New JHM Transmission Tune- Thoughts?

A6 All/ S6 All
#61

I’ve had the TCU tune for two weeks, and have found nothing but improvements in overall driveability and increased performance. So you know where I’'m at, I am running JHM tune, LW balancer, LW front rotors and JHM exhaust. I’ll start from the beginning. I think it was much simpler than when i did the ECU tune, and a whole lot faster. I did run into kind of an odd issue though. Apparently, my TCU had a very old box code (0010) which had some bugs/communication issues, this should have been updated by the dealer early on during a scheduled maintenance. So much for dealerships.

It’s a bit of a long story, but in the end what i gained from it was a great respect for JHM support. About 30% into flashing the TCU, everything halted, i gave it about 15 minutes, but nothing. Repeated the flashing steps a second time, and the same result. it was a Sunday early evening, but i sent an email to tech support, figuring i would hear from someone on Monday, to my surprise, i got a response almost immediately. In the end, I was up and running Monday. If anyone ever has any doubt about JHM’s commitment to their customers, I’m here to say that they are enthusiasts at heart, and stand by and support their product like no one else.

Now for the fun part- after the flash. Immediately, normal driving is improved with much smoother, more positive shifting at any speed. That holds true right up to about 50-75% throttle, at which point it is very obvious the shifting is quicker and firmer both up and down. Then, the full throttle experience- the first time it caught me a bit unprepared and the 1-2 shift had my head bounce off of the seat, I did that laugh out loud thing with a big smile. I did this a few time before i could satisfy my excitement. The things that stand out most are full throttle downshifts at highway speeds when passing are super quick compared to stock, and watching the tach during shifts tells how much faster the car shifts. Pull in higher gears seems much stronger. All of that is mostly seat of the pants, but i will be heading to the track to get some 1/4 mile times in. i have an old video of the speedo/tach during a 1/4 mile run, i’ll do another to compare shift times. i would have to gues it’s at least half the time to complete a shift, easily.

Anyway, if you are deciding, go for it. I don’t see how you could be disappointed. Maybe check your box code first, I think it the new code is 0030, but I’m not 100% sure.

That’s it for now, it time for carbon clean/new injectors and looking at LTFT’s- 3 banks at or right around 0, but bank 4 is 7-10%. I’ll recheck after carbon clean and new injectors.

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#62

Just flashed the TCU this afternoon and everything went smoothly. Flash took maybe 3 minutes, tops. I’m really impressed. I can’t believe this transmission was capable of making such firm shifts all this time. I’m planning to record some driving this week and I’ll make sure to share so everyone gets an idea of why this is a mod they need to get.

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#63

Quick clip of an acceleration run the other night. Unfortunately the camera angle doesn’t show the full tach but hopefully the sound gives you an idea of the shift speed. Keep in mind, this is a work in progress. I’ll post some more videos soon with a better view of the tach.

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#64

NICE… Sounded like just a bit of wheel spin and while you can’t see the tack you can hear the shifts sound strong and quick.

#65

That 2nd to 3rd shift sounds instaneous, compared to my stock trans…

#66

why does it say C6 A6?

Still also curious as to why Audi put these power limits on the transmission. I get not making more power than the S8 so it doesn’t outdo a higher end model. I also get that they don’t want a shift that’s too hard/firm. Is there any other reasons they limit power? Is there a weak point in the driveline? What can the rear diff and axle shafts handle? Is the trans/driveshaft/diff/ axle shafts any different than what comes in the RS6? I’m not really worried about any part being a weak point, I’m mostly just curious Audi’s reasoning behind the power limits if anyone happens to know.

#67

It’s just this placement in the market…
It can’t be too close to the s8 and especially not too close to the rs6.
In the states you didn’t have the rs6 but in Europe the s6 is considered the luxury/sporty option. It was not intended to be the hardcore m5 rival that people in the US mistake it for.

#68

It’s a C6 A6 3.0T. It’s still a beta tune so it will only get better.

