Tranny Flush & Blue Top Solenoids
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 264
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From: Northern VA
2003 Chevy Tahoe
Tranny Flush & Blue Top Solenoids
Took Gladys in for a full tranny flush (34,000 on old ATF) to include the torque convertor. Replaced the conductor plate, 13 pin connector, and filter. Swapped out the OE shift solenoids for a set of MB Blue Tops (thanks Ash!). She's like a new car! Shifts are decisive and authoritative. Some may think the downshifts too harsh, but it works fine for me. Really feels like the Kleemann power is being delivered well. Highly recommended upgrade!
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 264
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From: Northern VA
2003 Chevy Tahoe
Ambit - the topic of tranny flush and blue tops are covered pretty extensively on this forum and across the Internet. You'll find the "search" function at the top of the page to be your best resource.
Part number: 240 270 00 89
In order to change the filter, replace the conductor plate and swap out the solenoids, you have to drop the tranny pan. If you're brave, know exactly what you're doing, and have the right tools and equipment it can be a DIY. I took her into my local Indie to have it done.
Part number: 240 270 00 89
In order to change the filter, replace the conductor plate and swap out the solenoids, you have to drop the tranny pan. If you're brave, know exactly what you're doing, and have the right tools and equipment it can be a DIY. I took her into my local Indie to have it done.
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 264
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From: Northern VA
2003 Chevy Tahoe
I've done a lot of research on the forum, and spoken with a few who have made the switch. While I have no physical data to point to, from all I can gather there is no long term negative impact. All tell me their rides are doing fine, and the 722.6 is more than able to handle it. To allay any misperceptions, the shifts are not "hard" per se. The upshifts are actually quite smooth, they're just more decisive. In fact, some have said the fact that the shifts happen in a more deliberate manner, it actually saves the tranny. The only downshift that I would call "abrupt" would be from 3rd to 2nd. It's not a bang or a thud, but a definite drop in gearing.
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From: Northern VA
2003 Chevy Tahoe
Khan 55 - Mercedes developed the 5-speed 722.6 for use in a variety of cars. It has a torque capacity of 796 lb/ft if I recall, as opposed to mid-500s for the 7-speed. The 722.6 is still used in the bi-turbo models due to is ruggedness. If cared for they're next to bulletproof.
Due to its proven design Chrysler builds the same tranny as the NAG1. So you'll see the blue tops installed in Dodge Chargers, Challengers, Jeep Wranglers and Jaguars.
Solid design with a wide application.
Due to its proven design Chrysler builds the same tranny as the NAG1. So you'll see the blue tops installed in Dodge Chargers, Challengers, Jeep Wranglers and Jaguars.
Solid design with a wide application.
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,427
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From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG cabriolet Eurocharged
To install the solenoids.
Remove pan, Conductor plate, They locate on top of the plate and lift off and press on with fingers.
Firmer shifts have always attributed to a longer lasting transmission. The firmer the shift the less internal friction and clutch plate wear. They last longer than stock.
The trade off is that the rest of the drive terrain will get hammered. Drive shaft and support carrier bearing, Third member differential and axle shafts. So easy does it in traffic.
I bet Gladys has shown a bit more spirit after the mod, I will keep my eyes out for a set of solenoids.
Best, Gator
Remove pan, Conductor plate, They locate on top of the plate and lift off and press on with fingers.
Firmer shifts have always attributed to a longer lasting transmission. The firmer the shift the less internal friction and clutch plate wear. They last longer than stock.
The trade off is that the rest of the drive terrain will get hammered. Drive shaft and support carrier bearing, Third member differential and axle shafts. So easy does it in traffic.
I bet Gladys has shown a bit more spirit after the mod, I will keep my eyes out for a set of solenoids.
