[stoopalini]

The spreadsheet is decent, but it os easy enough to just log it in the Scanner as you drive. If you log output speed, Shift table, accel factor and Engine RPM, Throttle position and Air flow. you can go to the exact area you want to make a change and find it. The only time ot is a bit cryptic is when it cycles to the min max tables or the take off tables. 2021 and up has some tables that are wrong in the TC section.

Makes sense, especially when investigating some behavior of the vehicle. You can just include engine RPM in the log so you can see when something is happening.

I think the spreadsheet is more valuable when implementing a shifting strategy though, where you want the shift point to be at a particular RPM. You can adjust the engine RPM for the various gear shifts and throttle conditions and it will translate that to output shaft RPM for an easy copy/paste into HPT's VCM table.

It also comes with some predefined templates (mild, moderate, aggressive, towing) you can use as a starting point, which I thought was nice.

 

[JC Hemi]

This info should be posted on a sticky.

For us in the future that are planning on tuning our DD this is essential info. For me, it’s is a good starting point of where the settings should be. Instead of wasting precious and costly time adjusting shift parameters from a stock setting.

Thanks in advance for the great yohmans work.

 

[DAVECS1]

It is nice for calculating ratios to engine speed. Not a difficult calc but if there is a tool, makes it easier.

As for what table it is using, that is the challenge, the labelled tables may be used 50 to 60 percent of the time, on a stock setup. When you monitor Shift ID, you will find it will glide through the 99 tables depending on operating conditions. You can define what tables you want for a givwn condition by changing the mapping table. This works well for things like cruise.

Vehicles that have drive mode switches will generally stay in a mode and that makes it much easoer to tu e and try things. Vehicles that use the 3.6 and 850 trans with "auto sensing mode" those do not adhere to the labels, especially if you change the gearing. It uses a mix of engine load and accell factor tuning to choose the mode. I have a couple spreadsheets I have put together, that get pretty close but once in a while it is in a completely different table than predicted. I have found most fca/stellantis vehicles like to use table 5 for general loafing around and table 20 when you lean into it.

 

[pmallios0]

ive always had issues with the 2 to 1 coming to a stop and also the 1 to 2 when the trans is not up to temp.

Hi there,
Same here but I "taught" it to downshift without getting that annoying kick before coming to a stop. Yes, these transmissions will "learn" and adapt to your driving style.
The way I did it, was to break slightly more aggressively and stop the vehicle while the Trans was still in 2. I think I might have driven like that for about a couple of weeks if I remember correctly (it's been a couple of years since then). The downshift from 2 to 1 is smooth as butter now.

On the other issue, that it is not upshifting normally from 1 to 2 while cold, it's clearly a programming issue of the transmission and as Duh-rango said there might be TSBs from Dodge but I couldn't be bothered. In my case it only happens during the first shift and under very light throttle so I've learned to live with it instead of paying the dealer to install the TSB and reprogram the transmission - to be honest I'm kind of scared of what this TSB's effect might be.

 

[wvhemis]

Big fan of HP's trans tunes. I went from Diablo to HP tunes on our Supercharged 5.7 Shaker and we picked up some nice HP gains and the driveability and performance on the street improved.

 

[Monstar]

Don’t get on here much but if you still need help with your shift scheduling feel free to pm me.

 

[Enthusiast]

Great Information!

 

[rebeccalpzmen]

Anyone using HP Tuners to log or tune their ZF8HP70 transmission?

After unlocking the SRT custom drive mode screens, I started looking at the transmission tuning in HP Tuners, and engaged a respected ZF transmission tuner to help me gain a better understanding and make some changes.

As an example, i want the 2-1 downshift to be smoother and not shake the vehicle when coming to a stop, I also want it to use 8th when in Sport, and want it to use 7th and 8th when in track.

The idea is to make these adjustments now, and use it as a way for me to gain an understanding of how this works ... so early next year, after I install the Whipple supercharger, I can then take a more in-depth approach in getting a final transmission tune applied to suit the new power levels.

