First gear valve bodies, fire sale

[Stevester 500E]

I have two first gear valve bobies for sale. I have a pre 1993 valve body and post 1993 valve body. I was going to put one in my 500e but I am getting prepared to sell my 500e, therefore I will not need them. Both are in excellent condition and came off of running cars. PLease make a reasonable offer. A reasonable offer will not be refused.
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/pts/3942984107.html.

Cheers.

 

[Aston Martin]

What is the difference between pre 93 and after in regard to transmission valve body.

 

[Stevester 500E]

Not technically sure, but I here hear they are interchangable. I got both because my car is a mid 1993, I was going to put in the correct visually matching one. But I am in the process of selling my 500e so the first gear start valve bodies are for sale.

 

[Stevester 500E]

Here is the link to the first gear valve body I have for sale. I was sell a pair for a reasonable. Now selling this mint condition on at $275 plus shipping. http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/pts/3942984107.html.

 

[Kamylek]

Hi

Also have for sale first gear valve bodie from e420 1993.

 

[Ron500E]

Just my 2 cents....

For those of you who haven't made this Bolt-On/Bolt-Off mod now may be the time.
There is no more dramatic thing you can do for your 036 to give the feel of extra power. It's a simple install, maybe 40 minutes in total AND you get to change your trans fluid and filter (when was the last time you did that?) while you're there. I don't often quote the 124 "Bible" "bible" (but when I do I am on strong pain killers) but he does say that this mod, along with an ASR Defeat, will "unleash the monster in your 036." In this case he is correct.
You drain the fluid, drop the trans pan then you drain the torque converter. After all the fluid is drained you unbolt the 15 or so fasteners holding the old valve body in place. Installation is the exact opposite. Worse case scenario is that you MAY have to undo the exhaust crossover pipe, which is only 4 bolts anyway. If you do have to do this I suggest that you purchase a new Exhaust Seal Ring.
Since you're "there" you should get a new trans filter and gasket as well as 6 new copper washers for the pan and a new copper crush washer for the drain plug, that's it. For just under $110. in parts (the 036 filter is expensive) plus the Valve Body and Fluid you get an ALL MERCEDES First Gear Start System. There's value in keeping your car 100% Mercedes designed and made IMHO.
People talk about tubular headers, 6L engines, blowers, mods to the fuel mapping, NOS Systems and all sorts of other sexy things that are expensive, money pits and impractical for the most part with a Close to Zero ROI.

My "favorite" is all the BS about headers. Novices think that because one uses tubes instead of cast metal that there is an increase in power, what they don't seem to realize that to do it properly you need a Chassis Dyno, Exhaust Gas Analyzer, Exhaust Temperature Analyzer, Exhaust Pressure Gauge as well as LOTS of tubing and welding rods and a metal chop saw. You don't just weld up some pipes and expect a gain as in 99.973% of the time there is a LOSS of power. There is a HUGE weight savings however - usually in the wallet department.
It's a novice mistake that most people have made when they first start out. But I digress.
But this First Gear Start Valve Body is one mod that is cheap, PROVEN, 100% Mercedes as well as easily undone if you so desire.
Pulling away from stoplights will be more fun from the day you finish this mod.

Parts Needed for First Gear Valve Body Conversion

Transmission Valve Body from W124.034 400E/E420 Used
A129 277 0195 Filter $73.20
A126 271 1180 Gasket $3.96
N007603 010112 Transmission Drain Plug Seal Washer $1.32
N000000 000648 Torque Converter Drain Plug $1.92
N000000 000648 Transmission Oil Pan Drain Plug $1.92 Same Part Number As Above
N007603 010100 Torque Converter Seal Washer $1.32
N000125 008418 Transmission Pan Washer (x6) $2.28 ($13.68)
A202 492 0281 Exhaust Seal Ring/Gasket $6.60
A220 271 0098 Transmission Magnet, Rectangular (optional) $4.32
Dex II or Dex III ATF Trans Fluid (8 Quarts) Local/Amazon
All prices via Parts.com


Kind Regards,

Ron

 

[gerryvz]

You forgot to mention about draining the torque converter. That should be done when changing the rest of the transmission juice.

I recommend just buying new drain plugs and copper washers for both the TC and the transmission pan. Quite often one finds the existing drain plugs are quite rounded off. The plugs are cheap and available either via parts.com or AHAZ.

Also, you didn't mention nitrous-oxide as a sexy, expensive & impractical money pit mod......

this Bolt-On/Bolt-Off mod

Is this kind of like "Wax-On / Wax-Off" ??

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[Stevester 500E]

I guess it's a matter of preference. After all, Mb did engineer the FGS valve bodies - German engineering . . . .

 

[gerryvz]

The only thing that should be noted with the FGS valve bodies, is that when installed, you have FGS all the time. And they are fixed, not adjustable.

The BergWerks FGS kit is adjustable in terms of whether you want it enabled or not (like with the B switch on the gear lever). However the BergWerks FGS, if you have the Full Monty version, also gives you "regular" and "Sport" FGS modes, and you can also adjust the shift point where it upshifts from 1 to 2.

Just sayin. The factory MB FGS valve body is an excellent solution for those folks who want FGS though !!

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[szvook]

With the FGS valve bodies, if the throttle pedal presure is light, the car will shift into 2nd gear so the first gear start is bypassed. With medium or heavy preassure, the car will take off in first gear. So there's room for pressure modulation that one can attain...unless one has a lead foot and knows no other way to drive.

