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First of all, the TCU Upgrade promoted by us is for the 722.9 Seven Speed Transmission. On the 722.6 Five Speed TCU, it is physically removed and programmed on the bench.
Is there any dealer up in Vancouver Canada ? really need this done as well.
First of all, the TCU Upgrade promoted by us is for the 722.9 Seven Speed Transmission. On the 722.6 Five Speed TCU, it is physically removed and programmed on the bench.
--> Axel's Automotive, details via DM
As mentioned above by @KLR CLS, the TCU is flashed through OBD2 with a special interface/tools. Our upgraded TCU Software includes removal of the lower gear limits, increase of the torque tables and increased line pressures. Shift points remain stock (since the power drops off before redline anyway, there would be no gain in increasing shift points). The Upgrade does not effect daily drivabilty, but the improvements are noticeable in all driving modes. We've been upgrading 722.9 TCUs for 2+ years with great success and zero issues...these transmissions are incredibly sturdy!
If someone wants to come to our HQ in South Florida and wants to do the upgrade, we're happy to take them with us on our next track day in order to get their own before and after results.
As most of you know, we've been in business for over 28 years and always published before and after results - either from VBox or track testing. These results are always averaged and not based on one time extreme results.
I am in West Palm and might be interested how much is the tune?
I would just worry I would lose my smooth drivability of my trans with this upgrade ....
Ha! I would not call this transmission setup smooth. Adapted or otherwise, I think it's the car's biggest let down. I love everything else about the E63. The transmission / MCT clutch pack setup is a solid "MEH!"
I am in West Palm and might be interested how much is the tune?
-> DM
Originally Posted by PeterUbers
I would just worry I would lose my smooth drivability of my trans with this upgrade ....
The TCU Software upgrade has no negative effect on the daily driveability of the vehicle
Originally Posted by chiromikey
1. Does this now work for all 722.9 transmissions, including 2012/13 RWD?
2. Will this eliminate the limp mode problem when trying to brake tq twice in a row (ie; doing a burnout to heat the tires then immediately trying to brake tq to build rpm/boost for a launch at the starting line)?
1. Yes, works with all 722.9 transmissions including all RWD 2012/2013 vehicles
2. We have not brought any RWD cars with the TCU Upgrade to the track (only 4WD). Therefore, we weren't able to replicate this specific issue.
It is not done via OBD.
A few years ago this tuner from Germany was in Houston and I watched him flash a few TCU for the 722.6. The car goes on the lift and the electrical connector going to transmission is disconnected and the flashing hardware is connected to re program the TCU.
Slightly off-topic...
I think I know of the guy that you're speaking of...I was in talks with him in the Autumn to tune my TCU for a 3.06 final drive upgrade, and initially he was ok to do it by posting the TCU overseas, but now he is insisting that I drive to Germany...urgh....
I've spoken to a guy from Switzerland who has a W212 wagon with the bigger ring gear upgrade and he said his car is pulling on a 2014 E63s in a rolling drag.
They posted these numbers on their Instagram page but I’ve yet to hear anyone discuss these kinds of results. If these were true I’d have expected people to be screaming from the rooftops! Anyone have anything to discuss?
Oh, and should we also discuss why their $12000 716hp R2 package is only running 11.6@122mph 😂
I have this installed on my 17 GLS63 that also has the renntech R1+ tune, diverter valve, filters, and high flow cat downpipes. Its a totally different drivetrain compared to the e63s and has the torque converter transmission not the MCT the e63s has but thought id share my thoughts. The TCU upgrade has been my favorite modification by far. I had the other mods done to the truck before the TCU and was always disappointed in the way the truck performed I would always think where is the supposed 800+ torque this truck makes? I know its a big heavy truck but I previously had a Jeep SRT 8 that only weighed 300 pounds less but with half the torque(465 lb/ft torque) that would snap your head back launching. I tried just mashing the throttle and doing brake launches in the GLS and would always get a slushy neutered launch that wouldn't chirp the tires with "800 tq" in freezing 30 degree F weather ! 800 lb ft of torque is a ridiculous amount of twist and even with 5800+ pounds to haul it should be mind blowing especially backed up by 700+ HP in the upper rev range.
