BOUNTY: OEM TCU 35d to 8HP70 Swap

[chemist_slime]

Hi there, I've read all the threads on this forum and others about swapping the 6hp26 in the 35d to the 8hp70 and I've been quite intrigued of the possibility.

However, most if not all have come to a dead end. However, it seems like it's now possible given the development in the custom TCU area, specifically with the Lamik TCU and also the CANTCU module.


M57 + 8HP70:

Turbo Lamik TCU: https://turbolamik.eu
PMC adapter plate needed for the mating between the engine and the 8hp:
https://pmcmotorsport-shop.com/produ...tml?query_id=3

However, this is only one possibility and requires modding the TCU inside the 8HP which I'm not a big fan of. However, another custom TCU maker https://www.canformance.net/shop/ has also developed another module that uses the OEM TCU and simply piggy backs off it and has had success in an E92 330xd: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1252217998882909

I'm willing to put up a $1000 bounty if someone is willing to take the plunge and properly document it for others and also myself. One day, god giving, I'd love to do the mod myself. If others are willing to also put up some $ to see this happen that'll also be great, I'm willing to reach out to Lamik or CANformance and see if they are willing to donate a module or two and we can all follow along here. Any interest?

[liam821]

Just to bump this thread... I have a 2011 x5d LCI, and have all the parts needed for this swap. I've owned my X5 since new and it's always been great but my least favorite part has been the transmission. Go drive a newer f15 diesel and you'll see what I mean.

Long story, but I bought a crashed low mileage 2013 x5 50i and kept the transmission/drivetrain/diff/axles etc parts with the hope to do this swap someday.

I think the Canformace TCU is the ticket to bridge the gap between the stock M57 dme and the 8hp70 TCU. Domi-works makes an adapter plate for the trans.

Not sure I want to take apart my currently working perfectly X5 for two more gears...

[jbash87]

Look for a guy on Facebook named Bradley Tourt. Not sure if he spends any time here. He's a member of the NABDOG group and sells kits + helps program this swap. I don't believe any aftermarket TCUs are needed.

[RL18]

Originally Posted by jbash87

Look for a guy on Facebook named Bradley Tourt. Not sure if he spends any time here. He's a member of the NABDOG group and sells kits + helps program this swap. I don't believe any aftermarket TCUs are needed.

Him ^ & SPD have kits for 8 spd swaps. Basically you just need to find an 8spd from a newer x5d or from a 535d to make this work.

[liam821]

Originally Posted by jbash87

Look for a guy on Facebook named Bradley Tourt. Not sure if he spends any time here. He's a member of the NABDOG group and sells kits + helps program this swap. I don't believe any aftermarket TCUs are needed.

I'm pretty sure he uses the Turbolamik ECU, he did in his last 135i diesel build.

And about the Camformance tcu, it does not support the e-series 8hp transmissions, you need to use a f-series 8hp70 off a newer f15 N57. However, the Turbolamik can because it replaces the whole 8hp TCU. But I'm unsure if the Turbolamik supports the x5's DME via CAN, it says it supports the 6HP eXX series and calls out e9x and e60x but does not specify the E7X. I suppose I'll have to reach out.

Bradley has the Turbolamik talking to the m57 powered 135i, but I'm not sure what dme he is using.

On the plus side, the Turbolamik can control the center AWD xDrive in the x5, so you can make the X5 RWD or AWD on the flip of a switch. You know, so you can turn the X5 into a drift car. haha

[jbash87]

Originally Posted by liam821

I'm pretty sure he uses the Turbolamik ECU, he did in his last 135i diesel build.

And about the Camformance tcu, it does not support the e-series 8hp transmissions, you need to use a f-series 8hp70 off a newer f15 N57. However, the Turbolamik can because it replaces the whole 8hp TCU. But I'm unsure if the Turbolamik supports the x5's DME via CAN, it says it supports the 6HP eXX series and calls out e9x and e60x but does not specify the E7X. I suppose I'll have to reach out.

