ZF8HP45 to M2 DCT ?

[Dumaurier7]

Good morning all, as the thread title asks, has anyone done this yet? would this be considered an upgrade over the ZF transmission? I am considering this swap as I am anticipating serious transmission problems (or even failure) because of what I'm doing to my N55 now. II know the DCT can handle more torque out of the box than the ZF can, and the current prices for used ones are reasonable enough. I've also looked at upgrading the ZF but its substantially more (and bloody ridiculous if you ask me!) than doing a DCT "upgrade", what are your thoughts?

 

[aus335iguy]

Mate this is coming from me, The DCT's biggest fanboy. If you already have an 8hp ...Happy to debate this but i reckon picking up a higher torque spec 8hp would be an easier swap and ultimately have a better end result. They are more advanced and the software is well understood. They are easier to launch as well. The only reason youd go back to a DCT is if you want a DCT. I would speak to andrew at 8speed.com the guy knows his stuff where it comes to DCT and 8hp swaps.

 

[JohnDaviz]

The 8hp45 is actually not really weak. What torque numbers are you looking for?

 

[Dumaurier7]

Mate this is coming from me, The DCT's biggest fanboy. If you already have an 8hp ...Happy to debate this but i reckon picking up a higher torque spec 8hp would be an easier swap and ultimately have a better end result. They are more advanced and the software is well understood. They are easier to launch as well. The only reason youd go back to a DCT is if you want a DCT. I would speak to andrew at 8speed.com the guy knows his stuff where it comes to DCT and 8hp

Thanks for the response! I don't really have a preference, once it is easy to integrate into my build and it can take the torque. the link for the website you doesn't work.

 

[Dumaurier7]

The 8hp45 is actually not really weak. What torque numbers are you looking for?

I am building that motor to be able to easily hold up to the max capacity of the turbos, I think they are rated for 900 to 950?

 

[JohnDaviz]

The stock 8hp45 can hold around 590lbs/ft with something like XHP.

I have a DCT in my E92 and a 8hp in my M140i.

To be honest would not switch either of them. It depends on what you want. Racing? DCT! Daily or 1/4 Mile? 8HP.

 

[Dumaurier7]

I have a DCT in my E89 and the ZF in the F22, honestly, I love both of them, I'm just worried that the ZF won't hold and the fact that I would have to pay $15K to upgrade it. Anyone know if the ZF70 or 90 will bolt up? has anyone done this upgrade? If ZF MODEL upgrade is easier and cheaper then I think I'll pursue that rout instead of going DCT.

 

[aus335iguy]

8speed AU

www.8speed.au

I have a feeling there’s higher rated BMW 8hps that will bolt up. If John is right see if it’ll hold and swap to a bigger unit IF it fails

 

[JohnDaviz]

8speed AU

www.8speed.au

I have a feeling there’s higher rated BMW 8hps that will bolt up. If John is right see if it’ll hold and swap to a bigger unit IF it fails

i fully agree. They are not expensive and if it fails it fails..

 

[aus335iguy]

I took a Quick Look and here in Australia there’s so many cheap ($1k Aud) used 8hps it’s not funny
Many of the new Chinese utes have them and whilst they are likely built under licence units not genuine ZF and won’t bolt up but the internals are likely interchangeable
What a time to be alive

 

[Dumaurier7]

After looking at this video, I had to seek therapy twice ! the last thing I'd ever want to do is mess with the internals of these transmissions or trust a local shop to do it either!

 

[fstbtstr]

aren't you gonna be using S55 DME? DKG is probably going to be easier since this is what they came with. look up what the highest hp f80 M3/M4s use and roll with that

 

[JohnDaviz]

After looking at this video, I had to seek therapy twice ! the last thing I'd ever want to do is mess with the internals of these transmissions or trust a local shop to do it either!

I fully understand that it looks intimidating at the beginning. But it really is not. You can find Videos of professionals who take it apart and put it all together again in 10 minutes or less.

 

[Dumaurier7]

aren't you gonna be using S55 DME? DKG is probably going to be easier since this is what they came with. look up what the highest hp f80 M3/M4s use and roll with that

Exactly! This is why I am considering the DCT, I guess I have to do some more research to determine if the S55 DME will work with the ZF transmission, I don’t see why it wouldn’t since the transmission has it’s own controller but what do I know! ?

 

[aus335iguy]

Exactly! This is why I am considering the DCT, I guess I have to do some more research to determine if the S55 DME will work with the ZF transmission, I don’t see why it wouldn’t since the transmission has it’s own controller but what do I know! ?

Get in touch with Andrew @ 8speed
He might know what you need and by all accounts he’s a great bloke to deal with
He’s on the board here @Zero To 60

 

[fstbtstr]

Exactly! This is why I am considering the DCT, I guess I have to do some more research to determine if the S55 DME will work with the ZF transmission, I don’t see why it wouldn’t since the transmission has it’s own controller but what do I know! ?

AT and DKG CAN message sets are largely identical, but some messages are different. That may or may not cause issues like limp mode. I don't know if f80 DKG also communicates with modules such as DSC via FlexRay like DME does, you should look it up, afaik, 8hp doesn't, you'll need to figure out if that's a consequential difference, and if anything needs to be done to ZGW (not sure if that's the module which "bridges" things together). You'll also need to figure out if S55 DME can be coded to be AT but not DKG. Not too many variables, I guess, but these quickly add up to the build.
So I'd try to use DKG first and then try an 8hp70 if DKG doesn't work for your power levels.