Thought some of you Auto FD owners might appreciate this link

http://www.powertraincontrolsolution...showpage&pid=4

They have a sweet PDF brochure too:

http://www.powertraincontrolsolution...u_product2.pdf


The Powertrain Control Solutions, LLC. Universal Automatic Transmission Controller is a fully programmable transmission control system. Through a friendly PC Windows interface users are able to program transmission settings based on speed, engine load, engine speed and other parameters. This powerful unit allows users to control every type of electronic automatic transmission from Ford, Nissan, GM, Toyota, Chrysler and many other manufacturers (ex. Ford AOD-E, GM 4L60E). Automatic transmissions have been mass produced only in electronic versions for many years without a satisfactory aftermarket solution. Finally, Powertrain Control Solutions, LLC. offers a product to control these readily available transmissions both in new vehicles and custom built vehicles. Our unique approach to engineering in this field allows this unit to control all types of electronic automatic transmissions at a low cost. Therefore we are able to produce a unit to control more transmissions and with greater capability than our competition.



Product Specifications:

· Upshift/Downshift button capability
· Selectable shifting modes (ex. Power, towing, economy)
· Compact Dimensions (5.9in x 4.15in x 1.75in)
· Durable 63pin weather sealed circular plastic connector built into case
· All components specified for automotive conditions (125 degrees C with fuel, grease, and oil resistence).
· 6 PWM Driver outputs (Selectable 12v or ground output) (3amp)
· 6 Digital Driver outputs (Selectable 12v or ground output) (3amp)
· 4 frequency inputs (Engine Speed, TC Speed, Driveshaft speed, additional speed)
· RS 232, CAN (2.0b) communications
· 16 Digital Inputs
· 6 Analog Inputs
· 1 frequency output (speedometer control)
· Complete wiring harnesses available for common applications
· Custom wiring harnesses available for any application
· Easy to use windows software interface
· Data logging capability


Currently Supported Transmissions:

GM:
·4T80E, 4T65E, 4L80E, 4L60E
Ford:
·AODE, E4OD, 4R70, 4R70W, 4R100
Mazda:
·R4A-EL
Toyota,Lexus:
·A340E*, A343E*, A650E*

* - requires a customer provided sub-harness to the transmission

 

What makes this look good to me is the fact it says it has upshift downshift button capabilities. I don't think it would be to hard to rig up a downshift and upshift button on a steering wheel, people put nos buttons on them so why not shift buttons.

 

It sounds cool; who would be able to tune this piece of equipment?

 

I just emailed the company to see about the push button up and down shifts. By push button they may mean with a computer hooked up. I'll post again here with what they tell me. Hopefully this is what I was looking for when I started the level 10 shiftronic thread. Also from the picks i would think with a little practice you could probably adjust it yourself. Its not like its going to cause you engine to blow, well unless you set the shift limits too high.

 

Well I got the email back already and this product looks like what we auto people have been wanting. Heres the email I got. Also the unit is 700 dollars I think.

The RX-7 happens to be one of the few vehicles that we have a custom harness built for that simply plugs into the original transmission control module location. Our transmission controller replaces your factory transmission controller completely. Among the many features available, our transmission controller does offer button shifting. This can be done is several ways. I believe the RX-7 should have buttons already on the steering wheel for cruise control. You can tap into these wires and use these buttons for manual shifting. If you prefer to add buttons or controls to the steering wheel or elsewhere, you can also build your own and wire them into our transmission controller. Our manual mode shifting offers two modes of operation, simple and true. Simple manual allows some level of logic and will downshift based on your normal shift tables. True manual will force the chosen gear at all times. The best comparison is a driver who has selected 3rd gear coming to a stoplight. With simple manual mode, the transmission will shift down to 1st at the light and go back up to 3rd gear when driving away from the light. With true manual mode, the transmission will now shift down and you will be in 3rd gear at the light and as you pull away from the light.

Our transmission controller also offers multiple calibrations so you can tune one calibration for normal street driving and tune another calibration for autocrossing. This will allow you to change all tuning parameters for the second calibration like shift points, line pressure, tcc lockup, etc. The calibrations can be easily switched by a toggle or button. Another neat feature you may enjoy for autocrossing is datalogging in which you will be able to view parameters like throttle position, manifold pressure, coolant temp, RPM, vehicle speed, etc.

We do not have or sell any specific steering wheel kits or vehicle specific kits as far as the shifting system itself goes. Because our product can be integrated into stock steering wheels with control buttons or with aftermarket steering wheels with buttons or custom fabricated buttons we have not chosen to directly enter this business at the present time.

This looks like a way better deal than the shiftronic. I would definitly mount upshift and downshift buttons. He did have a good idea with using the cruise control though.

 

sounds good and all.but what benefits would we see from this unit that the hold mode does not offer? improved off the line pull? I cant see this as a good buy unless it drastically improves transmission off the line accelaration as well as transmission responsiveness.maybe you can ask the guy about this the next time you chat.

 

Here's anothe email I got from them with questions about the hold button, Shifter, and cruise control.

Most transmissions have a mechanical linkage and mechanical selection of park, reverse, neutral. The mechanical linkage is important because it must be in the appropriate position to send the correct range selection signal to the transmission controller for gear selection. So yes, the shift lever still controls the reverse, park and drive functions. The hold switch goes to our transmission controller so you can program the unit such that the switch can be the manual mode button, a calibration switch button, snow mode, dyno mode, etc.