Bradley has the Turbolamik talking to the m57 powered 135i, but I'm not sure what dme he is using.

On the plus side, the Turbolamik can control the center AWD xDrive in the x5, so you can make the X5 RWD or AWD on the flip of a switch. You know, so you can turn the X5 into a drift car. haha

I just read his post again. You may be right about the aftermarket TCU. I was going off memory.

Let us know what you find out form Turbolamik.

And if you haven't found this already; there is an Australian youtuber who 8HP swaps pretty much everything using the Turbolamik system. He's got some pretty interesting videos about it. Zero to 60 is the channel.

Where did you read about the AWD/RWD switch? I know xDelete does this but it has to code out errors in the DSC module so it is not selectable on the fly. I'd be interested to understand that more.

[liam821]

Originally Posted by jbash87

I just read his post again. You may be right about the aftermarket TCU. I was going off memory.

Let us know what you find out form Turbolamik.

And if you haven't found this already; there is an Australian youtuber who 8HP swaps pretty much everything using the Turbolamik system. He's got some pretty interesting videos about it. Zero to 60 is the channel.

Where did you read about the AWD/RWD switch? I know xDelete does this but it has to code out errors in the DSC module so it is not selectable on the fly. I'd be interested to understand that more.

He went into detail about it in one of the walk around videos which are listed in the bringatrailer listing for that 135i. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2011-bmw-135-18-2/

Yeah, I've seen Zero to 60's videos, very informative.

If you install the software and the newest XDF version 10.67 or newer, under AWD there are settings to control the xDrive ACT700 (transfer case). I'm pretty sure Beytek (AWD Mazda FD RX7 with a turbo Honda k24 powered using an X5 8hp70 awd system, Turbolamik, Maxxecu) uses this too. He can do rwd burnouts - look him up on youtube or instagram.

It also lists it in the software revisions: http://forum.turbolamik.eu/viewtopic...ca2a9e54ef54c7

[primo107]

Looks like this post is a bit OLD but at the moment CANTCU is the way to use OEM 8hp integration.

Basically it uses your stock ECU and uses the official maps and settings in the ZF8HP trans.

You just need their TCM and cable, an adapter for the box and its ready to run.
The staff is helpful and will assist with all the misc stuff.

*not a sponsored post*

Other options that require you to modify the 8HP TCM board and solder are TurboLamik and HTG Tuning they both have aftermarket TCMs which have a lot of settings.

[AshwinLB]

Originally Posted by liam821

I'm pretty sure he uses the Turbolamik ECU, he did in his last 135i diesel build.

And about the Camformance tcu, it does not support the e-series 8hp transmissions, you need to use a f-series 8hp70 off a newer f15 N57. However, the Turbolamik can because it replaces the whole 8hp TCU. But I'm unsure if the Turbolamik supports the x5's DME via CAN, it says it supports the 6HP eXX series and calls out e9x and e60x but does not specify the E7X. I suppose I'll have to reach out.

Bradley has the Turbolamik talking to the m57 powered 135i, but I'm not sure what dme he is using.

On the plus side, the Turbolamik can control the center AWD xDrive in the x5, so you can make the X5 RWD or AWD on the flip of a switch. You know, so you can turn the X5 into a drift car. haha

He used turbolamik for the 135d build but his 8hp kit for e70d and e90d use cantcu controller for oem integration (no aftermarket tcu needed)

You are correct in that you need to find an 8hp from the f15d and 535d, respectively

[RL18]

Santjer performance is also working on coming out with an 8spd swap for the e70 and e90s too. I know his triple turbo 335d has an 8spd now with a trans brake. The x5d is next though

Preferably if you’re looking to do this swap, swapping in the e70 50i drivetrain wouldn’t be a bad idea and would make full use of the new gearing with the 8spd. The stock 3.64 gearing would be a bit aggressive