ZF6 to ZF8 upgrade!

[djkaosone]

A shop in Denver, CO, Roadside Werx, created a zf6 to zf8 swap kit. Just sharing and not promoting anything. Here's what they posted in the FB group I'm in.

Hey Guys, there was a ton of interest in our ZF8 Transmission swap so we have put together a kit to do it. So far the results of this transmission swap have been fantastic. Overall drivability is improved, Fuel milage has improved about 2MPG and the open feeling the dial shifter provides to the interior is fantastic.
Kit Includes:
Custom Bosch Flywheel
ZF6 Connector so no wiring has to be cut
Full Instructions, Parts List and Wiring Diagram
Remote Programming of all modules required and a full performance remap of the ZF8 Transmission.
What you will need to source:

• • ZF8 Transmission (Donor Vehicle 14-17 L319,L405,L494)
  • ZF8 Wiring Harness Transmission to Body Harness 2014-2016 L319 (LR4)
  • ZF8 Dial Shifter 2014-2016 Petrol or 12-13 Diesel
  • 2014-2016 L319 (LR4) Center Console Harness (Need the Dial Shifter Wiring Pigtail)
  • Shifter Surround Parts. Donors are as follows: L319 – 2014-2016 LR4 NAS, L320 - 2012 3.0l Diesel UK and Possibly other Markets, L322 TDV8 UK and Possibly other Markets
  • Only if your current ATCM has a Dial - Late Style ATCM (Square Style with Buttons) Recommend sourcing 2013 L320 or 2014-2016 L319 (W/ Low Range) for NAS Vehicles. Also, if your vehicle has Adaptive Dampening will need to source one with adaptive dampening.
  • Neutral Release Cable, you can grab this from your corresponding donor vehicle. We found that later vehicles, 2019-up RRS has and engine bay mounted one that fit nice and doesn’t require removal of center console panels to get to. This is not required to get vehicle working
  • ZF6 Connector Sleeve TZV500010 (Used for Wiring if using our ZF6 Male Plug)
  • 2014-up Non-Stop/Start Starter LR034028
  • Paddle shifters must be from a 2010-2012 Denso Powered vehicle. Recommend getting the whole wheel.

You will also need for the remote programming session:

• • Windows 11 Laptop with Adequate Battery or Wall Charger
  • JLR Mongoose Cable

https://www.vxdas.com/products/jlr-mongoose...

• • Battery Charger with Flash/Power Supply setting is Highly Recommended. Otherwise typically a fully charged Battery will do.

Kits are priced at $1600. We are offering a core refund on the flywheels. We will pay back $50ea for either the ZF6 or ZF8. Please shoot us an email at Roadsidewerx ([email protected]) if interested. We will have 1 kit ready to ship next week and we have 2 more in production right now.

 

[powershift]

That is pretty cool. I'm going to try it when my 6 speed goes. The paddle shifters would be fun too.

 

[djkaosone]

Knock on wood that my 3rd zf6 holds. This is definitely an option and I'd thought I'd share!

 

[itsaguything]

3RD??? How on earth did you do that?

 

[txfromwi]

Glad to know that this is possible, but, at least for my hardware, the ZF6 is much smoother, and I don't care about 2mpg.

So please explain to me why one would change from 6 to 8 ?

Not being contrary - just wanting to understand....

 

[djkaosone]

My observation from driving both is the zf8 has closer gear ratios and has more efficient shifting points.

I care about the 2 mpgs, especially when I'm getting 10-12 mpg from mix city and freeway driving. On sand/dirt/off road, I average 7-9 mpgs.

 

[Nechaken]

Those guys have also put a supercharged 5L into an LR4! Very very cool stuff!

(disclaimer: I do take my car there)

 

[djkaosone]

3RD??? How on earth did you do that?

1st transmission was from factory and had a crack on it and dumped fluid.

2nd transmission was brand new dealership installed, but these idiots left the oil cooling line dangling on top of the front diff and was slowly losing fluid for however long. Found a puddle of gender neutral fluid while parked that led to this discovery. Patch fixed and refilled to spec, was short 1.5 bottles. 6 mo later I heard a clunk and it was a mechanical failure.

Now I'm on my 3rd (used) transmission. Hope it lasts.

 

[powershift]

Glad to know that this is possible, but, at least for my hardware, the ZF6 is much smoother, and I don't care about 2mpg.

So please explain to me why one would change from 6 to 8 ?

Not being contrary - just wanting to understand....

The gear ratios are numerically higher in the 8 speed so accelerating is going to feel like the engine has more power, especially in 1st. Its already pretty tall in the 6 speed with 4.171:1 ratio 1st gear vs the 8 speed 1st gear is 4.696:1.

I doubt the 2 MPG gain is genuine, there might be a gain because final overdrive is 0.667:1 in the ZF8 vs 0.691:1 in the ZF6. The best I've seen is in the C5/C6 corvettes (manual shifter), 6th gear was .50:1, so think 65 MPH freeway speeds right off 1K RPM idle. Pretty amazing.

The other aspect I like is the ZF6 doesn't have a true 1:1, 4th gear is 1.143:1 and on the 8 speed 6th gear is 1:1 ratio.

 

[Al Pizzica]

Glad to know that this is possible, but, at least for my hardware, the ZF6 is much smoother, and I don't care about 2mpg.

So please explain to me why one would change from 6 to 8 ?

Not being contrary - just wanting to understand....

IMHO the ZF8 is a much better all around transmission. I've had the 6 in two land rovers and the 8 in two BMWs. Hands down the 8 is the better shifter. The 6 is nearly always in the wrong gear, I feel, or just doesn't have the gear it should be in. The ZF8 is put into many of the best cars in the world. Check out the Wikipedia article on it.