Anyone have experience with custom transmission tunes?

outofphase · 05-01-2019, 11:55 AM

Hey guys, does anyone have any experience getting their 8AT ZF 8HP45 tuned/flashed with a custom solution (i.e. not XHP)?

I drive a FBO 2015 335i xDrive -- been thinking about doing the XHP flash for a little while as I haven't seen any other options out there. However, a local performance shop (with stellar reviews and dyno results, but a jack of all trades deal -- BMW, audi, mercedes, lambourghini, subaru, mitsubishi, porsche, mainly, etc.) here offers custom transmission tunes and he's insistent that if I go with him he'll be able to get me into the 11's. Car's current best is 12.1 @ 111mph (working on a BM3 E30 tune with CaryTheLabelGuy and the tune is nowhere near done but I feel like the car should be capable of a better 60' or perhaps quicker shifts.

He's also said he might be able to adjust the launch control RPMs or allow the car to build boost during launch control (which would be huge with xDrive I'd imagine).

Looking at my logs with PTF it appears my car is NOT effected by torque limiters in 3rd or 5th gear. I've already coded 2TB.

Just wondering if y'all think I should go for it, or if you have any relevant experience with anything like this. Thanks!

outofphase · 05-02-2019, 04:23 PM

Bump! Anybody?

upsidedownfunnel · 05-03-2019, 06:21 PM

I don't with this specific transmission, but if there was any one automatic transmission that most tuner shops would know, it's the 8HP. It's in BMW, Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche, FCA, etc. If they know what they're doing, there's no reason to think they can't tune it. A custom tune at a shop is almost always going to be better than an off-the-shelf tune.

outofphase · 05-03-2019, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

I don't with this specific transmission, but if there was any one automatic transmission that most tuner shops would know, it's the 8HP. It's in BMW, Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche, FCA, etc. If they know what they're doing, there's no reason to think they can't tune it. A custom tune at a shop is almost always going to be better than an off-the-shelf tune.

Ahh, those are all brands they're familiar with. They're one of the few shops that does crazy Lambo/Porsche stuff and they get a lot more Audi's in than BMWs. Thanks for the info. I think I'll give them a try.

outofphase · 05-20-2019, 10:16 AM

Bump! Anyone else have any info? Have an appointment Friday to get this custom TCU flash done, but I'm torn between this and XHP (XHP is significantly cheaper).

zole2112 · 05-20-2019, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outofphase

Bump! Anyone else have any info? Have an appointment Friday to get this custom TCU flash done, but I'm torn between this and XHP (XHP is significantly cheaper).

I don't have any experience but I am interested in your results, just north of you in WI, if your results are good I'd make a drive south to have them do mine as well. Subscribed for results!

petegangies · 03-31-2020, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outofphase

Bump! Anyone else have any info? Have an appointment Friday to get this custom TCU flash done, but I'm torn between this and XHP (XHP is significantly cheaper).

did you end up having the custom TCU flash done?

harkes · 04-03-2020, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petegangies

did you end up having the custom TCU flash done?

Since we haven't heard anything I am guessing not. Most likely the "jack-of-quack" took his money and left him with a dead TCU or gearbox...

petegangies · 04-06-2020, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outofphase

Bump! Anyone else have any info? Have an appointment Friday to get this custom TCU flash done, but I'm torn between this and XHP (XHP is significantly cheaper).

did you end up having the custom TCU flash done?

e38740imd · 04-10-2020, 01:26 PM

just get xhp and call it a day

05-01-2019, 11:55 AM	#1
outofphase dad bod 386 Rep 382 Posts Drives: 2015 335i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (1)	Anyone have experience with custom transmission tunes? Hey guys, does anyone have any experience getting their 8AT ZF 8HP45 tuned/flashed with a custom solution (i.e. not XHP)? I drive a FBO 2015 335i xDrive -- been thinking about doing the XHP flash for a little while as I haven't seen any other options out there. However, a local performance shop (with stellar reviews and dyno results, but a jack of all trades deal -- BMW, audi, mercedes, lambourghini, subaru, mitsubishi, porsche, mainly, etc.) here offers custom transmission tunes and he's insistent that if I go with him he'll be able to get me into the 11's. Car's current best is 12.1 @ 111mph (working on a BM3 E30 tune with CaryTheLabelGuy and the tune is nowhere near done but I feel like the car should be capable of a better 60' or perhaps quicker shifts. He's also said he might be able to adjust the launch control RPMs or allow the car to build boost during launch control (which would be huge with xDrive I'd imagine). Looking at my logs with PTF it appears my car is NOT effected by torque limiters in 3rd or 5th gear. I've already coded 2TB. Just wondering if y'all think I should go for it, or if you have any relevant experience with anything like this. Thanks! __________________ '15 F30 Estoril Blue 335i xDrive \| 8HP \| Stock Turbo \| 420 awhp / 451 awtq \| 11.85 @ 115 mph E30 JordanTuned on BM3 \| XDI-60 HPFP \| Fuel-It! lines + sensor \| VRSF FBO \| GFB DV+ \| XHP \| Vörsteiner VFF-107s \| Dinan Springs
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05-02-2019, 04:23 PM	#2
outofphase dad bod 386 Rep 382 Posts Drives: 2015 335i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (1)	Bump! Anybody? __________________ '15 F30 Estoril Blue 335i xDrive \| 8HP \| Stock Turbo \| 420 awhp / 451 awtq \| 11.85 @ 115 mph E30 JordanTuned on BM3 \| XDI-60 HPFP \| Fuel-It! lines + sensor \| VRSF FBO \| GFB DV+ \| XHP \| Vörsteiner VFF-107s \| Dinan Springs
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05-03-2019, 06:21 PM	#3
upsidedownfunnel Colonel 1996 Rep 2,499 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: SoCal iTrader: (4) Garage List 2014 BMW 335i [0.00]	I don't with this specific transmission, but if there was any one automatic transmission that most tuner shops would know, it's the 8HP. It's in BMW, Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche, FCA, etc. If they know what they're doing, there's no reason to think they can't tune it. A custom tune at a shop is almost always going to be better than an off-the-shelf tune.
	Appreciate 1 outofphase385.50 Quote

05-20-2019, 10:16 AM	#5
outofphase dad bod 386 Rep 382 Posts Drives: 2015 335i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (1)	Bump! Anyone else have any info? Have an appointment Friday to get this custom TCU flash done, but I'm torn between this and XHP (XHP is significantly cheaper). __________________ '15 F30 Estoril Blue 335i xDrive \| 8HP \| Stock Turbo \| 420 awhp / 451 awtq \| 11.85 @ 115 mph E30 JordanTuned on BM3 \| XDI-60 HPFP \| Fuel-It! lines + sensor \| VRSF FBO \| GFB DV+ \| XHP \| Vörsteiner VFF-107s \| Dinan Springs
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04-10-2020, 01:26 PM	#10
e38740imd Second Lieutenant 65 Rep 287 Posts Drives: 2016 640i Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	just get xhp and call it a day
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