Q. What Transmissions will the Baumannator TCS support?

A. The Baumannator TCS will support the Ford AODE, 4R70W, E4OD and 4R100. We plan to add support for additional transmissions in the future.

Q. Can the Baumannator TCS be installed with a one-step “plug-in” installation?

A. The Baumannator TCS can not be installed with a simple “plug-in” installation because of availability problems with Ford connectors, and the wide variation of wiring harness styles and connector usage between different vehicle applications.

The original Ford transmission harness connects to the transmission on one end, and has a connector that plugs into a Ford main harness on the other end. TCS installation is accomplished by cutting off this main harness connector, and soldering on the TCS connector. This allows the TCS to connect to the transmission harness. Color-coding for the Ford transmission harness and the Baumannator TCS harness is included in the installation manual. After this is done, there are some remaining connections to be made such as power, ground, TPS, and reference voltage. There are also some optional connections that may be made for greater functionality (see instruction manual).

Q. Will the Baumannator TCS work on a vehicle factory equipped with an electronic automatic transmission?

A. The Baumannator TCS is a stand-alone controller, and was originally intended for retrofit applications. It can be used on originally equipped vehicles, but steps must be taken to insure the engine continues to operate properly. Ford uses one PCM (Powertrain Control Module; a. k. a. processor, computer, etc.) to run both the engine and the transmission. To install the Baumannator TCS, the wires that went to the Ford EEC PCM for the transmission functions must be cut. Without the input from and output to the transmission, the EEC PCM may run the engine using “failure mode” strategies, causing driveablity problems.

Some ways to overcome this include using an aftermarket “chip” to ensure that the engine continues to run normally, or if available, switching to an EEC PCM for the same model car with a manual transmission. Swapping PCMs, however, is not simple on all cars because of the PATS (Passive Anti-Theft System) now being used by Ford, which requires that the EEC PCM must match the key for the engine to start. The anti-theft system can be reprogrammed by the dealer, but you may want to call ahead and be sure that your local dealer has the necessary equipment. Also, some models (e.g. Crown Victoria) never had a manual transmission option, making the processor swap less feasible.

We are also developing new solutions that employ additional circuitry to “fake out” the original EEC PCM, allowing it to operate normally, despite the missing signals. We will provide this additional circuitry in a special, application-specific TCS unit. Another advantage will be the ability to quickly bypass the Baumannator TCS and run with the stock electronics for testing. This can be beneficial in some circumstances for troubleshooting and comparison testing.

Once this solution is available, we will post installation diagrams on our web site. Since each application is a little different, we will release these systems as they are developed and tested, starting with the 1994-1995 V8 Mustang application. We expect to have the first few applications available during Q3, 2003.

Q. Does the Baumannator TCS come pre-programmed?

A. While the Baumannator TCS does come with a program in it, it does not come calibrated for your application. The factory test program will be installed in the Baumannator when you receive it, and would be correct for some applications, but not all. The tuning software comes with a number of different calibrations, and one of them should make a good starting point for most applications.

Q. If I am buying a Baumannator TCS do I still need a Valve Body Recalibration Kit?

A. If you would like peak performance from your transmission, you will still need a valve body kit. Line pressure is controlled by the TCS, but once line pressure has reached its maximum value, you still have the same built-in restrictions in the valve body. The TCS however, does not require the use of a valve body kit.

Q. Will the Baumannator TCS work with other companies' valve body modifications?

A. Any modification that will work with factory electronics should work with the Baumannator TCS. For greatest durability and performance, we recommend using a Baumann Engineering ReCal Pro™ Valve Body Recalibration Kit. Use of our valve body products will also make answering technical questions easier since we will be familiar with the modifications that have been performed.

Q. What are the minimum computer system requirements to run the Baumannator TCS tuning software?

A. The minimum system requirements to run the TCS software are a 16 MHz 386, running Microsoft Windows 3.1 or higher, with 2-MB free hard drive space, and an available serial port. For the self extracting “zip” installation file to work, you must be running windows 95 or higher (there is a “work-around” for this if you are still running Windows 3.1). The software has also been successfully tested with most newer versions of Windows, including Windows NT, 2000, and ME. It is believed to work with Windows XP, as well (we will verify this soon).

Q. I have a newer laptop, and it doesn't have a standard serial port. Am I out in the first round, or is there an easy way to use the Baumannator TCS with my laptop?

A. Some newer laptop computers do not have standard serial ports. Instead, they have only USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports. This is not a “show-stopper”, however, because inexpensive adapters are available to connect a USB port to a standard serial device. The only limitation is that you must use a version of Windows that supports USB devices. Generally, all of the 32-bit versions of Windows support USB devices, except for Windows NT, and most versions of Windows 95.

We have tested the Baumannator TCS and its tuning software with the BAFO Technologies “BF-810” USB to Serial Adapter, and it works flawlessly. Other available adapters may also work, but we have not yet tested any other models. The BAFO BF-810 sells for about $20.00, and is available from retailers such as TigerDirect.com (go to www.tigerdirect.com and search for “BF-810”, or call 800-800-8300).

Q. How do I install and run the Baumannator TCS tuning software?

A. Please see the “Baumannator TCS Tuning Tips” document on our web site.

Q. Does the laptop need to be in the car at all times, or only when I’m tuning the TCS?

A. The laptop is only used for tuning and diagnosis. It does not need to be in the vehicle for normal operation.

Q. What kind of warranty comes with the Baumannator TCS?

A. The Baumannator TCS is warranted for one year, and this covers parts and labor. Failures due to improper connection are not covered. Therefore, please follow the instructions carefully. Damage to the transmission or other vehicle systems due to improper connection or programming is also not covered. See the “Baumannator TCS Tuning Tips” document for advice on proper programming techniques.

Q. How much does the Baumannator TCS cost?

A. Racer net price for the Baumannator TCS with the standard 25-pin “stub” harness is $425.00.

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