New! Suprastick V4 - standalone tranny computer

[garrettrowe]

The Suprastick V4 is the newest version of the Suprastick. It is not a piggyback computer, but rather a full transmission computer that needs no stock computer to run. It is the perfect solution for both aftermarket engine management systems and your car's stock ecu.

Do you have an aftermarket engine management system? Did you have to give up some function of your automatic transmission in the process or even the entire automatic shifting scheme? Ever wanted to change your stock shift points? Ever dreamed that your car came with one of those trick "manual" autos that are offered in some new cars? That day is here. Suprastick V4 is an exclusive new stand-alone computer for your car that allows you, on the fly, to take complete control of your car's transmission, and regain full automatic control of your transmission at the same time.


Features:

Fully programmable via PC, Mac, Linux - the only requirement is a serial port.
Complete automatic control of the transmission, including 2 full 120 point shift tables. Set one for daily driving to save gas, and 1 for race. Switching between tables takes just seconds

Compatible with most automatic transmission vehicles with 2 shift solenoids.


On the fly selection of "normal automatic" mode and "Suprastick manual shifting" mode.

Complete control over the shifting of the car - any gear can be taken to redline, and shifts may be initiated at any time.


Automatic torque converter control - Torque converter will automatically lockup in all 4 gears under the proper load, vice a limited lockup in 3 gears with the stock system, and no lockup when manually shifting the p-n-2-l lever. All lockup variable are fully adjustable.

Automatic protection from downshifting into a gear that will redline the engine.
(This is the only limitation imposed, and is removable if so desired.)

Fully programmable to adjust shift firmness, rpm downshift limits, and other options



Shifting is accomplished by 12 volt toggle leads - connect to the buttons / paddles of your choice and mount wherever you want to put them.

[ImUrOBGYN]

What's the pricing for an 89 Supra T? Auto, of course. And how hard is the software to learn?

[MK3_300]

What's the pricing for an 89 Supra T? Auto, of course. And how hard is the software to learn?

Wondering about this also. (91T...auto...should be no differance right?)

[garrettrowe]

The Suprastick V4 will go on sale for $350 mid april. It is a universal controller, meaning it will be compatible with whatever you can throw at it for a setup. Programming the unit is very easy, and requires no additional software to be downloaded - everything needed is already installed on whatever computer you are using.

Download the manual here: http://www.latentsolutions.com/SuprastickV4.pdf

The V4 will be slightly more complicated to install, however. A generic base map for the automatic shift tables will be provided, (it will be very close for the supra) but you might have to tweak the shifts to get them exactly how you like the car to drive. You are welcome to send your map to us for posting on the website or here with your car's setup.

[ImUrOBGYN]

Thx alot, bro. As soon as the auto's rebuilt, that is a definite... just wish the court wasn't suckin up the xtra cash right now. :(

[suprra_girl]

my trannnie is holdin up pretty good but the only problem i have with it.. when drag racing she likes to hit rev limiter :(
with this unit can i make it shift at say 6500 instead of 6750 lol
will it actually shift at 6500 and not change its mind like mine does?

thanks :)

[garrettrowe]

my trannnie is holdin up pretty good but the only problem i have with it.. when drag racing she likes to hit rev limiter :(
with this unit can i make it shift at say 6500 instead of 6750 lol
will it actually shift at 6500 and not change its mind like mine does?

thanks :)


Any normal auto is going to have some delay in shifts where the revs will spike when you're running at WOT, but yes, with the suprastick you can adjust all your shift points so the revs spike just under the limiter when the tranny shifts. The V4 gives you complete control.

[Paradox]

i've been interested for awhile, think i talked to you when the first version cameout.

the site has some good info, i'm seriously considering this for my built auto.

right now im running about a 2600 stall on a fully built A340E, modified valve body, higher pressure, clutches, the works. i wonder how this will affect my trans... ?

[garrettrowe]

i've been interested for awhile, think i talked to you when the first version cameout.

the site has some good info, i'm seriously considering this for my built auto.

right now im running about a 2600 stall on a fully built A340E, modified valve body, higher pressure, clutches, the works. i wonder how this will affect my trans... ?

It'll give you some nice quick shifts.

Were you concerned about running the 2600 stall? That should be matched to the spool of your turbo. Only step that up if you are running something that spools much later than stock.

