Why Your 8hp70 Swap Will Probably Fail

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Just a heads up. The turbolamik controller is so much easier to get going. Seems like the HTG is more aimed at very expierenced techs. Where even a muppet like me can get a lamik controller working.

[@jacobmoses3712]

Thanks Zero to 60. I was just about to link to one of your videos

[@twitchkillgod2985]

He’s been very helpful even deciding myself to get one

[@ozmanbalfas2810]

i need this trans to swap my innova diesel 4 cylinder, if i use turbolamik, can i still also use the engine ecu to get my abs still working?

[@Buckna1]

Haha wow. This takes me back. Couple 3am nights before i cracked a tantrum and changed controllers. Now went 8hp with turbo lamik and it's flawless and amazing. Reach out if you want. Been there brother.

[@FredAllenBurge]

Honestly I hear nothing but good things about Lamik, and lots of stories like yours. If I ever try 8hp again it'll be with Lamik next time.

[@karlschroen392]

I run sound german automotives kit on my 8hp70 swapped 2013 charger. My car works and drives like a stock car and the trans can be tuned using hptuners like its a newer charger. It was very easy to install and setup, and it can be used with any engine, but it only works with chrysler 8hp transmissions.

[@DreadPirateBob]

That's great to hear, I'm looking into an 8hp70 swap in my Bel Air using sound German

[@jacobmoses3712]

Have you come across the Turbo Lamik system for these transmissions? Their TCM replaces the factory one and there's a controller which is programmable. I see a comment from Zero to 60 below. Check out his videos. He has converted Nissan S15, BMWs and even a Toyota Land Cruiser

[@FredAllenBurge]

Yes I think Lamik is probably the way to go for these👌 I'm hoping Maxxecu will one day begin supporting the 8hp trans like they already do the DCT, that would be a gamechanger tbh

[@sherwyngray3979]

Max is now on board ​@@FredAllenBurge

[@phantomflame0658]

@@FredAllenBurge I believe they do support it natively now!

[@Sultzi]

One good option for these 8HP is Canformance CANTCU. This way you dont' need to touch mechatronics or wirings inside the transmission. Everything works like oem because this uses oem controller and oem controller safetys. At the moment it works with (from aftermarket ecus) atleast with maxxecu and megasquirt integration is on the way coming. Works also with different bmw's. Turbolamik is good option if you need more motorsport oriented controller (virtual clutch etc), because there is limitations with cantcu and original controller inside the transmission (due different safety reasons).

[@marioandultrachap]

Well my question is with the CANTCU is what about lockup? Like If I have a turbo and I need to be able to drive or launch at a higher rpm when taking off so the turbo can spool. I heard turbolamik can change the lookup while CANTCU can't? Is it really needed that much or am I missing something?

[@ryanpitcher64]

I'm in the process of this swap myself. It'll be the second we've done but, luckily, we found a guy willing to program the TCU for our purposes. Also using MS3 pro. Next step is to figure out the paddle shifting as both swaps are in RX8's.

[@brandontalkmitt4596]

Don't give up. We are rooting for you. Be grateful that people are taking the time to show you some stuff. It can be frustrating , but take a step back and take a break then dive back in.

[@FredAllenBurge]

Thanks, good advice. I am indeed very grateful for everyone's help I hope I said so in the video, just frustrated is all.

[@Mp-jw1qg]

both of my 8hp swap cars are great. htg is trash so if youre using that controller, thats what ur issues are lol the lamik tcu kicks ass. those guys have great support.

