Why is the Torque Value Important With TurboLamik

How TurboLamik Uses Torque:

1. Torque-Based Clutch Pressure Control:

   • The torque value plays a key role in adjusting clutch pressures to ensure proper engagement during shifts.

   • When torque increases (e.g., under heavy load), the TCU may increase the clutch pressure to prevent slippage during gear shifts.

   • Similarly, under lighter loads (lower torque), the TCU can reduce pressure for smoother shifts, ensuring longevity and smooth driving.

2. Shift Quality and Smoothness:

   • Torque influences how the TCU modulates shift smoothness.

   • Higher torque may result in applying different shift schedules to accommodate the increased load.

   • Lower torque could result in softer shifts to keep the vehicle from jerking in to the next gear.

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3. Torque-Based Line Pressure Regulation:

   • The line pressure (which affects overall transmission response) is often adjusted according to the torque input.

   • Higher torque means the transmission needs more fluid pressure to manage the increased forces, especially during higher-load operations (e.g., acceleration or towing).

   • Lower torque means less pressure can be used to avoid excessive harshness or stress on the system.

4. Torque Reduction for Shift Quality:

   • When shifting, the TCU might request torque reduction from the engine (through CAN communication) to smoothen the shift and reduce stress on the clutches.

   • This is often seen in performance modes like S1 or S2, where the transmission might request less engine torque during a shift for quicker engagement and less drivetrain shock.

5. Torque as a Feedback Loop in CAN Communication:

   • In OEM CAN-based systems, the engine ECU communicates torque values to the TCU, allowing the transmission to adapt its shifting logic in real-time based on the actual torque output of the engine.

   • Alternatively with some OEM can-based systems the TurboLamik can request a reduction of torque being produced by the engine.

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In Summary:

• The torque value in TurboLamik is mainly used for:

  • Clutch pressure regulation and ensuring proper engagement during shifts.

  • Shift quality, modulating smoothness or aggressiveness based on load.

  • Line pressure adjustments based on engine torque to handle higher or lower loads.

  • Torque reduction requests to help smooth out shifts or protect clutches when necessary.

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Where Torque is Not Used:

• Torque does not directly influence gear selection or the Gear Up Table itself (which relies on RPM thresholds).

• It's more of a supporting factor in shift quality and pressure management.

 

What happens if the torque value is incorrectly setup?

If the torque value is incorrectly set up or miscalibrated in the TurboLamik TCU, several undesirable behaviors can occur, potentially leading to performance issues or damage to the transmission. Since the torque value plays a key role in clutch pressure control, shift quality, and line pressure regulation, errors in its configuration can cause a range of issues.

1. Harsh or Erratic Shifting

• Incorrect low torque values (e.g., underestimating actual torque):

  • The TCU may not apply enough clutch pressure, leading to slipping during gear shifts. This can cause harsh engagements, increased wear on clutches, or delayed shifts.

  • On upshifts, the TCU may shift too early because it thinks the engine is under low load, which could cause jerky shifts or engine lugging.

• Incorrect high torque values (e.g., overestimating actual torque):

  • The TCU might apply too much clutch pressure, resulting in rough, hard shifts or excessive stress on the transmission. This could cause the shifts to feel uncomfortably firm or even cause clutch drag, where the clutch doesn’t fully disengage.
    

2. Transmission Overheating

• If the torque value is too low, leading to insufficient clutch pressure, the clutches could slip under load, causing excessive heat generation.

• If the torque value is too high, the line pressure and clutch pressure could be unnecessarily elevated, which can also result in increased heat from too much friction.

• Both scenarios can lead to overheating, reducing the life span of the transmission and potentially triggering fail-safes if the system detects temperatures outside the safe range.

3. Incorrect Line Pressure Adjustments

• Torque is used to adjust line pressure for proper shifting under load. If the torque value is incorrectly set:

  • Too low torque values can result in insufficient line pressure, causing slippage or delayed shifts, especially under load.

  • Too high torque values can cause the TCU to increase line pressure too much, leading to overly aggressive shifts and harsh engagement.

4. Engine-Torque Miscommunication

• If the TCU receives incorrect torque data from the engine (via CAN bus or analog signals), it may misinterpret the load conditions, affecting shift timing.

• This could cause the TCU to:

  • Shift too fast or too slow, failing to adjust to the actual power output.

  • Incorrect torque readings could also cause incorrect requests for torque reduction during shifts, leading to either a lack of smoothness or excessive power cuts.

5. Adaptive Shifting Problems

• Adaptive shifting uses the torque value to adjust the TCU's shift logic based on driving conditions. If torque values are miscalibrated:

  • Adaptation might result in poor performance because the system is trying to compensate for an inaccurate torque reading.

  • This can lead to non-optimal shift patterns based on incorrect load information, leading to either too aggressive or too soft shifting, affecting drivability and comfort.

6. Potential for Clutch Wear or Damage

• Incorrect torque values can cause too much pressure (if set too high) or too little pressure (if set too low), leading to premature wear of the transmission clutches.

• Overheating or excessive slip can increase the chances of clutch damage, requiring expensive repairs or even transmission replacement.

7. Possible Fail-Safe Activation

• If the TCU detects abnormal torque data, it may trigger a limp mode or fail-safe mode, which reduces the performance of the transmission to protect it from further damage. However in these cases often the damage has already been done.

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How to Prevent Issues with Torque Setup:

• Accurate Torque Calibration: Ensure that the torque values match the engine's output for specific engine conditions. If using CAN data, confirm that the torque parameter is being correctly transmitted from the engine ECU to the TCU.

• Use Proper Torque Maps: Double-check the scaling of any torque tables or maps being used. An incorrect scaling factor can lead to improper readings.

• Testing: After adjusting torque values, test in different driving conditions (light throttle, heavy acceleration, cruising) to confirm proper shift timing and smoothness.