Author Topic: ZF 8 speed automatic.  (Read 4700 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline tauruck

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5126
ZF 8 speed automatic.
« on: October 17, 2015, 10:49:42 PM »
Always on the lookout for the good stuff and seeing as I'm building the only liner in Africa
I figured I'd contact ZF South Africa for sponsorship on their 8 speed auto tranny.

I spoke to a great guy that said they'd love to help. The unit can handle 1000HP and has an overdrive of 0.667.
The only problem is that the box won't work in an aftermarket scenario. It's aligned with the VIN, key, central locking and
about 30 other components from inception.

He's looking into an alternative or maybe a race box from HQ in Germany for me.
I'm not holding my breath though but at least I won't die not knowing.
I said even a 5 speed with a good overdrive would do, I can't be fussy.

I've been lucky so far and who knows?.

Offline Sumner

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 4078
  • Blanding, Ut..a small dot in the middle of nowhere
    • http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/sumnerindex.html
Re: ZF 8 speed automatic.
« Reply #1 on: October 17, 2015, 11:50:58 PM »
....and has an overdrive of 0.667..

Sounds interesting :cheers:.  I'd hope there were a number of overdrive ratios before you got to the .667 (at least 1) so steps after each shift were dropping the rpm's less and less after the shift.

Sumner

Offline sofadriver

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 518
Re: ZF 8 speed automatic.
« Reply #2 on: October 17, 2015, 11:51:23 PM »
That would be terrific!  Good luck!

Mike, where are you planning to run at?
Mike in Tacoma

"aww, what the hell - let's just do it".............

Bike #833
100cc A/G, A/F and APS/G (in 2019)

Offline Buickguy3

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1026
Re: ZF 8 speed automatic.
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2015, 10:04:35 AM »
   Yep, 7th is O.D., too. 6th is 1.00.       https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_8HP_transmission

   Doug  :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
I keep going faster and faster and I don't know why. All I have to do is live and die.
                   [America]

Offline manta22

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4137
  • What, me worry?
Re: ZF 8 speed automatic.
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2015, 02:34:27 PM »
Mike;

That ZF sounds like a great transmission. There's gotta be a way to hack the controls.


Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ
Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

Offline Peter Jack

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3776
Re: ZF 8 speed automatic.
« Reply #5 on: October 18, 2015, 07:17:25 PM »
It seems to me that it shouldn't be that difficult to eliminate the torque convertor and change the shifting to manual control. Just don't tell the transmission there are no computers involved.  :-D :-D :-D

Pete

Offline ronnieroadster

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 973
Re: ZF 8 speed automatic.
« Reply #6 on: October 18, 2015, 09:55:16 PM »
Wow wonder if they can chop that down to about a foot long sure woud be nice as shortened version.  :-)
Working in the shop I use the 'F' word a lot. No not that word these words Focus and Finish go Fast and Flathead Ford!
 ECTA  XF/BGRMR Record 179.8561
 LTA    XF/BGRMR  Record 200.921 First  Ever Ford Flathead Roadster to hit 200 MPH burning gasoline July 2018
 SCTA  XF/BGRMR Record 205.744  First gas burning Ford flathead powered roadster to top 200 MPH at Bonneville August 7, 2021 top speed 219.717
 SCTA  XXF/BGRMR Record 216.131 plus a Red Hat
"Life Member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club"

Offline John Burk

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 695
Re: ZF 8 speed automatic.
« Reply #7 on: October 18, 2015, 10:40:38 PM »
The 6 speed automatics in later F150s are a ZF design built by Ford . 5th and 6th are OD . I'd be surprised if they handled 1000 HP .

Offline tauruck

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5126
Re: ZF 8 speed automatic.
« Reply #8 on: October 19, 2015, 02:06:01 AM »
If I had someone local that could bypass the computer stuff I'm sure we could do something.

We'll wait and see.
Mike, we'll be running at Hakskeen Pan here in SA.

I'm going to get hold of the guy today and bend his mind a bit.

For the most part South Africans are conservative and companies, RISK AVERSE!!!!!!.

I think it all has to do with keeping your job. Cover your Acura.

I'll keep you updated. BTW, I drove this Merc 355 AMG with a serious Brabus conversion on it Saturday.
My friend has a thing for these cars. I liked the paddle shift and the seamless shifts.


Offline jacksoni

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1507
Re: ZF 8 speed automatic.
« Reply #10 on: October 19, 2015, 08:49:12 AM »
http://www.zf.com/corporate/en_de/magazine/magazin_artikel_viewpage_22066344.html

All they did was jigger the software to make it a paddle shift only race trans. Oughta work for you!
Jack Iliff
 G/BGS-250.235 1987
 G/GC- 193.550 2021
  G/FAlt- 193.934 2021 (196.033 best)
 G/GMS-182.144 2019

Offline kiwi belly tank

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3132
Re: ZF 8 speed automatic.
« Reply #11 on: October 19, 2015, 10:58:10 AM »
After all the ECU control $hit they are just a bunch of solenoids. I've built manual shifters for electronic transmissions using micro switches that have worked great. You just need to apply the appropriate solenoids at the appropriate time. If the shift is too hard put a governor pressure de-activator switch on the shifter or just wire in a resistor for the shift quality you need. Get a full ratchet shifter that goes both ways & modify it for as many positions you need, now you can up shift & down shift.
I've done them for Allison, 4L80e & Jatco trans.
  Sid.