Southern Hotrod "Shift Improvement Package" Installed
07-05-2009, 01:54 PM
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2003 CL55 Kompressor Horizon Blue Metallic
Southern Hotrod "Shift Improvement Package" Installed
Last time I posted about this was back in March, I finally got the Southern Hotrod NAG1-SIP "Shift Improvement Package" solenoids installed in the CL. I waited until a longish weekend to tear apart the car because I use it as a daily driver.
http://www.cherokeesrt8.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=24038
The results are Sick fun, sick with a capital S. My desire to have the CL shift like a heavily-modified turbo hydromatic 350 have been realized. Definitly the best bang-for-the-buck mod so far.
As some have noted previously, there is a ton of performance to be gained from these cars through transmission improvements. The car has gone from a 85K mile, well worn transmission feel to a feeling now of being catapulted as the gears change.
Downshifts are even a bigger difference, feels like they downshifts occur instantly compared to the old setup.
I'll probably end up breaking something.
Installing the solenoids is easy. Getting to the valvebody is actually the hardest part. I didn't use a lift, used jack stands. The main time lost was working around hacks that the dealer techs had done in my tranny pan area (over torqued drain plug, wrong pan bolt). Roughly 8 full hours with the work arounds, without the work arounds would have taken me around 4. An experienced MB/Chrysler technician can probably do it in a 2-3 hours.
http://www.cherokeesrt8.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=24038
The results are Sick fun, sick with a capital S. My desire to have the CL shift like a heavily-modified turbo hydromatic 350 have been realized. Definitly the best bang-for-the-buck mod so far.
As some have noted previously, there is a ton of performance to be gained from these cars through transmission improvements. The car has gone from a 85K mile, well worn transmission feel to a feeling now of being catapulted as the gears change.
Downshifts are even a bigger difference, feels like they downshifts occur instantly compared to the old setup.
I'll probably end up breaking something.
Installing the solenoids is easy. Getting to the valvebody is actually the hardest part. I didn't use a lift, used jack stands. The main time lost was working around hacks that the dealer techs had done in my tranny pan area (over torqued drain plug, wrong pan bolt). Roughly 8 full hours with the work arounds, without the work arounds would have taken me around 4. An experienced MB/Chrysler technician can probably do it in a 2-3 hours.
Last edited by mclarenm8d; 07-05-2009 at 02:01 PM.
07-05-2009, 04:01 PM
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SL600
At 85k miles on such a heavy car, a tranny rebuild at the same time would have yielded even better results. If you're blown away now, you would have been doubly so then.
07-06-2009, 11:08 AM
#7
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So let me just doubleckeck with you guys, V8 transmissions in MB is same as Challenger, Charger, Magnum, 300C, JEEP SRT-8? and solinoids for those cars will work in MB?
If so i can have this done in CLK500?
If so i can have this done in CLK500?
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07-06-2009, 11:19 AM
#8
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Apparently its $500 for the parts and yes the parts will work in almost every recent MB 5 speed trans. Check with Southern Hot Rod to make sure. I have the full build in mine, back when they wouldn't sell the valvebody seperately. The way my car shifts may be a little too harsh for some people
07-06-2009, 11:31 AM
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C55,SL55,C63
Apparently its $500 for the parts and yes the parts will work in almost every recent MB 5 speed trans. Check with Southern Hot Rod to make sure. I have the full build in mine, back when they wouldn't sell the valvebody seperately. The way my car shifts may be a little too harsh for some people
On the topics of transmissions does anyone know where to get clutch packs other than renntech?
07-06-2009, 01:45 PM
#11
I will be calling those guys today. I've got an email out there but the phone is faster. My car is shifting like dog poop at redline. If $500 solves it that would be amazing.
On the topics of transmissions does anyone know where to get clutch packs other than renntech?
On the topics of transmissions does anyone know where to get clutch packs other than renntech?
07-06-2009, 03:50 PM
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E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
Just shy of a SMG?
Tell us more, do the 3 (C,S,M) modes still work?
I would like to have a greater diff between C and S.
Tell us more, do the 3 (C,S,M) modes still work?
I would like to have a greater diff between C and S.
