[sirdaft1]

This thread got buried in the regional sub forums but 101Duck has officially swapped a 2 speed power glide into his e90 335. Most impressive is that he's actually able to get the car to work. Love seeing members willing to step out on a limb to try something new on this platform, especially when it comes to our limited transmission options.

More in 101Duck's thread here:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1291848

[135Pats]

Hell ya. Andy @ AD Engineering is doing a 4L80 swap as well.

Then you add in what appears to be at least two viable 6HP built auto options...things are looking up for the AT folks.

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

Hell ya. Andy @ AD Engineering is doing a 4L80 swap as well.

Then you add in what appears to be at least two viable 6HP built auto options...things are looking up for the AT folks.

It's the year of the tranny. And I don't mean what jlombar5 does in his free time

[TrollToll]

I don't get it though. A 2 speed is great for a drag car, but there are way better options than BMW for drag racing.

[101Duck]

Originally Posted by Yournamehere90

I don't get it though. A 2 speed is great for a drag car, but there are way better options than BMW for drag racing.

ya'll drag race tractors?

I like my bmw street friendly drag car. It has every modcon it came with and can powerskid like an animal.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by 101Duck

ya'll drag race tractors?

I like my bmw street friendly drag car. It has every modcon it came with and can powerskid like an animal.

What TCU controller are you using? Very nicely done.

[turbodreams954]

Don't need a tcu controller for a glide. And he prob manual valve body anyways

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by turbodreams954

Don't need a tcu controller for a glide. And he prob manual valve body anyways

Wonder how the engagement w/ the VB is. Regardless, I would have assumed he'd do something standalone for the TCU for shift speed purposes.

[JM98]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

Wonder how the engagement w/ the VB is. Regardless, I would have assumed he'd do something standalone for the TCU for shift speed purposes.

Lol guys are so naive lol. This dude is running an 800hp car with a 2 speed manual valve body auto tranny. Any thoughts you all have about this build being anything close to stock are complete pipe dreams. Take this for what it is, an auto transmission option for big power, street ability be damned.

[1BADM3]

Shit that is bad ass!

[101Duck]

it's a full manual valve body. there is no pesky TCU

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by JoeMama98

Lol guys are so naive lol. This dude is running an 800hp car with a 2 speed manual valve body auto tranny. Any thoughts you all have about this build being anything close to stock are complete pipe dreams. Take this for what it is, an auto transmission option for big power, street ability be damned.

Naive? Where did a mention a desire to retain 'stock' anything? Was just curious how the engagement was, clearly it won't be anything like stock when you drop in a 2 speed. Oh well you're welcome to continue reading into things.

Originally Posted by 101Duck

it's a full manual valve body. there is no pesky TCU

Understood and makes sense. What's the stall set for?

Great build, obviously. What's the snail? Looks like a 3582 but hard to tell.

[Velocity26]

For anyone not familiar with a PowerGlide, it is a non-electronic 2 speed automatic transmission that is know for being able to handle incredible amounts of power without issue. You can choose your first gear ratio and decide how must "stall" you want in the torque converter and that is it. They were one of the first transmissions that were converted to having a trans-brake for launching at the drag strip. The "brake" engages first and reverse gear at the same time and allows you to build boost at the line without fear of rolling. When you release the button, it releases the reverse gear and the car just launches. This transmission has been known to handle in excess of 2,000 ft lbs of torque without complaint. Chevy introduced them in the early 1950's and the are still a popular choice at drag strips due to their simplicity and strength.

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by Velocity26

For anyone not familiar with a PowerGlide, it is a non-electronic 2 speed automatic transmission that is know for being able to handle incredible amounts of power without issue. You can choose your first gear ratio and decide how must "stall" you want in the torque converter and that is it. They were one of the first transmissions that were converted to having a trans-brake for launching at the drag strip. The "brake" engages first and reverse gear at the same time and allows you to build boost at the line without fear of rolling. When you release the button, it releases the reverse gear and the car just launches. This transmission has been known to handle in excess of 2,000 ft lbs of torque without complaint. Chevy introduced them in the early 1950's and the are still a popular choice at drag strips due to their simplicity and strength.

