Possibilities with TCU

[Barbarian22]

Hello!
Im researching the possibility of an 8HP trans to go with my LT1 6.2 engine.
I am just a little confused on some possibilities with the Turbolamik TCU and hope someone can help to clear things up?

1) Can I create my own custom "gear selector" using basically 5 individual buttons/switches: 4 for P/R/N/D and then a 5th switch for Manual or Tap-Shift mode?
If so, what would be the best way to wire them?

2) Is it possible to actually have 2 momentary paddle shift buttons for manually shifting all forward gears, when a manual mode switch is turned on?

3) Is there any way I can achieve outputs, wether + or -, for when the transmission is in certain gears?
I would need a Neutral Safety switch signal (ground in P and/or N), an output in Reverse, and I would like to have an output when in any gear but Park (this is for a custom automatic door lock setup).
If there were outputs for each gear this would be ideal so that I could make a custom led Gear Indicator.
But ill try to use my PRND buttons to indicate which one is pressed, and then one of the available indicators for keeping an eye on the forward gears for example when manually paddle shifting.

Thank you for any guidance with these questions, this is alot to learn in the last couple days!

[M4comp]

1) Can I create my own custom "gear selector" using basically 5 individual buttons/switches: 4 for P/R/N/D and then a 5th switch for Manual or Tap-Shift mode?
If so, what would be the best way to wire them?

You have a few options, the easiest being a button pad to do what you're asking for. It's a CAN bus though, but you can use a single analog input that measures the 0-5v range and determines the gear based on that voltage. But the BMW shifters work very nicely. I would recommend you check them out. Easy to get off of Ebay as well. There is also a way to use an up/down shift button to transition from park to drive. You’ll have to use a park button to return to park though

2) Is it possible to actually have 2 momentary paddle shift buttons for manually shifting all forward gears, when a manual mode switch is turned on?

You have 2 pairs of paddle inputs to do what you're asking, You could put buttons on them or the typical paddle shifters on the steering wheel. On the offroad applications we install up/down shift buttons on a hand-brake for turning to allow gear changes.

3) Is there any way I can achieve outputs, wether + or -, for when the transmission is in certain gears?
I would need a Neutral Safety switch signal (ground in P and/or N), an output in Reverse, and I would like to have an output when in any gear but Park (this is for a custom automatic door lock setup).

This one may not be exactly what you're looking for but you have a single output for P, N, R and D. There is an output for the specific gear you're in but it's an analog output that varies the voltage per gear.

[Barbarian22]

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Thank you so much for your replies! I was actually hoping you would reply to me based on the helpful responses ive seen you post here<

You have a few options, the easiest being a button pad to do what you're asking for. It's a CAN bus though, but you can use a single analog input that measures the 0-5v range and determines the gear based on that voltage. But the BMW shifters work very nicely. I would recommend you check them out. Easy to get off of Ebay as well. There is also a way to use an up/down shift button to transition from park to drive. You’ll have to use a park button to return to park though

I had a look at the CAN button pads and the BMW Shifters, but unfortunatelythey just dont quit fit the theme of the extremely customized interior im creating. I will definitely keep them in mind as plan b in case I cant come up with something else.
You mentioned the analog input that measures 0-5v to determines what gear is selected. Is there an option in software to define what voltage correlates to what gear? (Ex: 5v is park, 0v is drive etc)
Because I am remembering that the Dakota Digital GSS-3000 has the encoder they use and it is a 0 to 5v range!
Maybe I can use that encoder (I already own one) and create my own shift lever with it to send the 0-5v signal to the TCU . This way I can 3d print/design a shifter that 100% matches my custom interior .

You have 2 pairs of paddle inputs to do what you're asking, You could put buttons on them or the typical paddle shifters on the steering wheel. On the offroad applications we install up/down shift buttons on a hand-brake for turning to allow gear changes.

This is great news! Yes i will be putting 2 momentary buttons in the steering* that!

This one may not be exactly what you're looking for but you have a single output for P, N, R and D. There is an output for the specific gear you're in but it's an analog output that varies the voltage per gear.

Ah okay, so if I understand you correctly there will be a single wire coming of the TCU, and it will read different voltages depending on other in P/R/N/D ?
Well if so this is still somewhat good news! I am sure I can utilize arduino or something else to read these voltages and then control individual relays. The relays can then be used to create my own gear indicator for P/R/N/D and then use the P/N for my neutral safety switch (its for a remote start/car alarm), and the that 12v signal when only in Park i was hoping for!

[M4comp]

You mentioned the analog input that measures 0-5v to determines what gear is selected. Is there an option in software to define what voltage correlates to what gear? (Ex: 5v is park, 0v is drive etc)

Yes, see pic attached - table Selector Call Analog. The Sensor Input-> Selector Input needs set to Selector Call Analog also.

Capture.JPG

Ah okay, so if I understand you correctly there will be a single wire coming of the TCU, and it will read different voltages depending on other in P/R/N/D ?
Well if so this is still somewhat good news! I am sure I can utilize arduino or something else to read these voltages and then control individual relays. The relays can then be used to create my own gear indicator for P/R/N/D and then use the P/N for my neutral safety switch (its for a remote start/car alarm), and the that 12v signal when only in Park i was hoping for!

You Can setup the selector input as a single wire that reads 0-5v or use multiple analog inputs ( called Selector Call analog input switching). The Sensor Input-> Selector Input needs set to Selector Call Analog Switching. You can assign analogs

Capture2.JPG

Analog switching selector.pdf

How to do Switching

[M4comp]

Here is the analog pdf also

Analog Selector input 0-5v.pdf

[Barbarian22]

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!

Very excited to do this project now !!!