[Jason@JacFab]

I thought I had posted this article I wrote here but it looks like perhaps I did not... I know there is a lot of you that are getting your TCM's unlocked on your 2017+ cars, so this may be helpful to some...

Tips & Tricks for tuning your A8 transmission

In my opinion, transmission tuning is really something that needs to be done on the street, as you don't generally go to a dyno shop to get and tune and run your car through the gears on a dyno, plus its something you need to FEEL, and tune to suit YOUR needs.

This was only going to be a 1 part article as I pretty much covered everything that was currently tunable with HP Tuners 3.6x. Now I am contemplating writing a part 2, or at least a revision of this article as the new HPTuners 3.7 beta software has some new tables available for tuning the transmission that weren't previously available at the time of writing the article. The main added tables in the 3.7 beta are Torque converter, and torque management related. Yes, where as previously there was not full control of the TM, it was either on or off, we now have full control of it. The TC stuff I'm not sure may be useful at this time, unless we were to get some place like Circle D talked into making us a triple disc converter. So I will be playing with these new tables in the future, and will give an update.

[cooper1965]

Full TM control?? That is great news!! I wonder if flex fuel will finally be added after they compete Beta testing!!! Finger crossed on this.

[Jason@JacFab]

Originally Posted by cooper1965

Full TM control?? That is great news!! I wonder if flex fuel will finally be added after they compete Beta testing!!! Finger crossed on this.

There is now a flex fuel tab available in the engine section with some things to modify. I don't know if its functional, nor do I plan to test it because I can't get e85 here.

[cooper1965]

Originally Posted by Jason@JacFab

There is now a flex fuel tab available in the engine section with some things to modify. I don't know if its functional, nor do I plan to test it because I can't get e85 here.

I really think that will be my first warranty voiding mod. Flex fuel. Flex only because the grade of pump E85 here varies by season. Can one of you fine gentleman on this board refresh my memory on what Power level the HPFP would cap out on full E85, as I plan on full bolt ons later? I think this was discussed before, but don't recall the verdict. The in tank pump is an easy fix. Hopefully HPT has this ready by that time, as I'm unfamiliar with EFI live,
( Brian @ Vermont ), and will NEVER be able to leave a tune alone..lol

[Evil-Bee-NH]

Originally Posted by cooper1965

I really think that will be my first warranty voiding mod. Flex fuel. Flex only because the grade of pump E85 here varies by season. Can one of you fine gentleman on this board refresh my memory on what Power level the HPFP would cap out on full E85, as I plan on full bolt ons later? I think this was discussed before, but don't recall the verdict. The in tank pump is an easy fix. Hopefully HPT has this ready by that time, as I'm unfamiliar with EFI live,
( Brian @ Vermont ), and will NEVER be able to leave a tune alone..lol

Pretty sure stock HPFP will have issues north of 400whp. Your an intelligent guy and i'm not 100% certain because you know i'm an internet mechanic and I haven't done this yet myself so I can't be certain. I'd imagine a good stop-gap til 600whp would probably be bigger fuel lobe cam, methanol injection and of course E85 if and when that happens for us HPT guys.

[cooper1965]

Originally Posted by Evil-Bee-NH

north of 400whp.

Thank You

Originally Posted by Jason@JacFab

Tips & Tricks for tuning your A8 transmission

This is some really good stuff Jason!! Exited to see this come to the table.

Originally Posted by Jason@JacFab

Now I am contemplating writing a part 2

[Jason@JacFab]

Eh, I read it will run out at less than that on E85, which is why ZZP was capping it at like E40 or something. I don't remember the exact number off the top of my head. IDK. The prototype JacFab "Maximum Effort" cams should be back from the grinder within the next couple weeks I hope, should allow for even more fuel that the ZZP cams (as long as I didn't mess up on my math)... But at some point we will be looking at upgrades for the HPFP, I have a few ideas in mind to try.

[VinceK]

Originally Posted by Jason@JacFab

There is now a flex fuel tab available in the engine section with some things to modify. I don't know if its functional, nor do I plan to test it because I can't get e85 here.

Surprised there isn't more talk about this... anyone look further into it yet? Would love to get flex fuel through HPT rolling already.

[cooper1965]

Originally Posted by VinceK

Surprised there isn't more talk about this... anyone look further into it yet? Would love to get flex fuel through HPT rolling already.

For me personally, its getting harder and harder to be exited about flex fuel. The problem is this, I want flex fuel because I want to just pull up to the pump, winter and summer, and just fill up on full e85. But knowing that even with a ZL1 in tank pump upgrade, the 2.0T may not even support 400 whp, really puts a damper on things like full bolt-ons, turbo upgrades, and semi-aggressive tuning because of the roughly 35% extra fueling needs E85 requires, and there is no real option for a HPFP yet. Most people don't really want to open the motor up, just to change fuel needs. (few options there) Hell, at this point I wonder if a bone stock car and fuel system can support full e85 or not on a semi-aggressive tune. Don't get me wrong I LOVE E85, and its reduced emissions, natural cooling ability, knock resistance, higher octane rating, and the fact it actually changes from liquid to gas, absorbing heat from the intake charge. As we are all well aware, a cooler intake charge is denser, improving power, but also making the engine less prone to detonation..That in turn allows roughly 2.5 more pounds of boost per 7 lbs. Ect Ect..
So we could talk about it, But... at the end of the day, with GM's advanced OS, coupled with the limited HPT support, its still just talk really. I think a lot of guys are ready and currently (including myself) spending money now on stuff that works.
Its unfortunate.. really...., Flex E85 :(

[Evil-Bee-NH]

I think methanol injection will be the band-aid for 400whp. My personal opinion on E85 isn't really relevant because the nearest station with it to me is like 200mi. away making it a pointless modification for me otherwise I would have went with brian at Vermont tuning and EFILive and not HPTuners. So the first thing you need to think of is where are you located in relation to E85 and your racing venues.

Secondly while we wait for HPTuners to figure out flex-fuel and others to figure out the fueling issue for the HPFP I feel we're better off taking care of more obvious problems that we'd run into at 400whp. Namely heat soak I think after 325whp we need to think about upgrading our intercooler or go methanol injection both would be an ideal combo. Combined I don't see why we couldn't easily hit 350whp+ consistently. Anything past that and might be time to look at forged internals and upgraded valve springs so when you inevitable go all in with the larger fuel lobe camshaft you'll be ready for whatever number your targeting. Another good in the meantime option is heat mitigation. Turbo Blankets, Heat Wrap, Heat Tape or what have you. StrictlyLTG has a nice solution but it's a bit pricey and until I hear 100% Lifetime Guarantee on Product Defects i'm not sold on the price. There are several options for turbo shields and blankets, his is probably the best complete system for our cars on the market right now. However his also requires the stock turbo I know you can upgrade your stock turbo but even then if your looking for 400whp our stock turbo is going to have issues sooner then later.

[6th_gen_gino]

Man I think we all are dying waiting for flex fuel capability, @evilbee meth kit,fmic and strictlyLTG turbo blanket is gonna be my route. I suspect that combination with bolt ons and a good tune should safely land us around 340whp and 360-80 torque