07-06-2009, 04:29 PM
#14
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just got off the phone with him. Guy seems like a real straight shooter. Told me he has a background from MB and originally purchased these to use on SRT cars. Seems to work for us too. What I can't figure out is, they are factory MB parts so what do they come from? 65 trannys? This does seem to be a plug and play though. One of the potential problems we can run into here is that we may already have them, depending on the build date. However, he wasn't sure as to when the build date cutoff was. This definatly puts more ware on the trans, but at a cost that may be worth it. My trans is new at 35-40k or so, so I can afford some extra ware. What do you guys think? I want stronger downshifts I enjoy stopping and cornering from the paddles and this may be a ticket to more of that. I would expect something just short of an SMG M car feel, well I hope anyway. Maybe you could shed some more light on it Mclaren?
07-06-2009, 04:41 PM
#15
Out Of Control!!
I will be calling those guys today. I've got an email out there but the phone is faster. My car is shifting like dog poop at redline. If $500 solves it that would be amazing.
On the topics of transmissions does anyone know where to get clutch packs other than renntech?
On the topics of transmissions does anyone know where to get clutch packs other than renntech?
My car never came with C, S, and M so I dunno.
07-06-2009, 04:44 PM
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CLS55 AMG 030
Last time I posted about this was back in March, I finally got the Southern Hotrod NAG1-SIP "Shift Improvement Package" solenoids installed in the CL. I waited until a longish weekend to tear apart the car because I use it as a daily driver.
http://www.cherokeesrt8.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=24038
The results are Sick fun, sick with a capital S. My desire to have the CL shift like a heavily-modified turbo hydromatic 350 have been realized. Definitly the best bang-for-the-buck mod so far.
As some have noted previously, there is a ton of performance to be gained from these cars through transmission improvements. The car has gone from a 85K mile, well worn transmission feel to a feeling now of being catapulted as the gears change.
Downshifts are even a bigger difference, feels like they downshifts occur instantly compared to the old setup.
I'll probably end up breaking something.
Installing the solenoids is easy. Getting to the valvebody is actually the hardest part. I didn't use a lift, used jack stands. The main time lost was working around hacks that the dealer techs had done in my tranny pan area (over torqued drain plug, wrong pan bolt). Roughly 8 full hours with the work arounds, without the work arounds would have taken me around 4. An experienced MB/Chrysler technician can probably do it in a 2-3 hours.
http://www.cherokeesrt8.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=24038
The results are Sick fun, sick with a capital S. My desire to have the CL shift like a heavily-modified turbo hydromatic 350 have been realized. Definitly the best bang-for-the-buck mod so far.
As some have noted previously, there is a ton of performance to be gained from these cars through transmission improvements. The car has gone from a 85K mile, well worn transmission feel to a feeling now of being catapulted as the gears change.
Downshifts are even a bigger difference, feels like they downshifts occur instantly compared to the old setup.
I'll probably end up breaking something.
Installing the solenoids is easy. Getting to the valvebody is actually the hardest part. I didn't use a lift, used jack stands. The main time lost was working around hacks that the dealer techs had done in my tranny pan area (over torqued drain plug, wrong pan bolt). Roughly 8 full hours with the work arounds, without the work arounds would have taken me around 4. An experienced MB/Chrysler technician can probably do it in a 2-3 hours.
My main complaint with the necessary evil of the 5 speed trans is, it's a poor shifting set up.
07-06-2009, 05:29 PM
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C55,SL55,C63
E55 and C55 share this common part number: A203 270 0089
SL65 and SLR share this common part number: A240 270 0089
Are they the same with just a different chassis number IDK???
That even it this is the part being talked about.
UP to vin number ending in 247134 use A203
As of vin number ending in 247135 use A240
SL65 and SLR share this common part number: A240 270 0089
Are they the same with just a different chassis number IDK???
That even it this is the part being talked about.
UP to vin number ending in 247134 use A203
As of vin number ending in 247135 use A240
Last edited by hooleyboy; 07-06-2009 at 05:48 PM.
