• Level 10 Performance Transmissions Building the First High Torque Capacity Automatic/Steptronic Transmission for the N54 (335/135/535)

                    
      		   
      Published on 06-16-2011 06:53 AM
      158 Comments Comments
      As many, probably all of you know, I've been having a slipping transmission since the record setting track day. After a vast search of capable transmission specialists, I decided to go with Level 10 Transmissions, located right here in my own NJ. I have heard their name thrown around in high HP/TQ domestic crowd before, but never knew they were in NJ. From the moment I talked to Pat on the phone, my spider senses kicked in and told me this is the place I need to go to get what I want done, when I want it done, and done right the first time.

      With the help of fellow BB member AKH23456, we made the 2 1/2 hr trip to drop my car off. As AK can confirm, my spider senses were correct. From the moment you spot the large facilities, you know this place means business. We walked in the front door and were greeted by walls and walls of Magaizine featured artciles, write-ups, and pictures of customers and their accomplishements thanking Level 10.

      A warm greeting by the receptionist and few minutes later by Pat himself. Not only did I have more than a few commonalities with Pat, which was nice, but he was genuinely excited about ME bringing my car to him, and my own accomplishements to this point. All of this was confirmed by his energetic fist-bumps when told what my record was, and then again when I told him what AK's AA supercharged M3 had run, ON STREET TIRES.

      So, a few quick photo's of the place as I wanted to get back on the road before traffic picked up, (didnt really save us BTW)

      The walls all the way around are covered with decades worth of accomplishments and pictures of grateful customers


      Small portion of the shop. Not pictured, but to the right is where the real magic happpens and all the transmissions are dissassembled and repaired/rebuilt


      My little sinner in front of its new temporary home


      More to come once the project is complete
      This article was originally published in forum thread: N54 (335/135/535) Level 10 Transmissions Builds the First High Torque Capacity Automatic/Steptronic Transmission started by LostMarine View original post
      Comments 142 Comments
      1. carcars's Avatar
        carcars - 06-16-2011, 07:41 AM
        Click here to enlarge
      1. oldgixxer's Avatar
        oldgixxer - 06-16-2011, 08:01 AM
        Pat Barrett is the MAN!
        You're in my neck of the woods LM,Im about 25mins away from Level 10 Click here to enlarge
      1. LostMarine's Avatar
        LostMarine - 06-16-2011, 09:30 AM
        Lol, we see why u like bikes up that way, great roads for carving and long straights for rolls Click here to enlarge sadly, noone wanted to enter ina contest with us when i was driving the M, and i was throwing pipe at everything Click here to enlarge
      1. oldgixxer's Avatar
        oldgixxer - 06-16-2011, 11:58 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by LostMarine Click here to enlarge
        Lol, we see why u like bikes up that way, great roads for carving and long straights for rolls Click here to enlarge sadly, noone wanted to enter ina contest with us when i was driving the M, and i was throwing pipe at everything Click here to enlarge
        lol,bully!
        Click here to enlarge
      1. ERM324's Avatar
        ERM324 - 06-17-2011, 09:08 AM
        just saw this, congrats on the build! cant wait for the finished product, your car is going to be ridiculous (not like it isnt already lol) !
      1. LostMarine's Avatar
        LostMarine - 06-17-2011, 09:41 AM
        well have to see how it compares to a DCT. I drove AK's car all the way back, and the smile was ear to ear about how that things shifts, let alone the AA S/C.. ask ak, I let it rip, 1 time, and I was scared, and I havent been scared of a car in a loooooong time.. but this should all probably go in his review thread.
      1. ERM324's Avatar
        ERM324 - 06-17-2011, 09:48 AM
        ^Hm, I figured from driving your car (with the massive torque) that a blown M3 wouldnt feel that fast (smoother more deceptive power delivery as opposed to how hard those turbos hit in your car).....I drove a VT1-535 the other day, felt quick but nothing scary...gotta go for a ride in AK's or M33 or IMG's car with top level kits !
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 06-17-2011, 09:57 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by ERM324 Click here to enlarge
        ^Hm, I figured from driving your car (with the massive torque) that a blown M3 wouldnt feel that fast (smoother more deceptive power delivery as opposed to how hard those turbos hit in your car).....I drove a VT1-535 the other day, felt quick but nothing scary...gotta go for a ride in AK's or M33 or IMG's car with top level kits !
        Blown M3 pulls harder as you go, it isn't a push in your pants as much as a "whoa" the power keeps going and getting stronger.
      1. LostMarine's Avatar
        LostMarine - 06-17-2011, 10:02 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        Blown M3 pulls harder as you go, it isn't a push in your pants as much as a "whoa" as it the power keeps going and getting stronger.
        its this ^

        I even told AK, it wasnt until i tried accelerating from a higher gear w/o downshifting that i noticed a lack of tq- comparitively-

        i went from 3-4-5-6th gr, and my car feels fast, but i can look around and look at the speedo ect. im good. AK's car and that AA blower, i was like HOLY $#@!IN $#@!!!!! it just wanted more and more and more, like my old fully modded 2004 R1 I had, its wanted more and more and wasnt just going, but yea, pulling, it was crazy, like i said, i was scared..
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 06-17-2011, 10:07 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by LostMarine Click here to enlarge
        its this ^

