Lets talk transmissions and torque converters.... some more. ;)

[Dynmicracr]

A few questions have come up with the searching and reading I have done:

1. I have done a LOT of reading and it seems as though staying away from the chip and launches from a stop will generally keep you out of trans/TC trouble. Is my assumption about being boring correct?

2. I have read mixed opinions on this but it seems that the TC is the weakest link between the trans and TC. When the TC fails it does however make the trans fail which leads me to #3

3. Is replacing the TC a good "preventative maintenance" item? Seems the most expensive part of this is the labor. Doing it yourself could save on this cost but its time intensive.

4. Are Level 10, 517 Trans and ACE (for TC's) the gold standards for transmission and TC's for RS6's?

5. Since we are asking questions I cant seem to find a foremost authority (as pertained to shops) for RS6's. I assume this is due to supply/demand. Is there anyone that is considered a specialist and is a good resource for parts (at a good price) and knowledge?

Hopefully this thread will result in some good information that we can add to the FAQ section.

[mrdave]

In #1. are you referring to an ECU chip (tune) or the TCU chip? I was under the impression that the TCU chip could actually be helpful in preventing TC failures, or at the very least not cause problems. Obviously an ECU tune would put more stress on the TC so that's what I'm assuming you're referring to, but I just wanted to make sure.

[MontyRS]

I'm very curious to see responses to this question as well. I'm new to the RS6 which I am absolutely loving at this standpoint. Can't help feel a little paranoid every time I stomp on it though! I am limiting launches from a dead stop, and know that my TC has the MTM tune, so curious to hear anyone else's thoughts.

[speedtrapped]

it seems that if you go the route of flashing the ECU, u NEED the TCU(MTM) chip, its $125 and worth its wait in gold...lets not forget this an 9 year old slushbox, mated to a powerful engine, the TCU chip improves shifting, will hold rpm's longer per shift.
The TC is the weak spot, and given you own a previously owned vehicle, u have NO way of confirming if the driver drove it or beat on it. ACE converters have a great rep.
As for trans, Level10 had a great rep before the one mechanic left to start 517.

[Dynmicracr]

In #1. are you referring to an ECU chip (tune) or the TCU chip? I was under the impression that the TCU chip could actually be helpful in preventing TC failures, or at the very least not cause problems. Obviously an ECU tune would put more stress on the TC so that's what I'm assuming you're referring to, but I just wanted to make sure.

I don't believe that the TCU flash has a negative impact on transmission life. It might help it, but that is hard to prove too. It makes it shift quicker which, in theory, would make it slip less. I am not sure it helps it or hurts it. I think its more drivability.

it seems that if you go the route of flashing the ECU, u NEED the TCU(MTM) chip, its $125 and worth its wait in gold...lets not forget this an 9 year old slushbox, mated to a powerful engine, the TCU chip improves shifting, will hold rpm's longer per shift.
The TC is the weak spot, and given you own a previously owned vehicle, u have NO way of confirming if the driver drove it or beat on it. ACE converters have a great rep.
As for trans, Level10 had a great rep before the one mechanic left to start 517.

I really wish I could get the MTM TCU flash. There is just nobody that can do it without taking the car down for a prolonged period of time. I think the only available shop left to do it is in Canada, now that Hoppen is defunct, and I dont want to send a part through customs if I dont have to. I have contacted a few local shops to see if they were interested in becoming an MTM dealer (034, JHM and ASP (since they are a EuroCharged dealer)) and I either got told no, or didn't get a reply. :-/

[Aronis]

I had an email exchange with the folks at Stratosphere in Rochester, NY. He said that the TCU chip that Hoppen was installing was in fact an O.CT. chip?!?!?

Anyone have any info on this?

Mike

[Dynmicracr]

I had an email exchange with the folks at Stratosphere in Rochester, NY. He said that the TCU chip that Hoppen was installing was in fact an O.CT. chip?!?!?

Anyone have any info on this?

Mike

O.CT doesn't have a TCU flash listed on their website and Hoppen is not listed as a distributor. Interesting though. Wonder if there is any truth to this.

[surferdude]

Im surprised 034 couldnt help you out. Seems to me that TozoM8 (as he is known here and on other boards) and Scotty at Advanced Automotion (advancedautomotion.com) are very knowledgeable on Audi and specifically RS6 transmissions. Maybe drop them a line. I know a number of people have even shipped their cars or transmissions to them for upgrades (not that you're looking for that) Good luck!

[Dynmicracr]

Im surprised 034 couldnt help you out. Seems to me that TozoM8 (as he is known here and on other boards) and Scotty at Advanced Automotion (advancedautomotion.com) are very knowledgeable on Audi and specifically RS6 transmissions. Maybe drop them a line. I know a number of people have even shipped their cars or transmissions to them for upgrades (not that you're looking for that) Good luck!

I don't have any problems as of now. This thread was more to ask questions about the trans and TC's in general and has strayed slightly.

I sent an email to a guy I know at 034 about becoming an MTM vendor and didn't get a reply. 034 would most likely be doing any work that I did not do myself. They have worked on all my Audi's so far.

I have seen some of TozoM8's posts and the stuff he has done for people. Wish there was someone like him out here in CA!

[lswing]

For me, TC replaced at 89k because of slipping, CEL and codes. Replaced with ACE and was running great. Added the MTM chip from Hoppen and shifting was even better. I've been noticing some very slight lack of smoothness in shifting, and after adding the water meth kit, the car has slipped twice on hard acceleration. Trans fluid levels being checked now and I'll know Monday if that was it, not trans codes yet.

