I’ve Built a Whole Bloody Website About Gearboxes (Yes, Really)
Right, confession time: I’ve spent the last few months building a comprehensive technical database dedicated entirely to ZF 8HP automatic transmissions.
I know what you’re thinking. “Law, mate, have you finally lost it?”
Possibly. But hear me out before you bugger off.
The Problem That Sent Me Down This Rabbit Hole
Picture this: You’re planning a proper build. Maybe it’s an LS swap into something Japanese. Maybe you’re upgrading your BMW. Maybe you’ve just discovered that modern automatics are actually bloody good and you want one in your project car.
So you start researching 8HP transmissions. And then you enter the seven circles of internet hell:
Circle 1: Forum threads from 2014 where someone asks your exact question, gets 47 replies, but the actual answer is buried somewhere between “hi mate new here” and three pages of people arguing about oil viscosity.
Circle 2: YouTube videos where some bloke spends 18 minutes telling you about his breakfast before casually mentioning the part number you need.
Circle 3: Vendor websites claiming their adapter “fits all 8HP transmissions” when it very much bloody doesn’t because there are 9 different variants with completely different bellhousing patterns.
Circle 4: Reddit threads where the top comment is “just Google it mate” (thanks for nothing, dickhead).
Circle 5: Facebook groups where you ask a technical question and get 30 replies of varying quality, half of which contradict each other, and nobody provides sources.
Circle 6: Manufacturer websites that are either deliberately vague, haven’t been updated since 2016, or both.
Circle 7: That one German forum thread that has EXACTLY the information you need but it’s in German and Google Translate makes it sound like a drunk robot wrote it.
After the third time I found myself knee-deep in this nonsense, I thought: “Sod this. I’ll just build the resource I actually want.”
What Is 8HP.info Then?
It’s a proper technical database with no marketing bollocks. Everything you actually need to know about ZF 8HP transmissions in one place:
The Core Specs
Complete technical data for all 9 variants – and I mean all of them:
- 8HP45 through 8HP95 (including the Gen 3 stuff like 8HP51 and 8HP76 that nobody talks about)
- Real torque ratings (not the inflated marketing numbers)
- Actual dimensions with bellhousing patterns
- Gear ratios and spreads
- Weight specs
- Generation differences that actually matter
Controller Guides (The Honest Ones)
Standalone transmission controllers compared properly:
- Turbolamik TCU 2.0 – what it does well, where it falls short
- CANTCU – gateway vs standalone approach explained
- MaxxECU – Gen 1 only limitations clearly stated
No “this product is amazing” nonsense. If something has issues, I bloody well say so.
Wiring That Doesn’t Require a PhD
Actual usable wiring diagrams with:
- CAN bus protocols explained in English
- Pinouts that match reality
- Sensor specifications
- ECU integration examples
- Common mistakes highlighted (because we’ve all been there)
Real-World Swap Information
The stuff you actually need when you’re building:
- Which adapters exist for which engines
- Driveshaft modifications required
- Crossmember solutions
- Torque converter selection
- Common donor vehicles
- What fits where and what definitely doesn’t
Vendor Directory (With Accountability)
Who sells what, where they’re based, and what they actually specialize in:
- Adapters (Domiworks, AdamAT)
- Controllers (Turbolamik, CANformance, MaxxECU)
- Internal parts and upgrades
- Honest assessments, not affiliate link farms
Community Build Gallery
Because seeing what other people have actually done is worth more than a thousand spec sheets:
- Real builds from real people
What Makes It Different (AKA Why I’m Not Just Another Vendor Shill)
I’m not selling anything.
No affiliate links. No sponsored posts. No “buy this through our link” bollocks.
If a controller has limitations, I document them. If a transmission has known weak points (looking at you, D clutch), I explain them. If someone’s claiming their stock 8HP70 handles 1,500 horsepower, I call bullshit.
The entire site runs on one principle: Technical accuracy over marketing fluff.
When DomiWorks gave me permission to use their dimensional data from precision 3D scans, I credited them properly and linked their site. When CANTCU added Gen 3 support, I updated the compatibility charts. When MaxxECU stayed Gen 1-only, I said so clearly.
No bullshit. Just information.
Who’s It Actually For?
The DIY Builder who needs to know if that 8HP70 from a scrapped F10 550i will work with their LS3 (it will, but you need specific adapters).
The Professional Shop tired of hunting through forum threads to find basic specifications.
The Swap Planner trying to figure out the actual differences between Gen 2 and Gen 3 (spoiler: the oil cooler ports are the giveaway).
Anyone Considering an 8HP who wants proper facts before dropping several grand on parts.
The Unfortunate Sod standing in a salvage yard trying to identify what transmission is actually in front of them.
A Proper Example
Let’s say you want to know if CANTCU supports non-BMW transmissions.
Traditional research process:
- Google for 20 minutes
- Find conflicting forum posts
- Ask on Facebook, get 5 different answers
- Still not bloody sure
- Give up and buy something that might not work
8HP.info research process:
- Go to CANTCU compatibility page
- See complete chart showing BMW, Dodge, Alfa, Jaguar, Land Rover support
- Read about required bench flashing for non-BMW units
- Know exactly what you’re getting into
- Get on with your life
Time saved: About 4 hours and significant frustration.
The Technical Bit (For Those Who Care)
- Dark mode (light mode is for psychopaths)
- Responsive layouts that work on mobile in the workshop
- User submission systems with proper moderation
- No tracking bullshit, just information
- Real-time updates when I push changes
Dead simple. Dead effective.
The Honest Assessment
Look, I’m not claiming this is revolutionary. It’s a database. About gearboxes.
But it’s the database I wish had existed two years ago when I started researching this stuff for various projects. Clean information, properly organized, technically accurate, no marketing bollocks.
If you’re working on anything involving an 8HP transmission, give it a look:
8hp.info
And if you spot something wrong or missing, tell me. The whole point is making it better through community knowledge, not me sitting here pretending I know everything.
What’s Coming Next?
Currently wrapping up:
- Visual identification guides (with photos showing exactly where to measure)
- Complete specifications database (all variants in one comparison table)
- More controller comparisons
- Expanded wiring section
- Additional community builds as people submit them
Proper changelog on the site if you’re into that level of detail.
The Meta Bit
Yes, I’m still working on the MX5. No, it’s not done yet. Yes, I know I said that last year.
No, I’m not taking feedback on the pace of that build, thank you very much.
But this 8HP project? Actually finished. Properly launched. Live and working.
Sometimes you just need to build something you can actually complete, innit?
Got questions? Think I’ve bollocked something up? Know something I don’t?
Drop me a message. I’m always up for a proper technical discussion.
Or if you want to tell me I’ve wasted my time, you can do that too. I’ve got thick skin.
P.S. – If you’re wondering whether an 8HP90 will bolt to your 2JZ, the answer is “yes, with the right adapter.” See? Already useful.