GDE TCM Tune, a review.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:53 am

warp2diesel wrote:

Don't all the US/Canada CRDs have the 545RFE?

I know mine does.

Typo?

The 45RFE and the 545RFE are the same except for the programming.

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=459429#p459429

mustang_gt_350 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:47 am **Posts:** 191

Joe Romas wrote:

grywlfbg wrote:

I thought that turning the OD off causes it to lock up in 4th?

Both 4th and 5th are overdrives :jester:

So OD OFF is THIRD :BANANA:

So anytime you turn the OD button off it will never go over 3rd gear? That might be why when i was test driving the crd i had for the night when i would turn it off it seamed like it would drop more than just 1 gear and that along with the power window switch where they are and the auto lock when moving are the only 2 things i hated. And if it does thats the gayest thing i have ever seen. Will it auto downshift into 4th from 5th or does it always just jump to 3rd when it down shifts also?

And does the GDE flash change that?

GreenDieselEngineering · **Joined:** Sun Jun 07, 2009 5:10 pm **Posts:** 1111

With the OD off button engaged the trans will never go past 3rd gear even with a tune as this is hard coded in the logic. In normal operation the trans will downshift just one gear most of the time, unless the vehicle speed is low enough and the requested torque is very high...with the tune of course. In most situations a one gear downshift is plenty, especially when it is unlocked during a high load transition.

mustang_gt_350 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:47 am **Posts:** 191

GreenDieselEngineering wrote:

With the OD off button engaged the trans will never go past 3rd gear even with a tune as this is hard coded in the logic. In normal operation the trans will down shift just one gear most of the time, unless the vehicle speed is low enough and the requested torque is very high...with the tune of course. In most situations a one gear downshift is plenty, especially when it is unlocked during a high load transition.

So without the TCM flash from you it will always drop to 3rd gear? And with your flash i will drop to 4th unless the load is too much then it will go into 3rd?

Just asking as when i test drove the 05 earlier this week it felt like it never went down into 4th it always went into 3rd. I apologize for the dumb question, just trying to learn as much as i can as i'm looking for one.

flman · **Posted:** Sat Jun 12, 2010 5:25 pm

GreenDieselEngineering wrote:

Just to clarify, all the engine tunes are marked down $100 and the purchase price already reflects this. The trans tune is a new service and no markdown on the price point, it is $300.

I guess I should have read further before I asked about the $100.00 off. :juggle:

It was this post that lead me to believe it was part of the spring sale. Oh well, just like me to read between the lines.

tulsa · **Posted:** Sun Jun 13, 2010 4:52 pm

mustang_gt_350 wrote:

GreenDieselEngineering wrote:

With the OD off button engaged the trans will never go past 3rd gear even with a tune as this is hard coded in the logic. In normal operation the trans will down shift just one gear most of the time, unless the vehicle speed is low enough and the requested torque is very high...with the tune of course. In most situations a one gear downshift is plenty, especially when it is unlocked during a high load transition.

So without the TCM flash from you it will always drop to 3rd gear? And with your flash i will drop to 4th unless the load is too much then it will go into 3rd?

Just asking as when i test drove the 05 earlier this week it felt like it never went down into 4th it always went into 3rd. I apologize for the dumb question, just trying to learn as much as i can as i'm looking for one.

Mustang,
Based on my observations when pulling a loaded trailer the shift from 5th to 4th was almost immediately followed by a shift to 3rd. With normal loading the shift 5th to 4th when going over 57mph is rare.

jdm25 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 12:17 am **Posts:** 22

I am really looking forward to getting this Tune. My commute involves 30 miles with 50% over 60MPH, 25% 50-55 and 25% stop and go. I hate the fact that when I slow down to 50-55 area, I have to live in 4th, when I know that I would rather be in 5th.

I am hoping that that 25% alone will equate to better MPG.

Have to wait for now, all of my cash is going into a new swimming pool....

flman · **Posted:** Tue Jun 15, 2010 6:44 pm

jdm25 wrote:

I am really looking forward to getting this Tune. My commute involves 30 miles with 50% over 60MPH, 25% 50-55 and 25% stop and go. I hate the fact that when I slow down to 50-55 area, I have to live in 4th, when I know that I would rather be in 5th.

I am hoping that that 25% alone will equate to better MPG.

Have to wait for now, all of my cash is going into a new swimming pool....

I just got it, I am able to get 1400 RPMs at 45 MPH, and 1600 RPMs at 55 MPH.

stoutdog · **Posted:** Tue Jun 15, 2010 7:32 pm

flman wrote:

jdm25 wrote:

I am really looking forward to getting this Tune. My commute involves 30 miles with 50% over 60MPH, 25% 50-55 and 25% stop and go. I hate the fact that when I slow down to 50-55 area, I have to live in 4th, when I know that I would rather be in 5th.

I am hoping that that 25% alone will equate to better MPG.

Have to wait for now, all of my cash is going into a new swimming pool....

I just got it, I am able to get 1400 RPMs at 45 MPH, and 1600 RPMs at 55 MPH.

Nice! I just sent mine out yesterday... IIRC, 45mph is normally 1700RPMs and 55mph (in 4th) is normally 1800RPMs.

flman · **Posted:** Tue Jun 15, 2010 8:22 pm

stoutdog wrote:

flman wrote:

I just got it, I am able to get 1400 RPMs at 45 MPH, and 1600 RPMs at 55 MPH.

Nice! I just sent mine out yesterday... IIRC, 45mph is normally 1700RPMs and 55mph (in 4th) is normally 1800RPMs.