[@mw5461]

It's got so popular in the uk for around 4500 it can be done with some extra gearbox cooling added

[@jake3085]

Hey man, if your issue is that the gearbox isn’t responding too anything you do with the controller or whatever else, then you might have the same issue that i had that cost me an entire day too figured out, and once I figured it out i felt really dumb. My issue was that the ring lock thingy on the 16 pin gearbox loom connector was actually on the wrong part of the plug, this meant that i could plug it in, turn the lock ring and lock the connector in place, BUT the actual plug wasn’t deep enough in the gearbox so none of the pins were making contact with the gearbox pins. Such a simple overlooked problem that maybe hopefully will be your issue too. Good luck

[@jake3085]

Wrote this comment before watching the rest of the video haha 🤦‍♂️

[@FredAllenBurge]

Thanks though I had a similar problem with the plug originally too lol

[@dbc105]

I've been doing some reseach for one of these, while I'm not interested in a racing type app I'm more in the line of an '80s Dodge D150 and the advantage in towing with the near 5.0 1st and the high torque rating. And like what Zero was saying, the research I've done all points to the Turbo Lamik. From what I understand it is stand alone and doesn't need CAN so it doesn't tie to any other PCM. It also removes some of the shift restrictions in the On-Trans controller. Now this is the way I understand it and I could be wrong or things may have changed so do your own reseach but it is $1200 and it is not hard to find people using it. There is one guy I've seen on YT that has the 8HP in his BB Chevelle and he rolled his own controller. The is no info on how he did it but if you know anything at all about and Arduino and good without auto shifting it really wouldn't be too hard to set up. The build an auto shift you would need a lot more logic. There are guys shifting 4L80s with toogle switches so I woudl say nothing is out of reach. Whatever you do good luck with it.

[@michaelcleary5205]

Did a 8hp swap on a 335D BMW and we used the can tcu model we had to cut out some wires but we got it working

[@XSenergy11713]

What version 8hp did you use and out of what car?

[@michaelcleary5205]

@@XSenergy11713 it was out of a 5 series diesel had it reprogrammed and im using the off centered 8hp75 with stock shifter

[@bobbyleescott]

Hey Fred, I feel your pain about the poor customer service. I am a looking at the HTG wiki and its poorly written compared to something like Holley or other large manufacturer's. With that being said did you try walking through the wiki step by step for configuration? It tells you every table the needs to be configured and how to choose base values before the GCU can start self learning. I might be able to offer some configuration help if HTG is too laggy

[@FredAllenBurge]

Thanks for the offer I appreciate that! I probably didnt follow the manual perfectly, I found it a bit hard to follow and missing a lot of further explanation and examples that I needed to see but that' sjust me, I'm probably not advanced enough to just take it and run with it

[@bobbyleescott]

@@FredAllenBurge I work in tech and read technical manuals all day and it was hard for me to follow. It's definitely not you!

[@29macvneil29]

Have you looked into the turbo lamik controller for this zero to 60 have some good content on getting these running with after market ecus also

[@FredAllenBurge]

Yes it seems he's had very good luck with lamik

[@sherwyngray3979]

​@@FredAllenBurgeit's not luck its skill and better equipment

[@witcher71]

What's the Seems Legit Garage guy's doing? They've got a few swaps under their belt now. I'm rooting for you because you are cutting a trail for the rest of us who want to do this this swap. Always need to perform a pull test after installing wires and pins into connectors.

[@FredAllenBurge]

Thanks for the support man. I'll get it done in time and share all along the way✊️

[@bluecollargarage8975]

I’m contemplating on going awd with the 8hp or go with the tr6060 using an adapter and tbss transfer case

[@FredAllenBurge]

Both good choices but two polar opposites! Good luck with either path you take

[@freightreadytexas3799]

Dart block ls7 into a 72 nova with an 8hp. Turbo lamik controlling with Holley and it’s flawless

[@mechanicandthesloth459]

Oh man!! Keep pushing through! Hope to see it running soon

[@FredAllenBurge]

Thanks man I'll get there soon✊️

[@supadavee30]

Have you thought about the TURBOLAMIK TCU?

[@FredAllenBurge]

Yes, I've heard good things about it but I'd need to see a video like this one showing what it's actually like to live with before considering it! The HTG is potentially really good though, if I can get past this whole set up phase

[@DK-421]

@@FredAllenBurge look at Zero to 60 channel. They use the Turbo Lamik and have had amazing results.

