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DSG to ZF8 Swap

ZF8 HP55A Transmission Swap Audi C7 S6/S7 – A Complete Guide

This guide provides a detailed and organized overview of how I replaced the factory DL501 transmission with a ZF8HP in my 2013+ Audi C7 S6/S7. As of today, the car runs and drives great. The overall experience is much better, and this is now what I consider the best mod I have done to the car.

Hardware Requirements

Essentially, you remove S6/S7 parts and replace them with A6/A7 parts. Everything bolts right up...

  • Transmission: ZF8HP55 (Any variant from C7/C7.5 or D4/D4.5; match generation)
  • Rear Differential: A6 (OBC500044D)
  • Rear Axles: 8R0501203C (if changing to non-sport diff)
  • Shifter Cable: 4G0713265T or 4G1713105D
  • Mount Bracket: 40399115G
  • Crossmember: 40399263G
  • Torque Converter: RS7 or TDI (optional, but recommended)

Special Note: You need a trans cooler from an A6/A7, the S6/S7 one won’t mount up.

Bellhousing Bolt Notes
  • 1 × M10 100 mm bolt (bottom extra hole)
  • 2 × M10 60 mm bolts (original bolts too short)

Reference Images:

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Tools Required
  • Strong Battery Maintainer
  • ODIS-E and ODIS-S with GEKO
  • VCDS (VAG-COM)
  • ODIS Flash Cable (VNCI 6154A or Mongoose)
  • Wire depinning tool
  • DS1 (optional but recommended)
Wiring Adjustments

Repin the DL501 connector for ZF8HP.

Pin   Wire Color
1     Blue/Black
2     Blue/Grey
5     Orange/Black
6     Orange/Grey
8     Green/Purple
9     Black/Purple
11    Grey/White
13    Red/Grey
14    Brown
15    Green/Yellow

Unused: Brown/Grey, Red, Green

Helpful Video: Transmission Repining

Immobilizer Management

Align your TCU, ECU, and cluster. Use ODIS-S with GEKO or an emulator if necessary.

Swap Process
  1. ECU Flash with DS1 RS7 bin (match power class)
  2. Repin and connect transmission harness
  3. Flash TCU with .frf (if not using RS6/RS7 TCU)
  4. Adapt Immobilizer
  5. Use VCDS for coding & scanning
  6. Warm up, check fluid, adapt TCU
  7. Optional: Flash TCU tune for mods

ODIS-E Flash Guide

ODIS-S Immo Guide

Sport Diff Delete (if needed)
  1. In Instruments, uncheck Sport Diff
  2. In CAN Gateway, remove AWD
  3. Remove Sport Diff fuse
  4. DO NOT unplug AWD module

TGK Sport Diff Delete

Enabling Paddle Shifters
  1. Enable Shift by Wire in ACC/Auth
  2. Activate Tiptronic in Transmission Adaptation
Where to Get ODIS
Transmission Tuning

Use HP Tuners, JHM, or ETSpec. A TCU tune is required for high power builds.

C7.5: Do not use these files. You’ll need proper C7.5 RS7 base and adjusted power class.

Files
  • Download Package
  • IMMOFFPC41.bin - Flash to ECU
  • FL_4G0927158BD_1007.frf - Flash to TCU
  • ZF8SWAP.TXT - Guide in text format
Cost Breakdown
Transmission:        $400
Torque Converter:    $300
Shifter Assembly:    $70
Mount:               $60
Crossbrace:          $100
Rear Diff:           $160
Axles:               $100
Misc (Tools/Fluids): $1000
Total:               $2190

This guide is based on my personal experience. Do your own research. Dynospectrum does not endorse this swap. Everything is at your own risk.

Credits
  • QCrazy
  • Audiquattro44
  • PRJ, Dynospectrum
  • Christian O
  • 813garage
  • FE Performance
  • Artemesia
  • Projectlsaudia4
  • Sleepertuned
  • MWELL
  • TGK Motorsports
  • Shane Horning
  • AudiNeil

Original Post: StolenS6 on Audizine

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