6spd -> tip-tronic / b6 -> b7

B6/7 S4/RS4
#1

Hey all, I thought I’d pick your brains on this question.

I’m considering selling my 6spd B6 for a tip tronic b7 (both avants)
My b6 is using a lot of oil on the highway (about a litre to 650km) only highway.

Might be PVC, but likely worse…

I’m fairly certain I’d like to make the move over to the automatic:
net a “bit” more gas mileage
Easier city driving when I’m being lazy…
And I’d still have those flappy paddles

That being said, what are the arguments against the automatic?

With a jhm tune and supporting parts is it still a blast to drive?( Tune, intake mani, exhaust, supercharger)
Is a built motor out of the question? Can the transmission handle 500whp?

I’d really to update the looks with the b7 facelift.
Or maybe my motor issue means I should just buy a jhm hot n ready built.

#2

I would like to think I have taken my tip testing very far even pulling the transmission to inspect it after countless bottles of the JHM NOS kit. When I say countless I lost count after like 60.

The tips are great if you maintain them they last longer and can hold up better then the manual transmission. I do get great mileage and my last clutch inspection looked good. I didn’t see any clutch materials in the fluid.

The other good thing is that your a B7. From what I understand those transmissions are easier to read then the older transmission computers. Ask countvohn he is only on this site but he would know more on that.

#3

Deposit is down on the red beauty, time to pick up a tip tronic Avant! Now to get a hold of those of those JHM tunes… and one for the trans?

#4

That’s got to be a nice feeling. Post some pictures when you get it. Where abouts are you located?

#5

Depending on your location, you can get on the beta test program for the JHM TCU. What’s your location?

The Audi 6 speed automatics are great. They are much stronger then the older 5 speed transmission.

#6

Should have it this week if things pan out.

I am in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan… a little out of the ways from Cali. I am VERY interested in the Beta program though. As soon as I have the car in my hands I’ll be getting the 93 tune ordered at the very least.

#7

For the love of god please tell me what i have to do in order to be on the beta test. Im in NYC. I can travel some ways if needed.

#8

hah… i would love to be as well!

Another B7 S4 Avant with Tip here… its not a stick, but its still fun as hell to drive.

I ALWAYS drive in S mode… i find D mode to be obnoxious… drone is worse and its just much less enjoyable.

#9

I’m thinking maybe if I order a whack load of parts, tune, and throw some money at Jake, they’ll let me?

Just got turned down on the phone though :frowning:

I might just drive down there and ask!

#10

I could winter test their tune :wink: God knows they don’t have many s4’s that see -40’s

#11

I’ve put my hand up a few times as well (albeit only on the forums) - of course it doesn’t help living in Australia.

I’ll take a guess and say the real reason is that you can’t flash the TCU in the S4’s ZF 6HP19 transmission externally like you can with the JHM / APR / etc flashing that you can do via the OBD2 port.

What does this mean? You need to drain it, remove the pan & filter that then exposes the mechatronic unit. That’s not the end of it, the whole mechatronic unit (looks like this) needs to come out in order to access the TCU. Once you’ve got the mechatronic removed you need to separate the TCU itself that is bolted directly to the unit. The TCU units are not sold separately to my knowledge - so if something happens to the board (here is what it looks like) you are liable for a full mechatronic unit from Audi ($US2000-3000 parts only).

Not meaning to sound like a buzz kill, I’ve just been reading up on these transmissions a lot lately and it makes sense that JHM would want to do it on site only. Of course I’m hoping that Jake is reading this and is now comfortable that I am able to get the TCU out and in to a static bag and shipped to Cali for the tune :slight_smile:

Whilst researching I’ve also found that there as a model split with both the ZF transmission hardware itself and with Audi’s factory TCU software. Apparently Audi updated the software due to shift shuddering and slipping some time around 06/07.

Anyhow, my two cents on the transmission - “D” is way too lax for my liking. It’s not necessarily the gear choice but the bite pressure on the clutch packs, it is just far too lazy on the shifts. I know Audi does this for comfort but come on…!

