ZF 8HP Transmission Swap

[Jstawgn]

Would be work in progress notepad for my conversion.

Why?
The 5 speed in GX470 are pretty reliable but it's getting old in the tooth. They are slow to shift and sluggish coming out of corners.
The 6 speed in GX460 are failing at somewhat alarming rate due no OEM cooler, very tall 6th gear and OEM maintenance recommendations that says the fluid are life time.

This ZF 8HP Transmission are becoming the LS of transmission swap and it is so versatile that it even convert many manual transmission diehard. Popular swap for street rods,drag racing, drifting, really and even off road. Many Land cruisers have been converted all over the world.

They are used in so many applications and dirt cheap while offering very good performance out of the box.

 

[Jstawgn]

Gearing

GX470, 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser A750F vs ZF 8HP70

Crawl ratio comparison with 4.30 gear and 35” tire

Road RPM comparison stock vs 8HP70 with 4.30 gear and 35” tire

GX460 6 speed stock VS 8HP70 and 35” tire

Crawl ratio comparison between GX460 6 speed vs 8HP70

 

[Jstawgn]

Refferences

8HP.club - ZF 8HP Transmission Wiki

The ultimate resource for ZF 8HP transmission swaps, specifications, and community knowledge.

8hp.club

Transmission technical information

We have summarized a comprehensive transmission comparison table with technical information of each of their respective property. The main idea of this list is to get a better understanding of the differences and to be able to choose the correct product for your transmission, and of course to...

www.domi-works.com

Transmission Solutions | "Seems Legit" Garage

Everything you need to know about modern transmission swaps! We support CANTCU, Turblamik, and MaxxECU systems for ZF 8HP, DCT, DSG, PDK and more! A one-stop-shop for everything related to modern transmission swaps.

www.seemslegitgarage.com

 

[Jstawgn]

Challenges

• OEM ECU and TCU are integrated
  • It's currently unknown how the transmission and ECU talk to each other. Everything is done within the ECU. It's not as easy as intercepting the data transmission between ECU and TCU
• CANBUS integration is partially possible
  • 2005 is first year of CANBUS used in this platform. Older can be converted but can only use Turbolamik Analog.
  • What can be obtained thru CANBUS
    • RPM
    • Brake switch
    • Speed refferences
    • Transfer low
    • 2nd start
• No current easy way to do SHIFT CUT and REV Matching. Might not be an issue as this transmission can handle much more torque than stock 2UZ or 1UR can produce and we don't drive it like a race car that always shift at redline.

Goals

• Maintain full time 4WD
• Maintain ABS/VSC/ATRAC
• No warning lights on dash
• Easy to drive that anybody can drive without any special tricks

 

[Jstawgn]

Transmission selection
Although this transmission is the same internally, the bell housing and output configuration differ between manufacturers.
Dodge behind Hemi are different than the one behind Pentastar. BMW also have a few different bell housing to suit different engine family.
For our application it pretty much limited to adapter availability.

For 2UZ:

1. Dodge Hemi Adamat/Domiworks
2. BMW N57 Adamat/Domiworks

For 1UR

1. BMW N57. Currently only Domiworks makes this adapter

For 1GR

1. BMW B58 8HP45 or 8HP50 can be used due to lower torque. Currently only Domiworks makes this adapter.

Transfer case selection
We need left side drop transfer case, unless you doing SAS at same time and then this does not matter anymore.

Dodge Hemi can use Jeep transfer case, especially if you don't mind losing AWD. Only NP242 might offer similar functionality as OEM transfer case. The clutch type AWD are complex and not reliable.

BMW can use OEM VF4 transfer case. Availability of this adapter are still scarce. Domiworks advertise one but need complete teardown of the transmission to get modified.

 

[Jstawgn]

Controller

You can research each in more detail on your own. The comments below are just simple rundown from what I researched before.

Turbolamik
The OG. Very sequential control. Cannot skip gear like OEM. Can work with carburetor and non CANBUS ECU by installing its own TPS and MAP sensor. Ancient and complex software to use. At least for me. Need to wire and solder solenoids PCB directly. Seems very risky for DIY job.

CANTCU
Probably the most seamless for BMW integration but not much advantage for our platform unless you are swapping BMW M57 diesel at same time

APEXControl Innovation IOcan
Very new and not much info available
Don't need specific flash tools. No cost info available.

Sound German Automotives
US based. Their main market is hot rod with Dodge power train. Can be used in our application if you don't need specific needs and especially when using Dodge based transmission.
Transmission tune is done by HP tuner or VF tuner that is extra on top of the adapter cost. Might still be the most cost effective if you don't need special features that is available in other controller.

Emtron Australia
Must use their ECU and very expensive. Direct control like Turbolamik. Bypass OEM TCU inside transmission.

