7 speed DCT tuning?

[Constant.S]

Today i went with a buddy and his 35is DCT on a meeting on a test strip that we meet up every now and then and "play" and since my 35i is "under development" my friend asked me to drive his on some runs with an Audi TTS, among other cars, since im more experienced. Now my car is a DCT too so im familiar with the gear changing but this time i used both manual gear changing and also did some launches letting the ECU in sport+ and S mode do the changes and noticed that the transmission on automatic actually changes gear a little over the beneficial RPM range, around 7000(I manually change around 5900-6300 for optimal performance).
So my question to the "technically inclined" is: Is there a way to reprogram the Transmissions ECU for optimal gear changing? Cause that would make a DCT car a real Killer on the strip or anywhere else utilizing launch control and just... Stepping on it. Maybe ESS, with their experience on the M3's DCT tuning, can chime in?

[sales@ESSTuning]

Originally Posted by Constant.S

Today i went with a buddy and his 35is DCT on a meeting on a test strip that we meet up every now and then and "play" and since my 35i is "under development" my friend asked me to drive his on some runs with an Audi TTS, among other cars, since im more experienced. Now my car is a DCT too so im familiar with the gear changing but this time i used both manual gear changing and also did some launches letting the ECU in sport+ and S mode do the changes and noticed that the transmission on automatic actually changes gear a little over the beneficial RPM range, around 7000(I manually change around 5900-6300 for optimal performance).
So my question to the "technically inclined" is: Is there a way to reprogram the Transmissions ECU for optimal gear changing? Cause that would make a DCT car a real Killer on the strip or anywhere else utilizing launch control and just... Stepping on it. Maybe ESS, with their experience on the M3's DCT tuning, can chime in?

We have tuned the DCT in the M3 which is similar but have yet to play with the Z4.

[Constant.S]

Thanks Roman Is there any work in progress or plans for our Gertrag Powershift or tuning on the gearbox's logic board on N54 platforms, or is it strictly for the M3?
I heard some really REALLY good critics about the tuning you made on the M3's DCT especially combined with your VT2 supercharger systems

[sales@ESSTuning]

Originally Posted by Constant.S

Thanks Roman Is there any work in progress or plans for our Gertrag Powershift or tuning on the gearbox's logic board on N54 platforms, or is it strictly for the M3?
I heard some really REALLY good critics about the tuning you made on the M3's DCT especially combined with your VT2 supercharger systems

When we get some time we will take a look at the transmission control and see if it can be modified.

[Ramjet]

Originally Posted by Roman@ESS

When we get some time we will take a look at the transmission control and see if it can be modified.

any progress on this?

[wdlfbio]

The E89 35is with DCT will take ESS stage 1, but not stage 2. Per ESS last week. Im about to buy their flash for my new 35is, and add a valet tune to it.

[SHADOW4]

Originally Posted by wdlfbio

The E89 35is with DCT will take ESS stage 1, but not stage 2. Per ESS last week.

What do you mean? Have I missed something?

[Constant.S]

Stage 1 for the "is" model is the same peak power as the stage 2 for the normal 35i anyways. He is talking about the ECU tuning not the DCT tuning =)

[wdlfbio]

I didn't figure the question was about tuning the DCT, rather what ESS had available for the E89 w DCT. I asked them the same question directly and got the below response. But your r right, it's odd that they call it the stage 1 when it makes the same power as their stage 2 for non DCT trannies.

Per Asbjorn w ESS-
"The DCT version of the Z4 3.5is can only take the power of the Stage 1 (400chp, ~350rwhp). Any more and the DCT clutches can not handle it in the long run."

[SHADOW4]

Originally Posted by wdlfbio

I didn't figure the question was about tuning the DCT, rather what ESS had available for the E89 w DCT. I asked them the same question directly and got the below response. But your r right, it's odd that they call it the stage 1 when it makes the same power as their stage 2 for non DCT trannies.

Per Asbjorn w ESS-
"The DCT version of the Z4 3.5is can only take the power of the Stage 1 (400chp, ~350rwhp). Any more and the DCT clutches can not handle it in the long run."

I think there is an typo here as Stage1 gives around 355 chp and 480 tq and Stage 2 390-400 chp and 550 tq, anyway as i remember it. Ceartinly can feel the difference between the stages.

Getrag can take 600tq what i have learned ( there is a link somwhere on the forum)

Whatever is true, parts will always deteriorate when used. I belive how you use it will be more of a factor of how long parts will hold.

I am still confused


Manual says don't use "launch control" to much as it increases the load on the car, even without ecu tunes!

[Aoikase]

Constant.S
http://www.getrag.com/en/252
the linked you post before.

[SHADOW4]

In my 2010 there is an Getrag 7DCI600 wich apperantly have been replaced with the newer 700 models in newer cars. Congrats to all of you!

Seems Getrag does not have any specs of the 600 on there website anymore.

[Aoikase]

I assumed it is going to be very expensive, and not sell for individual?

[wdlfbio]

Originally Posted by SHADOW4

I think there is an typo here as Stage1 gives around 355 chp and 480 tq and Stage 2 390-400 chp and 550 tq, anyway as i remember it. Ceartinly can feel the difference between the stages.

Getrag can take 600tq what i have learned ( there is a link somwhere on the forum)

Whatever is true, parts will always deteriorate when used. I belive how you use it will be more of a factor of how long parts will hold.

I am still confused


Manual says don't use "launch control" to much as it increases the load on the car, even without ecu tunes!