After doing the TCU upgrade its a night and day difference its hard to explain how much better the truck feels. The other day I did a brake torque launch at around 2000 rpm in 45 degree weather and it spun the tires all the way through first gear ! Now it finally feels like it has 800 lb ft of torque even during 2nd gear rolls it pins you back and takes off much harder. I would go as far as saying with the AMG suv's its pretty much pointless to tune them if you are not going to do the TCU as without the TCU I only felt the truck was fast in 3rd gear and above. The real fun of these SUV's is around town in the lower gears or launching because above 100 MPH you are fighting a losing battle against aero anyway.
Again keep in mind this is with the AMG SUV's which I have heard have a lot more torque limiters built in compared to the E/CLS so I'm not sure if it would be as drastic of a difference but I have no doubt it would help. On renntechs website listing of the TCU for the GLS63 it even states "Especially with the newest generation of the Mercedes-AMG SUVs, the transmission has been the weak point while increasing power and acceleration." If you have all the bolt ons and are still looking for more I would 100% say its worth the shot.
The TCU Software upgrade has no negative effect on the daily driveability of the vehicle
1. Yes, works with all 722.9 transmissions including all RWD 2012/2013 vehicles
2. We have not brought any RWD cars with the TCU Upgrade to the track (only 4WD). Therefore, we weren't able to replicate this specific issue.
I can confirm the TCU upgrade has had ZERO negative effect on drivability on my 17 GLS 63 its been the best upgrade by far on my truck. Great job !
'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R
Originally Posted by Ezec63
I have this installed on my 17 GLS63 that also has the renntech R1+ tune, diverter valve, filters, and high flow cat downpipes. Its a totally different drivetrain compared to the e63s and has the torque converter transmission not the MCT the e63s has but thought id share my thoughts. The TCU upgrade has been my favorite modification by far. I had the other mods done to the truck before the TCU and was always disappointed in the way the truck performed I would always think where is the supposed 800+ torque this truck makes? I know its a big heavy truck but I previously had a Jeep SRT 8 that only weighed 300 pounds less but with half the torque(465 lb/ft torque) that would snap your head back launching. I tried just mashing the throttle and doing brake launches in the GLS and would always get a slushy neutered launch that wouldn't chirp the tires with "800 tq" in freezing 30 degree F weather ! 800 lb ft of torque is a ridiculous amount of twist and even with 5800+ pounds to haul it should be mind blowing especially backed up by 700+ HP in the upper rev range.
After doing the TCU upgrade its a night and day difference its hard to explain how much better the truck feels. The other day I did a brake torque launch at around 2000 rpm in 45 degree weather and it spun the tires all the way through first gear ! Now it finally feels like it has 800 lb ft of torque even during 2nd gear rolls it pins you back and takes off much harder. I would go as far as saying with the AMG suv's its pretty much pointless to tune them if you are not going to do the TCU as without the TCU I only felt the truck was fast in 3rd gear and above. The real fun of these SUV's is around town in the lower gears or launching because above 100 MPH you are fighting a losing battle against aero anyway.
Again keep in mind this is with the AMG SUV's which I have heard have a lot more torque limiters built in compared to the E/CLS so I'm not sure if it would be as drastic of a difference but I have no doubt it would help. On renntechs website listing of the TCU for the GLS63 it even states "Especially with the newest generation of the Mercedes-AMG SUVs, the transmission has been the weak point while increasing power and acceleration." If you have all the bolt ons and are still looking for more I would 100% say its worth the shot.
Thanks for the review. I have been previously told it improved the tq converter trans but the fact that I can’t track down a single independent review from anyone with the MCT is a huge red flag for me.
