7AT solutions or mods for faster, firmer shifts
11-13-2013, 07:51 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
7AT solutions or mods for faster, firmer shifts
Before I start: I have been reading for hours about this and I did multiple searches but I am still left scratching my head.
I am looking for a modification (whatever it may be) to increase the shift speed of the 7AT. I'd like it to shift similar to that of the ZF 8 speed trans which is almost dual clutch quick, if at all possible.
I've read about UpRev, which I honestly don't understand a thing of... is it a tune, is it a cable, is it a license, is it a jet plane, I don't know. I've also read about the GTM Valve body kit which seems interesting and apparently it has worked for a lot of people.
My question is, what can be done (every possible option) to make this terrible terrible 7AT more responsive and shift faster and firmer. Every time my car shifts gears I get a nudge, almost like its gliding into the next gear. I don't like it. I've gotten the TCU update, I've complained to my dealer countless times, I've reset the ECU but nothing has helped.
I'm sure the 7AT has the potential to be a great gearbox with some modifications, so please, enlighten me.
I am looking for a modification (whatever it may be) to increase the shift speed of the 7AT. I'd like it to shift similar to that of the ZF 8 speed trans which is almost dual clutch quick, if at all possible.
I've read about UpRev, which I honestly don't understand a thing of... is it a tune, is it a cable, is it a license, is it a jet plane, I don't know. I've also read about the GTM Valve body kit which seems interesting and apparently it has worked for a lot of people.
My question is, what can be done (every possible option) to make this terrible terrible 7AT more responsive and shift faster and firmer. Every time my car shifts gears I get a nudge, almost like its gliding into the next gear. I don't like it. I've gotten the TCU update, I've complained to my dealer countless times, I've reset the ECU but nothing has helped.
I'm sure the 7AT has the potential to be a great gearbox with some modifications, so please, enlighten me.
11-13-2013, 08:14 PM
#2
Registered User
Thankfully I don't appear to have this problem with my 2010 xS, but here is how I've been driving mine, and my 7AT seems more responsive now than when I received it about 10K miles ago:
Most of the time I pretty much drive it like I used to drive my full sized SUV - no aggressiveness or craziness - but about once or so a week, on my way home from work late at night, if it seems safe, I punch it a few times while I am already at highway speeds to make it downshift and take off. Then each weekend, I find the time and space to take off from a complete standstill and force it redline as much as possible without using the paddles. So far this seems to keep mine really responsive when I need it to be.
Most of the time I pretty much drive it like I used to drive my full sized SUV - no aggressiveness or craziness - but about once or so a week, on my way home from work late at night, if it seems safe, I punch it a few times while I am already at highway speeds to make it downshift and take off. Then each weekend, I find the time and space to take off from a complete standstill and force it redline as much as possible without using the paddles. So far this seems to keep mine really responsive when I need it to be.
11-13-2013, 10:25 PM
#3
Thankfully I don't appear to have this problem with my 2010 xS, but here is how I've been driving mine, and my 7AT seems more responsive now than when I received it about 10K miles ago:
Most of the time I pretty much drive it like I used to drive my full sized SUV - no aggressiveness or craziness - but about once or so a week, on my way home from work late at night, if it seems safe, I punch it a few times while I am already at highway speeds to make it downshift and take off. Then each weekend, I find the time and space to take off from a complete standstill and force it redline as much as possible without using the paddles. So far this seems to keep mine really responsive when I need it to be.
Most of the time I pretty much drive it like I used to drive my full sized SUV - no aggressiveness or craziness - but about once or so a week, on my way home from work late at night, if it seems safe, I punch it a few times while I am already at highway speeds to make it downshift and take off. Then each weekend, I find the time and space to take off from a complete standstill and force it redline as much as possible without using the paddles. So far this seems to keep mine really responsive when I need it to be.
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11-13-2013, 11:06 PM
#4
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you have to shift on medium / high (+3,800) rpm and throttle in manual mode. the harder you press the gas pedal the faster it will shift. is like the shift speed is progressive with the engine rpm and throttle input.
my old e46 m3 smg was the same thing, even after setting in S6
my old e46 m3 smg was the same thing, even after setting in S6
11-13-2013, 11:27 PM
#5
From all the reading I have done on this subject, the Gtm valve body upgrade is the only way to get your desired results. Uprev is a tune, your tuner can adjust the line pressure in the trans to slightly crisp up the shifting but it doesn't eliminate the lag. I would like to someday get the valve body upgrade but it's about 2k and your car will be out of commission for a few days.
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11-14-2013, 08:58 AM
#9
From all the reading I have done on this subject, the Gtm valve body upgrade is the only way to get your desired results. Uprev is a tune, your tuner can adjust the line pressure in the trans to slightly crisp up the shifting but it doesn't eliminate the lag. I would like to someday get the valve body upgrade but it's about 2k and your car will be out of commission for a few days.
GTM Motorsports
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GTM Valvebody Upgrade for 7 speed A/TIt's <900 dollars.
