Jime's Auto Power-Shifter Works -- Shift_Fast
 

Remember Jime's comment about his new automatic shifter??

"I am now shifting at higher RPM which has made most of the difference, my shifting gizmo did not work out so I am now shifting using a 3 pos switch for 1-2-3 which is a lot more accurate than trying to move the shift lever and its very positive. Shifts are completed in no more than a 100 rpm rise. Just leave it in 1st gear and push the switch for all 3 gears. I also have another switch which returns it to normal for street use. "
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I followed his instructions and built my version this weekend and just got back from testing. Wow.

Since I was planning on using a MSD RPM switch to shift this thing if I can cope with it, I designed a switch box which sets on the console and uses a four-wire cable to go through the right-door cable grommet and into the engine compartment, so I can pick up and switch the two wires I need in the main wiring loom. Don't worry - I took pictures.

The thing works as advertised: with the car off, flip the DPDT switch to "Race", start the car, put the automatic into First gear, the manual shift switch into First-gear position, and go drive. You want second gear? move the toggle all the way forward to second - third gear? - move the switch to center. Shifts are much better than just shifts with the DR-mod. I don't know why ???

At full throttle, I was spinning the M&H slicks at the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts ( and NOT using nitrous). The shifts are extremely fast and hard.

Where I wired in: http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...3/Dscn1138.jpg

The inside of the switch box: http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...3/Dscn1135.jpg

The route from the engine through the door:http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...3/Dscn1140.jpg

Under the console - I love Velcro: http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...3/Dscn1144.jpg

The switch mounted on the console as a temporary: http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...3/Dscn1137.jpg

Jime's right -again. :chuckle:

I'm impressed - it's time for the MSD-controlled version....

Good stuff, glad it worked out for you. I mounted mine where the cruise control is so I can shift without removing my hand from the wheel. I use my left hand to control the launch with the 4 wheel line lock.

I have since gone a little further, its not fully automatic but the shifts are. I connected the EU (same as using the MSD) using 2 relays. The first relay is connected while in 1st gear and the EU disconnects the A solenoid at the preset RPM making it automatically shifts to second. After the shift I switch to 2nd gear (nothing happens at this point because its already in 2nd) and flip another swtch which connect the EU to B solenoid. Then the shift from 2nd to 3rd is done automatically at the same preset RPM so both shifts are controlled by the EU. A little more work than being fully automatic (ie you have to flip 2 switches after the 1-2 shift but at least the shifts are both done at the exact same RPM.

Also (a little late now) you could have connected right at the TCU behind the ashtray vs going into the engine compartment but its already done.

http://jime.homeip.net/maximase/Autoshifter1.jpg

Congrats to both of you guys for doing this, This looks like something I might be willing to do, specially since I have 00vi i can benefit from the extra rpms. Ill have to remove the 6000 rpm pill on my window switch(for the nitrous disactivating) but I guess thats fine since both of you suggested to me I should be spraying inbetween shifts anyway.

I may try this myself. It took me alot of nerve to hook a switch up to my DR so this is going to be even scarier. I do have one question though is there any reason you put 3 in the middle and 2 at the top?

Yes, its because of the design of the switch. The centre disconnects both solenoids and that is what 3rd gear requires so it has to be in the centre. Ist and 2nd can easily be reversed but 3rd has to stay where it is. A rotary switch would allow them to be in sequence but a toggle is much easier as faster to shift.

Nice work, autos maybe the next solution for being the fastest Maxima.. :wall:

Ooh ok I gotcha.

So basically you can quickly shift from 1 to 2 (while passing over 3rd) without 3rd engaging?

I installed the manual switch box on the console and wired from the engine compartment because I'm keeping the interior of the car as stock as I can - the "sleeper" look, you know. Also, I dont plan on leaving the box there forever - just until the MSD/relay design is finished and tested. I'm not sure where that will go yet.

I'll share the relay design as soon as I'm comfortable with it, but with what you're already got, it would be an easy upgrade - and shifts would happen automatically from 1-2 and 2-3. It looks like a "reset" switch would be required to clear the two relays, but I'm not done yet.

I wasn't going to spray with this version, but now I've got to spray and test the extended 2nd-3rd gear shift - pulling an extra 600 RPMs before 3rd has gotta help the 1/4 times. :surprised

Thanks again for the idea. Now I just need to finish the rear body pan........
:naughty:

You sure can! Since 1st is picking both solenoids A and B , 2nd is solenoid B only, and 3rd is both solenoids OFF, then going from 1st to 2nd through 3rd means that both solenoids are OFF when moving through 3rd, and energizing solenoid B when you hit the 2nd gear position. It works jest fine.:thumbsup:


I forgot to mention that I got both switches at a local Radio Shack store, mounted them on a plastic blank switch cover plate. and used a shallow plastic electrical switch box to put things in, as per the photo. Velcro works fine to keep the box on the console..