[Paradox]

i get spool around 2500-3000, i was also wondering about how this would effect the shifting with mine since the valve body is already set to mechanically shift faster.

thanks

[garrettrowe]

i get spool around 2500-3000, i was also wondering about how this would effect the shifting with mine since the valve body is already set to mechanically shift faster.

thanks

The increase in shifting speed will be a smaller jump than you got by modifying the valve body. Customers that have upgraded trannys have all reported a noticeably faster shift though and the upgraded tranny is beefy enough to handle running 0 lockup delay, which also helps if you are looking for very quick shifts.

[GotToyota?]

I'll be interested in ordering one of these as soon as I get my MKIII, but I have some questions.

1) Do you use the stock auto shifter, or do you give paddles? (someone told me about these, maybe thought they came with this)
2) Can you change the rev limiter with this?

[garrettrowe]

With the system, the stock auto shifter says in the "D" position, and you use the cruise control paddle or whatever buttons you supply to do the shifting.

You can not change the car's rev limiter with the unit, but you can change all the shift points to match a raised rev limiter provided by an aftermarket ecu or another device, and also the downshift rev protection built into the unit.

[encomiast]

What I have been wondering for quite some time now, is anyone actually using shift paddles with their tranny controller? If so, where did they get them?

[garrettrowe]

yes, you can use these paddles:

http://www.memoryfab.com/detail/?id=330

[GotToyota?]

yes, you can use these paddles:

http://www.memoryfab.com/detail/?id=330
All right, cool. But could you mount those behind a stock steering wheel?

[garrettrowe]

All right, cool. But could you mount those behind a stock steering wheel?

I'm sure you could, but it would not be a simple bolt-up job. The easiest install is to use the stock cruise control paddle for the shifting - it works great and the cruise control is unaffected by the mod.

[suprra_girl]

i've been visiting your website... is the v4 suprastick actually available for the 2jzgte transmission?

i'm gonna put a mk4 auto in mine and i need to control it properly... will the suprastick provide what i want since kickdown and line pressure is electronically controlled

thanks :D

[Charlie97L]

i have been emailing back and forth with garrett the past few days... the qualifications for the v4 are manual line pressure and dual solenoids on the transmission. so if the mk4 tranny is electronic line pressure, i don't think it will work.

[garrettrowe]

i've been visiting your website... is the v4 suprastick actually available for the 2jzgte transmission?

i'm gonna put a mk4 auto in mine and i need to control it properly... will the suprastick provide what i want since kickdown and line pressure is electronically controlled

thanks :D

No, the Suprastick will not control the electronic line pressure.
However, the older valve body should bolt into the newer tranny - if you are upgrading based on the speculation it will hold more power throw in a valve body from one of your older trannys you have sitting around...

The suprastick would be able to control that...

[suprra_girl]

so... the valvebody from my a340 will bolt straight into the mk4 one and the mk4 one will still be happy and run as per normal?
and how bout the wiring from the valvebody.. the two solonoids?

sorry if this is going slightly offtopic heh

[garrettrowe]

Based upon my reading of far too many technical documents on these tranny's the valve bodies are interchangeable. I'm by no means guaranteeing a 5 minute bolt in as I have not done one personally, but if you have the 2 trannys out side by side why not try the swap - it should work fine and the old valve body has everything needed to properly control the newer tranny. With the older valve body you get the benefit of only having the 2 solenoids - much easier to control with custom setups (and a straight plug-in to a mk3 as the wiring stays the same...)

[jamesdem1123]

if you want to do autocross the suprastick can down shift too, if u want the manual feel somewhat put an old pong joystick in the center console and pretend its a sequential shifter..lol

[toml]

I'm sure you could, but it would not be a simple bolt-up job. The easiest install is to use the stock cruise control paddle for the shifting - it works great and the cruise control is unaffected by the mod.

I know this is an old thread, but I am very curious as to how the cruise control is unaffected by using the cruise control paddles for shifting?!

The only explanation I could come up with is that when you put the SupraStick into "manual shifting mode", it switches to use the cruise control paddles for the gear shifting instead of controlling the cruise control? (I suppose the reasoning behind this is that if you're going to be shifting manually, you're not going to be using your cruise control ;))

[supramad77]

I am very interested in this kit. I like the auto box as it is cool for long motorway drives and town driving but kinda sucks when when you want to give it some stick.
If i were to buy it would i need to buy an upgraded ecu i seem to remember reading somewhere that i do. I would like to make the car shift gear at a higher rpm than 5600.

