in the early 1990s about what happened every time they forgot to flip the switch when they came off the interstate.

#2 would work fine so long as it didn't engage at any point when the gear vs speed was at a point where the engine can't maintain idle speed. The OEMs that I've programmed (and I am not a pro, I just program my own) don't engage the TCC before about 40MPH because it's not going to kill the engine if engaged at this speed. But there's no reason why it couldn't if you can program the correct speed for each gear so that the TCC isn't locked if the engine is below 1000RPM. Some of the lower speeds might have a harsh lockup though.

#3 is how a lot of cars are programmed. But, the newer the car, the more thought was put into how many gears can be locked just as #2. Only locking up in the top gears is simpler, but also means more heat generated and more fuel burned in the lower gears.

#4 Need to be careful with this one - it will depend upon what materials are used for the lockup clutch. GM switched from an on-off TCC lockup to a lockup that allows some slippage in order to allow the TCC lockup to occur more smoothly, which caused a problem if you installed a non-slip TCC torque converter into a car whose computer allowed for slippage. The TCC would burn out in a very short amount of time if this occurred. I think the TCC slip converters used carbon fiber in the TCC lining, but it's been a long time since I've had to think about that.

#5 would work so long as you paid attention to #4.

[dap03]

If you had the tcc locked up and then shifted from one gear to the next would it be clunky and harsh without the slippage?

[Vimes]

Didn't know on that so I did a little searching. Seems the OEMs go both ways on it. If the transmission is weaker, they'll unlock on the shift but if the trans is bulletproof they won't necessarily unlock the TCC on a shift. If doing this on an 8HP70 or stronger, it may not be necessary to unlock for a shift. On a rubber band trans like the 4L60E, you definitely want to unlock it because those things need all the help they can get to keep the bands from glazing.

[ULTM8Z]

How about a built 4L80 with a gear vendors behind it?

I know Its a little more low tech, but my TH700 with a GV is an absolute blast with 8 speeds.

4L80 is supposed to be a TH400 with an OD, and a GV is almost indestructible...

[Vimes]

For my project, it's the spread I was interested in, not just having 8 speeds. The wide spread essentially gives you the best of both worlds with drag racing performance with gears 1-4 and an econobox fuel efficiency with gears 5-8. This was what I loved the most about my 2016 Charger with a 5.7L and 8 speed, 13.2 seconds through the quarter and 28MPG cruising on the highway at 80MPH, and that was factory stock with no tune.

If you sit down with a gear calculator and look at the actual spreads, using an 8 speed with 3.55 rear gears is like using a 4L80E with 4.88s in first gear that becomes a 4L80E with 2.72s in 4th gear. Not those numbers exactly, of course, but that's close to what it works out to be. A 4L80E GV overdrive still has the almost the exact same spread as the 4L80E by itself, except 4th gear goes a bit further, so all a GV does is convert your 4L80E into a close-ratio transmission. You don't get the spread advantage with it. When I did the numbers between a 6L80E and an 8L90E, I was looking at 3.73s with the 6L and 3.42s with the 8L to get about the same 1st gear takeoff, with the main advantage being highway cruising with the 8 speed being some 500RPM lower.

I think I'm just going to go Gen5 takeout and get either an 8 or 10 speed trans to go with it, see how I like it once the bugs are worked out, then if I think it needs power go ahead and turbocharge it. Barring any problems at the shop I'm using I should have my truck in the shop for the new suspension and engine mounts by April 2021.

[dap03]

I just wanted a strong cheap tranny that could be dropped into whatever I wanted with a $100 controller. Sure the adapter plate could cost a bit but if you leave the hemi you can have an economical v8 with 8 speeds and lightening shifts running for less than $5k I'd assume. Like vimes was saying, in a heavy charger he was getting 28 mpg but in something lighter and more aero dynamic you could easily great 30 mpg.

Back to the set up. I think the way to go would be to have a rocker switch set up within right thumbs reach on the steering wheel to control the tcc solenoid. That way you could have lockup in any gear.

[ULTM8Z]

I just wanted a strong cheap tranny that could be dropped into whatever I wanted with a $100 controller. Sure the adapter plate could cost a bit but if you leave the hemi you can have an economical v8 with 8 speeds and lightening shifts running for less than $5k I'd assume. Like vimes was saying, in a heavy charger he was getting 28 mpg but in something lighter and more aero dynamic you could easily great 30 mpg.

Back to the set up. I think the way to go would be to have a rocker switch set up within right thumbs reach on the steering wheel to control the tcc solenoid. That way you could have lockup in any gear.

I'm getting ~30 mpg right now in "8th" gear. I'm doing about ~2100 rpm at 80 mph.

50 year old muscle car with 1990's EFI technology on top of a SBC with same basic design out of the 50's, and 1980's transmission technology getting 30 mpg on the highway and still making ~400 hp.... who'da thunk it?... lol...

I actually activated the highway mode fueling which got me a couple of more mpg (cruising at about 15.5 to 16:1 on the WB O2 after the ECM detects light throttle cruise for at least 10 seconds above 60 mph). I think GM never activated it from the factory due to the higher NOx emissions coming out of a leaner burn.

[dap03]

Those are pretty impressive numbers.

The gear vendors is still ~$3k. With an 8hp70 you can have the tranny for ~$800, adapted to an engine for ~$1000 and controlled for ~$200. But that $1000 can be to any engine. Gear Vendors has a lot of options but not for everything. I'd like this on something like a 1980s mercedes 300td. Not just a protouring car.

