SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: blue top solenoids in trans
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
blue top solenoids in trans
so been researching how to get the cars shifts feeling better and faster in my 03 sl55 and after searching it looks like the slr/blue top solenoids are the fix.
it looks like it depends on the year of your car as some may already have them. has anyone done this in their sl55 and does anyone know if there is production or year cut offs to ones that already have them?
from the e55 side it seems anything pre 2006 maybe 2005 did not have them. anyone know if this holds true for the sl55?
i found them on parts.com for $165 each, which looks like a good price.
it looks like it depends on the year of your car as some may already have them. has anyone done this in their sl55 and does anyone know if there is production or year cut offs to ones that already have them?
from the e55 side it seems anything pre 2006 maybe 2005 did not have them. anyone know if this holds true for the sl55?
i found them on parts.com for $165 each, which looks like a good price.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
Go into your das and investigate/ study the adjustable tranny shifting parameters. There are many of them. There are even more in the developers edition (how good is your German?)
I don't think there is any need to upgrade solenoid hardware. Your money are better spent on a tcu tune.
I don't think there is any need to upgrade solenoid hardware. Your money are better spent on a tcu tune.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
money already spent on tcu tune. didn't notice much over stock. definately not enough to change the way the trans over thinks all of it's shifts. a tcu tune from one tuner is slr parameters. the only other change from the way an slr shifts is, yes, the hardware. solenoids. the trans is the same.
the diameter of the opening of the solenoids will change the pressures induced to each clutch pack in the trans. i personally am sick of a trans in a "performance car" that takes over one second to change gears. when making more power you have to shift earlier, and lose time over the shift. the faster the shift, the more you will stay in the powerband. last time driving my car i would have to initiate shift at 4500 to not hit rev limiter. that is crap imo.
trying to find a better way. if there was a 6 spd manu version of our cars i would do it in a blink!!
the diameter of the opening of the solenoids will change the pressures induced to each clutch pack in the trans. i personally am sick of a trans in a "performance car" that takes over one second to change gears. when making more power you have to shift earlier, and lose time over the shift. the faster the shift, the more you will stay in the powerband. last time driving my car i would have to initiate shift at 4500 to not hit rev limiter. that is crap imo.
trying to find a better way. if there was a 6 spd manu version of our cars i would do it in a blink!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 17
From: Florida
03SL55
My car gets rubber sifting from first into second sometimes, never touched the trans. Before I did my cooling upgrades, the only time shifts seemed laborious was when the car got heat soaked. Some say the TCU tune = placebo effect.
Edit...You can open your hood, look at the engine while you power brake the car to see how much your motor shifts. It the engine looks like it wants to jump out of the engine bay, you may need motor/trans mount.
Edit...You can open your hood, look at the engine while you power brake the car to see how much your motor shifts. It the engine looks like it wants to jump out of the engine bay, you may need motor/trans mount.
Last edited by kustom2k1; Feb 22, 2013 at 01:43 AM.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
i posted a great design for mounts earlier. just follow that. it still will allow slip at very high loads and allow variations for install. the trans mount is easy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 6
From: S.E. FLA.
05 ML-500 , 03 CLK5.5 AMG has left the Garage
Blue top
Attached is a old thread posted By MBH ( Hooley Boy in the old days )
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...-problems.html
Cheers _PTEngineering
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...-problems.html
Cheers _PTEngineering
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
i think you guys will be playing with fire.
those things (the trannies) are really tuned to work well with stock valves.
you can certainly replace the valves, but i am thinking software adjustments will be needed also as everything pressure-wise will change.
btw, parts.com have the big valves for $164.40
those things (the trannies) are really tuned to work well with stock valves.
you can certainly replace the valves, but i am thinking software adjustments will be needed also as everything pressure-wise will change.
btw, parts.com have the big valves for $164.40
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
i think you guys will be playing with fire.
those things (the trannies) are really tuned to work well with stock valves.
you can certainly replace the valves, but i am thinking software adjustments will be needed also as everything pressure-wise will change.
btw, parts.com have the big valves for $164.40
those things (the trannies) are really tuned to work well with stock valves.
you can certainly replace the valves, but i am thinking software adjustments will be needed also as everything pressure-wise will change.
btw, parts.com have the big valves for $164.40
i also heard (don't quote me as of yet) that the v12tt cars and the black series also had the blue tops. that is where the part number comes from.
it's not playing with fire at all. they just saved the good stuff for the higher end models. same as every other manufacturer.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
Attached is a old thread posted By MBH ( Hooley Boy in the old days )
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...-problems.html
Cheers _PTEngineering
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...-problems.html
Cheers _PTEngineering
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
from the way mine shifts i seriously hope it has the brown tops, if it already has the blues, then all hope is lost and i shall run my car off a cliff. lol
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
Banned
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
SL55 AMG & BMW F10
unless someone can chime in that knows for the sl chassis, i would put a guess that it ran the same as the e55's. so 2005 and earlier would be brown tops. i will be pulling my trans pan soon to take a peak, which sounds like is the only true way of knowing.
from the way mine shifts i seriously hope it has the brown tops, if it already has the blues, then all hope is lost and i shall run my car off a cliff. lol
from the way mine shifts i seriously hope it has the brown tops, if it already has the blues, then all hope is lost and i shall run my car off a cliff. lol
Banned
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
SL55 AMG & BMW F10
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
SL55 AMG EC Stage 5 Beast / ESS S/C E92 M3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 173
From: Long Island New York
2003 SL55,2020 GTC ,2017 GTS sold ,2002 G500 Sold,2003 SL500 Sold,
Blue tops
Hate to ruin your day my 03sl55 has them stock so don't tear it down yet,call southern hot rods and talk to Eddie and give vin he can tell you,plus I dropped the valve body anyway hoping it wasn't true and guess what,blue tops ,eh a learning experience
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
SL55 AMG EC Stage 5 Beast / ESS S/C E92 M3
I hope you can get your money back OZ
Last edited by RAWAMG; Apr 11, 2013 at 04:21 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
i am sure i can sell them quick if i need to. it is my understanding only the sl65's and the slr's had them.
if it is true and mine already has the blue tops, it seems there is no hope for this trans. the thing i hate most about the car is the shifting. if mine has the blue tops, i think you would have to shift off idle to get a gear change at redline with the brown tops!
after all the body kit and all other recent mods this was the one i was most excited about. i need to hit jerry up for a way more aggressive tcu program then.
if it is true and mine already has the blue tops, it seems there is no hope for this trans. the thing i hate most about the car is the shifting. if mine has the blue tops, i think you would have to shift off idle to get a gear change at redline with the brown tops!
after all the body kit and all other recent mods this was the one i was most excited about. i need to hit jerry up for a way more aggressive tcu program then.
Last edited by overZealous1; Apr 11, 2013 at 05:55 PM.