Maxxecu
Fairly affordable and depends on the ECU can control the engine too. Use same software for both engine and transmission. Mini version are about $760. This is what I choose before learning some other setback that adds to overall cost.
Transmission need to be flashed with their own firmware and need special flash tool. This flash tool cost about $150-200 to rent or $950 to buy.
Limited TCU coverage. You might need to replace the TCU inside your transmission with the compatible version. Luckily you can replace the TCU with compatible version fairly cheap from eBay. I have to buy replacement TCU for about $140.

 

[Jstawgn]

Built progress 2

 

[Jstawgn]

Built progress 3

 

[Jstawgn]

Note 1

 

[Jstawgn]

Note 2

 

[Jstawgn]

Note 3

 

[WhiteRqbbit]

Following this - I had this in my G87 M2 and its a great transmission with a lot of holding power for hp/tq - The poor mans sequential would be a lot of fun on the trails.

 

[Rednexus]

I'll be curious how this turns out and the total level-of-effort/cost to complete it. I like my A750F other than the total ratio spread being too small...I re-geared to 4.56 for towing when wheeling, but it can be a bit buzzy driving down the highway unloaded. It looks like the 8HP would be better suited for 3.73 or 3.91 gears than 4.56.

 

[Jstawgn]

Following this - I had this in my G87 M2 and its a great transmission with a lot of holding power for hp/tq - The poor mans sequential would be a lot of fun on the trails.

For sure. I hate automatic but this one feels a lot more connected. It's smart enough to downshift when it sense the speed are too low for the engine to pickup. I am not building a rock crawler and the versatility of this transmission that makes me really want it.

I am currently very turned off with new vehicles electronics. I don't want a nagging nanny that keep yelling for safety belt or every little obstacles on the road.

 

[Jstawgn]

I'll be curious how this turns out and the total level-of-effort/cost to complete it. I like my A750F other than the total ratio spread being too much....I re-geared to 4.56 for towing when wheeling, but it can be a bit buzzy driving down the highway unloaded. It looks like the 8HP would be better suited for 3.73 or 3.91 gears than 4.56.

It is not a cheap mod by any means. I do it because I am currently really fed off with all new 4X4 offering. I like my KDSS and still like to corner relatively fast. The current LC250 and GX550 got too much nanny that really annoys the heck out of me.

For my use with 35" tire 4:10 would be ideal. I have 4:30 gear and still 8” diff. This ratio is what have been holding me to upgrade to 8.2 diff. There are no option for 4.10 or 4.30 for it. I might make custom axle using 3rd gen Tacoma 8.75" 4.30 instead.

 

[Rednexus]

It is not a cheap mod by any means. I do it because I am currently really fed off with all new 4X4 offering. I like my KDSS and still like to corner relatively fast. The current LC250 and GX550 got too much nanny that really annoys the heck out of me.

For my use with 35" tire 4:10 would be ideal. I have 4:30 gear and still 8” diff. This ratio is what have been holding me to upgrade to 8.2 diff. There are no option for 4.10 or 4.30 for it. I might make custom axle using 3rd gen Tacoma 8.75" 4.30 instead.

The new 4x4 offerings are indeed underwhelming and expensive. I have no intention of getting rid of my GX for the next decade, and the GX is very fun to drive as it sits with a V8. If you could post your all-in cost when done it would be a good datapoint. Even if this mod costs let's say $7K, that's still only 6 months of GX550 payments.

 

[Jstawgn]

The new 4x4 offerings are indeed underwhelming and expensive. I have no intention of getting rid of my GX for the next decade, and the GX is very fun to drive as it sits with a V8. If you could post your all-in cost when done it would be a good datapoint. Even if this mod costs let's say $7K, that's still only 6 months of GX550 payments.

I already out out about $7K. Still missing driveshaft, cross member, exhaust and skid plate. This is with me doing everything myself. Exhaust is my biggest headache beside the control integration.

Probably if paying a shop would be at least double or triple that.

 

[Rednexus]

I already out out about $7K. Still missing driveshaft, cross member, exhaust and skid plate. This is with me doing everything myself. Exhaust is my biggest headache beside the control integration.

Probably if paying a shop would be at least double or triple that.

Still seems to be an enticing mod . I'd honestly be fine with a A760F swap for my application (due to the 6th gear) but I'm not sure how the electronics would work and I'd want a new or reman one.

 

[Jstawgn]

Still seems to be an enticing mod . I'd honestly be fine with a A760F swap for my application (due to the 6th gear) but I'm not sure how the electronics would work and I'd want a new or reman one.

I did splurge on some R&D stuff. Hopefully it can be much cheaper once everything is figured out.

A760f integration would be much harder since Toyota guarded their ECU coding to themselves. It probably not worth it since you only gain overdrive with no performance benefits.