8HP Journey

The 1UZFE EGR Delete Kit is available for sale here.

P Bateman

I need to return some videotapes.
I've reached a crossroad with my car where I'm considering building a forged engine and swapping out the little single turbo for a pair of decent twins.
The A340 would not handle this very well - as it's already starting to slip under heavy throttle and boost.
Rebuilding an A340 to handle 500-600 horsepower is not a cheap exercise and, even with all the fruit, it's still just an A340.

For similar money to the engine rebuilt, I have the option of swapping out the A340 for a ZF 8HP70 transmission. For those that don't know, there are many benefits to this - it can handle a significant engine power, has 8x ratios that give better torque multiplication and top speed, has numerous programmable modes - including launch control, transbrake and clutch simulation.

Doing this conversion will solve the transmission strength issues and give better usability of the power I have - so a decision has been made and I have a transmission and conversion kit enroute. Yes, increasing horsepower would be fun, but you kinda get this for free with the 8HP.
Currently, with 400hp at the wheels, the gear ratio multiplication equates to a theoretical:

Screenshot 2026-01-13 111521.jpg

Further to this, with each gear change, there is way less RPM drop, keeping the engine on song

Screenshot 2026-01-13 111632.jpg

So, the shopping list so far is:
  • 8HP70 (RWD) transmission
  • Turbolamik TCU + Wiring Harness
  • 1UZ engine and flex plate adapter kit
  • 8HP output flange to Hardy Spicer 1350 adapter
  • AN fitting Oil cooler adapter

Additional to this, I will need to purchase a shifter, fabricate my own transmission mount and cross member, make some oil cooling lines, and have the tailshaft lengthened/shortened to suit. Maybe some flappy paddles too but this will all come with time.

The icing on this cake is that the chosen transmission control unit integrates well with the Haltech Elite. Furthermore, I can reclaim a number of I/O connections on the Haltech and repurpose them to run drive-by-wire throttle. This also means that cruise control is now possible too.

Updates and photos will come with each step of the conversion.

PB
 
The installation hardware arrived today, and pictures don't do this stuff justice.
The quality is exceptional and it's a shame it will be sandwiched between the engine and gearbox, out of sight.

20260114_085335.jpg
 


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