trans computers... calling all mopar engineers/gurus

[Aries_Turbo]

Ok, I was on allpar the one day and asked a question whether i could use the newer autostick trans ecu on my 1990 A-604 that i have in my K car and someone said the communications between the engine ecm and the trans ecm was different.

can anyone verify whether there is a autostick trans computer that is compatible with my 1990 SBEC? I need to control the shifts a little better for in the winter.

Brian

[Fleckster]

Brian,

I don't believe that Autostick was developed until around '96 or so and as a result, the earlier controllers aren't equipped to handle it. Since it was so late, I doubt there are any that would be compatable with your '90 SBEC. I don't know much about the software side but that's my guess.

[jdawg]

I think maybe the guys at www.dodgeintrepid.net could help more. Some of them know alot about those trans. The a606 is essentially the same. I know alot of those guys swap in the autostick into the earlier models, but I think going to 90 may be a little work. I think they say that the BCM is different and I dont think your car even has a BCM.

[Aries_Turbo]

yeah I thought of asking over there. i have a 97 autostick trans pcm from an intrepid already but since it shouldnt be able to communicate with the sbec to get the correct engine information, it prolly wont work. thats unfortunate. i wanted to put some autostick shift buttons on the end of the stock column shifter.

I wonder if I got a 95 caravan harness if it would be able to communicate with the 97 pcm...

I also need a new solenoid pack. mines a little sticky to shift into first when I put the lever in drive. it works well still under most conditions.

yeah there is no body computer on a k car lol. I dont even have the trans pcm test connectors. I gotta splice them into the harness near the pcm itself.

there also a megashift aftermarket trans computer in development for the 4L60E Gm box.... I bet I could adapt it to the 604 but I guarantee that it would POUND into the gears cause it doesnt do the 'clicky, clicky' dance. it just says "ok, 4th NOW <bang>" lol. i wonder if it would break stuff. I can just drop a 670 in it if I break the 604.

Thanks guys

Brian

[allmotor]

if you have the computer, put it in and try. at worst case, the trans will be in limp-in

[jdawg]

what about 97 caravan electronics? At least you could get the pcm close eng displacement wise. You bolted an a604 to a 2.5? I dodnt know they would match.

[jdawg]

I meant you could get 2.4 in the NS bodies

[85lebaront2]

At worst case, you can rig up a manual control system for it. All the shifts are controlled by solenoids on the front side of the tranaxle. When testing one of these, the test box allows manual selection of the gears for diagnosis.

[Aries_Turbo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by allmotor if you have the computer, put it in and try. at worst case, the trans will be in limp-in

yeah i might do that tonight if I get some time.

Brian

[Aries_Turbo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdawg what about 97 caravan electronics? At least you could get the pcm close eng displacement wise. You bolted an a604 to a 2.5? I dodnt know they would match.

i have a 3.0L a604 combo in the k car... I could use 3.0L caravan newer electronics but is it really worth it... I dont think so.

Brian

[Aries_Turbo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85lebaront2 At worst case, you can rig up a manual control system for it. All the shifts are controlled by solenoids on the front side of the tranaxle. When testing one of these, the test box allows manual selection of the gears for diagnosis.

yeah I know I could do something with like that but it will nail each gear when the stock control of the 604 is all about smooth. I also wonder about the timing to prevent flares. example... to go from 1 to 2, im assuming that Id take power from #1 solenoid and hit the #2 solenoid with power and the same from 2-3 and 3-4. i have a feeling that the megashift trans controller might be perfect for this application though i wonder about how harsh a downshift will be. the stocker seems to release a gear and let the engine rev and then close in on the lower gear when the speeds are about right. it is designed for a 4T60E which is somewhat similar as i think it has a solenoid for each gear like the 604.

I dunno. I like a firm shift, but I dont like a scary BANG that sounds like things will break lol.

I suppose I could use some simple digital counter chips to make a full manual sequential paddle shift setup to drive 4 solenoids and then a manual TC lockup circuit for the highway with auto disengage when the TPS gets above a certain level.

Now im getting all crazy lol.

Brian

[Aries_Turbo]

ok I have the fluid diagrams. Im going to figure out what id have to do to make a sequential manual controller for the trans.

Brian

[89acclaim]

Brian how is the manual controller going?

Daniel Merrill

[allmotor]

I found this article http://www.transonline.com/transDige...ing/index.html

[89acclaim]

In fact I just found this might be helpful.
http://forums.neons.org/viewtopic.ph...ght=%2A4spd%2A
It makes me think, "The gear train is really HD compared to the 413 stuff." Makes sence since it was designed with a minivan in mind instead of a omni.

Daniel Merrill