        I even told AK, it wasnt until i tried accelerating from a higher gear w/o downshifting that i noticed a lack of tq- comparitively-

        i went from 3-4-5-6th gr, and my car feels fast, but i can look around and look at the speedo ect. im good. AK's car and that AA blower, i was like HOLY $#@!IN $#@!!!!! it just wanted more and more and more, like my old fully modded 2004 R1 I had, its wanted more and more and wasnt just going, but yea, pulling, it was crazy, like i said, i was scared..
        The M3 builds speed in a weird way, it doesn't feel like it has torque yet you feel it has power. The gearing helps it tremendously.

        It's a cool feeling and different, power doesn't fall off.
      1. akh23456's Avatar
        akh23456 - 06-17-2011, 11:58 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by ERM324 Click here to enlarge
        ^Hm, I figured from driving your car (with the massive torque) that a blown M3 wouldnt feel that fast (smoother more deceptive power delivery as opposed to how hard those turbos hit in your car).....I drove a VT1-535 the other day, felt quick but nothing scary...gotta go for a ride in AK's or M33 or IMG's car with top level kits !
        When ever you want bro just let me know

        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by LostMarine Click here to enlarge
        its this ^

        I even told AK, it wasnt until i tried accelerating from a higher gear w/o downshifting that i noticed a lack of tq- comparitively-

        i went from 3-4-5-6th gr, and my car feels fast, but i can look around and look at the speedo ect. im good. AK's car and that AA blower, i was like HOLY $#@!IN $#@!!!!! it just wanted more and more and more, like my old fully modded 2004 R1 I had, its wanted more and more and wasnt just going, but yea, pulling, it was crazy, like i said, i was scared..
        lol i just remember one point when he was going threw the gear and told me i he was scared. Then i reminded him the first time i took him for a ride and told him i was scared and how me laughed lol.

        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        The M3 builds speed in a weird way, it doesn't feel like it has torque yet you feel it has power. The gearing helps it tremendously.

        It's a cool feeling and different, power doesn't fall off.
        yea i agree man.
      1. bobS's Avatar
        bobS - 06-18-2011, 09:18 AM
        wow i want a ride in that thing akh!
      1. LostMarine's Avatar
        LostMarine - 06-20-2011, 12:13 PM
        Called and got a small update today. Process is being documented properly. Trans is down and apart, apparantly I really did a number on it as things were burnt up and some shafts were bent. They are waiting on a few things, but I should be good for a weds. pickup, possibly thursday, but , my schedule probably only permits a friday pickup. So, ill let you guys know what I hear in the next few days.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 06-20-2011, 12:50 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by LostMarine Click here to enlarge
        Called and got a small update today. Process is being documented properly. Trans is down and apart, apparantly I really did a number on it as things were burnt up and some shafts were bent. They are waiting on a few things, but I should be good for a weds. pickup, possibly thursday, but , my schedule probably only permits a friday pickup. So, ill let you guys know what I hear in the next few days.
        Awesome, want to see what you did to it inside.
      1. LostMarine's Avatar
        LostMarine - 06-20-2011, 01:58 PM
        Im probably over expecting, but if i can get a shift thats even remotley comparable to DCT, then ill be freakin exstatic..
      1. DefactoM6's Avatar
        DefactoM6 - 06-20-2011, 02:53 PM
        Get someone who can tune the TCU for you...honestly that will have more to do with it than the guts. If the ESS guys can do DCT software, I'm sure they could write a flash for your TCU.
      1. wtfmateim65's Avatar
        wtfmateim65 - 06-20-2011, 03:23 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by DefactoM6 Click here to enlarge
        Get someone who can tune the TCU for you...honestly that will have more to do with it than the guts. If the ESS guys can do DCT software, I'm sure they could write a flash for your TCU.
        +1. Optimal shift points already programmed in to the AT with launch control added would be awesome. The benz scene is all over TCU upgrades, haven't heard a thing for bmw's ATs, maybe for good reason?
      1. LostMarine's Avatar
        LostMarine - 06-20-2011, 03:57 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by DefactoM6 Click here to enlarge
        Get someone who can tune the TCU for you...honestly that will have more to do with it than the guts. If the ESS guys can do DCT software, I'm sure they could write a flash for your TCU.
        they have a guy that does it. not sure of experience though. ill look into it though. im hesitant to go ESS until its a PROVEN solution from customers
      1. Itsbrokeagain's Avatar
        Itsbrokeagain - 06-20-2011, 07:38 PM
        What about the guys at MHP? Andy should know a thing or three..
      1. LostMarine's Avatar
        LostMarine - 06-20-2011, 07:54 PM
        i dunno if they even deal with BMW stuff. i dont know how its done, but what tool/computer/software do you use for that? if they dont have it, is there a market for them to get into it to justify buying it?

        hell, id gladly go with MHP, just not sure if thats an option... MHP wanna comment?
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