Best, Gator
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Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Northern VA
2003 Chevy Tahoe
Thanks Gator - after all of the mods combined she's a completely different car. Can't really describe it other than - think it and she does it. Smooth power, easy to control, but you can go from 50 to 95 and not even realize it. When you're dealing with the jerks that try to speed up to prevent you from changing lanes - I can slot her in with plenty of room to spare. To me it's not a speed thing, it's really much safer being able to break out of the rush hour scrum into clean air! She's a fun little car.
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From: San Diego
2004 E55 AMG, 2008 G55 AMG
Do you guys think it would be more beneficial to do the TCU tune instead of the blue top solenoid? Or a combination of both? Very interested in this because I am nearing the time to finally get an ecu and TCU tune but wasn't aware of these different solenoids.
OG
OG
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From: Northern VA
2003 Chevy Tahoe
Don't know what your objectives are. I see a lot of people spending money on CF air boxes and after market filters, etc. While those are good, by themselves they are of very limited boost in performance. I used to have a CLK350. Had the E/C ECU and TCU tune. Didn't do a whole lot. She was quicker off the line, but without an increase in tq or rwhp was of little benefit.
So, TCU and Blue Top solenoids in an N/A car? Sure, knock yourself out if you want. Not sure which tranny you have in your ride, so the Blue Tops may not be the right solution. All they're going to do is make your shifts more deliberate, and probably too jarring to be what most would call a comfortable ride.
So, TCU and Blue Top solenoids in an N/A car? Sure, knock yourself out if you want. Not sure which tranny you have in your ride, so the Blue Tops may not be the right solution. All they're going to do is make your shifts more deliberate, and probably too jarring to be what most would call a comfortable ride.
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: South Africa
2004 CLK55 AMG W209
possible to post a video of the car during sports mode and manual mode driving pls? Would like to see how different it is from my car as I had raced a Golf 7R and my friend said each time my car shifted gears, he pulled on me and got ahead. Well I suppose DSG and the 5 speed AMG box cant be compared really.
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From: Northern VA
2003 Chevy Tahoe
I would expect a Golf 7R to catch you on the shifts. First, it's significantly lighter (500 lbs curb weight difference), second, it comes with a double clutch speed shift transmission, and it's turbocharged with all-wheel drive. Your 3,900 lb car with 360~ish (290 rwhp if you're lucky) is still connected to the venerable 722.6 tranny. While robust and reliable, nobody has ever accused it of being quick. Paddle shifters were a neat gimmick, but even in manual mode doesn't speed the shifts between gears. There are others on the forum who can provide the engineering behind it - but essentially the 722.6 won't shift, and won't let you shift unless rpm's are within a certain "safe" band. And even then they wouldn't pop like someone with a turbo and a speed shift. Don't think there's too much you can do to improve the 722.6's sluggish personality. So the only thing left to do is boost HP and tq!
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: San Diego
2004 E55 AMG, 2008 G55 AMG
Don't know what your objectives are. I see a lot of people spending money on CF air boxes and after market filters, etc. While those are good, by themselves they are of very limited boost in performance. I used to have a CLK350. Had the E/C ECU and TCU tune. Didn't do a whole lot. She was quicker off the line, but without an increase in tq or rwhp was of little benefit. So, TCU and Blue Top solenoids in an N/A car? Sure, knock yourself out if you want. Not sure which tranny you have in your ride, so the Blue Tops may not be the right solution. All they're going to do is make your shifts more deliberate, and probably too jarring to be what most would call a comfortable ride.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 264
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From: Northern VA
2003 Chevy Tahoe
From my experience the TCU tune changes shift points, holding low gears longer. Blue tops change the way your car shifts. OE solenoids gradually build rpm's to a smooth shift point. Blue tops won't change when, but how your car shifts. It is more of a "bang" than a smooth shift. The two together will definitely change the way your car shifts, don't know that it will make it shift "faster," if that makes sense - just makes the shifts more authoritative.
Last edited by FFXF1; Nov 5, 2015 at 06:36 PM.
