CANTCU 8HP and DCT Control Strategy
The CANformance CANTCU is a CAN-based gateway style transmission controller designed to seamlessly bridge communication gap between a modern 8HP or DCT transmission and a vehicles various CAN-bus systems. By mimicking the original CAN-bus environments, the CANTCU can enable your transmission and vehicle to function as if it were still OEM, ensuring smooth, reliable operation. Tune flashing capabilities are also available for added capability and use in performance applications. All in all, if you want to make the most of factory 8HP and DCT functions in your vehicle, the CANTCU is an option that will get you on the road extremely simply and quickly. ​
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CANTCU is built on the belief that the extensive engineering and calibration behind OEM drivetrain systems cannot be outperformed by standalone style controllers. By leveraging the OEM TCU (Transmission Control Unit), CANTCU provides:
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Smooth and precise transmission control in all conditions.
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Retention of all OEM safety features, reducing the risk of user error or system failure.
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Extended transmission lifespan in high-performance applications.
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CANTCU supports most 8HP and all BMW DCT transmissions. It can also control various transfer cases. Full vehicle integration is available for many OEM ECU and vehicle systems, as well as most modern standalone ECUs. See application and coding requirement lists below. The CANTCU features 4 available Analog Inputs, 4 Digital Inputs, 3 CAN-bus inputs, a LIN-bus, and 12v & 5v sensor supply circuits for manually adding parameter signals if CAN is not available. Though it is possible to run a transmission via CANTCU without a ECU with CAN-bus, it is recommended to install a modern ECU with CAN instead.
The CANTCU simplifies gearbox integration via CAN bus communication, eliminating the need for internal transmission rewiring. No internal modifications are necessary to the transmission. Whether you're building a high-performance vehicle or restoring a classic with modern components, the CANTCU can get you running while maintaining OEM safety strategies and diagnostic capabilities (Via OBD-II port on harness). On some applications, coding or flashing the transmission is needed. This can also be done through the OBD port (xHP, TGFlash, BMW WinKFP), or via a Yanhua Mini ACDP or similar flash tool. We have these tools and services available as well.
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CANTCU Support Documentation
For installation instructions, tuning tips, and detailed compatibility guidelines, view the expansive CANformance support documentation [HERE].​​​​​
Transmission Support
Here is the ever-expanding list of transmisison supported by CANTCU. It also shows which transmissions need to be bench flashed, what shifters they can use, and what other flashing/coding the system is capable of.
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Shifters: if Yes, any Supported Shifters can be used. Otherwise only original shifter can be used. See Link to list of shifters below
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CANTCU Flash:
Supported by CANTCU Flasher.
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3rd Party Flash:
Support for other flashers such as xHP, TGFlash etc.
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Initial Bench Flash:
1) An initial full flash is needed to convert the transmission software to suit CANTCU usage. Yanhua Mini ACDP or similar tool for the SH7254xx processor can be used.
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2) The transmission needs to be flashed with BMW Tools (WinKFP). A suitable KDCAN-cable is required.
ECU/Vehicle CAN Support
Here is the ever-expanding list of Standalone ECU and OEM ECUs/Vehicles supported by CANTCU.
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Using torque control consists of tuning your ECU to respond to variable cut and blip demands from the CANTCU going to the ECU via CAN.
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It is important to use Cuts and Blips to make the most of quick-shifting 8HP and DCT transmissions.
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Beta Status:
All ECUs marked as Beta are currently being developed and improved. They are available in the latest CANTCU software release, but functionality varies. Please check with us for further information: support@canformance.net
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Universal ECU Support:
In some cases it might be possible to integrate other ECU's not listed above by using the Default Datastream and/or CAN Outputs combined with required CAN/Digital Inputs (RPM/TPS/MAP/Brake Switch). If your ECU isn't listed and you are curious about if it will work or not, send an email to support@canformance.net
Truly PNP
Check out the great video showing how simple the install can be, even on a completely OEM car.
OEM Driveability
This video displays how the transmission functions like OEM. This DCT takes up just like factory, and still features mulitple modes for different driving styles.