[Vimes]

Yes, the NoX was why GM never turned it on in the US. And let's not forget, that heavy Charger not only got 28MPG, it got 28MPG running 80ishMPH, and was able to run the quarter mile in 13.2 seconds, all on the stock tune. It wasn't having 8 gears that allowed it to do both, it was the spread between gears. The spread on a 4L80E is 3.30, a GV only increases it to 4.23 by converting the overdrive from .75 to .53. The 8HP, on the other hand, has a spread of 7.0 on the first gen models, and 7.8:1 on the 2nd gen models. That spread in the transmission is what makes it a good all-rounder. Don't get me wrong, the Gear Vendors makes a great unit and if I were building a drag racer I'd be all over one. It would turn a 4L80E into a close ratio 8 speed, and this would keep you within 1000RPM of the peak power band pretty much all the way down the track. A towing rig would be perfect for one as well although I think I'd rather have an 8 speed and a GV overdrive for that.

[ULTM8Z]

Holy crap those things are heavy...

http://www.new-cars.com/2016/dodge/specs/charger.html

Lightest one (probably the V6) is sitting at ~4000 lb? Yeah, you would need some decent gearing to get that moving.

Amazing how heavy these newer cars are getting... I know when I park next to one, the Camaro just looks so much smaller.

Last time I weighed my Camaro it came in at ~3400 lb. That was before the GV unit and aftermarket A/C, so my guess I'm probably around ~3500 now.

[dap03]

Found the OP on another site.

https://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/threads/318-8-speed-swap.431245/page-3

He explains how the controller he uses works.

"I used a teensy controller and arduino. and some mosfets. I used oshpark to print the board. I'm no hardware engineer but it works. basically I hard wired the 5 clutch solenoids, the park solenoids, the lockup solenoid, and the pressure solenoid each to a mosfet. I used the pwm feature from the teensy to vary the current to each solenoid. crude but it allows me to put full pressure to the clutch packs which i think is partly why i get away with putting so much power through it.
I'm a software guy so i thought it would be fun but at this stage i just manually shift it with an up shift and down shift switch. I'm playing with full auto but have no desire to compete with commercial stuff.
one of the awesome features of this tranny is that any shift is simply release one clutch, engage another one. I actually engage the shift clutch before i release the other clutch, it makes for a FIRM shift [https://www] I lock up all of the clutches for a transbrake then release the 3 that give me the gear i want.
also, and it's pretty obvious in that video above, I use the lock up converter alot. the dyno pull was in 6th gear with locked converter."185599

[protour_chevelle]

HTG GCU would be my choice for transmission control with this gear box. guys are controlling it with great success.

[dap03]

That's also $1000+ for the controller and an extra ~$500 for paddles unfortunately. I'm sure its a great system but for someone who just wants a paddle shifted 8 speed and no auto mode or frills, an arduino or plc would be the cheaper option. The plc could run it for <$200 with just the paddles controlling it.

[protour_chevelle]

That's also $1000+ for the controller and an extra ~$500 for paddles unfortunately. I'm sure its a great system but for someone who just wants a paddle shifted 8 speed and no auto mode or frills, an arduino or plc would be the cheaper option. The plc could run it for <$200 with just the paddles controlling it.

To each their own. I have zero interest in always having to shift an automatic. Been there, done that. Over it. Heck if I could buy an auto feature for a stick I would haha.

[harleyc04]

I know this is an old thread but if anyone wants to know anything about installing an 8HP70/90 with the PCS controller, let me know. And yes you can have torque management regardless of which ecm you are running.

[dctm50]

I know this is an old thread but if anyone wants to know anything about installing an 8HP70/90 with the PCS controller, let me know. And yes you can have torque management regardless of which ecm you are running.


You literally replied to this thread at the perfect time.

I tried to send you a PM but i dont think it worked for some reason.

I would greatly appriciate if you send me an email for a brief discussion since I have been working on this gearbox for a while.

[email protected]

[Ls14]

I know this is a old thread but is it possible to still get that cad fil for the adapter plate? And who did?

[Ubergeekzone]

Could you tell me where you got the controller from?

[Melkor3era]

I just finished swapping a 8 speed auto from a dodge ram into my 67 chevelle.
I'm posting this only to offer anyone interested in doing this any help / advice based on what I did to make it work.
it's really not too bad, I decided to rip the existing controller out of the tranny and used an external one.
other than that I used an ati adapter plate and 153 tooth gm flex plate to mate it up.
I am currently manually shifting using two buttons, shift up and shift down. I'll be adding auto mode someday however manual mode is really what I was after,
I actually only lock up the converter after 8th so it feels like a 9 speed.
it's basically the same as the hellcat tranny, I shift in under 200 ms and it barks the tires in every gear.
there's probably better trannys to use but I've tried 2sp, 3sp,4sp od, and a t56. This 8 spd kills them all :)
Again, I'm only posting to help others interested in doing this, it took me a lot of searching to find the info so I'd be happy to help anyone save some time do this.
A


hello. could you help me with solenoid algorithm for shifting in zf8hp gearbox?

[Chevelle68]

I have to say I'm very impressive, how you completed this job. ZF transmission are 1 of the best for smooth shifting' a lot of valve body problems and clutch.
Good job making this ZF 8HP Work

[Pouria]

Hi;
I am new to the forum. I have a 1974 Buick Riviera with 455 motor and I was thinking to swap the TH400 with a modern 8HP70. While searching, I found this interesting thread that shows my dream has already come to reality. It would be so great if the CAD file could be shared because I live outside USA and purchasing the things is kinda headache. Also, I really need to know how the new converter is attached to the flexplate of the SBC. I know this thread is quite old but I preferred to give myself a chance. Any advice or hint is highly appreciated.

BR,

Pouria