Thanks for the quick response guys, especially from Vividracing. The fact that Vividracing responded even though I'm using another shop for tiptronic service that Vividracing offers validates my past purchases from them and the fact that this is a standup company. Kudos to you Vividracing!

Now for an update. My car got dropped off this morning to FixEuro for the tiptronic rebuild/upgrade. They will be: increasing the stall on the torque converter by 400-500 rpm (adding about $250 to the price of the work); confirming whether or not there are clutch discs available that are better than the OEM Mercedes clutch discs; increasing the number of clutch discs in the clutch packs to as many as they can; looking to see if a custom transmission pan can be fabricated to hold more trans. fluid; and looking to see if the fluid flow rate can be increased. I will keep everyone posted and will provide the web blog on the rebuild once it is started by FixEuro.

 

Here is the web blog started by FixEuro to document my tiptronic rebuild.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1104921...98551765519826

 

Then in the end... If you don't mind. Tell us what to expect for the cost of something like this and what advantage and longivity it provides for the $.

 

no need to worry about that!! they didn't pull the motor!! i got no idea how they got to those bell housing bolts on top though. I'm impressed there is not a lot of room for hands and tools up there.

 

Update: Transmission work seems to be progressing accordingly. Trans is out and has been taken apart without the need to drop the engine (see link to 90 pics). I'm wondering if I should purchase upgraded intake piping and get them to change it out while the tranny is out in order to improve airflow to the turbos. Pics of the car without the trans shows that it would be a good time to do it because of the clean/clear access to the piping running behind the engine and above the tranny.

On another note, the shop called me first thing Saturday morning to discuss the tranny work and to also advise me that they found a ripped boot on the driver's side front half-shaft closest to the tire. I already knew about the ripped boot and planned to replace it myself once I got the car back (I replaced the passenger side half-shaft about 8 months ago because of the same problem). I was impressed that they found the ripped boot because it indicated to me that they gave the car a thorough inspection before proceeding to the tranny. They gave me an estimate of about $200-$250 to rebuild and replace the halfshaft so I authorized the work. A new half-shaft costs over $600 just for the part, sans the labor!

 

I don't know of any vendor who makes upgrade turbo inlet piping for a tip. AND, if you ask them to fab up some piping, be prepared for a huge bill.

 

Agreed. Your best best is to get Markski's kit, since at least he has flexible hoses, but I am sure you will run into issues. I would go blow through or leave it alone.

 

I agree...unless there is some minor clearancing that could be done on bell housing. I don't think anyone recommends blow through for typical 24/18g set up. I would leave it alone too unless you did 20g.

Does fix euro have any idea what clutches they using or oil pan fab? Could always make their own clutches. Do they recommend a better tranny fluid or stick with factory. I bet there are some aftermarket fluids like amsoil perhaps that have better cooling properties. They didn't recommend the blue top solenoids because they were worried about communication with the computer but everyone else is doing it.

 

Update:

Just got off the phone with the shop and here is the latest (Keep in mind that I was talking to the sales representative and not the actual specialist who is rebuilding the transmission on the status of the rebuild. The web repair blog will document exactly what is being done and will be more accurate):
- They are trying to locate a couple of seals they need in order to complete the work;
- Sections B-2, B-3 and K-3 will retain the factory number of clutches/steels because there wasn't any room to increase these;
- Section K-1 will be increased from 6 clutches/7 steels to probably 10 clutches/11 steels;
- Section B-1 will be increased from 4 clutches/5 steels to probably 10 clutches/11 steels;
- They took the valve body apart and will be cleaning/udating it;
- Torque converter has been taken apart, but he didn't have any information on the status of the upgrade stall speed.
- The half-shaft has been taken apart and they found that it is in good condition so they will only be replacing the torn boot (Porsche OEM: $43.00 plus labor of less than $100.00).

I forgot to ask them what fluid they would be using once they put everything back together again or if it would be possible to fabricate a custom oilpan and the costs associated with such a custome fabrication. The shop will be uploading additional pictures of the rebuild today so click on the link if interested.

 

What about K2? without going and reVsisting hours of digging i think my memory says that the K1 and K2 were the biggy!! but it sounds like they doing what they can where they can. either way i don't remember the numbers of K1 clutches and steels being doubled!! think i remember 2 more clutches or so at most, but not a double for sure!!!! I'm still impressed. any idea on pricing yet?

and just for note, i think B1 is inVoled with park, reVerse, neutral, 1st and 5th

 

IPT told me they added a clutch to every single gear (except reverse). You have to machine the tranny for it to hold more.

 

Update:

- Torque converter modification is done. Total price for rebuilding it and increasing the stall by 400-500 rpm is $750.
- The two seals they are having trouble sourcing have NOT been removed from the transmission and are NOT leaking. They would like to replace ALL the seals they can, but don't remove any seals from the trans. until they have a new seal in hand. That said, they may not be replacing these following seals because they can't find them: Transfer Shaft Plate seal (Porsche #99911348540/Mercedes # 0239977247) and Pinion Seal (Porsche #99911348640/Mercedes #0239977347)
- The price to rebuild/strengthen the tiptronic, modify the torque converter, repair my front half-shaft boot, and labor will be closer to $4,200 - $4,900 rather than the $3,200 - $3,900 quoted earlier. Reason: the lower quote was for a ZF 4HP22 Porsche Transmission, not our 996TT tiptronic 722.653 which requires a bit more labor.
- They will be using Mercedes approved synthetic trans. fluid. May include an additive that increases the temperature threshold of the fluid if the additive is compatible with the Mercedes synthetic fluid.

New pictures of the rebuild are on the link to the web repair blog.

As far as adding additional clutches/steel rings, they said that they will increase those at every level they can with Exedy and Raybestos clutches and better steel. My earlier posts on the number of clutches/steel rings they will increase was based on my conversation with the sales tech, not the transmission specialist.

 

Yep my understanding is that you have to machine the carrier drum to make more fit. I would certainly see if they can do that.

 

Nice thread

 

Update: Should hear from the shop tomorrow on how the rebuild is going. In the meantime, I found this interesting technical service bulletin/article about the 722.6 Mercedes Benz transmission, which is what our tiptronic basically is.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/37436253/722-6