[Big Wang Bandit]

I am also interested as of now. This would keep me interested with my Automatic as well. I would love to shift in manual shift mode as well.

[garrettrowe]

I know this is an old thread, but I am very curious as to how the cruise control is unaffected by using the cruise control paddles for shifting?!

The only explanation I could come up with is that when you put the SupraStick into "manual shifting mode", it switches to use the cruise control paddles for the gear shifting instead of controlling the cruise control? (I suppose the reasoning behind this is that if you're going to be shifting manually, you're not going to be using your cruise control ;))


When you are using the paddle as a shifter, just leave cruise control turned off and make sure not to use cruise in manual mode. The paddle sends the voltage needed regardless if the curise control is on or off...

The theory was exactly that - why use manual mode and cruise control at the some time?

[garrettrowe]

I am very interested in this kit. I like the auto box as it is cool for long motorway drives and town driving but kinda sucks when when you want to give it some stick.
If i were to buy it would i need to buy an upgraded ecu i seem to remember reading somewhere that i do. I would like to make the car shift gear at a higher rpm than 5600.

The suprastick is the only upgraded part you need to get the car to shift higher than 5600 rpm - it is one of the main benefits of the unit. You'll only need an upgraded ecu if you plan on increasing the engine's redline...

[supramad77]

That's cool. What is the stock redline of the mk3?
My mk2 with hit the rev limiter at 7200rpm.


The suprastick is the only upgraded part you need to get the car to shift higher than 5600 rpm - it is one of the main benefits of the unit. You'll only need an upgraded ecu if you plan on increasing the engine's redline...

[garrettrowe]

That's cool. What is the stock redline of the mk3?
My mk2 with hit the rev limiter at 7200rpm.

It varies depending on which crank (pre / post '89) you have - it's in the 6400 range though.

[supramad77]

I have a facelift 89 turbo.
Is this kit hard to fit. I am not a mechanic but i have taken on some jobs like fiitting 550s and the afpr kit.



It varies depending on which crank (pre / post '89) you have - it's in the 6400 range though.

[garrettrowe]

I have a facelift 89 turbo.
Is this kit hard to fit. I am not a mechanic but i have taken on some jobs like fiitting 550s and the afpr kit.


The kit is very straightforward if you have any experience with very basic wiring. It is no harder than installing a car stereo, boost controller, or fuel controller

[supramad77]

Cool, soon as i have the funds then i will get one ordered up. Are they available at the moment?
The last time i was looking i think the guy selling them was in Iraq, not sure if that is you .
Cheers
Pat


QUOTE=garrettrowe]The kit is very straightforward if you have any experience with very basic wiring. It is no harder than installing a car stereo, boost controller, or fuel controller[/QUOTE]

[garrettrowe]

Yes, I am now back, and they are again available.

[supramad77]

Hi garrett, can you hook me up a link for the aftermarket steering wheels with paddle shifters on it. The eariler link is dead.
Cheers
Pat

[garrettrowe]

That was the only company that I was aware of making dedicated paddles for wheels. It's possible they are just not on their new website - it looks like most of the links there are broken. I believe momo makes paddles that attach to some of their wheels, but you would have to contact a sales rep; their website does not list them. If you have a stock supra wheel with the cruise control paddle it works very well for shifting, and is what the suprastick was designed using.

[supramad77]

That was the only company that I was aware of making dedicated paddles for wheels. It's possible they are just not on their new website - it looks like most of the links there are broken. I believe momo makes paddles that attach to some of their wheels, but you would have to contact a sales rep; their website does not list them. If you have a stock supra wheel with the cruise control paddle it works very well for shifting, and is what the suprastick was designed using.


Tahnks Garrett, not a problem for now. Will just use the buttons on the stock wheel.

[IJ.]

Garrett: Still making these?

Anyone else: Do you have one and what are your impressions of how it works?

[supramad77]

I still want one of these. Just had to have my hg fixed so it has kept me skint.
I would like to know if they are still available two.

[garrettrowe]

Yes, still for sale on latentsolutions.com. Check out soarercentral.com Several guys there have units that they are running and might be able to give you some unbiased feedback.

Best Regards,

Garrett

[IJ.]

Garrett: Great news thanks!

Could I trouble you for a link to the discussions on soarercentral please?

[garrettrowe]

There have been a few:

http://soarercentral.com/sc-forum/messages/51875/125408.html
http://soarercentral.com/sc-forum/messages/285/156241.html
http://soarercentral.com/sc-forum/messages/31678/68198.html
http://soarercentral.com/sc-forum/messages/51875/115394.html

Searching their forums will bring up more.

