Challenge Stradale TCU Upgrade | FerrariChat

Challenge Stradale TCU Upgrade

Discussion in '360/430' started by Markjayw, Feb 15, 2011.

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  1. Markjayw

    Markjayw Karting
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    Jul 22, 2010
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    Hello,

    Found a good price on a new Stradale TCU ecu for my 2001 Spider. Is this a plug and play install, or must it be done by a dealer? Anyone had this installed by a dealer, if so, remember what they charged?
     
  2. away

    away Formula Junior

    Aug 5, 2004
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    Andrew
    If I recall it's plug and play, but you will need the dealer (or someone) with an SD2 to reset the PIS setting.

    Someone who has done it will surely chime in though.
     
  3. anxpert

    anxpert Formula Junior

    Mar 4, 2008
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    Enrique Mar
    While on the topic of Stradale TCUs, will the Stradale TCU work on a manual shift vs F1 ?
     
    xmen59 likes this.
  4. away

    away Formula Junior

    Aug 5, 2004
    635
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    Andrew
    The TCU is the transmission control unit for the F1 'box. In a manual equipped car YOU are the transmission control unit. ;) (ie: No)
     
  5. anxpert

    anxpert Formula Junior

    Mar 4, 2008
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    Enrique Mar
    Correction .... will the Stradale " ECU " work on a manual shift vs F1 ?
     
  6. anxpert

    anxpert Formula Junior

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    Brain Gas
     
  7. FerrariDublin

    FerrariDublin F1 Rookie

    Jun 14, 2009
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    #7 FerrariDublin, Feb 15, 2011
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2011
    Mine is a manual so I'm not fully up to speed on matters F1 but I'm pretty sure there was a thread in this section or perhaps the Tech Q&A within the last two weeks where it was suggested that the CS unit isn't suitable for direct installation to the standard cars and that what you need is simply the later 2003/2004 or maybe 2005 updated TCU.

    Best do a little more research or await some informed posts from those that know for sure before you pull the trigger on that item.

    Regards.

    p.s. - here's the link .......http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=312084

    Sled Driver
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    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Ingpr
    Do anyone knows if there is a difference between a 2004 Modena TCU and a CS TCU?

    Just in case, the PN of the regular TCU is 197533.

    P/N 197533 has been superseded by P/N 211023 for all model year coupe/spider Modena

    Challenge Stradale TCU P/N 196986

    They are NOT interchangeable.

    The wiring harnesses are configured differently so you would have to change some of the pins to use the CS TCU on a Modena. Plus the CS TCU has "Launch Ctrl" option that’s not available (no button) on the Modena

    I know this for a fact because I asked Mark at Seattle Ferrari this same question a couple of years ago.

    They don't recommend it & haven't done it on any customer's cars.

    The latest p/n Modena TCU is the way to go & the best (only) option
     
  8. 360trev

    360trev F1 Rookie
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    Oct 29, 2005
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    Sadly, not everything you read on forums is true and accurate.

    I can indeed confirm that you *can* use a standard CS TCU (at least some variants of it!) on a 360 Modena and it just works. Just like installing ANY TCU you'll need access to an SD2 to set the clutch slip re-learn (PIS) in the normal way and optionally transfer across the operating data so the dash sd2 co-incides to the tcu so a mileage mismatch isn't shown. All this is explained in the workshop manuals and all dealers with an SD2 can do it provided they have a CS TCU.

    There where something like 3 different variants of Modena TCU's in circulation (with the very early tcu having very poor clutch life). I'm guessing there whe possibly several Strad TCU's too. I do remember reading about some posters discussing particular variants of TCU's didn't have the same flash chips in, perhaps there are some different revisions of the tcu Magneti marelli boards (newer Strad TCU or Modena TCU) but in any case the TCU software does in fact 'upgrade' on some variants.

    I have seen an older 1999 model tcu upgraded using the 'desolder/flash/resolder' approach, a tcu version from a 1999 car, dated 13.07.99, part. no. 176552 [CFC201F.01] with a checksum 0xDB7D on the AMD flash chip [AMD AM29F200AB-90SI] (see sticker on your own chip). This version can be upgraded with just a reflash of the 256kbyte firmware from an original Strad tcu.

    I posted all the info you need on here before, see this thread;
    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=239882
     
    Performify and EZORED like this.
  9. Markjayw

    Markjayw Karting
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  10. Markjayw

    Markjayw Karting
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    Jul 22, 2010
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    Here are the recommendations from a past thread:

    I had mine put in several months ago and have been Very satisfied since. Just two things to make sure of: Make sure to have the dealer/mechanic use the SD2~3 and measure the clutch and input that into the new TCU and set the PIS setting at approx 4.5 for the best clutch bite. Follow these simple instructions and you'll be Very Happy with your improved F1 tranny!!!

