New Track Car DCT shifter (GWS)

[amg6975]

Time to fire up Fusion and make an enclosure:



And then load up the Printer and make it real:




These have a 3D printed board in them so they don't do anything yet but should be a couple weeks until I have those in hand.

I'll have everything to make 10 initial units, 9 of which I'll sell, who wants dibs? Price for the first batch will be $150 and probably $200 after that.

Also for the mods, I'm not sure what the ins and outs are of selling stuff here but if I need to become a sponsor, let me know.

[mikerunt]

Originally Posted by amg6975

Time to fire up Fusion and make an enclosure:

Attachment 3557069

And then load up the Printer and make it real:

Attachment 3557071
Attachment 3557070

These have a 3D printed board in them so they don't do anything yet but should be a couple weeks until I have those in hand.

I'll have everything to make 10 initial units, 9 of which I'll sell, who wants dibs? Price for the first batch will be $150 and probably $200 after that.

Also for the mods, I'm not sure what the ins and outs are of selling stuff here but if I need to become a sponsor, let me know.

You know I’m around to be a guinea pig

[spammysammich]

I know this is meant for track cars but I’m looking at that park button and practically drooling. Drives me crazy that there is no park selector.

[Brandoch]

Originally Posted by spammysammich

I know this is meant for track cars but I’m looking at that park button and practically drooling. Drives me crazy that there is no park selector.

I love it, it makes it feel "less" automatic feeling.

[amg6975]

Originally Posted by spammysammich

I know this is meant for track cars but I’m looking at that park button and practically drooling. Drives me crazy that there is no park selector.

This is actually one of my main goals. I know where the park button command is in the GWS CAN packet, I'm not sure if the DCT software will care if I send the part command, I still need to test it, but I have it on good authority that the switch could be added to the software since all the 135/335is commands are actually in the software.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by amg6975

I'll have everything to make 10 initial units, 9 of which I'll sell, who wants dibs?

Just to confirm, how and where does it connect?

[amg6975]

Originally Posted by tdott

Just to confirm, how and where does it connect?

You can install it either at the JBBF or at the NFRM if you have a manual and either of those or the GWS if you have a DCT.

It will come with a pig-tail that has 12V, GND, CAN+, CAN-, and Wake-Up lines. You'll remove those pins from the factory connector and replace with the pins coming out of the buffer's pig-tail, and then insert the factory wires into the connector on the buffer.

All of these use the same pins as factory so you do not need to modify your factory harness other than moving some pins around. The connector the factory harness connects to is a locking/latching connector of OEM quality to reduce any reliability risk.

Then you can hook up an AUX 12V to the toolless connector if you want, likely to the cigarette lighter, Then your data logger(s) will plug into the unit via the toolless connector provided.

All the factory signals pass through the buffer and are retransmitted out the data logger ports. There is a switch to allow the car's wakeup signal to turn the power on/off to your loggers to prevent battery drain.

Once I get real boards I'll hook it up in my car and make a user manual with pictures.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by amg6975

All the factory signals pass through the buffer and are retransmitted out the data logger ports. There is a switch to allow the car's wakeup signal to turn the power on/off to your loggers to prevent battery drain.

Once I get real boards I'll hook it up in my car and make a user manual with pictures.

Perfect thanks. Put me down for 1.

[kolosy]

I'm down for one, for sure.

[amg6975]

Going to update the list here:

1. mikerunt
2. tdott
3. kolosy
4. roastbeef
5. mikentosh
6. VicS5
7.
8.
9.

[maicol76]

Originally Posted by amg6975

You can install it either at the JBBF or at the NFRM if you have a manual and either of those or the GWS if you have a DCT.

It will come with a pig-tail that has 12V, GND, CAN+, CAN-, and Wake-Up lines. You'll remove those pins from the factory connector and replace with the pins coming out of the buffer's pig-tail, and then insert the factory wires into the connector on the buffer.

All of these use the same pins as factory so you do not need to modify your factory harness other than moving some pins around. The connector the factory harness connects to is a locking/latching connector of OEM quality to reduce any reliability risk.

Then you can hook up an AUX 12V to the toolless connector if you want, likely to the cigarette lighter, Then your data logger(s) will plug into the unit via the toolless connector provided.

All the factory signals pass through the buffer and are retransmitted out the data logger ports. There is a switch to allow the car's wakeup signal to turn the power on/off to your loggers to prevent battery drain.