[IJ.]

Garrett: Thanks again.

Exactly what I need/want :)
(this goes a LONG way to solving my Motec configuration issues)

Quick Q: In "manual" mode if I select 3rd does the car still use 1>2 then hold 3rd or will it take off in 3rd?

[toml]

I wondered how long until Ian was after a SupraStick! :)

I'm going to put one in my car once the trans has been built up.

[IJ.]

Tom: See my other thread for the daily debacle ;)

[garrettrowe]

Garrett: Thanks again.

Exactly what I need/want :)
(this goes a LONG way to solving my Motec configuration issues)

Quick Q: In "manual" mode if I select 3rd does the car still use 1>2 then hold 3rd or will it take off in 3rd?

It will start and stay in 3rd.

[IJ.]

Garrett: Thanks :)

[IJ.]

Received mine today :D

Good packaging and good communication by Garrett.

I'll be fitting it this week and will post a report/impressions of it in use.

http://members.optushome.com.au/ubermod/ssv401.jpg

[toml]

Received mine today :D

Good packaging and good communication by Garrett.

I'll be fitting it this week and will post a report/impressions of it in use.


Fantastic! I'm going to MV Automatics this Friday to get a quote on beefing my Trans up, then the SupraStick is next on the list. :)

[supramad77]

Hi Garrett, there are a couple of us in the UK that are going to order this kit later this week. Reading this do i need to beef up my transmission, or is it ok to run it in stock form.
Cheers
Pat

[toml]

The SupraStick will work fine on a stock transmission, I just wanted to go a bit further. :)

[supramad77]

BTW any discount for more than one shipped to the same address.

[garrettrowe]

Hi Garrett, there are a couple of us in the UK that are going to order this kit later this week. Reading this do i need to beef up my transmission, or is it ok to run it in stock form.
Cheers
Pat

The suprastick will not put any additional strain on your transmission by itself, and will run with no issues on a bone stock setup.

It will, however, allow YOU to put much more stress on your transmission, so if you have not built things up, take it easy on your car - on average they are 17 years old now!

[garrettrowe]

BTW any discount for more than one shipped to the same address.

Yes, a second unit shipped to the same address at the same time ships for free, and each additional ships for $5 more. If you order 5 or more units, there is a $10 per unit discount.

IE:
1 unit shipped worldwide: $385 shipped per unit
2 units shipped worldwide: $367.50 shipped per unit
5 units shipped worldwide: $350 shipped per unit

[supramad77]

The suprastick will not put any additional strain on your transmission by itself, and will run with no issues on a bone stock setup.

It will, however, allow YOU to put much more stress on your transmission, so if you have not built things up, take it easy on your car - on average they are 17 years old now!
Thanks for that. So if i were to go about beefing mine up what is actually involved?
I will see if we can hook up a couple more buyers. I know there are around 4 interested but only 2 are definates at this point.

[garrettrowe]

Thanks for that. So if i were to go about beefing mine up what is actually involved?
I will see if we can hook up a couple more buyers. I know there are around 4 interested but only 2 are definates at this point.

There are many companies, and even your local shop, that can put in new clutches that are much better than the stock material, such as the raybestos blue plate clutch packs, and rework the valve body. Adding a decent trans cooler is also a great first step.

[supramad77]

^ exactly.

Blue plate clutches, shims, and a MV valve body.. should be good for a solid 500whp.
Sounds good, Thanks guys.

[IJ.]

Garrett: I'm running the SSv4 as a standalone so no ECT in the car at all.

Pins 4 and 5 aren't used in this configuration correct?

[IJ.]

Ric: Thanks just wanted to make sure I was reading the destructions correctly ;)

I plan to use the OD button for Manual/Auto and the ECT/MANU buttons for UP/DOWN shifts (after modding them to be momentary) and let the MoTeC change maps for wet weather.

[IJ.]

Garrett: What do I lose if the cmos battery takes a dump?

Just my personal settings or the entire OS?
(if it's just the personal stuff I won't bother to back it up)

[garrettrowe]

Garrett: What do I lose if the cmos battery takes a dump?

Just my personal settings or the entire OS?
(if it's just the personal stuff I won't bother to back it up)


I take that back... personal settings are backed up to flash when you save, so battery loss will have no effect.

[IJ.]

None at all?

