Can the TCU be Reprogramed

[Awdboost]

Can you Flash the TCU so that you can control the rpm shift points.

 

[exile]

I don't believe so, you can purchase a Translab Shifter Kit (it's located under the Valve Body Kits section of that page) and it's about $60-80. That's what most people do. I do believe GRE Performance has them pretty cheap ATM.

 

[Awdboost]

Doesn't that just firm up the shift points?? Not change what you shift points are?

 

[exile]

Well, I'm assuming you want SHORTER shifts so if you read the package it's shipped in (there's a picture somewhere on there) it says "shorter shifts" along with some other decent benefits.

The kit is something you may want to look into if you want to improve the way your car shifts, it's cheap and fairly easy to install (lots of tutorials on this forum about installation). As to changing the RPMs when the TCU shifts, I couldn't say yes or no.

 

[m1nd64m3]

I think you would need to shift it manually with the IPT gear selecter box thing or the tcugo when it comes out.

 

[91Bomb]

I've always shifted manually when I want to control shift points. Of course there is some delay on shifts so you have to time them. After some practice you'll get good at it. Just make sure you use some descretion on your downshifts, ie. going from 4th to 3rd at 70mph is probably not too good for the stock trans as is 3rd to 2nd at 50mph etc. (personally I never downshift to 1st at any speed)
There's a paddle shifter kit that mounts on the steering wheel that gives you 'maumatic' shifting capability like you find on many new a/t cars these days. Those shifts should be much quicker as compared to my method. That, along with a shift kit, should give you fast and crisp on demand shifting when you need it. However, I'd look into beefing up the trans before going hog wild with the manual shifting.

 

[91Bomb]

Are you using the econo/power switch because that is what changes the shift points on these cars. Even if you could flash the tcu so that shift points are changed you would still have no control over those 'new' shift points. The only way to control the shift points is to manually move the gear selector around like I do so you can hold and select what gear you want to be in -or- learn where your shift points are and use the throttle by letting up or getting on the accelerator with the right amount of pressure to help put you in the gear you want. Of course this latter mathod isn't nearly as effective.

If your problem is that on WOT your car is shifting too soon then you have something wrong with your car.

 

[92awdgsx]

Can you Flash the TCU so that you can control the rpm shift points.

Right now the only way is to shift it manualy. There used to be a piggy back controler that was suppost to work, but i don't think they make them anymore.

 

[91Bomb]

I think you would need to shift it manually with the IPT gear selecter box thing or the tcugo when it comes out.

How does the gear selector box work? Is there a switch so you can go from regular automatic shifting to manual and back? Is adding that box like adding a 'manumatic' mode to an auto trans or are there some fundamental differences between it and 'manumatic' systems offered on some new cars?