Anybody know what the real differences are with the new ECM that the dealer installs with the replacement transmission? They put a new one in along with my new trans. I asked the mechanic and he was vague. He didn't know what they changed in the trans itself or the difference with the ECM programming. He just said Acura wasn't entirely sure what the problem was so they changed several things. I assume the new ECM lags the shift more to take some strain off the trans. But the big question is: is the new ECM down on power? Has anyone put their car back on a dyno after a trans replacement? I'm probably paranoid but my car seems to be about 95% of what it was before the switch. Any info?

 

yup, mine felt the same way... it sucks. I also believe they de-tune the car. But it's all speculation until someone actually does compare.

Wonder if there is a way to DL the code/programming on the new ECU vs. the old.

 

1. I hope they are only changing the delays on the shifts. I wonder about this since they have the electronic throttle on the new Accord and kill the throttle on the slush-shift. (Zero power on the transitions means the clutch packs don't have to absorb the power from the engine, only the energy stored relative to inertial issues.)

2. It would be nice to have someone do a before and after dyno. However, the "problem" is getting a dyno before the tranny gets too "munged-up" and/or too early in life. Perhaps a dyno after the mod -- and given a bit of time for the setup to settle down (as others have claimed) -- might be worthwhile. Who gets to be the guinea pig?

3. As far as killing the power all the time -- it gets into a funny area and without knowing the "contract" of saying that a given car is advertised to make 260HP, that is hard to know.

4. I doubt that you can download to the tranny, as Acura (themselves) needed to remove the ECU/PCM to change the programming. The much-repeated story from those in the "know", say that any "real" mods cannot be done via a "flash." (The chip is programmed, but Hondata and others suggested that it was a one-time-only operation.)

(Who knows for sure? YMMV)

 

I have the same exact problem, no lunge before shifts, a slight delay when shifting, no more chirps in 1-2 shifts and a loss of VTEC kick in upper rpms. all this was evident right after the tranny replacement. I even got headers after the tranny to get back some power, and my car still won't chirp going into second. kinda like a power cutoff to extend the tranny's life. weird, but I miss my old tranny characteristics. I was hoping the actuator was faulty, but it opened when 4000 rpm was attained. damn

 

That sux...

 

 

Someone should dyno their car asap... If the ecm swap de-tunes the car that's just bull

 

I raced Lou's stock cl-s with the original tranny and i had headers. When i tell you the two cars were half a car length from each other, I mean it was that close! All the way to 100mph. I was pissed cuz I drove both cars back to back, and my car felt so much torquier down low ,but wouldn't pull up top before the shift. i won but by the skin of my teeth. I want to dyno my car, but I can't find a shop with one.

 

Acura almost has to change out the ECM with a less aggressively programed ECM. H.P. and fast shifting kills transmissions. Acura is probably covering their ass with the ECM swap. Without a doubt my car just doesn't quite have the"kick" it did before the switch. I think my car isn't as strong up top either. Combine that with a slower, kinder, gentler shifting trans., and you have slower acceleration. A soft shifting trans. is the major gripe of the supercharged Jag XJR. It has like a bazillion H.P. but every time I read a test on it they all say it could pick up a half second to 60 with quicker shifts. Anyway, I haven't tried to start out in 1st and run it up through the gate to see if it still shifts the same manually like that. Has anybody tried it like that? One last thing. Now when I go down a mild grade road at a slow speed (like my neighborhood at around 30mph) my car will hang in 3rd and I actually have to give it gas to keep from losing speed. It won't "coast". I haven't noticed it higher speeds. Again, it DID NOT do this before. It is more annoying than anything. I know the trans has fuzzy logic, maybe it should have done it all along.

 

Mine feels no different than before.

 

Good topic. I thought I was the only person who noticed this. My car is slower with the new tranny. The first tranny shifted so much faster.

 

mine feels like crap..........sometimes if i floor first, it doesnt rev high enough to keep it in vtec.........WTF

 

maybe your taranny replacement was by the old model tranny. When did your tranny get replaced? i also noticed a sort of whine from the tranny at low speeds, I swear that this tranny sucks and makes the car feel like a totally different animal.

 

I agree with RonDog, mine just isn't the same since I got the newest one. Doesn't have that punch when gear shifting. The Old One had a nice kick to it. This one is much smoother shift and delayed a bit

 

whoever has these symptoms, please post a dyno chart, i am dying to see this. i would get a dyno if there was one available

 

Rondog you didn't get your doors blown off by my CL-S cause of your ECM. Dude you never had your car. I live my life quarter mile at a time

 

Mine was replaced in late January, week of the 26th I believe.

Everything seems completely normal. Shifts the same, doesn't sound different...

 

My new tranny acts the same way. It seems the grade logic is working overtime.....what gives?

 

I just had my transmission replaced three weeks ago, so I haven't really got on it too much. It sounds normal to me and surprisingly (subjectively) feels maybe a little faster!

They did replace the ECM as well. My 2001 CLS is pretty muck stock except for Sumitomo HTR+ 235 45 17 tires. Just my two cents!

 

Glad to hear I'm not crazy and someone else is happy with their new replacement.

 

is there a way to reprogram my ECU? there is obviously something going on here with the lack of high end power.

 

Don't think so...

Jet says they "do something" to the ECU to get more power.

When I called for info, dynos, whatever, I kept getting a "we'll send/fax you a dyno" (If I was holding my breath I'd be dead.)

Hondata and others (those with experience "hacking" into Honda computers, said it couldn't be re-flashed.

After all, they did remove the ECU and didn't just "flash it."

There were a number of thread about all of this, and I called a number of people and got all NOs.


We need some concrete data (1/4-mile, dyno, something from a few people that will eliminate one person’s getting "dud slush-box").

 

Has anyone driven an '03 CLS auto (on a dealer's lot, etc) -- within the last few weeks -- to see how it compares?