In general, the way this works is the logic of the TCM identifies a "Shift Pattern" to use for a given situation. There are many things which impact the choice of which pattern to use like ... drive mode, driver type, temp, road inclination, engine demand, throttle position, etc, etc, etc ...

Then the Shift Pattern ID contains a table which controls the shifting with respect to throttle demand and tail shaft RPM.

Here is where the shift pattern tables are found:

View attachment 130163


And here's a look at Shift Pattern 5 (which is the primary table used for Normal (or Auto) drive mode:

View attachment 130164

So when throttle input is say 50%, and the tail shaft speed is rising and crosses 2,550 RPM, the vehicle will shift from 4th to 5th.

When logging the transmission, and using VCM Scanner to review the log ... "Shift ID" is the parameter/channel which tells you the Shift Pattern the TCM should be using:

View attachment 130165


In general, it's expected for the TCM to use table 5 for Normal mode, table 7 for Sport mode, and table 9 for Track mode. Of course, the other pattern tables do get used for varying scenarios, but 5, 7, and 9 are generally the primary tables (or supposed to be).

My question for someone who has VCM scanner and has logged the 8HP70 is ... when you log Sport and Track modes, are you seeing pattern tables 7 and 9 being used?

In my vehicle, I'm seeing shift pattern 7 being used for both Sport and Track drive modes. This surprised me and also surprised the guy I engaged to help tune it, as he also expected it to use 9 for Track.

I'm wondering if my work to unlock the SRT drive mode screens in the uConnect is somehow causing Track mode to use pattern 7 instead of pattern 9. I can certainly switch my BCM back to factory settings and test ... but thought maybe someone else might be doing some logging for me to use as another data point.

Hey there!! I was reading your forum when I came across this thread. My son is tuning his car. After tuning last night, his car no longer will shift past 3rd. Cld the tune be the issue? And how do you check the oil on this thing. He has a 2015 Dodge Durango RT. He just replaced all kinds of things in the motor that I can’t even begin to tell you what they are. He is so upset now that he just wants to sell his car. He’s poorer all his money, time, and heart into this car and still gives him issues. Please
Help if you can with a little advise.

 

[Tin Foil Hat]

The transmission has no way to check the fluid. If it's up around 60-75K miles or more then a fluid/filter change is recommended and it's expensive if done correctly. As to the "tuning", there needs to be a whole lot more information about what he calls a "tune". It may or may not have affected the transmission though it usually doesn't. If "he replaced all kinds of things in the motor" then it's impossible to guess what he has done to this. MUCH more information is needed and it needs to be explicit and complete.

 

[stoopalini]

Hey there!! I was reading your forum when I came across this thread. My son is tuning his car. After tuning last night, his car no longer will shift past 3rd. Cld the tune be the issue? And how do you check the oil on this thing. He has a 2015 Dodge Durango RT. He just replaced all kinds of things in the motor that I can’t even begin to tell you what they are. He is so upset now that he just wants to sell his car. He’s poorer all his money, time, and heart into this car and still gives him issues. Please
Help if you can with a little advise.

Absolutely, a poor or bad tune can definitely result in it not shifting properly.

I wouldn’t be able to give any advice though, without knowing what exactly he did. What did he use to “tune” the vehicle? Was it shifting normally before the tune? If so, can’t he just revert the tune back to stock?

more info is definitely needed to help him out.

 

[Duh-rango]

You can check the trans fluid but there is no dipstick. This is the procedure.

https://www.dodgedurango.net/posts/852612/

As for tuning the trans, what tables did your son change? Better yet did he go to the HP tuners forum and seek some advice?

 

[stoopalini]

My guess is he may have used a tuning device and not HP Tuners …. like a Diablo sport tuner or something like that.

Definitely need more info

 

[Duh-rango]

If diablo then there is little chance one can mess up the trans shift pattern as it does not allow much customization with the handheld interface (with CMR software you get complete control BUT diablo only allows pros/shops to have that). However with HP tuners you can really muck up the trans if you don't know what you are doing as you are given full control.