#12

Links broken and can’t edit.

Mechatronic unit photo
TCU photo

#13

Yeah you are right… they have mentioned in several threads on various sites that they are working on a delivery method for pass release… no idea what they have up their sleeve, but i hope it comes out in the next 6 months at least!

#14

Don’t you guys all wish you lived in the Detroit area like me. Is it bragging when I mention that I have the tcu tune. And would it be bad if I said it was great. How about if I told you how much better the shifts and shifting times are.

I think we should start gathering the tip guys over here in a thread. Start a thread here and bring all the guys that are interested in getting this done here. It can open up a bigger conversation and help identify where some of the tip guys are. Maybe even set up a tip meet for maybe getting something done here or st jhm.

From my personal experience I don’t think a lot of you guys know how much these dirt bags that just try to steel and copy tunes effects us. I know CV made some seriously wicked tip files for the 5 speed tips until some dick bag looser started talking about trying to start stealing files so he could try to figure out how to tune the tip transmission. I know when CV heard that all the new cool stuff he developed he stopped that program all together. Really neat stuff never got released because of these low life people who just steal other people’s work.

So I know a big part of the testing has to be keeping your time and work safe. The tcu tune I have is only possible because CV tested on this car until he felt safe. I think we all know this technology isn’t being developed by anyone other then jhm and I wouldn’t really want anyone else to do it. I’m sure there are lots of hurdles we don’t know about that need to get done to make this easier to offer but I think having us come together here and talk about it is a good start.

#15

Good to hear from you justincredible. You’ve made a great contribution to the scene over what looks like a fair few years - I’ve been lurking for 2 1/2 years now and want to get more involved so hopefully you’ll be hearing more from me.

Thread would be good, at least then we can establish a list. I know there are two here in AU.

More info for the OP’s topic - I changed from a B6 S4 manual to tip. My last car had JHM 93, FI downpipes, 2.5" custom cat back, LWCP, B7 JHM flywheel/clutch conversion. The manual was quicker - end of story. However around town I just couldn’t handle it. Granted I lived in the middle of Sydney when I had it and the traffic is a nightmare, but it felt sometimes like I was pumping the car forward with my clutch foot. The tip is easy, and great in S. But to get the kind of seat of pants acceleration you felt in the manual with that super short first gear I’d need a bunch more mods (my aim is SC).

#16

My bet is they’ll buy 5-6 mechatronic units themselves, tune them all then do a core replacement charge.

#17

One more thing slight. I can’t speak to around town driving fuel economy averages (too inaccurate) but I do lots of intercity highway driving here - have done in excess of 50,000kms in a B6 manual and tip S4.

On my “test trip” - which is 300km from about 700m above sea level to 50m above sea level at an average of 105-110km/h I got 9.3L/100km in the manual.

Best I’ve done in the tip is 9.7.

These are corrected numbers. Yes I’m geeky enough to have used the VCDS fuel economy adjustment against actual usage so my display reads accurately.

#18

Re: 6spd -> tip-tronic / b6 -> b7
« Reply #16 on: Today at 04:39:37 PM »
Reply with quoteQuote
Quote from: slight on August 29, 2014, 01:54:37 PM
net a “bit” more gas mileage

One more thing slight. I can’t speak to around town driving fuel economy averages (too inaccurate) but I do lots of intercity highway driving here - have done in excess of 50,000kms in a B6 manual and tip S4.

On my “test trip” - which is 300km from about 700m above sea level to 50m above sea level at an average of 105-110km/h I got 9.3L/100km in the manual.

Best I’ve done in the tip is 9.7.

Is this mpg or kpl?

#19

B6 manual : 25.3MPG
B6 tip : 24.2MPG

#20

Are you guys talking about these pieces?

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/415406757.jpg

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/731294699.jpg

I think the idea on getting guys over here from other sites is a great idea for us to try and help them. This program is under development but the biggest part of the development is a mass delivery system. JHM is working on this and if you’re local to the metro Detroit area let me know.