#69

I gotta do some more work on the car with the front-end off (radiator+hoses, acc belt & tensioner.) Also gotta order parts from the US, so it strikes me that this is an opportune time to do some JHM mods. Already have intake spacers.

I want opinions on what, if any, of these “easy-to-do” mods actually make sense if I have 1) a gutted intake with no flaps, e.g. “short runner”, or 2) the same intake locked in the “long runner” position?

-Lightweight crank pulley
-TCU Tune
-ECU Tune

I still have not decided if I want to spring for a new IM. The only time I actually get into the top end is right after the toll stations when the roads are clear. lol.

#70

All three are great mods for sure. Having the front end off it the perfect time to get the LW crank pulley- not much for added HP, but revs quicker, smoother running.

You think it’s fun after the toll station now, the ECU and TCU tunes will make you think you’re in a different car. It’s a night and day difference.

I’ve had the ECU tune for a couple of years now, and no issues. It cut just about 1/2 second off my 1/4 mile time, and for everyday driving, it’s smooth and comfortable. I do drive my car every day, have about 165K miles on it.

I’ve had the TCU tune for about 1 1/2 months, and I can’t believe the difference in acceleration. Shifting is super quick, and firm when you put your foot in it, smoother than stock when just out for a nice drive.

Now may be a good time to make a purchase, i think they still might have no interest financing, might help with the budget.

#71

Hi Everyone

I’m just reviving this thread. I just did the TCU tune today’ and there were two options for the tune. First was called performance 0.05 and the other called performance 1.0. Now I tried 1.0 first, the shifts were very firm and aggressive which I liked, however I threw up a transmission warning light that didn’t go away and then came back when I restarted the car. I then tried the 0.05 flash and no warning light, and shifts were firm but I don’t think quite as fast as in the 1.0 version. Which version did everyone here use and any other info to share? Still overall the 0.05 tune is miles better that the stock transmissions sluggish changes

#72

I don’t have the tune, but I don’t recall ever reading about a version 0.05 and a version 1.0 on the JHM TCU tune.

#73

The B7 S4 has 07 - 08 - 09 has the same age transmission. I was one of the beta cars many many many years ago. We have the early transmission computers so our transmissions need to go through a longer learn cycle than the newer transmissions. We have less shift maps then the newer transmissions. So we have a learn system. The thing that kinda sucks is the TCU has it’s own computer obviously. depending on your computer module you either need to go through a longer adaption at a slower pace .05 or the faster learn adaption 1.

I helped a buddy flash his TCU and since he has a 2011 S6 his file was a 1.1

All the file name means in most situations is how long you have to wait for the full go fast version from the learning cycle in the TCU unit.

#74

That’s great. I contacted JHM about the difference and that’s pretty much what they said. It’s the way that it communicates with the ECU. They said to see how it goes over the next week and the shifts should get firmer and faster. It has already made a world of difference so I look forward to it improving further.

#75

Reflashed the ECU today and also installed the TCU tune. Cars feels different for sure. My question is how long does it generally take to adapt? The email I got said a few hours to days.

I’m curious because the 1-2 shift at full throttle has the car basically shutting down for a split second. Then picking back up. Almost as if I completely let off the gas. It does better when I’m at maybe half throttle and it shifts.

I can definitely feel a difference in the shift firmness from when I’m cruising vs when you’re under heavy throttle.

I’m still feeling it out and getting use to it but mine seems like it’s still having to do some learning. Any tips on how to drive it so it learns thing correctly ?

#76

Is that with the traction control on or off?

#77

On. But I never saw any dash light showing traction control was stepping in. And I wasn’t doing anything crazy enough to even get traction control working.

#78

If you turn esp off the car will rev thru 1st gear. Mine did this also with just ecu tune and no tcu tune. I’m told when I flash the tcu this will go away…

#79

I’m confused at what you mean exactly?

#80

You are reporting your car stalls out under wot in 1st gear yes? If you turn off esp it will rev out and shift to 2nd normally. Same issue with my ecu tuned s6. Hope this answers your question