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SMG upgrade to CSL spec

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 11:08 am
by kis
This is to take all the slightly irrelevant chatter away from the hardtop thread I created :lol:

So all info regarding the upgrade can be discussed here :)

To paint the picture Marius mentioned some sort of gearbox upgrade within the e85 to CSL SMG spec. I'm sure this was via a software or programming upgrade as opposed to physical gearbox swap / upgrade.

If anyone has already done it, please detail :)

Thanks, Kis.

SMG upgrade to CSL spec

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 11:23 am
by mac27040
as far as i'm aware the CSL was in the M3 which is a different gearbox, our gearbox is SSG the first generation thus not compatible but happy if there is an upgrade as i would be interested in it.

SMG upgrade to CSL spec

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 11:27 am
by mac27040

SMG upgrade to CSL spec

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 1:26 pm
by Marius
Considering its just a file, yo can upload Csl one and see if it works, if not just go back to old software. Takes around 30min to load it so better have external power source.

SMG upgrade to CSL spec

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 1:37 pm
by mac27040
Marius wrote: Thu Apr 13, 2017 1:26 pm Considering its just a file, yo can upload Csl one and see if it works, if not just go back to old software. Takes around 30min to load it so better have external power source.
The problem is we are not running SMG2 so wont be compatible, also high risk of wrecking module.

SMG upgrade to CSL spec

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 2:12 pm
by Marius
mac27040 wrote: Thu Apr 13, 2017 1:37 pm
Marius wrote: Thu Apr 13, 2017 1:26 pm Considering its just a file, yo can upload Csl one and see if it works, if not just go back to old software. Takes around 30min to load it so better have external power source.
The problem is we are not running SMG2 so wont be compatible, also high risk of wrecking module.
I'm sure it could be done ,end of the day it's just a digits .

SMG upgrade to CSL spec

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 3:30 pm
by GuidoK
The z4 SMG ecu is from a different manufacturer than the M3 smg ecu (MM vs Getrag).
My guess is that you either get a checksum error, or that you brick your ecu.

Dealer price for the ecu is over 800quid so it aint cheap.

And remember, if you brick your SMG ecu, you probably cant move or drive your car, so even getting it to moved to a dealer to fix it might even be a costly affair.

SMG upgrade to CSL spec

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 3:41 pm
by Marius
I'll compare smg1 and smg2 software when im bored :lol:

SMG upgrade to CSL spec

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 3:48 pm
by GuidoK
SMG 1 and SMG2 are e36m3 and e46m3
Z4/e46 non m3 SMG is I believe officially/technically called SSG.
If the file sizes are the same it might be flashable. Different manufacturers might use same processor technology of course.

SMG upgrade to CSL spec

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 4:52 pm
by mac27040
for starters smg2 has launch control, smg1 (ours) doesn't

SMG upgrade to CSL spec

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 8:59 pm
by Rusky
Guys does your gearbox rev match on down shift, noticeable from 3rd to 2nd, i believe that this indicates that its running the updated software. I thought that the same SSG was fitted into the 3 series CSL and as stated the SMG was in the M3s :thumbsup:

SMG upgrade to CSL spec

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 9:56 pm
by Rusky
Just been hunting around the internet and found this thread
http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=109018

Mine does this and the only lurching i get is when its in sport and quickly on and off the throttle. (Learning curve and i dont use sport in traffic anymore)

Has anyone got an smg that doesn't rev match?

SMG upgrade to CSL spec

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 11:10 am
by Tomcat
Hi all! I have 2004 3.0i Z4 SMG, I do not know does this "upgrade" help my shifting issue, SMG work just fine, but there is one huge comfort issue while shifting. When upshfting the car lift throttle too early compare shifting timing, so you "hit" your head to steering wheel when the shifting start...SMG shift... and when the clutch sticks it always "klunk" the driveshaft/rear. It realy feel like you have a bad driver who cant shift smoothly, insteady always shift poorly shaking co-driver back and forward/ "klunking" the powertrain as well...

When I manualy drive example with 2-gear and "pump" the gas pedal like crazy, the powertrain is smooth without any "klonk" noises. So there is no bad rearend/gear or bad driveshaft. The SMG robot just cant change smoothly.

I have changed
- New Transmission oils
- SMG hydralic oils
- SMG has been reset on lockal BMW dealer

And it is still as poor as it was before those maintances...

It feels that it would be much better if it not lift the gas totally, example with 50% gas lift it would be much smoother??

SMG upgrade to CSL spec

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 2:17 pm
by patriot66
Tenma wrote: Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:05 pm Smg is clunky , that's the part of the fun
Oh here we go again ! SMG is NOT clunky. I welcome anybody to come out with me and either driven hard or soft mine is smooth as silk :thumbsup:

SMG upgrade to CSL spec

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 2:53 pm
by kis
Tomcat wrote: Tue Jun 19, 2018 11:10 am Hi all! I have 2004 3.0i Z4 SMG, I do not know does this "upgrade" help my shifting issue, SMG work just fine, but there is one huge comfort issue while shifting. When upshfting the car lift throttle too early compare shifting timing, so you "hit" your head to steering wheel when the shifting start...SMG shift... and when the clutch sticks it always "klunk" the driveshaft/rear. It realy feel like you have a bad driver who cant shift smoothly, insteady always shift poorly shaking co-driver back and forward/ "klunking" the powertrain as well...

When I manualy drive example with 2-gear and "pump" the gas pedal like crazy, the powertrain is smooth without any "klonk" noises. So there is no bad rearend/gear or bad driveshaft. The SMG robot just cant change smoothly.

I have changed
- New Transmission oils
- SMG hydralic oils
- SMG has been reset on lockal BMW dealer

And it is still as poor as it was before those maintances...

It feels that it would be much better if it not lift the gas totally, example with 50% gas lift it would be much smoother??
Sounds like a bad clutch IMO? You've replaced most of the oils? Seems like the gear isn't engaging properly or smoothly? Possibly some sort of sensor but beyond my knowledge or expertise!