Sport mode in Drive, TCU Upgrade needed?

[SergeBMW]

I am curious to know if I can upgrade my TCU to the newer 92' + model year one to be able to have "S" Sport mode while in "D" Drive. My 89 only allows sport mode when the shifter is in 3rd gear. Is this a simple swap or does it require more? I like the idea of being able to leave the car in Drive and also have sport mode and not having to switch the shifter back and forth as I gain speed.

[shogun]

When you switch ignition on, can you then see in the check control of the cluster D and E ? That is always the default position.
Then switch the S-E-M switch to S, it should work in all gears. Upwards gear shifts are delayed to make fuller use of the engine power.
If not, something wrong. I would start cleaning the shifter switch http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/page_13.htm

Or some wiring problem. It should work in D.

[SergeBMW]

Yes I do, but my switch only has 2 positions, A and M. The only way to get S mode is putting the shifter into 3rd gear. My old 735i had the same switch and would only go to S when in 3rd gear. Not sure if the newer E32s came with the SEM switch or if its a European/Asion option.

When I shift it into 3rd and [S 3] shows up on the cluster, the car drives great, even feels like throttle is more responsive on the 750. Problem is, on 3rd gear I have to shift up to drive to hit 4th gear.

[shogun]

That is not so easy by just switching the TCU, the 4HP24 came in AGS and EGS version. For example a 1993 750 has AGS, older ones have EGS with the S-E-M switch.
In Europe the AGS version was available from model year 1993, that has the A and * switch, EGS has S-E-M switch, the TCU modules are different, 55 pins for AGS and EDS has only 35 pins.
Also the selector switches under front console are different, AGS switch is yellow, EGS are white, different part number!

BMW transmission control systems are listed as EGS or AGS.
• EGS is German for “Electronic Getriebesteuerung” or “Electronic Gearbox.”
• AGS is German for “Adaptive Getriebesteuerung” or “Adaptive Gearbox Control.”
Both EGS and AGS have different driver-selectable shift programs. However, AGS can automatically adapt and select the appropriate shift program depending on driving style or operating conditions. AGS has everything that EGS has plus the following:
• Shift points adapted to driving style
• No upshifting when driving in a curve
• Auto determination and selection of winter program to improve traction (2nd gear start-up)
• Stop and go traffic auto recognition, eliminating 1st gear for improved comfort
Both EGS and AGS have adaptive hydraulic pressure control. Transmission slip ratio (input speed to output speed) and slip time (amount of slippage during a shift) are monitored by the TCM. By comparing target and actual slip, the TCM can adapt by modifying the pulse width modulation of the main pressure solenoid. This increases clutch apply pressures compensating for internal slip resulting from clutch wear and optimizes shift performance.
ZF 4HP 22 EH
4-speed RWD
3 shift programs: Economy, Sport and Manual
TCM 35-pin
TCC On/Off
First electronic transmission in the U.S

from BMW Vehicle Communication Software Manual http://www1.snapon.com/Files/Diagnos...Z0025B42B.pdf?

[whiskychaser]

A bit of digging shows that post '92, the 5HP30 in the E32 had the 3 position switch. Strangely, when they put the same box in the E34, it had the 2 position and sport was engaged by pulling the lever back as you do now. In fact, the '88 E32s appear to have had the 3 position switch in the 735i and 750i. But they were probably equipped with the late E7 type (5 solenoid) trans whereas yours is probably an E9 (4 solenoid). You could probably trick the TCM into thinking you had moved the lever back with a simple switch - it is only a matter of shifting voltage from one pin to the other. But what we don't know is what the manual shift valve is doing.

[gregeast]

My '93 with a 5hp30 has a two position switch, Normal and Snow mode. Sport mode is accessed by manually shifting to 4th gear.

I consider that an unfortunate choice by BMW because when in Sport mode the transmission never shifts into 5th. I would like to drive in the city in Sport as the car is more responsive to throttle inputs and quicker to downshift. However, once I get up to speed, say 40 MPH, it feels wasteful for the engine to be buzzing along in 4th gear when in normal mode it would be in 5th.