[@FredAllenBurge]

@@DK-421 thank you

[@Kahnklingon84]

I've been waiting for this update for my s13. Looking forward to the outcome. Cheers

[@wgreen340]

Ok come bro u need to ditch megasquirt and go either Holley or maxxecu. Ur no longer in the plug and play world.and for your experiences turbo lamik is probably ur go to as well and trade or sell the htg to a bimmer build

[@jeffarchibald3837]

I was going to buy HTG. I asked them about your case. No answer, now no sale. Thanks.

[@boris9331]

Can you show some pictures of your other crimps on that plug, If they all look as crap as that then the crimping tool is a cheapo one they used or incorrectly done you don't want to have other failures.

[@bentompkins]

Stick with it, don't forget your a pioneer! Thanks for the honest video

[@TurboLamikUS]

I was hoping you gave TurboLamik a try. Our TCU works great and we have many happy customers. Greg

[@FredAllenBurge]

Yes next time I will definitely be trying your TCU

[@sherwyngray3979]

​@@FredAllenBurgeI hope that by now you linked with Turbolamik

[@zer0luink]

Im having the exact same issue. Ive contacted him and hes contacted me as well and still havent had him check my GCU yet. Sucks i had the car running great and then all of a sudden the car started not wanting to shift. So im just stuck now not able to drive my car because i cant get any help

[@BeefSupremeAviation]

Have you looked into Seems Legit Garage out of Detroit? They use the HTG controller for both the 8HP70 and BMW 7 speed DCT

[@FredAllenBurge]

Yes that's where I bought all of my HTG parts and trans adapter and shifter. Support is through HTG though and it sucked bad, sadly.

[@michaeljones1410]

Sometimes a rant can be cathartic.

[@briangammey2189]

I want to do this swap in my truck. Where did you buy your adapter for the ls? Want to sell the whole setup?

[@FredAllenBurge]

You can buy it from Adamat, I sold this one already

[@petehalasz7547]

I feel your pain.. I've told thousands of people through out 45+ years of mechanics.. You can swap anything mechanical, but the moment you add one wire you are screwed if you don't know the chain of command you will fight for years.... since standalones are incredibly popular (and lots are out there) and easier than the shit from factories, there's one problem that nobody tells you,,, chain of command!!! They must be able to talk to each other,, if not your fucked, and its not worth getting a PhD in programming.. as mentioned in other responses,, turbo lamik figured it out by removing the factory TCU and solder some cross wires and from there his standalone Tcu, can literally talk to analog signals...that is insane.. but it took years for him to figure it out.. We are about to restomod my sons 86 Jag xjs to a 8hp70 with the help of Domiworks plates and a Turbolamik TCU..

[@armandosealey2632]

Check out (zero to sixty) videos on KZbin. Various turbolamik installs and detailed info that could probably help with you tcu. Keep your chin up, you'll get it done.

[@johnnys.9040]

Must be an LS issue, if you're a BMW owner, still go for that 8hp70 swap, much better than the old 6hp's and the weaker 8hp's

[@parisbmw320]

8HP70 installed on my bmw e46 but with different controller. 50000km on it so far. plug and play, as factory

[@sdagoespro]

But you have Turbolamik TCU 😁

[@FredAllenBurge]

How does it communicate with the engine? Does it not require TPS, RPM, MAP, etc?

[@sdagoespro]

@@FredAllenBurge we supply those via CAN from factory ECU

[@FredAllenBurge]

@@sdagoespro ok, so it's the same as HTG does. I doubt it's as easy and plug and play as he said though.

