8HP Gearbox + Controllers

The 8HP is an 8 speed automatic gearbox, but it’s a bloody good one overall. You’d be surprised to know that a lot, I mean, a lot of cars now use the 8HP automatic gearbox.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_8HP_transmission

So you can see there are quite a few versions, the most common swapped box is the 8HP70.

The 2nd number tells you how much torque the gearbox can handle, so in this case, the 8HP70 can handle 700nm of torque, but we all know they can handle way more than the advertised amount.

I myself am currently using an 8HP50. The 45/50 are slightly more compact boxes if the gearbox tunnel is a little bit tight.

There are a few controllers out there to choose from;

CANFORMANCE CANTCU
TURBOLAMIK

I have used both and they both have their place in my opinion. Now there are other controllers, for example, MAXXECU is an all-in-one ECU & Gearbox Controller, which from what I’ve seen does work well, but currently only supports DCT F Series & 1st Gen 8HP’s.

Everyone loves a sequential gearbox, but as we all know they come with a serious cost! $$$$ which is out of budget for a lot of people.

Now.. when you think automatic you think.. Yuck.. slow shifts! horrible.. well stop thinking like that. The 8HP is brutal on the shifts when set up correctly.

So.. which controller is right for me?

CANFORMANCE CANTCU
Street
Track
(DCT & 8HP)

The CANTCU controller is very PnP and works out the box, it retains the OEM Mechatronics unit and feeds the correct data to it, so you can view the CANTCU as a gateway from your ECU to the Gearbox feeding information back and forth. This allows basically an OEM feeling setup. If you have ever driven a car equipped with an 8HP, you can expect it to feel the same assuming it’s been set up correctly. This is currently the controller I’m using and I am blown away by it. As you retain the OEM Mechatronics unit, you do need to flash the gearbox with a proper map as the OEM BMW maps are, well, let’s be honest, “SHIT SLOW.” So I’d 100% recommend either flash CANTCU RACE (Currently only supports 1st gen 8HP’s) or you can use the likes of XHP, which I am currently using. I will be switching to CANTCU RACE once the 2nd gen maps are nailed by Ken @ CANFORMANCE. Overall, CANTCU works great, the shifts are beautiful, and the blip control on the downshifts is perfect. I’d highly recommend you take a look at the support page. CANTCU has prerequisites which are important for the setup to work amazing!

TURBOLAMIK
Drift
Drag
(8HP Only)

The Turbolamik controller totally replaces the OEM Mechtronics unit and is fully controlled by the Turbolamik TCU, this allows for full control over the gearbox, how it shifts / when it shifts / 8 Program Modes / abiility to have transbrake and BUMP for those drag boys and the most important aspect for drifters the ability to have a clutch by wire (CBW) which when setup correctly, will feel just like a manal gearbox with clutch control, as it’s a fully standalone controller it does require more setup and tuning to really get it feeling great. It also is very versatile allow you to almost install it with any ECU. Turbolamik is an amazing controller and will no doubt get better & better as time goes on but bare in mind it will need alot more work to get that OEM+ feeling compared to CANTCU.

Turbolamik PCB soldered in place of the OEM PCB

These controllers are still new on the market, so they will both no doubt get better and better as time goes by.

Currently for me CANTCU is a strong winner assuming you don’t need CBW / Transbrake. Everyone I have taken out in the car couldn’t belive how well it shifts and you honestly wouldn’t think the car didn’t come with it as standard.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ZF 7/8 GEARS HAS A 5500RPM LIMIT

They didn’t mess about regarding this information as I found out, I’m currently running a 3.73 LSD this happened at around 175MPH in 7th gear. 😲 This is stupid speeds at the end of the day and realistically you wouldn’t get to these speeds on any UK track. The car had seen these speeds quite a few times so I’d imagine it just got weeker over time and it just had enough on the last go and exploded the rear output bearing casing.

To overcome this and to prevent it ever happening again, I’ve set a RPM limit for 7th & 8th gear. as 156MPH in 6th is no doubt ample for all UK tracks.

I’ve gone few different setups regarding the shifter, I orginally had the DCT Shifter coupled with me MME Paddles, which was great. and for track use the paddles will always be a WIN WIN due to not having to take your hands off the steering wheel, but it didn’t feel as engaging when your foot flat and smashing though the gears, so I opted for the sequential DCT Shifter which bascailly makes it feel like a real sequential gearbox setup, pulling though the gears at WOT is such an experience and really does make you smile, coupled with a nice little exhuast pop on the gearshift.

Overall the ZF swap is by far one of the best swaps I’ve ever done, the fact you can have auto mode for them dull traffic moments, then flick into Manual mode and have this savage sequential style gearbox setup, the joys is you can switch between drive modes for a more civilized gearshift, CANTCU you have Comfort / Sport / Sport+ but lets be honest.. I live in Sport+ all the time. 🔥

It’s now becoming a extremely popular swap to do. I’d 100% suggest you join both facebook community groups for infomation and to see other members setup.

CANFORMANCE CANTCU FB COMMUNITY GROUP

TURBOLAMIK FB COMMUNITY GROUP