 

[Stevester 500E]

szvook,
That is a very good point, very good design !

 

[gerryvz]

With the FGS valve bodies, if the throttle pedal presure is light, the car will shift into 2nd gear so the first gear start is bypassed. With medium or heavy preassure, the car will take off in first gear. So there's room for pressure modulation that one can attain...unless one has a lead foot and knows no other way to drive.

I didn't know that; thanks for teaching me something good!

 

[Ron500E]

Amended per Gerry's advice with new part numbers for drain plugs and washers.

Ron

 

[8899]

Parts Needed for First Gear Valve Body Conversion

Transmission Valve Body Used
A129 277 0195 Filter $73.20
A126 271 1080 Gasket No Price Listed
N007603 010112 Transmission Drain Plug Seal Washer $1.32
N000000 000648 Torque Converter Drain Plug $1.92
N000000 000648 Transmission Oil Pan Drain Plug $1.92 Same Number As Above
N007603 010100 Torque Converter Seal Washer $1.32
N000125 008418 Transmission Pan Washer (x6) $2.28 ($13.68)
A202 492 0281 Exhaust Seal Ring/Gasket $6.60
Dex Ii or Dex III ATF Trans Fluid (8 Quarts) Local/Amazon

For the transmission pan gasket I had part number: 126 271 11 80 with Woco as the OE manufacturer ($7.03 from Autohauz)
For both the trans pan and torque converter drain plug I had part number: 000 000 000 884
Remember, the trans pan drain plug seal/washer is copper and the torque converter drain plug seal/washer is aluminum.
GSXR has indicated that an ElringKlinger trans filter is ok and is priced at $22.25 from Autohauz.

 

[Ron500E]

For the transmission pan gasket I had part number: 126 271 11 80 with Woco as the OE manufacturer ($7.03 from Autohauz)
For both the trans pan and torque converter drain plug I had part number: 000 000 000 884
Remember, the trans pan drain plug seal/washer is copper and the torque converter drain plug seal/washer is aluminum.
GSXR has indicated that an ElringKlinger trans filter is ok and is priced at $22.25 from Autohauz.

Greg:

Where did you get your number, 000 000 000 884, for the drain plug? I got mine, 000 000 000 648 from the EPC.
I think the 036 filter has "flaps" whereas the standard filter does not, does the Elring/Klinger one have the flaps?
The trans gasket, A126 271 1180 is $3.96 from Parts.com. with a MSRP of $5.50.
I don't understand how Autohaus can charge $7.03 for an OE part when one can get a genuine Mercedes part for less, even at full retail from a stealer?

As a matter of course I would put a magnet in the pan, I don't have the number but I think it's either a 201 or 202 number. In the EPC they have the later one, the number of the one YOU WANT has been superceded, but if you order by the old number and request "DO NOT SUBSTITUTE PART NUMBER" you will get the old rectangular one which is both better and less expensive - if still available.

Ron

 

[gerryvz]

There are definitely cases where parts.com sells OE parts for less than AHAZ sells the same part for. Case in point are a couple of the vacuum pods for the ACC systems of the 124 and the 126. Same thing with things like vacuum elbows and such -- parts.com often sells "genuine" MB items for less than AHAZ.

I believe Elring does make the proper transmission filter with the dual inlets (with sliding flap) for the 036 application.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[8899]

Greg:

Where did you get your number, 000 000 000 884, for the drain plug? I got mine, 000 000 000 648 from the EPC.

Good question.... they look the same but I will plan to use the ...648 for my purchase since you indicate that it is direct from EPC.

 

[gsxr]

With the stock second-gear start valve bodies, if the throttle pedal presure is light, the car will start in 2nd gear. With medium or heavy pressure, the car will downshift to 1st and take off in first gear. Or you can move the shift lever to "B" when stopped, for a one-time, light-throttle start in 1st gear.

With the stock first-gear start valve bodies (400E/E420), if the throttle pedal presure is light, the car will still start in 1st gear. But it will upshift to 2nd gear earlier than if you apply medium or heavy pressure. It works the same if you put the 400E/E420 valve body into a 500E tranny.

 

[Ron500E]

The Trans Magnet you want is A220 271 0098 at $4.32 from Parts.com.
http://www.w124performance.com/images/W124_transmission/trans_pan_magnet1.jpg
and
http://www.w124performance.com/images/W124_transmission/trans_pan_magnet2.jpg
From the ShroomSite.

The EPC will show a "replaced by" A169 371 0003 at $19.20.
You DO NOT want the 169 numbered one, it is circular.

I have amended my post #6.

Ron

 

[jeff0093]

Is the Woco a good gasket my other option is the Elring always had good luck with the elring. Do I need this also

[TD="align: left"]Part # 126 277 14 80 [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 3"]
[/TD] [TD="colspan: 2"] Transmission Valve Body Gasket
[/TD]

 

[gsxr]

Woco is good stuff... OEM for the 722.6 pan gasket (not sure about 722.3). Elring is usually good as well.

There is no gasket between the valve body and the transmission, you only need the pan gasket, drain plug seal ring, and filter (if service trans). If you are doing a fluid & filter change, make sure to drain the converter! It will take 8 quarts to refill (maybe a smidge more). If you are just draining the pan and refilling (no fluid/filter change), measure how much drained out, and put the same amount back in. And only check the fluid level with the trans fully hot (15-20 mins at freeway speeds), otherwise the level reading will be lower than actual, and you could overfill.