That was the email from ESS. Here is the info directly on their website, for hte E89 35is.
http://www.esstuning.com/products/ES...-Software.html

Product Description

ESS E-FlashFlash N54 "is/1M" ECU software is a result of extensive testing and exact calibration of ECU parameters to allow conservative performance gains on an otherwise stock car. The ESS 335i software is developed and tested in extreme heat in the Arizona desert as well as extreme cold temperatures in Scandinavia. The end user can select between 2 different power levels and cat/no cat in the DirectFlash unit. ESS E-Flash also includes full engine diagnostic functionality and code clearing capabilities.

DirectFlash Stage 1 :
Top Speed Governor: Removed
RPM Limit: 7200RPM
Fuel requirement: 91US
Horsepower: 400 DIN (Stock 335) - 390 DIN if used with stock intercooler
Torque: 550NM
Normal whp range on DynoJet: 345-365whp

[Asbjorn]

Is performance really better when shifting at lower revs? I rarely rev to red-line myself, but are we sure it does not offer better drag strip performance to do so? I know the torque will drop off at higher revs, but is the curve really so steep that rwtq above 6300 drops below that of lower revs in next gear and for all gears?

[SHADOW4]

Ok, now I see..........

They removed the unneccesary stage for the 35iS as it's almost the same as Stage1 for the 35i.

Still for the 35i:


Product Description
ESS E-FlashFlash N54 ECU software is a result of extensive testing and exact calibration of ECU parameters to allow conservative performance gains on an otherwise stock car. The ESS 335i software is developed and tested in extreme heat in the Arizona desert as well as extreme cold temperatures in Scandinavia. The end user can select between 2 different power levels and cat/no cat in the DirectFlash unit. ESS E-Flash also includes full engine diagnostic functionality and code clearing capabilities.

DirectFlash Stage 1 :
Top Speed Governor: Removed
RPM Limit: 7000RPM
Fuel requirement: 91US/95Euro
Horsepower: 355 DIN (Stock 306)
Torque: 480NM (Stock 400NM)

DirectFlash Stage 2 :
Top Speed Governor: Removed
RPM Limit: 7200RPM
Fuel requirement: 91US/95Euro
Horsepower: 400 DIN (Stock 306) - 390DIN if used with stock intercooler
Torque: 550NM (Stock 400NM)

[dhplachy]

I noticed that the ESS website only mentions the 35i and does not differentiate the 35is. It was my understanding that the 35is has a different intercooler.

The 35is also has an overboost which I understand is replaced by the ESS tune to not be limited to the 7 seconds, etc.

It would be nice if the ESS website gave more information about the 35is.

[wdlfbio]

They show info for the 2011 35is.

[hansd]

I agree, would be good if Roman could shine some light on the matter

[SpeedDemon7]

I wish there was some tuning capability to it. I was really having a hard time at the drag strip. Since the 35i does not fully disable both traction systems I was not able to use it very effectively, fastest time I ran was 13 flat with a 2.6 60' at 111.0. Got home and I finally figured a DIY way to launch the car. Kinda tricky and takes a lots of practice. If you press the traction once, and hold it to turn off DSC, then put the car in M1 mode by putting shifter to the left, I was able to fully press the accelerator till it hit the button at the bottom of the pedal, then the revs would increase without engaging the transmission, its a very small opportunity but if you tap the brake while pumping the accelerator about twice to hold it at about 3000 rpm for about 1 or 2 secs then launch. Was working pretty well at a empty lot I was practicing. Def going back to the strip aiming for low to mid 12s where the car should be.

Damn GTR

[z4z4z4]

Originally Posted by SpeedDemon7

I wish there was some tuning capability to it. I was really having a hard time at the drag strip. Since the 35i does not fully disable both traction systems I was not able to use it very effectively, fastest time I ran was 13 flat with a 2.6 60' at 111.0. Got home and I finally figured a DIY way to launch the car. Kinda tricky and takes a lots of practice. If you press the traction once, and hold it to turn off DSC, then put the car in M1 mode by putting shifter to the left, I was able to fully press the accelerator till it hit the button at the bottom of the pedal, then the revs would increase without engaging the transmission, its a very small opportunity but if you tap the brake while pumping the accelerator about twice to hold it at about 3000 rpm for about 1 or 2 secs then launch. Was working pretty well at a empty lot I was practicing. Def going back to the strip aiming for low to mid 12s where the car should be.

Damn GTR

I have no DCT dragstrip experience, but I'd like to hear from you after trying the DCT launch control program per the owner's manual:
Launch Control is available when the engine is
at operating temperature, i.e., after driving continuously
for at least 6 miles/10 km.
1. With the engine running, depress the brake
pedal with your left foot.
2. Activate the SPORT+ program of the Dynamic
Driving Control, refer to page 78.
3. With the vehicle stationary, activate manual
mode and select first gear.
4. Press the accelerator all the way down. The
engine speed when driving off is controlled.
A flag symbol appears in the instrument
cluster.
5. The vehicle accelerates when you release
the brake pedal. Keep the accelerator
pressed all the way down.
6. The transmission shifts up automatically as
long as the accelerator is pressed all the way
down.
Launch Control only becomes available again
after a certain distance has been driven.

ALSO, I'd like to know if you're logging your JB4 at the track?
You may be pulling timing from not turning off DSC with a long push of the button, which conflicts with the use of launch control which requires Sport+. Traction control activity is interpretted as engine KNOCK by JB4 and the tuner pulls timing to protect the engine.

[Vintage]

you mean to say - you engaged the car's launch control? did the checkered flag come up and the RPMs held automatically at 4k?