11-14-2013, 09:18 AM
#10
Agreed, I've got a 2012 G37 Sedan Sport RWD 7AT. I kind of hate the 7AT.
1. Shifts at ~40% throttle and greater are nice and crisp (could be a bit smoother), but it cracks them off nicely. I'm talking about shifts that happen at 3,500 and above.
2. Moderate driving ****s...too sluggish, seems to have some driveline shock (its the stupid variable locking TC), and it shifts too late. I know this sounds counter intutitve to what most think on the board but If I give it say 30%....it winds out too much, like to 3k, then shfits. The result is a fall off in power then a surge as it shifts to the next gear. Ideally the shifts should happen sooner (like they do in the updated 7AT of the Q50).
3. Sometimes if I drive really nice from a stop, I can can cruise around in 5/6/7 at a steady 30mph. This great for city driving and higher mpg. Other times, if make a turn as acceleration (think nicely turning from a 4 way stop) or hit some bumps it will lock in 4th gear...at say 1900 rpm's at 30 mph. Even with taking your foot off the gas or just slight pressure to maintain 30mph...she stays in 4th. Annoying.
1. Shifts at ~40% throttle and greater are nice and crisp (could be a bit smoother), but it cracks them off nicely. I'm talking about shifts that happen at 3,500 and above.
2. Moderate driving ****s...too sluggish, seems to have some driveline shock (its the stupid variable locking TC), and it shifts too late. I know this sounds counter intutitve to what most think on the board but If I give it say 30%....it winds out too much, like to 3k, then shfits. The result is a fall off in power then a surge as it shifts to the next gear. Ideally the shifts should happen sooner (like they do in the updated 7AT of the Q50).
3. Sometimes if I drive really nice from a stop, I can can cruise around in 5/6/7 at a steady 30mph. This great for city driving and higher mpg. Other times, if make a turn as acceleration (think nicely turning from a 4 way stop) or hit some bumps it will lock in 4th gear...at say 1900 rpm's at 30 mph. Even with taking your foot off the gas or just slight pressure to maintain 30mph...she stays in 4th. Annoying.
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Nkamp15 (01-07-2020)
11-14-2013, 01:21 PM
#11
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Thread Starter
you have to shift on medium / high (+3,800) rpm and throttle in manual mode. the harder you press the gas pedal the faster it will shift. is like the shift speed is progressive with the engine rpm and throttle input.
my old e46 m3 smg was the same thing, even after setting in S6
my old e46 m3 smg was the same thing, even after setting in S6
How quick can our 7AT be? Is the VB mod night and day? Will it be similar to the ZF 8 speed in a lot of German cars. The lag and it's inability to pick a gear based on throttle input is very aggravating at times. It getting worse as the miles build up too.
Anyone know of a video example of the VB mod for the 7AT?
What else would be cool too, is if somehow we can implement the exhaust burp, blip, fart or whatever they call it that the VW/Audi DSG and quick shifting autos do. What causes that burp when shifting? I originally thought it was just due to the quickness of the trans but I hear it has nothing to do with it. Possible fuel cut while shifting? There is something called the WOT box that cuts ignition time when shifting but I think it's only for M/T cars. If this is possible I WANT IT. Imagine the sound of our VQ's with a DCT like shifts and shift burp.
11-14-2013, 04:16 PM
#13
11-14-2013, 04:28 PM
#14
Registered User
Thread Starter
I can dream.
Moving on... So is a valve body the best option for what I am looking for? If so which one?
11-14-2013, 05:01 PM
#15
Registered Member
Am I the only one who has chirped my tires going into 2nd sometimes 3rd in my 7at? I know its no DCT but it shifts pretty fast, sometimes annoyingly fast when I'm trying to drive smooth around town and it slams into the next gear.
Maybe since I have restarted the ecu a couple times, doing minor mods, it has helped. I do a spirited drive at least once a day whether its all out from light to light or 50% throttle to the speed limit.
I do believe its how you usually drive your car but the responsiveness people talk about is not necessarily the speed of the transmission but more a software issue. I do experience taking corners at a low speed in regular mode then sort of punching out of the corner the trans stays in, say 4th, and even if you press the pedal 70% it will stay in 4th but rev til redline if you keep the pedal down.
If the software/tune would react better to the throttle input, then we would have a real DCT competitor on our hands. Just my 2 cents aha
Maybe since I have restarted the ecu a couple times, doing minor mods, it has helped. I do a spirited drive at least once a day whether its all out from light to light or 50% throttle to the speed limit.
I do believe its how you usually drive your car but the responsiveness people talk about is not necessarily the speed of the transmission but more a software issue. I do experience taking corners at a low speed in regular mode then sort of punching out of the corner the trans stays in, say 4th, and even if you press the pedal 70% it will stay in 4th but rev til redline if you keep the pedal down.
If the software/tune would react better to the throttle input, then we would have a real DCT competitor on our hands. Just my 2 cents aha
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Dbray2316 (01-01-2023)