I was wondering the same thing. I noticed on FICM repair that Ed has those upgrade solenoids and they sound like they will solve some problems. I would like to hear what Mark K. thinks about them as well.

 

It wont fit your '03, unless you put the '08 and up pan on, then it will fit.

 

You clearly missed the sarcasm.

 

 

Yes, I have one on my rig and they are blingy for sure. Just make sure you get the 5R110W pan. #F5R110W [#F5R110W] - $370.00 : mag-hytec

 

He doesn't believe they are necessary. I can post the links but the threads are on other forums that Mark posted in. But here's one reply,

 

The solenoids on my Excursion took me from a flashing tow/haul light to no flashing tow/haul light, from going into limp mode to not, and from there being a delay before engaging in drive to no delay before engaging in drive. Now perhaps it was just the transmission fluid change that did all of this, but there was only 30,000 or so on the fluid at time of change.

I agree that the conversation about cooler fluid due to the heat fins is of marginal gain, but it does have logic. I can't say as I've noticed a reduced trans temp one way or other other post fancy pan. Is the new aluminum pan dramatically stiffer than the tin pan it replaced? No doubt.

Hope this helps!

Ed

http://www.ficmrepair.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=results/category_id=89/mode=cat/cat89.htm

 

So what about the solenoids not playing nice with aftermarket tuning?

 

I'm sorry that I mentioned the "incompatibility" without referencing anything. I believe that the best thing to do is talk to who you purchase your tunes from and get their feedback. If you're using "canned" tunes, this may be where the issue rears it's head.

 

First of all what does the modified solenoid do? The solenoids turn on and off gears by applying fluid directly to the clutch in question which is controlled by the computer. The improved solenoid delivers more fluid in less time. In theory with more aggressive HP upgrades the OEM solenoid can't keep up leading to the clutch slipping and eventually failing or the dreaded 3-5 flare.


As indicated by Mike K (the guy who wrote the TCM software) in other threads engine torque is a major input to the required pressure for a shift. Thus, tuning absolutely affects the pressure over what he programmed the computer and tranny to require. Does that mean the solenoid can't keep up? I'm not so sure. The computer controls the shift, not the solenoid. A good tune writer accounts for the extra torque when he revises the original programming.


I'm no tranny expert but adding the modified solenoid to a truck already running an aggressive PCM/TCM tune sounds like putting the cart before the horse. I would think the tuner would need to account for a solenoid that, according to FICMrepair "delivers twice the fluid in half the time". In contrast, maybe it's a perfectly reasonable preventative maintenance mod on a vehicle that is running a stock strategy as indicated by Ed. Mark K. argues that the reason for the flare is not the solenoid but rather the adaptive software and an occasional lapse or latency in the timing between releasing the intermediate clutch while simultaneously applying the direct clutch.


My 2 cents on why the solenoid might not play nice with aftermarket tuning

 

Thank You!!! Makes sense. Mine actually shifts better with my Innovative tune but every once in a while there is a slight delay in the 3-5 shift. Not sure if it qualifies as the "flare" people talk about.

 

Haven't had that issue. I run aftermarket tuning on my daily driver and saw no negatives. I have a local customer that Inthus for haven't been able to talk out of using his old Bully Dog. He had the precise experience Inhad with no drawbacks either.

The statements made about twice the fluid in half the time come from our supplier.

Does it all all make sense to me? Yes, yes it does.
Have I witnessed firsthand the benefits? Yep, sure have.
Have dozens if not hundreds of our customers thanked us profusely for how much better their transmissions act following the different solenoid? Yes, yet again.

I am far far from a transmission expert, but the results themselves are enough to make me a believer.

Hope this helps!

Ed

 

Ed did you happen to reset KAM after installing the new solenoids?

That would force the trans controller to relearn the pressures. Also
if your having any tune issues say something to the person that
wrote the tune and see if they have a tweak for it.

My truck has the 08 pan and filter. I'll stick with steel pan. Aluminum
does not bend that well when you smack something where the steel
pan will, It still might leak but you can get it home.

 

This thread has posed an interesting conundrum. In one corner we have empirical data in the form of sales and the opinion of one of the most respected vendors on the forum(s) with incredible CS and in the other corner the equally well-respected engineer who at least partly designed the transmission and wrote the adaptive software that controls it. As a research scientist I find this quite interesting. And it's great that folks from the industry take the time to post on the forums.


No dog in this fight. If anything, if you have your pan off it's not hard to change out the solenoid and give it a try.

 

I don't view this (and don't encourage anyone else to view this) as one side against the other or any sort of fight. Rather, I view it as all of us helping each other out with our experiences and knowledge.

Yahiko - no KAM reset was performed, no.

I think we all have witnessed things working or not that the books say should not or should have worked. I'm just happy to derive the intended result any way I can get it!

Ed