Anyone ever use one of these electric speedometer drives?

-
TT5.9mag

TT5.9mag

Two atmospheres are better than one
Joined
May 5, 2016
Messages
9,991
Reaction score
16,151
Location
So cal
I bought a complete American powertrain T56 kit from a friend a while back and this black box was in it. It’s called a Cable X, made by Abbot Enterprises inc. It is designed to accept a signal from a VSS on a modern transmission and do some mathy things, then spin an electric motor to drive the cable for a cable drive speedometer. I am not using it on the T56 in the dart so I thought I’d use it on the D100 with the 46RE. Anyone have experience? I am also after the signal generated by the VSS on a 2001 dodge 46RE if anyone might know. I bet @Bobzilla might.

Cable X...Electronic Speed Signal to Mechanical Speedometer Adapter
 
I was interested in seeing this, but the link you've posted sets off all sorts of warnings and alarms on my computer here at work, and they don't have these locked down very tightly.

I assume everything is legit, but you may want to run an anti-virus scan on your computer, "just in case".
 
I used "Classic Instruments" for my speedo-sender choice, top notch performance. For the GPS receiver to work properly, it must have line of sight to the sky to pick up the satellites. It usually about 30 seconds for the speedo-sender to hook up and function correctly. The link will get you there.
https://shop.classicinstruments.com/sn16
 
TT5.9mag said:
I bought a complete American powertrain T56 kit from a friend a while back and this black box was in it. It’s called a Cable X, made by Abbot Enterprises inc. It is designed to accept a signal from a VSS on a modern transmission and do some mathy things, then spin an electric motor to drive the cable for a cable drive speedometer. I am not using it on the T56 in the dart so I thought I’d use it on the D100 with the 46RE. Anyone have experience? I am also after the signal generated by the VSS on a 2001 dodge 46RE if anyone might know. I bet @Bobzilla might.

Cable X...Electronic Speed Signal to Mechanical Speedometer Adapter
Click to expand...
I do not know this answer. Actually, I thought the VSS for speedometer was from the rear axle ABS speed sensor on the Magnum engine trucks with OB2 PCMs, and transmission just has a transmission output shaft speed sensor. I am away for a few days but I will try to find some info when I return. And then I can unplug the sensors on my 1999 Ram and see what happens.
 
Bobzilla said:
I do not know this answer. Actually, I thought the VSS for speedometer was from the rear axle ABS speed sensor on the Magnum engine trucks with OB2 PCMs, and transmission just has a transmission output shaft speed sensor. I am away for a few days but I will try to find some info when I return. And then I can unplug the sensors on my 1999 Ram and see what happens.
Click to expand...
It changed through the years I believe what they used the signal for. But on my transmission there is a VSS and an output speed sensor.
 
ProjectBazza said:
I was interested in seeing this, but the link you've posted sets off all sorts of warnings and alarms on my computer here at work, and they don't have these locked down very tightly.

I assume everything is legit, but you may want to run an anti-virus scan on your computer, "just in case".
Click to expand...
Thank you. I’ll try to find a good link. I’m on an apple phone so it just eats that stuff up.
:lol:
 
ProjectBazza said:
I was interested in seeing this, but the link you've posted sets off all sorts of warnings and alarms on my computer here at work, and they don't have these locked down very tightly.

I assume everything is legit, but you may want to run an anti-virus scan on your computer, "just in case".
Click to expand...
Try this.

Abbott Enterprises - cable x
 
Here is my actual box.
IMG_2166.jpeg

IMG_2167.jpeg
 
I called them yesterday and ordered a cable to go from the box to the speedo in my D100. He said they had to make it but it would only take a couple days.
 
TT5.9mag said:
I am also after the signal generated by the VSS on a 2001 dodge 46RE if anyone might know.
Click to expand...

Found this in the 2001 Ram service manual I have:

1754495000088.png


So it looks like a 2 wire sensor? Not sure if that helps or not.

I did see that speed is picked up by the ABS module off the rear axle.

1754495613110.png
 
@DionR thanks for that, I found the same info in my copy of the service manual. I heard (forums maybe) that vss is used for abs and cruise control once they went to the diff for actual vehicle speed so that kinda confirms what you’re saying, and also why it’s not used for any kind of shift strategy in the trans. I wonder how accurate the tooth count is from the picture? LOL could it be that easy? Nope definitely not. I’ll probably have to pull the sensor and try to count the teeth on the reluctor.
 
