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Compushift 4l80e Controller Review

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PsRumors

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I have not seen much info as to the function of the Compushift Controller so I figured I would write a short review. Install was easy, the hardest part was putting the Throttle Position Sensor on the carburator and that only took 15 minutes.

Personally the instructions leave a little bit to be desired. There are actually functions on the controller that are not covered in the manual. Some of these were self-explanatory but some were not. A call into HGM (Hughes) will answer those questions.

Initial setup is easy. You need to pick your trans as the system can control the 4l60e, 4l80e and 4 Ford transmissions. Next is fuel type as there are different needs for a diesel and gasoline trans. There are three different configurations for the trans shifting. Automatic, full manual, and a switch shift which can actually be used with push buttons or even more fun paddle shifters.

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TPS calibration is super easy. All that is done is the start button pressed, depress the throttle fully and release, that simple.

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The Compushift is also capable of driving a tach, OEM or aftermarket. The system will also adapt to your TOSS driven speedometer if needed along with giving out pulses for your cruise control.

Another neat feature is a mandatory upshift at a predetermined RPM. I have mine set at 5k as the stock 454 I am sure runs out of steam by then. This is not a substitute for a rev limiter but a nice feature.

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There is also an option for locking the TCC in 4th gear or in 3rd and 4th if necessary or desired.

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The TCC can also be locked based upon speed. Since my burb does not perform well with the torque converter locked at speeds below 45mph I set this too 50mph

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You also have a tow haul mode available. It is operated by a toggle switch and wired into the harness. With the flip of the switch it will add pressure and shift speed to your base setup. You decide how much added line pressure and shift speed is added.

Two other neat features the system comes with. The first is the Accelerometer which measures G force, positive and negative. It will actually give you your braking Gs. And the second is the Dynamometer. Both of these rely on you knowing your vehicles weight. I will be making a trip to the scales some time this week.

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Great deal, thanks for being the guinea pig on this!! I know there's a bunch of guys on here, myself included, who are just itching to go 4L80E in their rigs.
Now we can do it with confidence!

Thanks, Jimbo
 
Love to do this with the crew cab. Pretty spendy swap though.
 
*subscribe* very interested too. I've got a date with a 6bt and a 4l80e into something.........
 
resurrected_jimmy said:
Thanks for the write up, looks like a good system. What does this set up run if you don't mind me asking?
Click to expand...

Everyone seems to have the controller priced at $1100. Couldn't find it any cheaper.
 
I think the TCI controller is about $900 after you add in a TPS. I went with the Compushift based on the fact you don't need a laptop and there is constant monitoring through the controller screen.
 
I've read some installs of the TCI controllers and some of them see to be a biotch to set up.... This looks like a more user friendly system to install and tune
 
Since I run Megasquirt, I want to run a 4L80E with a GPIO (general purpose input/output)/Megashift installation. In theory, everything has to be set up manually, but the solenoids for a 4L80E are pretty well documented and some others have already set up basic config files for various transmissions. It would get throttle position, engine load and engine rpm from the ECU over CAN, so no additional sensors are needed for those. I would just tap into the optical sensor in the speedometer for a VSS. The total cost should be under $200, plus the cost of a tranny. The GPIO board would allow for some other features at the same time.

http://www.megamanual.com/gpio/
 
Subscribing....

PSR,

What is the shift quality like? Is that programmable? You mention being able to increase pressure in "tow/haul" mode....presumably that adds pressure to a "base map" of some sort?

I guess what I'm asking....is the base map, shift firmness and RPM for shifts at full-throttle vs part throttle adjustable??? :dunno:

I don't really want that display gizmo stuck to my dashboard, but it might be the kind of thing that you only use during calibration/tuning and then put away and never look at again..... :thinking:

$1100 wouldn't be unreasonable depending on how much it can really do and how much flexibility it has.


:usaflag:
 
I will try to answer your questions in order Greg. I did speak with Mike at HGM who answered all of my questions and took plenty of time with me.

I did learn the "base map" for the transmission is the trans itself. Meaning the Compushift changes are based upon what the trans would do being used on a stock ECM. The Compushift brings pressure in sooner than stock based upon your parameters but does not increase pressure over what the trans was built for.


1: Shift quality is absolutely unbelievable on several aspects. Now this is a Bowtie Overdrive trans. With the Compushift allowing the trans to be on its' stock pressure and shift speed I was unable to tell when the trans shifted at lite throttle. Of course you step on it and it would shift harder. I was floored, it shifted better, smoother, easier than anything I have ever driven.

2: The shift is adjustable with the Compushift. You can increase pressure to get a snappier shift on lite throttle. I have not adjusted just the speed or just the pressure to see the differences but am sure there are many hours of play time ahead.

3: The tow haul mode can add pressure and speed to your base map. Say I have 10% pressure added for daily driving but on the fly would like to add a quicker shift and more pressure, this can be programmed and with the flip of a switch you can change between the two settings (both user set).

4: The base map is what the transmission is capable of. From there, you can adjust firmness and max RPM to upshift. You do not have access as if building a fuel map.

Once you have this dialed in the way you like the display can be unplugged and stored away.
 
Here is a link I found to a good article on the CompuShift controller:

http://www.phoenixtrans.com/html/technews_Lockup%20LowDown_parts1and2.html

I don't know if anyone has purchased a tranny through Phoenix Transmissions (located in Texas...figure THAT one out!). I know enough to avoid the shop that sells the "Raptor 700R4"....(IIRC, that was Transmission Center).

The website looks pretty professional, and they sell a 4L80E already coupled with the CompuShift setup....presumably built with it in mind. Prices are pretty high (as expected) but not unreasonable and it looks like they also can build torque converters to match the exact application you have.

More to consider.... :thinking:
 
Greg72 said:
Here is a link I found to a good article on the CompuShift controller:

http://www.phoenixtrans.com/html/technews_Lockup%20LowDown_parts1and2.html

I don't know if anyone has purchased a tranny through Phoenix Transmissions (located in Texas...figure THAT one out!). I know enough to avoid the shop that sells the "Raptor 700R4"....(IIRC, that was Transmission Center).

The website looks pretty professional, and they sell a 4L80E already coupled with the CompuShift setup....presumably built with it in mind. Prices are pretty high (as expected) but not unreasonable and it looks like they also can build torque converters to match the exact application you have.

More to consider.... :thinking:
Click to expand...

Very nice article on the devolpment of the CompuShift. The prices are in line with the other producers of quality 4l80e transmissions. I went with BowTie based upon input here but would have liked to talk to them prior to ordering.

It is funny how they charge an extra $110 for a 4x4. I wonder what they do differently. The cases are the same and the 4x4 plug is $5.
 
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