Wiring can be found at the engine wiring harness location in the photo. There is some tape to remove and a cable sheath to open, then you look for a red/yellow and lite-green/black wire. (Be careful - I found TWO wires this color!) I cut both and extended them a bit and put male / female push-on connectors on the ends and on the extension cable that goes back into the car. This way, I can unplug the cable and reconnect everything as stock.

If you do this, follow Jime's instructions EXACTLY. SHut off the engine before switching between RACE and REGULAR - otherwise you'll throw codes - don't ask. :run:

let me ask, does the TCM provides the solonoids A and B with 12v to activate them? i just want to get a good understanding of how it works becaue i cant understand the diagram 100%.

Edit: ok i basically understand how it works now. one last question before I start doing this, once i have everything wired up, can i test this at part throttle or does it have to be at WOT?

I should re-draw my as-built schematic to show the details (I think Jime has an error or two there), but you're right. When the console shift lever is in 1st gear position, there is +12 volts on the red/yel and the lite-green/black wires all the time. That's why you leave the console shifter in 1st gear.

The switch box controls which solenoids are given +12 volts and so controls which gear the transmission is in. The transmission computer thinks the transmission is in 1st gear - the switches can change that.

1st gear A and B get 12 volts.
2nd gear B gets 12 volts.
3rd gear neither solenoid gets anything.

Hope this helps... It sure works for me.....:D

Since the shift is controlled only by the switch, the throttle position doesn't matter. Testing at part-throttle is a good idea, and works fine on my car.

Be careful - follow Jime's instructions. Enjoy the Shift_fast..... ( darn, would Shift_Fast make a good name for this project, Jime?)

good work guys might have to try this out myself.

Cool I also wondered about this.

the next concern is, once you finish your run do you leave it in 3rd till you stop? or do you slow down and and downshift with the switch?

You should check the first thread where this appeared, the one here about 12.5@111MPH. He talks about the after-run procedure.

I have a hand-drawn schematic of my switches here: http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...SHIFT_FAST.jpg

It's kinda messy, but it's what I have wired and running.

ok thanx, I already got the dpdt switch but radioshack didnt have the dpst. for the dpdt switch i found a perfect spot which is where the cig lighter goes. once i find the dpst switch im going to wire both of them up, and when it cools down outside ill wire it up to the tcm wires. btw jime is right, the tcm is a perfect spot to get the wires from and since my switch is goign to be right infront of it at the cig lighter its perfect. Im also goign to consider getting a higher rpm pill for my msd nitrous window switch, since ill be very close to the rev limiter i dont want to risk it and have the tranny slip a lil and touch the limiter. ill have it shut off nitrous almost exacly where the shift will be at, maybe 6545 (i think the rev limiter is at 6550)

Weve got to start taking pictures when we do new mods cause these diagrams are out of control. lol Imma have to look at that for a minute to figure it out.

Well, you're on top of this one! By the way, the second switch is a DPDT bat-handled toggle switch with center-off.

The MSD switch most folk use is this one: http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...tegoryId=24357

It's fully programmable w/100 RPM steps.. Yes, fuel-cut is 6550, and you DON'T want to touch it when spraying! :nopity:

There will be some delay when shifting, so don't get too close to 6550 when using the Shift_Fast...

Don't like my chicken-scratches, eh? Can't blame you, but until we all have a stable version, formal diagrams will wait.

The MSD-switched relay version is the one to watch for - automatic shifting of a manual shifting of an automatic transmission - now that's confusing!

Shift_Fast

for now im going to stick with the manual version till i get the vafc2 and use it for the shifting while my current msd switch will provide switch for the 00vi.
u said the second switch i need is a dpdt bat-handle? how come on jimes diagram it uses a DPST(to turn the shift_fast mod on or off)?

Jime's quickie drawing confused me, so I thought over what he said and drew up my own version, using more conventional symbols.

My setup uses a DPDT rocker switch to go from Race to Regular, and a DPDT toggle with center-off for the gear shifting. I know it works. Maybe you could PM Jime and ask him to verify a diagram ?? Those clever Canadians.....