TT5.9mag said:
I wonder how accurate the tooth count is from the picture? LOL could it be that easy? Nope definitely not. I’ll probably have to pull the sensor and try to count the teeth on the reluctor.
Click to expand...

I thought about the picture, too. :D

The last part I posted says it uses the parking gear lugs, so just have to find that info.
 
That's interesting!

The OEM T56's that are typically used for swaps only have the VSS output, not a cable drive. Actually that's one of the reasons I bought an aftermarket T56 Magnum, because the aftermarket T56 Magnum's have both the VSS and a cable drive to keep the factory speedometer in my car.

The T56 (or at least some of them) also has a reverse lockout solenoid in it with a heavy spring to keep you from shifting into reverse instead of into 5th when traveling at speed. That feature is typically taken care of by the car's ECU, but in my case I use a controller that is wired to the VSS output. So it triggers that solenoid when the car is going less than 5 mph so you can shift into reverse. The other way to get around that is a mechanical reverse lockout, it replaces the solenoid with a mechanical part that has some resistance but not as much as the solenoid adds if you try to run with the solenoid unhooked.
 
72bluNblu said:
That's interesting!

The OEM T56's that are typically used for swaps only have the VSS output, not a cable drive. Actually that's one of the reasons I bought an aftermarket T56 Magnum, because the aftermarket T56 Magnum's have both the VSS and a cable drive to keep the factory speedometer in my car.

The T56 (or at least some of them) also has a reverse lockout solenoid in it with a heavy spring to keep you from shifting into reverse instead of into 5th when traveling at speed. That feature is typically taken care of by the car's ECU, but in my case I use a controller that is wired to the VSS output. So it triggers that solenoid when the car is going less than 5 mph so you can shift into reverse. The other way to get around that is a mechanical reverse lockout, it replaces the solenoid with a mechanical part that has some resistance but not as much as the solenoid adds if you try to run with the solenoid unhooked.
Click to expand...
You are spot on. My T56 is apparently the same as yours. Which is interesting because it has both outputs, VSS and a cable drive option, and it came with this box.
 
TT5.9mag said:
You are spot on. My T56 is apparently the same as yours. Which is interesting because it has both outputs, VSS and a cable drive option, and it came with this box.
Click to expand...

Yeah if you have a cable drive you shouldn't need that box at all, just an adaptor cable and a speedometer gear. Looks like SilverSport sells all that stuff. American Powertrain sells some of it but maybe not the cables themselves

Silver Sport Transmissions Speedometer Parts
 
72bluNblu said:
Yeah if you have a cable drive you shouldn't need that box at all, just an adaptor cable and a speedometer gear. Looks like SilverSport sells all that stuff. American Powertrain sells some of it but maybe not the cables themselves

Silver Sport Transmissions Speedometer Parts
Click to expand...
Yea AP has something very similar. This is what’s on my T56 magnum.


GM Speedometer Cable Adapter for Tremec T-5, TKX, TKO, T-56, and Magnum 6-speeds. Machined billet design NO MORE LEAKS!
 
Ok I found, through internet searching, the vss output on 46, 47, and 48 RE two wire vss sensors is 23 pulses per revolution.
 
I’m writing this in here in case myself or anyone else needs to reference it later. I calculated pulses per mile with 23 teeth per rev of vss and a circumference of my tire at 90.746 (28.9 diameter x 3.14). And using inches per mile of 63360. Also my truck’s diff is 3.55:1. The final calcs look like this.
28.9 x 3.14=90.746 circumference
63360/90.746=698.213 revs/mile
23 x 3.55 x 698.213=57,009.0915 pulses per mile. Using the chart in the instructions I posted earlier I’ll use the dip switch location for 57000 pulses per mile which is 0101111100.
 
Opened the box up and set the dip switches according to the instructions. Also I ran the diagnostic test and the unit functions exactly as it should. Now I just have to put it in the truck and hook it up.
IMG_2168.jpeg

IMG_2170.jpeg
 

IMG_3228.jpeg

Here is the two different sensors in a rear wheel drive overdrive housing from a 46RE. I am holding the one that reads the park pawl lugs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-
Back
Top Bottom