The turbo kicks on pretty hard around 3,500 and it might just be the trans can't hold that torque and slips a bit, causing the up shift, clutch packs could be fine. Anyhow, I'm dialing the boost back a few pounds on Monday for this reason, will log data.

Also, when we put the TC in last year, the trans fluid was clean, along with the magnets, so we assumed the trans was in good shape still.

EDIT; Sorry, your original question?

[905084]

A few questions have come up with the searching and reading I have done:

1. I have done a LOT of reading and it seems as though staying away from the chip and launches from a stop will generally keep you out of trans/TC trouble. Is my assumption about being boring correct?

2. I have read mixed opinions on this but it seems that the TC is the weakest link between the trans and TC. When the TC fails it does however make the trans fail which leads me to #3

Drive it like you drive a beige Camry and it's all good.....'till it isn't. Why even buy this car if you aren't going to "enjoy" it ? Trans may fail with or without T/C failure. Mine did. No point in doing a preventative T/C unless you do the trans. It's the labor to pull the trans, not the parts.

Flog it, enjoy it, fix it. Otherwise, you might as well have a beige Camry. My 2 cents.

[mmaturo]

Drive it like you drive a beige Camry and it's all good.....'till it isn't. Why even buy this car if you aren't going to "enjoy" it ? Trans may fail with or without T/C failure. Mine did. No point in doing a preventative T/C unless you do the trans. It's the labor to pull the trans, not the parts.

Flog it, enjoy it, fix it. Otherwise, you might as well have a beige Camry. My 2 cents.

Well put...I had an RS6 for over 5 years and I got to beat the dead horse again of these things fail period...5 TCs and 4 transmissions...the first one was due to a house wife driving it for its first 20K as I bought my car used as second owner in early 05. Second one went 6 months later and didn't really do anything to it as I figured it should have some time to break in...Third one I drove like I stole it...lasted a long time till it finally gave out (in 35K miles)...yes its the TC taking the transmission with it. 4th one I babied the car as warranty was over and it was failing when i traded it in...in other words it does not matter. That said my car was stock but dyno'd at 395 at the wheels and 390 torque so it was putting down way more than 450. The things simply are too close to their design strength and are not up to it over time. There is owners here who have not had a failure but of the 5 other owners I know personally in my area (2 still have em...) 4 had a transmission go...one has not but the car is not driven too much and is still in the 30s for mileage...one guy had his first one go at 13K. I keep posting over and over that these things break...more often than not. Unfortunately when we years ago got together and forced the DRC recall (many of us original or early owners reported/wrote to the NHTSB about suspension failures) we should have done the same for the TC and trans. I loved my RS6 and was the most all around capable car I will probably ever own (as nothing made yet still does everything it does...if only we got the C6 RS6)...but had to run away fast once my extended warranty ran out.

The TCU tune is 1000% worth it.

[905084]

I keep posting over and over that these things break...more often than not. I loved my RS6 and was the most all around capable car I will probably ever own.

+1.....I love this car, if I flog it and it breaks, I'll fix it myself. I'm tired of collector cars that are garage queens. Use it, enjoy it. All the polishing in the world doesn't replace the feeling of seeing how fast a car disappears in the rear view mirror of this car.

[kismetcapitan]

some noob questions, as I honestly know very little about automatic transmissions.

So the torque converter serves a similar purpose as the clutch in a manual?

Clutch packs: are those what provide transmission lockup?

The gears: are they also a source of weakness?

What exactly goes into making a bulletproof transmission? The TC, valve body...are the gears themselves also changed to stronger ones?

[Amulet-S6]

I have the O.CT transmission (tcu) chip. No idea if there's any affiliation with the MTM chip. Bob, the owner of Stratmosphere (O.CT) is a straight shooter and will answer your questions. My rs6 is my daily driver summer and winter + 12 weekends of WOT at the track and no tc or tranny issues (knocking on wood.)

I also have O.CT's ecu chip, dv's, and downpipes.

Jim

[papadoc]

I will probably have my transmission fail tomorrow after posting this, but I am at 120K+ miles on the original setup. I had the APR ECU and TCU upgrades installed early, and I don't drive the car as if it is a beige Camry. Avoiding brake torque launches and settling into Sport mode frequently may have made a difference, but I have no slippage and the car is crisp. Dynmicracr, you are across the Bay from me, and in addition to 034 you can head over to this side to BR Racing in Los Gatos. Very clean and competent shop, and like 034, APR distributors. Bruce and Robb know their stuff. They wouldn't have Veyrons in their shop otherwise...

[Dynmicracr]

All great information from everyone, thanks. I definitely do not drive it like a Camry. I made sure to find an RS6 with a warranty for that very purpose. Its good to know that there are builders out there that can make a stout trans for it though when it does fail.

I will probably have my transmission fail tomorrow after posting this, but I am at 120K+ miles on the original setup. I had the APR ECU and TCU upgrades installed early, and I don't drive the car as if it is a beige Camry. Avoiding brake torque launches and settling into Sport mode frequently may have made a difference, but I have no slippage and the car is crisp. Dynmicracr, you are across the Bay from me, and in addition to 034 you can head over to this side to BR Racing in Los Gatos. Very clean and competent shop, and like 034, APR distributors. Bruce and Robb know their stuff. They wouldn't have Veyrons in their shop otherwise...

Thanks for the recommendation! I was not aware of BR Racing. I will look into them.