The hold switch light is controlled at the connector going to the transmission connector. On our wiring harnesses, this pin is not used but you could potentially use this pin as an indicator light for specific modes. This light will not blink or perform any functions unless you change the wiring to allow it do to so.

With regard to the cruise control, we haven't yet verified it's function on an RX-7 to date. However, the speed input to the cruise control and everything it needs comes from locations other than the stock TCM. If it does not work, I have enough documentation to have you check a couple of pins at the cruise control module to verify and get it working again.

 

I agree the car would be the same off the line, but what this would do is give us the capability to downshift the car, like a 5sp would, before high speed manuevers, like passing a car. Also It will allow us to control how hard the tranny shifts. Also someone bold enough could rig up a paddle shift system with this. In other words this would give us alot more controll over the the car.

 

heres a little tidbit.You can downshift the car in hold mode anytime you want.I do this on my car all the time and it works like a charm.I cruise in third and if I need to pass someone or get on it I simply drop it into second.That easy.Or if im in second and I need more power I drop it into first.You should try it sometimes.Youll see that im right.In which case this 700 dollar device will hardly be worth it.Unless like I said before it improves off the line takeoff's.

 

I think that it would be cool to downshift with out having to take your hands of the steering wheel . . . . BUT other than the cool factor it's really pointless. I'm still interested though.

 

Holy *****! This is what we have been waiting for. There may not be a benefit for you my undermodified friend, but for those of us with PFC's and other aftermarket computers that have orphaned our poor tranny computers this is a gift from the rotary gods. Makes the level 10 stuff look like an abacus. Just think, no blinking "hold" light for the first time in 3 years! I'm ordering mine within the week.

 

thanks UNIXPILOT. Ironic that this comes from you. Regardless, I ordered mine tonight and will be happy to post my observations.

 

wooohooo...order #19. $857 that could've been put towards a 5 speed swap...what was I thinking???

 

Sweet!! A actual product test!! I'll definately be waiting for what you have to say about this

 

holy ****.... $857... damn buddy I sure hope this thing works.

 

LOL, hey now! Where's my Alanis Morissette CD?!? Oh yeah I ebay'ed it in 99 (honest it was my girlfriends)


I know I've trashed talked the Auto before (and probably still will

but as soon as I saw this thing replaces the stock tranny computer, I was thinking the same thing, pretty much mutes the age old Auto upgraded ECU quagmire.

And the product looks very well built and engineered, plus their website has good documentation and manuals.

I have to admit, its not looking so bleak now to a auto FD owner since this product filled the niche.

Now you could run a PFC, upgraded tranny, 4.33 gears, and the PCS (with paddle shifter). Not a bad setup. Now only if you could get a transbrake in there somehow .........

Anyway, glad I was able to pass along some info that helped you out.

 

I worked with James Ballenger at Powertrain to help get this unit configured for the 3rd gen. Provided all the documentation and specs, wiring diagrams, tranny info, stock tcu info etc. I have a unit with the harness waiting for me when I can come up with the $$. This unit provides all the functionality and more with a computer interface and software of the stock setup. A complaint I typically hear from all the auto guys is that they loose the hold functions for the tranny when an engine management system is added to their cars. The new tcu allows you to adjusts when the car shifts and how hard. It can be set up with different programs to accomodate the type of driving you are doing. I wish I could give you all more info on actual usage in my car but it will be a while yet.
Chuck

 

Seems like they would give it to you for free or at least substantially reduced. Oh well, mine is on the way. Got the tracking number last night. Now I just need to figure out how to work the damn thing. I can select when to shift and how hard? Great, now I just need to know what to select. Does Steve Kahn tune trannies? Hahahaha.

 

ALANIS?!?!?! I always suspected you were a closet homo, though clearly you were a self loathing automatic owner hahahaha-just kidding. Thanks for the link. I'll let you know how it all turns out.

 

let us know how it all turns out weaklink.900 bucks is a little steep.but then again im sure a lot of r&d went into it.good luck.

 

of coarse this comes out now that my TH350 swap is just about finished...

 

well you may be ok still. i am still wondering if/how the PCS works around not getting certain signals from the stock engine ecu. Hey do you have any info or pics of your swap? I'd love to see them. Send it to rcrawford@sport.rr.com

 

ok there is no workaround here. mine arrives today, so i'll try to keep you guys posted.

 

ok, the unit is in. pretty much plug and play. hardest part is getting the connectors apart. shifts a lot smoother. for the first time in over a year my hold light doesn't flash. with the current map lockup only occurs in 4th gear after 45, so i have to use the brakes a lot. i think the converter was staying locked up most of the time before. Odd benefit-today is hot, and I usually see temps on the fc commander of about 101C with spirited driving. Today it wouldn't budge past 90C. My thought is that the tranny is somehow more efficient and is generating less heat to overtax the cooling system. Great Bonus! As far as a workaround, those sensors that are lost by not running the stock ECU are not needed by the PCS TCU.

 

have you loaded the software yet and done any tweaking of the default setup. one thing that was unclear to me in my correspondence with James Ballenger was how to access other setups on the fly. i didnt know if one would have to set up some type of switching unit or if that was part of the kit they provided. the other thing was what had to be done to get the cruise control working after the install. does the hold button function with the pcs tcu.
chuck