Thanks for the review. I have been previously told it improved the tq converter trans but the fact that I can’t track down a single independent review from anyone with the MCT is a huge red flag for me.
I felt the same way and was a little unsure since I did not really see any independent reviews of the TCU tune. If it was any other tuner I might not have pulled the trigger but renntechs reputation is unmatched in the AMG realm. These guys have been doing it a high level for a long time while others have come and gone.
I think a lot has to do with the fact that it was previously only possible to do the TCU tune at the headquarters in Florida that limited potential customers. Plus I have not seen them advertise it much as I guess they have there set customer base. If you were seriously interested in it I would try to talk to them. Maybe you can work something out with them where they will reflash your TCU back to stock and give you a full refund if you aren’t happy with it. If it’s even 50% as effective with the e63s as it was on my truck I would still be very happy.
'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R
Enough time has passed so I gotta ask again, any real world (objective) results for MCT cars...or is this just one more big tuner claim that can’t be proven by end users?
Enough time has passed so I gotta ask again, any real world (objective) results for MCT cars...or is this just one more big tuner claim that can’t be proven by end users?
Have not been to a drag strip, so no "real world" results. I can cut a 1.6 60' on the street since the TCU update. Prior my best was 1.8's . Same for the 0-60 times, I was ~3.4 best case and 3.2 after. I have a few Dragy pulls to verify this.
Last edited by Savage212; Jun 4, 2018 at 03:00 PM.
Enough time has passed so I gotta ask again, any real world (objective) results for MCT cars...or is this just one more big tuner claim that can’t be proven by end users?
'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R
Thank you!
I am seeing your draggy 60ft improvements but not quite the 2/10s (1.8 to 1.6) you implied...and nowhere near Renntech’s claims. It’s actually closer to .05s and the variables involved with street conditions are too hard to quantify. But I do appreciate the response and hope you can get to a track soon.
I knew you would ask........ So, it was a spur of the moment thing. I forgot the dragy and it's a non-timed event. I went like 20 times, would have been some good data. I f#uked up on that.
'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R
Originally Posted by kponti
Nothing 60' slips past you does it?
Lol. It’s the only true and consistent measurement. While I’m starting to appreciate the new gps devices, when you get into many in-car devices, operator errors come into play, some use roll out while others don’t, road surface and elevation conditions vary, weather and wind are variables that we don’t know that can make a difference. The track will always have an optimal launching surface (even if it’s not prepped with vht), consistent elevation, and anyone can look up weather and D/A conditions for any given time/run.
330ft time is an important measure for purpose of determining torque limitation. At this point you're well into 3rd gear and it's the first two gears where the limitations exist. Provides added information over the 60 foot.
removing all the torque limitation might not help the 60-foot a whole lot if the car is not able to hold boost while stationary. But it should definitely improve the 330-foot time if torque limitation is coming on at higher rpm which is when the engine produces the most torque, or during shifts 1-2 and 2-3.
330 foot time should be looked at in the context of the 60-foot time. If TCU update gave identical 60ft but improved a 330-foot that would indicate a reduction in the torque management somewhere in the first two gears. I don't think torque management occurs only during launch. If you log your runs you will likely see low boost in the first two gears and a much higher boost 3rd gear on.
Lol. It’s the only true and consistent measurement. While I’m starting to appreciate the new gps devices, when you get into many in-car devices, operator errors come into play, some use roll out while others don’t, road surface and elevation conditions vary, weather and wind are variables that we don’t know that can make a difference. The track will always have an optimal launching surface (even if it’s not prepped with vht), consistent elevation, and anyone can look up weather and D/A conditions for any given time/run.
I will say though, outside of the use of roll out, I will say the in-car devices may be better than a track accuracy wise.
Dragy allows you to input your info on their/some site to get a standardized reading. It accounts for elevation (show you right there what it is) as well.
Weather, wind and road/track surfaces are all variables that apply whether you use Dragy or go to the track
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