07-06-2009, 06:16 PM
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bone stock E55 AMG
Last time I posted about this was back in March, I finally got the Southern Hotrod NAG1-SIP "Shift Improvement Package" solenoids installed in the CL. I waited until a longish weekend to tear apart the car because I use it as a daily driver.
http://www.cherokeesrt8.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=24038
The results are Sick fun, sick with a capital S. My desire to have the CL shift like a heavily-modified turbo hydromatic 350 have been realized. Definitly the best bang-for-the-buck mod so far.
As some have noted previously, there is a ton of performance to be gained from these cars through transmission improvements. The car has gone from a 85K mile, well worn transmission feel to a feeling now of being catapulted as the gears change.
Downshifts are even a bigger difference, feels like they downshifts occur instantly compared to the old setup.
I'll probably end up breaking something.
Installing the solenoids is easy. Getting to the valvebody is actually the hardest part. I didn't use a lift, used jack stands. The main time lost was working around hacks that the dealer techs had done in my tranny pan area (over torqued drain plug, wrong pan bolt). Roughly 8 full hours with the work arounds, without the work arounds would have taken me around 4. An experienced MB/Chrysler technician can probably do it in a 2-3 hours.
http://www.cherokeesrt8.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=24038
The results are Sick fun, sick with a capital S. My desire to have the CL shift like a heavily-modified turbo hydromatic 350 have been realized. Definitly the best bang-for-the-buck mod so far.
As some have noted previously, there is a ton of performance to be gained from these cars through transmission improvements. The car has gone from a 85K mile, well worn transmission feel to a feeling now of being catapulted as the gears change.
Downshifts are even a bigger difference, feels like they downshifts occur instantly compared to the old setup.
I'll probably end up breaking something.
Installing the solenoids is easy. Getting to the valvebody is actually the hardest part. I didn't use a lift, used jack stands. The main time lost was working around hacks that the dealer techs had done in my tranny pan area (over torqued drain plug, wrong pan bolt). Roughly 8 full hours with the work arounds, without the work arounds would have taken me around 4. An experienced MB/Chrysler technician can probably do it in a 2-3 hours.
just got off the phone with him. Guy seems like a real straight shooter. Told me he has a background from MB and originally purchased these to use on SRT cars. Seems to work for us too. What I can't figure out is, they are factory MB parts so what do they come from? 65 trannys? This does seem to be a plug and play though. One of the potential problems we can run into here is that we may already have them, depending on the build date. However, he wasn't sure as to when the build date cutoff was. This definatly puts more ware on the trans, but at a cost that may be worth it. My trans is new at 35-40k or so, so I can afford some extra ware. What do you guys think? I want stronger downshifts I enjoy stopping and cornering from the paddles and this may be a ticket to more of that. I would expect something just short of an SMG M car feel, well I hope anyway. Maybe you could shed some more light on it Mclaren?
07-07-2009, 12:14 AM
#22
Former Vendor of MBWorld
If we can find out what parts are used I can get a smoken deal (what the dealer considers a smokin deal) on MB parts. I'd be more than willing to get a group buy going. Thats if we dont already have the part installed on our cars. All I know is mine shifts like crap at redline.
07-07-2009, 02:19 PM
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2003 CL55 Kompressor Horizon Blue Metallic
Answering some other questions -
Upshifts are both firmer and quicker and all around more responsive. Downshifts more so, I moved from sport to comfort mode for daily driving because the downshift to first gear on stops is pretty noticeable. Slight heel-toe downshifting in manual mode is kinda a requirement now as well, which I actually prefer. All modes work (C,S, and M).
The difference feels like instant response compared to previous. Probably not "SMG" level, but even light throttle starts are much quicker now because the car isn't wasting time in shifts.
Last edited by mclarenm8d; 07-07-2009 at 02:22 PM.
07-07-2009, 03:32 PM
#24
Former Vendor of MBWorld
I have a few MB parts guys working on this as we speak. If it all checks out and I get the one with the blue top, I could do these for $395 for a set!
Thats if all checks out.
Thats if all checks out.
07-07-2009, 06:34 PM
#25
Former Vendor of MBWorld
I just ordered some valves from Mercedes. should be here in a few days. I got the ones off the SLR 722. If they are blue then we have a winner. If not I will send them back.