Shift_Fast

Here is about as simple as it gets.

http://jime.homeip.net/maximase/Autoshifter2.jpg

here is my setup so far.
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/4169/dsc00175zu4.jpg
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/995/dsc00176zl7.jpg

I used jimes initial drawing as reference. on the drawing I made, A and B does not represent the solonoids, i just labed the lines in order and followed it so that I would not get confused. now all i have to do is cut the solonoid wires, and run wires from each into the butt connectors i have on the wires for the switches and thats all.

Yesterday after i finished wireing these up i went to the car and removed the nut for the TCM plug but it is just way to hard to get to the wires, i think the harness is attached with a tie or something, so I might just use the same place as grey99.

Edit: As grey99 suggested there will be two identical wires for the B solonoid (if u get the wires from the engine bay) what he suggested is to have someone put the car in 1st gear with ebrake up, and get the the proper wires for solonoid a and b should be 12v or more, the improper light gree/black wire will not have 12v.
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/2289/dsc00179eg7.jpg

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/4818/dsc00182vr2.jpg

Well i wired it up, turned the dpst switch to On, then put shifter in 1st gear, and started driving slowly n shifted to 2nd with the switch but i had the switch upside down lol so i was actually downshifting from 2nd to 1st. i flipped it, and wow it works amazing. very very cool. all 3 gears work perfect. and yea the shifts are a little different at WOT, feels alot nicer for some reason maybe its the shifting at higher rpms. Wonder why the part throttle shifts are so firm though, feels like if the drop resistor is diconnected, maybe I have to shift at the perfect timing in order for it to be smooth (driving normal not at WOT). but either why i wouldnt use this to drive in the street anyway, thanx alot jime for this discovery. I shall beging to rig up an automatic version of it myself. thanx for the suggestions grey99.

Good job. :woot: About the hardness of the shifts - I noticed the same thing - remember that Nissan went to a lot of work to make the transmission shift smoothly. I'm sure the transmission computer does a lot more than just select two solenoids to shift gears - there are several other connections between the TCM and the transmission.

With Jime's Shift_Fast mod, the computer thinks you're still in first gear, so no other controlling of the transmission happens - you're still in first! I don't think we can change the hardness of the shifts, but this mod isn't intended for a daily driver to use all the time.

I still really want to spray through the gears, but with temperatures over 100 degrees ( 107 predicted today!), I can wait. I want to see how the tranny handles the 1-2 shift under a 125-shot, because before there was a little delay on that shift, and if I can shift 2-3 at higher RPMs, maybe I can knock off a little 1/4 time.:bustrun:

You should take photos of your completed Shift_Fast mod - I know others are interested. Again, good job.

nooob qeustion - so wtf dus it do... hahaha

lol n00blet! jk, you basically control the shifts with a switch. so you can manually shift and allow the rpms to go pass the stock shiftpoints.

isnt that the same thing as turning off the od and than shifting 1,2,3, od on.

I am guessing this couldent be done on a 5.5 gen?

Yes but using the big, clunky shifter in the middle of a race is a bit awkward, don't you think?

Same as the 4th Gen except its pins 11 and 12 for A and B solenoids on the TCM.

jime u happen to have a 6400 rpm msd pill lying around? lol i wanna manual shift with the nitrous but only using the pill to cutoff nitrous rite before rev limiter incase i shift too late.

The MSD 8469 I have is digital and doesn't require pills, just pick any RPM you want for on and off. I've never had one that required pills.

hey i just did a search and didnt find anything under 8469 is that the correct number?

Sorry its 8969.

Thanx just found it.

Just a bit of an update on the shifting.

I tried hooking it up to the MDS 8969 to automatically shift and it does work however I switched over the EU auxiliary output (thanks DandyMax) and its works much better because it actually supplies 12v vs a ground which the MDS does. By having a 12v supply its much easier to build a latching relay. As it works now the 1-2 shift happens automatically and then I have to move a switch and then the 2-3 shifts is automatically made at the predetermined RPM. I tried a few runs at 5500 just to check it out and then raised it up to 7000 and its works fine, nice not to have to worry about missing a shift and still getting it to shift at exactly the same RPM every time.

This is also much easier and cheaper than trying to mess around with the speed sensor.

Outstanding, Jime ! A question - did you connect the MSD to a single coil or to the tach ECU output? And, did you notice any delay in the MSD switching at the programmed trigger-point?

I'm still looking for enough home-time to build my version - it will handle the 1-2 shift and the 2-3 shift automatically, both based on the MSD trigger RPM. If you use the MSD switched-ground to pick a relay, then you have switched +12 volts available through the contacts. But you knew that..... :russ:

Your dream of an automatic shifter for a manual shifter for an automatic transmission happened - congrats for another breakthough Maxima idea.:chuckle: