Re: AA80E 8-speed
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 8:38 am
I have news. It is now possible to download nxp's evaluation version of the IDE and have a 64K compiler limit. In 30 days it will revert to the free version. I do not know yet if it then retains the 64K limit but will report back here if it does.
This is very important news for us, since the file size of the v5.201 firmware is currently in the 50K range. It can be compiled with the codewarrior IDE without incurring the expense of the $1000 commercial download.
I'm currently working my way through Kernigan's C programming text and am about halfway through the first chapter and have read through the appendix B standard library. I decided to use the codewarrior ide for working through the examples to familiarize myself with it at the same time but this is not as easy as it might sound as it is a very complex environment. Still, I think this is the best way to proceed.
I will continue on two fronts, pursuing the code variant, and also nerfing the controller to use standard code. Still a long way from a solution, but faster than switching to another automatic transmission, which I have considered. The GM 8 speed is available at the GM parts counter as a part number but their computer system shows 0 stock available for shipping and I have not yet contacted anyone relevant in their performance branch. Retail price is around $8K but news releases hint at a much lower cost of about half that, with controller and wiring. Some may be available by now as salvage. If the performance branch has not yet developed a standalone controller, they may be considering it, and if available and able to communicate with the engine controller, this would probably be the most practical solution for most owners considering a modern multispeed automatic, depending on their engine choice. For me with a Buick and BOP bellhousing, a simple 1/8" thick $100 adapter plate would do the trick.
Meanwhile, Aisin has found additional buyers for their 8 speed, the AA80E, and expanded the market. Although most of these are still being used in Japanese automobiles, the strength and durability makes them a good choice for many of today's performance oriented cars worldwide and in the US as well. That may not mean more of them get used for hot rodding, but as the generation raised on computer free cars ages, we can expect to see more young guys with the skills to use them, causing EFI, engine management and transmission management to become the norm rather than an offshoot. Ultimately as the push develops towards ever more user friendly electronic systems (a trend that is rapidly gathering momentum) we can expect to see transmission controllers follow the path of efi systems towards plug-n-play functionality. In respect to that, what we are doing here now represents the infancy of this branch of automotive development. I do not know the intentions of the MegaShift community or DIYefi regarding this, they are likely to be stretched pretty thin just covering the engine controller market with the competition now coming from the more established aftermarket companies and we may not be able to expect much support here. Nevertheless, you only have to drive a modern auto equipped rental car to know OEM's have entered a new era in transmission control, and no younger buyer will ever be satisfied with the old again. Presently MegaShift seems to be pretty static. Not a lot has happened on this board in the last couple of years as far as I can see. This arena is one in which you either advance or fall behind, no other option is possible. And it is beginning to look like Megashift could be in danger of the latter. I'd hate to see that, but it's not for me to steer the course, I can only steer my own.
More later.
Jim
This is very important news for us, since the file size of the v5.201 firmware is currently in the 50K range. It can be compiled with the codewarrior IDE without incurring the expense of the $1000 commercial download.
I'm currently working my way through Kernigan's C programming text and am about halfway through the first chapter and have read through the appendix B standard library. I decided to use the codewarrior ide for working through the examples to familiarize myself with it at the same time but this is not as easy as it might sound as it is a very complex environment. Still, I think this is the best way to proceed.
I will continue on two fronts, pursuing the code variant, and also nerfing the controller to use standard code. Still a long way from a solution, but faster than switching to another automatic transmission, which I have considered. The GM 8 speed is available at the GM parts counter as a part number but their computer system shows 0 stock available for shipping and I have not yet contacted anyone relevant in their performance branch. Retail price is around $8K but news releases hint at a much lower cost of about half that, with controller and wiring. Some may be available by now as salvage. If the performance branch has not yet developed a standalone controller, they may be considering it, and if available and able to communicate with the engine controller, this would probably be the most practical solution for most owners considering a modern multispeed automatic, depending on their engine choice. For me with a Buick and BOP bellhousing, a simple 1/8" thick $100 adapter plate would do the trick.
Meanwhile, Aisin has found additional buyers for their 8 speed, the AA80E, and expanded the market. Although most of these are still being used in Japanese automobiles, the strength and durability makes them a good choice for many of today's performance oriented cars worldwide and in the US as well. That may not mean more of them get used for hot rodding, but as the generation raised on computer free cars ages, we can expect to see more young guys with the skills to use them, causing EFI, engine management and transmission management to become the norm rather than an offshoot. Ultimately as the push develops towards ever more user friendly electronic systems (a trend that is rapidly gathering momentum) we can expect to see transmission controllers follow the path of efi systems towards plug-n-play functionality. In respect to that, what we are doing here now represents the infancy of this branch of automotive development. I do not know the intentions of the MegaShift community or DIYefi regarding this, they are likely to be stretched pretty thin just covering the engine controller market with the competition now coming from the more established aftermarket companies and we may not be able to expect much support here. Nevertheless, you only have to drive a modern auto equipped rental car to know OEM's have entered a new era in transmission control, and no younger buyer will ever be satisfied with the old again. Presently MegaShift seems to be pretty static. Not a lot has happened on this board in the last couple of years as far as I can see. This arena is one in which you either advance or fall behind, no other option is possible. And it is beginning to look like Megashift could be in danger of the latter. I'd hate to see that, but it's not for me to steer the course, I can only steer my own.
More later.
Jim