Just wondering, what torque converter do you have? And did you remember to tighten the Bolts??? :ROTFL:

stoutdog · **Posted:** Tue Jun 15, 2010 11:55 pm

flman wrote:

stoutdog wrote:

flman wrote:

I just got it, I am able to get 1400 RPMs at 45 MPH, and 1600 RPMs at 55 MPH.

Nice! I just sent mine out yesterday... IIRC, 45mph is normally 1700RPMs and 55mph (in 4th) is normally 1800RPMs.

Just wondering, what torque converter do you have? And did you remember to tighten the Bolts??? :ROTFL:

??? I have the stock TC.... I've never mentioned messing with it. The bolt discussion is on another thread....

flman · **Posted:** Wed Jun 16, 2010 6:39 am

stoutdog wrote:

flman wrote:

Just wondering, what torque converter do you have? And did you remember to tighten the Bolts??? :ROTFL:

??? I have the stock TC.... I've never mentioned messing with it. The bolt discussion is on another thread....

The bolt discussion that has been a long thread

Any ways, good luck with your tune.

stoutdog · **Posted:** Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:47 am

flman wrote:

stoutdog wrote:

flman wrote:

Just wondering, what torque converter do you have? And did you remember to tighten the Bolts??? :ROTFL:

??? I have the stock TC.... I've never mentioned messing with it. The bolt discussion is on another thread....

The bolt discussion that has been a long thread

Any ways, good luck with your tune.

Ha, you had me confused there for a bit.

Thanks. Should get it back tomorrow.... :pepper:

CATCRD · **Posted:** Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:05 pm

flman wrote:

The bolt discussion that has been a long thread

A long THREAD!!! Bwahahaha good one! :ROTFL:

stoutdog · **Posted:** Thu Jun 17, 2010 12:06 am

CATCRD wrote:

flman wrote:

The bolt discussion that has been a long thread

A long THREAD!!! Bwahahaha good one! :ROTFL:

Oh dear.... :banghead:

geordi · **Posted:** Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:30 am

CATCRD wrote:

flman wrote:

The bolt discussion that has been a long thread

A long THREAD!!! Bwahahaha good one! :ROTFL:

*Geordi slaps CATCRD around a bit with a large trout*

You had to go there, didn't you? *groan*

stoutdog · **Posted:** Thu Jun 17, 2010 4:56 pm

I just got my GDE TCM plugged in and went for a short drive. I must say, fanboy aside, I'm very impressed. The shifting from 3-4-5 is incredibly smooth, and I don't even have to go over 2k RPMs to get up to speed on the on ramp. It also seems to shift 1-2mph earlier into 2nd gear, which is a welcome surprise. There is definitely a drone in the 35-40mph range, but it is by no means annoying and really just sounds like a little extra bass is coming from my radio. :SOMBRERO:

I have noticed a couple of things that I'm unsure about. 1) The RPMs in 3rd OD seem to be a little higher than they were before... maybe just because they remain constant no matter how much pedal I give it. I imagine, however, that being in OD is the important part re: fuel economy, not the RPMs. 2) Because of the lockup, my coasting abilities seem to be a little less when I'm in 3rd OD. No scientific readings here, just seat of the pants feeling... Again, I imagine that being in OD is probably better anyways.

With the stock TC, I have no shudder and no lugging. :pepper:

tulsa · **Posted:** Thu Jun 17, 2010 10:01 pm

stoutdog wrote:

I just got my GDE TCM plugged in and went for a short drive. I must say, fanboy aside, I'm very impressed. The shifting from 3-4-5 is incredibly smooth, and I don't even have to go over 2k RPMs to get up to speed on the on ramp. It also seems to shift 1-2mph earlier into 2nd gear, which is a welcome surprise. There is definitely a drone in the 35-40mph range, but it is by no means annoying and really just sounds like a little extra bass is coming from my radio. :SOMBRERO:

I have noticed a couple of things that I'm unsure about. 1) The RPMs in 3rd OD seem to be a little higher than they were before... maybe just because they remain constant no matter how much pedal I give it. I imagine, however, that being in OD is the important part re: fuel economy, not the RPMs. 2) Because of the lockup, my coasting abilities seem to be a little less when I'm in 3rd OD. No scientific readings here, just seat of the pants feeling... Again, I imagine that being in OD is probably better anyways.

With the stock TC, I have no shudder and no lugging. :pepper:

I have the same feel of less coasting, but am not sure if my pants are not being fooled. When the power is normal RPM's are a lot lower. HOOT HOOT
Lewis

flman · **Posted:** Fri Jun 18, 2010 9:56 am

tulsa wrote:

I have the same feel of less coasting, but am not sure if my pants are not being fooled. When the power is normal RPM's are a lot lower. HOOT HOOT
Lewis

Same here, that tune might be better for a towing application. Maybe GDE should do a tune for us that don't tow and like the coast that we get with the GDE engine tune, and I can do with out the 1400 RPM drone, I would not be upset if I were not locking up on county roads at 45 MPH. Lock up is better suited for the highway.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 18, 2010 11:23 am

You are correct. The OEM TCM has the engine returning to idle whenever you let off. However, there is a proven fuel economy benefit to keeping the TC locked when you let off the throttle. Think about it. When you drive a manual trans vehicle, you don't step on the clutch everytime you let off the throttle. This is one (not the only, though) reason why stick versions of vehicles usually return significantly higher real world MPG than the same vehicle with an auto trans.

GDE made this change by design and it is benefitial in all situations including towing and not.

BTW, most of the fuel economy benefit from the tune comes BELOW 50 MPH. I am sure GDE will make you a "custom" tune that does not lock until your desired speed (i.e. 50 instead of the "standard" 35 MPH).

DOC

GDE TCM Tune, a review.

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