[garrettrowe]

None at all?

No, nothing is kept resident in the unit's RAM between power cycles.

[IJ.]

Great news :D

[Ma70.Ent]

I can't wait to save up so I can buy this :D

[IJ.]

Well worth the $$$ I spent some time driving mine today :D
(report in my MoTeC thread in builds)

[Boost Lee]

Something Boost Lee will eventually have in his A70 with his yummy Auto... :D

[supramad77]

Quick question, which buttons on the steering wheel shifts up/down. Is this a personal choice or fixed option.

[garrettrowe]

Quick question, which buttons on the steering wheel shifts up/down. Is this a personal choice or fixed option.

It will work 100% with any buttons.

It was designed to be used with the cruise control stalk that is on the late model us versions, but if you have 2 buttons / paddles / toggles that feed 12 volts it will work fine.

Many people use the aviation PTT switches as they have gold plated connectors for a clean signal and velcro to affix them to the steering wheel.

[supramad77]

I have spent a good deal of time fitting an aftermarket wheel. I spent even longer trying to get the aftermarket buttons to work the cruise in readyness for the suprastick semi auto gears.
It is all working finally using the stock circuit board from the stock wheel.
Hopefully it will work the gears. Should be able to order it in the next week or so.
Here is a pic.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/supramad77/pcinstall.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/supramad77/cruisebuttons-1.jpg

[garrettrowe]

Looks great! If you used the stock resistor board, you should have no problems with the SSv4...

[tlo86]

so this isnt really a standalone? or can it be made to be a stand alone for those with an aftermarket ECU ( or possibly rig it with both ecus in the car?:) )

[IJ.]

Tlo: Yes it's standalone :)

Bit of a tip a GOOD Tps is very important.

[garrettrowe]

so this isnt really a standalone? or can it be made to be a stand alone for those with an aftermarket ECU ( or possibly rig it with both ecus in the car?:) )
Yes, the SSv4 can operate completely stand-alone.

[tlo86]

heh thanks guys, after this post i PM'd and emailed... i shouldnt go on the forums when im tired heh

[fstlane88]

So I could buy this and then buy a M/T ECU and everything would work fine? Reason I'm asking is the availability of M/T 1JZ upgraded ECU's is far greater than A/T units. So if this would work like I want it to, I'll defintely be jumping all over it!!!

[supramad77]

Still want this kit. Just waiting for some money to arrive then i will be ordering it. Hopefully next week. A friend of mine has got it but is having a mare of a time getting it to work, anyone else had any trouble. He is a mechanic as was going to do mine.

[garrettrowe]

So I could buy this and then buy a M/T ECU and everything would work fine? Reason I'm asking is the availability of M/T 1JZ upgraded ECU's is far greater than A/T units. So if this would work like I want it to, I'll defintely be jumping all over it!!!

Yes, the SSv4 will control everything for the transmission, and will work fine with a stock manual ecu or aftermarket ecu.

[garrettrowe]

Still want this kit. Just waiting for some money to arrive then i will be ordering it. Hopefully next week. A friend of mine has got it but is having a mare of a time getting it to work, anyone else had any trouble. He is a mechanic as was going to do mine.

Please have him get a hold of me so we can sort out his troubles. Is he on any forum?

I am always available to help with install or usage questions, and most issues that come up I've seen before.

garrett@latentsolutions.com

[IJ.]

I can vouch for Garrett's after sales support! :)

:love: my SSv4

[fstlane88]

Yes, the SSv4 will control everything for the transmission, and will work fine with a stock manual ecu or aftermarket ecu.

Sweet that's what I was hoping for, thank you and I will be ordering one soon!!!!!

[supramad77]

Please have him get a hold of me so we can sort out his troubles. Is he on any forum?

I am always available to help with install or usage questions, and most issues that come up I've seen before.

garrett@latentsolutions.com
Yea i told him to ask for advice. I think his car has developed another problem at the moment. He did say that he had tried to contact you though.

[garrettrowe]

Yea i told him to ask for advice. I think his car has developed another problem at the moment. He did say that he had tried to contact you though.


Jason has some strong junk mail filtering on his account I believe... I've sent him an email to the address I have on file again this afternoon. Standing by to help!

[supramad77]

Jason has some strong junk mail filtering on his account I believe... I've sent him an email to the address I have on file again this afternoon. Standing by to help!
OK Garrett i will let him know. If he does not get it i will pass on the info.
Pat