Sounds like just what the n54 platform could use to finally put it on the map for 1/4 mile times. Giddy to see what 101Duck can achieve with this setup.

[JM98]

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

Sounds like just what the n54 platform could use to finally put it on the map for 1/4 mile times. Giddy to see what 101Duck can achieve with this setup.

These transmissions are relatively inexpensive too with tons of aftermarket support, let's just see if anyone will produce the bellhousing adapter.

[ferocity02]

I believe Andy (of AD Engineering) may start developing adapter plates. He has a 4L80E in his N54 now.

[TrollToll]

Every modern convenience, and 2 gears. That makes sense.

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by ferocity02

I believe Andy (of AD Engineering) may start developing adapter plates. He has a 4L80E in his N54 now.

It sounds like the 2-speed powerglide is pretty simple to implement (read: manual valve body). How simple is the 4L80E by comparison?

[TrollToll]

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

It sounds like the 2-speed powerglide is pretty simple to implement (read: manual valve body). How simple is the 4L80E by comparison?

The 4L80E would require a controller since it has an electronic valve body. A 700R4 is quite similar. It's still a 4 speed rwd setup, is rated for less power (in stock form), and has a manual valve body. There's also the GM 3 speeds, which were pretty strong and not electronic.

[ferocity02]

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

It sounds like the 2-speed powerglide is pretty simple to implement (read: manual valve body). How simple is the 4L80E by comparison?

It would need a standalone controller. There are at least a half dozen companies that make them. I've heard you can also control it with the Syvecs N54 ECU, but that's pricey.

The 4L80E is a 4 speed, the Powerglide is a 2 speed. An 80E with an HD-2 shiftkit can easily handle 600 rwhp in a car of our weight. For under $2000 you could build one up yourself to handle 1000+hp as I have done in my turbo Silverado. You can pickup a used 80E from a junkyard for under $500.

Jakes makes a manual valvebody for the 80E if you fancy that. For a DD I would prefer electronic to be able to adjust shift pressures and firmness.

A 4L60E is also an option, but in the LS world they get a bit unreliable above 500hp unless you pour money into it.

I'm curious if a 6L80E would work. In stock form I think it's probably as capable as the 6HP21, but unlike the 6HP21, the 6L80E has aftermarket support.

[Unklejoe]

You can control a 4l80E with a Microsquirt. You can get a ready to go package for around $500. It's a very easy transmission to control, much simpler than a ZF 6 speed. You could probably even make your own TCU using a microcontroller with a CAN bus interface by snooping the TORQUE, load, RPM, etc. messages on the PT-CAN bus.

I believe you can also just hardwire the solenoids in a certain way and have it be completely manually shifted with the stock electric valvebody (no TCU at all). I did this on my DSM W4A33 transmission. I would much rather prefer an actual manual valvebody though, but it's an option.

EDIT: In fact, if enough people want to swap 4L80's into the BMW, maybe I'll develop a TCU which can be used to seamlessly integrate into the car. The only modification would be that the car would have to be coded for a manual.

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by Unklejoe

You can control a 4l80E with a Microsquirt. You can get a ready to go package for around $500. It's a very easy transmission to control, much simpler than a ZF 6 speed. You could probably even make your own TCU using a microcontroller with a CAN bus interface by snooping the TORQUE, load, RPM, etc. messages on the PT-CAN bus.

I believe you can also just hardwire the solenoids in a certain way and have it be completely manually shifted with the stock electric valvebody (no TCU at all). I did this on my DSM W4A33 transmission. I would much rather prefer an actual manual valvebody though, but it's an option.

EDIT: In fact, if enough people want to swap 4L80's into the BMW, maybe I'll develop a TCU which can be used to seamlessly integrate into the car. The only modification would be that the car would have to be coded for a manual.

This could be a VERY interesting option.