[@parisbmw320]

@@FredAllenBurge We use canbus for communication entirely

[@schmitty_luv]

Where one person says it’s a great transmission….the people tuning and rebuilding the transmissions hate it as a transmission lol…Basically nothing is perfect. But the aspect you brought up regarding the keeping engine/turbo spooled and in the “powerband” would be the most rewarding ……do you have a data logger like a draggy to compare results between transmissions? Have you spoken with Trifan Catalin in Romania pretty sure he has a pro drift car with this kind of transmission on turbo v8 also.

[@schmitty_luv]

This is the channel kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYOslHica7F1fLM

[@schmitty_luv]

Or here is another video of 8hp70 transmission going down kzbin.infoHD-cO_aaJfs?feature=share maybe you can get something formal going with their team and the ECU company they use.

[@Mohamad_tarakji]

He should’ve went with turbo lmick

[@Pg-xs4tr]

Do research before jumping into something. Especially something like a transmission swap with a standalone controller.

[@maxkern4741]

If you decide to part ways with the HTG gear I'll take it off your hands!

[@FredAllenBurge]

I only have the GCU left

[@armandosealey2632]

You picked the wrong tcu, turbolamik is the one, lots of videos with installation and proven good results

[@FredAllenBurge]

Same with HTG honestly but nobody makes videos like this about when it doesnt go so smooth and I 100% guarantee Lamik has similar issues just nobidy wants to make a video like this, I will though✊️

[@aaabbb9953]

@@FredAllenBurge No, lamik dont have those issues... It work like oem after installing, even without tune.

[@bluestripes1]

even with a bad solenoid power wire in your harness? turbo lamik will work? lmao@@aaabbb9953

[@supadavee30]

Man, I really wanted to do this swap too

[@sircefiro]

Total cost is higher than most think

[@fayobam_mech_tronics]

With these things everybody swear by the turbolamik controller

[@4funner66]

Bro. Turbolamik. That’s allll I have to say haha

[@FredAllenBurge]

Ya that's what I've learned haha next time next time

[@4funner66]

@@FredAllenBurge did you ever get this car sorted out? Rooting for you after seeing this video, you’re so close!

[@FredAllenBurge]

@4funner66 ya itxs working great now, just did an epic 150 mile rally in Arkansas yesterday! I paused the 8hp70 swap put in a T56 and really enjoy the car a lot now. (I'll use the 8hp70 in a future project)

[@feelgoodhorizon4084]

You should not relay on customer service or youtubers for a "DIY" project no one but yourself put their hands on. If you don't know how, then pay someone who does and support people who do. If you have to ask, dont. Making a diy project and expect others to help you in time/labor for free is asking way too much of said company who did nothing but sell you a part. People who try these things do nothing but stress part companies out (most are side/hobby jobs) and make them quit (motorsport parts are not an effective way to make money compared to other things you can do with the same machinery used now) the only ones that lost out are the costumers due to a dying aftermarket.

[@FredAllenBurge]

There's almost zero tuners for these in the USA and none anywhere near me.

[@aaabbb9953]

First of all - destroy this HTG shit - install turbolamik TCU, no stupid wirings, problems after installing etc. Gearbox is working like oem and it is self learning. Have fun...

[@Monstero5o]

Turbolamik ECu only.

[@milanuddin]

Should of used a turbolamik controller.

[@FredAllenBurge]

So I've learned!

[@alperileri]

buy one turbolamik tcu and close this channel.

[@gdrozd555]

I might be able to help

[@henrik1743]

Hey man, there are a lot of people doing 8HP70 swaps in Sweden at the moment with good succes, you should try and ask them, we are very helpful :) Nissejarnet on YT did a DCT swap in his e30

[@aaabbb9953]

sweden dct swap is probably working on maxxecu (canformance gearbox unit, that is emulating oem bmw ecu so you can use maxxecustandalone.)

[@henrik1743]

@@aaabbb9953 yeah a lot of people in the nordics have used maxecu for ageees, since M50 Turbo days

[@aaabbb9953]

@@henrik1743 yep, so they arent using htg for dct... maxxecu have built in gearbox control unit in their standalone engine ecus