    Cheers,
    'D
     
  11. SnowmanUK

    SnowmanUK Karting

    Dec 11, 2010
    174
    London, UK
    Trev, who performed the modification or whose car it was on please?
     
  12. Sled Driver

    Sled Driver Formula Junior

    May 13, 2010
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    Emery
    It is NOT plug & play. A dealer or shop can't install it with just the SD-2 tool.

    So I stand by what I posted before............



    So what your saying is you *can* install a CS TCU in a STD 360.

    Right........ All you have to do is.
    1) Open up the CS TCU, remove & read the chip.
    2) Buy a new chip, load the software from the CS chip.
    3) Remove the chip from your old TCU, & solder in the new chip.

    ALL AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! Your words.

    Easy peasy, why didn't I think of that?

    So Trev, let me know of "ANY" Ferrari dealers that will do this for you.

    I think for the average owner (like the original poster), just wants to know if this can be "easily" done. Not that you *can*, if you have an electrical engineer on the payroll.
     
    cavlino likes this.
  13. FerrariDublin

    FerrariDublin F1 Rookie

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    Good post Sled!

    So basically the answer is No.
     
  14. Ingenere

    Ingenere F1 Veteran
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    ....... Or you can buy a CS, and the TCU is FREE! :D
     
    cavlino likes this.
  15. 360FRA

    360FRA Rookie

    Mar 29, 2011
    15
    France
    Do you guys have heard of this ?

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FERRARI-360-F1-TRANSMISSION-CONTROL-UNIT-UPGRADE-/350375779357?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5194061c1d

    It's sold by Gemballa North America. I had the guy on the phone yesterday, seems like it's as easy as :

    1° Pay the price + 400 bucks caution,
    2° Get a modded 360 TCU, with the 2002+ software installed,
    3° Send your 2002- TCU, get your caution back,
    4° Go to a Ferrari dealer, and get your clutch recalibrated with the SD2,
    5° Enjoy your 2002+ F1 tranny.

    I really want to upgrade my 2000 F1 TCU, and here in Europe, seems like no one can help me (except the local Ferrari dealer : he wants to charge me 3.5K$ for a new TCU)...

    Any help would be welcome ;)
     
  16. 360trev

    360trev F1 Rookie
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    If you have a genuine CS TCU to use it is easy. I sold my used Stradale TCU taken from a written off CS to a guy who later became my friend (Hi Nikue!) who owned an standard F1 Modena.

    Steps to install.

    1. We isolated the battery switch, removed the old Modena tcu, plugged in the CS.
    2. We did this at an indepedant specialist with a SD3 (non Ferrari main dealer) who plugged it into the OBD-II port and simply selected to 're-learn', so the PIS would be reset.
    3. We drove the car, enjoying faster CS shifts.

    No opening up of TCU's, no cloning across of firmware's, IT JUST WORKED.
    So yes it is easy, on the proviso that you have access to a SD machine to reset the PIS.
     
    cavlino likes this.
  17. 360trev

    360trev F1 Rookie
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    #18 360trev, Mar 30, 2011
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2011
    Sigh...

    The biggest issue is people buying TCU's designed for the "360 Challenge". <<---- These DEFINATELY WONT WORK.

    Make sure its the one for the Road car, not the race car. The Challenge Stradale one will work, the Challenge one WONT.
     
  18. FerrariDublin

    FerrariDublin F1 Rookie

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    .............. but it's NOT plug and play!
     
  19. duskybird

    duskybird F1 World Champ
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    It's as PLUG AND PLAY as if you replaced your 2002 + TCU with a stock unit!
    You still need to set up the parameters.

    After I did mine (I may have been the first) I drove mine to the shop to have it set and it worked rite out of the box.
     
  20. Ingpr

    Ingpr F1 Rookie

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    I got a 2004 tcu from a Modena.
    It just fit perfect and was plug and play. They did set the pis with the sd2.
     
  21. Akram

    Akram Formula Junior

    Aug 17, 2009
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    Clive, Iowa
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    Ray Salloum
     
  22. Akram

    Akram Formula Junior

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    Ray Salloum
  23. MikeR397

    MikeR397 Formula 3

    May 9, 2010
    1,469
    SE Michigan
    I just bought a CS TCU today for my 2001 360 F1. I'll take it to Studio 47 (indy) to have them import the clutch wear and adjust PIS to what (4.8?) with the Leonardo software. My clutch is probably about 77% worn at the moment. Anything else I'm missing?
     
  24. Mattyrae

    Mattyrae Formula 3
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    Apr 17, 2011
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    #25 Mattyrae, Jan 17, 2012
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2012
    Where did you get it, pm me info?

    As for pis setting, I remember 4.5. Details!
     

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