Once I get real boards I'll hook it up in my car and make a user manual with pictures.

Thank you for the detailed explanation.
Mine is a track only car with DCT, and I'm using CAN signals from junction box for my logger. If possible, can you upload photos of the actual installation? I think photos of the actual installation will help me figure out how to use this in my car.

Also, I thought it would be good if a part related to firmware update was included in the module to avoid any software problems.

[roastbeef]

alot of this stuff is way over my head, but whatever you come up with, i'm in. put me down for one.

[amg6975]

Originally Posted by maicol76

Thank you for the detailed explanation.
Mine is a track only car with DCT, and I'm using CAN signals from junction box for my logger. If possible, can you upload photos of the actual installation? I think photos of the actual installation will help me figure out how to use this in my car.

Also, I thought it would be good if a part related to firmware update was included in the module to avoid any software problems.

I don't have one installed yet, it takes time to get the real boards made. As soon as I install it you guys will be the first to know. I'll write up a whole install guide.

The firmware is incredibly simple in this and I don't anticipate ever needing to update it. There are a few options that can be changed to modify various behaviors but those are sent from the AIM unit to the GWS on boot so they can be modified using RaceStudio. These generally pertain to future add-ons to the system, like the steering wheel.

EDIT: for the buffer the firmware literally only does two things: auto baud detection on the CAN so it can be used on any CAN bus, and then listens on the incoming CAN, and mirrors the packets on the buffered CAN (I call DL-CAN.) I guarantee this will never need to be updated and if it does, I'll send you a whole new unit.

[amg6975]

Another new development, I've had a couple people ask about more buttons and/or EDC buttons. Well, AIM sent me back the wrong button panel which sparked a light bulb. The base part is all the same, it's just a different button panel holder so I'll be able to make them with either 8 buttons or 15. The additional buttons can be assigned to basically anything in the AIM ecosystem.

[mikerunt]

Originally Posted by amg6975

Another new development, I've had a couple people ask about more buttons and/or EDC buttons. Well, AIM sent me back the wrong button panel which sparked a light bulb. The base part is all the same, it's just a different button panel holder so I'll be able to make them with either 8 buttons or 15. The additional buttons can be assigned to basically anything in the AIM ecosystem.

Attachment 3567669
Attachment 3567670
Attachment 3567671

You’re well on your way to saint hood - miracle one complete!

[mikentosh]

I'm definitely down for one too! Got a fresh 135i S65/DCT-swap track build waiting for this 😃

[VicS5]

I’m in for one, too.

[CTMike]

Originally Posted by mikentosh

I'm definitely down for one too! Got a fresh 135i S65/DCT-swap track build waiting for this 😃

Hmmm do you have a thread on this build?

[okusa]

I think I like this, but honestly don't understand it. Will this also effectively replace the stock dash? My MXG dash does not allow my to fully replace the stock one.

[mikerunt]

Originally Posted by okusa

I think I like this, but honestly don't understand it. Will this also effectively replace the stock dash? My MXG dash does not allow my to fully replace the stock one.

I have that same frustration - needing to retain stock cluster with all else gutted is a bummer.

[amg6975]

Originally Posted by mikentosh

I'm definitely down for one too! Got a fresh 135i S65/DCT-swap track build waiting for this 😃

Nice! That's what I have as well.

Originally Posted by okusa

I think I like this, but honestly don't understand it. Will this also effectively replace the stock dash? My MXG dash does not allow my to fully replace the stock one.

Neither of these has anything to do with the dash. The first product replaces the GWS (DCT shifter) and the second one just buffers the CAN so a wiring issue or data logging equipment can't take down the whole car. That said:

Originally Posted by mikerunt

I have that same frustration - needing to retain stock cluster with all else gutted is a bummer.

This is also something I intend to fix. The KOMBI has a couple critical outputs that various things need but they can be easily recreated. I want to make a dash module that will sit on the K-CAN and make the car think a stock cluster is there.

[mikentosh]

Originally Posted by CTMike

Hmmm do you have a thread on this build?

Unfortunately I don't for this one, but I probably should. Did a lot of browsing on the forums looking at other E82 S65 swap projects.

Originally Posted by amg6975

Nice! That's what I have as well.

Oh yes, I've read through your build thread and coding threads a few different times. Definitely helped me out...many thanks!!!!