Vielleicht, wenn mein Deutsch besser wäre, würde ich diese Entscheidung besser verstehen, nicht wahr Shogun??

[whiskychaser]

Must congratulate you on your use of the conditional and subjunctive, Gregeast

FWIW, I don't think any of the ZFs go into 5th in sport mode. So I doubt you are losing out. Have to say I prefer the 3 position switch to shifting the lever back though

[shogun]

Good German, gregeast, so we can switch to German language, whiskychaser is also brushing up his German.

Serge: with the 750 the easiest is to install my M70 chipset, the EML chips is programmed that the throttle valves react more sporty and the v-max limiter is removed, and with the DME chips you get some more HP.

[gregeast]

FWIW, I don't think any of the ZFs go into 5th in sport mode. So I doubt you are losing out.

Agreed, I don't think my car is any different that any other 5hp30, I just fundamentally disagree with the engineering decision. First world problems

[shogun]

I assume thet made it that way, because BMW considered the E32 a luxury limo and not a sports car.
That is also the reason they did not promote so much the manual 5-speed gear

[SergeBMW]

Lots of fantastic info on the transmission. This was way more than I had anticipated as far as complexity. Wasn't aware of the mid production changes either. I am not sure what actual tranmission sub model I have but as said I assume I only have 4 solenoid valve body. I am not too crazy about getting into this if it was not a simple swap of the TCU. I am curious as to which AGS or EGS transmission I have. Possible I have the AGS as when I put it down to [S|3] by moving the shift lever down, the car is far more responsive in first gear, maybe im just used to D starting in second? Thought this was an E38 feature.

Erich, I do want to purchase your chip set and will be doing so very soon. I am dying to try them out actually, I am just trying to get rid of this 65+ mph shake/shimmy that is driving me insane. That and I want to get new fuel regulators in as well as new injectors I have sitting in my trunk. I want maximum gain! haha.

[shogun]

Fix the engine first and then you can install the chipset.
With regards to the trans, here is the info for 4HP24 http://parts-at.ru/wp-content/upload...Tech-Guide.pdf
The Electronic Control system was first introduced in 1986 and was incorporated into the totaly hydraulic 4HP-22 unit produced by ZF. It combines the hydraulic control of forward and reverse gear engagement, with electronic control for automatic upshifts from 1st thru 4th and automatic downshifts from 4th thru 1st gears. Three different versions of valve bodies have been used on BMW vehicles, with minor differences between them
The 1st version, designated Early "E-7", has 5 solenoids on the valve body, was introduced in 1986 and used up thru 1989. This version includes a solenoid for reverse lockout.
The 2nd version, designated Late "E-7", has 5 solenoids on the valve body, was introduced in 1988 and used up thru Mid-1989. This version includes a solenoid for reverse lockout.
The 3rd version, designated "E-9", has 4 solenoids on the valve body, was introduced in Mid-1989 and used up thru 1994. This version uses a shift solenoid for the reverse lockout function.

Early "E-7" Models Only (5 Solenoid)
Mode Switch: A rotary switch with three fixed positions and an indicator light in the instrument cluster for the 3-2-1 (M) mode when selected

Late "E-7" Models Only (5 Solenoid)
Mode switch: A three position slide switch with Digital display of the three individual positions in instrument cluster (E-S-M). The switch is a momentary contact and spring loaded to a neutral position.

"E-9" Models Only (4 Solenoid)
Mode switch: A two position slide switch for the "A" mode (Economy and "M" mode (Manual). The Sport mode is selected with the range selector in position 3, 2, or 1 and "A" mode selected. The switch is a momentary contact and spring loaded to a neutral position.

[SergeBMW]

So it looks like mine would have the E-9 AGS version, interesting, lots of changes in a short time.

[whiskychaser]

Realoem should confirm if you have AGS or EGS. FWIW, I think you only got AGS with a ZF on 5 speed autos.