I'm Switching to Mercon ULV blend

[DadMobile]

I have been testing Mercon ULV in my car.

Why?

Ever since I hit the 500whp mark and beyond I would experience an issues with the transmission shifting into third. This particular issue seems to effect cars with similar power tuned by other tuners as well. It feels like the car is hitting a limit and pulling power, which in a way it is. This always had me convinced that It was something in the tune or a "nanny" pulling power. Ever since I ran an 11.13 a couple months ago I have been data logging regularly with Matt @ GHT trying to resolve this issue, tweaking the torque management system, adjusting the methanol system, adding the nitrous, all kinds of variables. Up until this week the only thing that hadn't been solved was the issue in third gear. One variable that I was able to key in on by talking with Andrew @802SHO was transmission temps. I have been running the car extra hard the last couple weeks and found that if the transmission was above 208 the issue would go away.

I relayed this information to Matt and his response was that we should try Mercon ULV. I did some really basic testing but so far in three attempts the Mercon ULV has resolved the issue 100pct. I wont really know until I can go to the track but I am feeling very excited about ULV so far. Matt explained to me that the shift into third requires the most pressure amongst all the gear shifts and that LV might not be completing the circuit fast enough. The TM system then see's the issue and pulls power. The added viscosity at lower temps from ULV seems to be what the transmission needs. The shifts are great, they feel smooth, light, and less effort for the transmission.

******I have no idea the long term implications this will have on the trans but I will keep yall posted.

 

[bpd1151]

Interesting outcome.

Will be neat seeing what, if any, are the long term results.

But sounds promising at its onset.

 

[Sksho17]

I’m also curious to see how this works in the long run! My day job is diagnosing and repairing Ford transmissions so I’m especially curious haha. I may do some deeper research into the Mercon ULV and give it a go in my transmission as well.

 

[Bluezone]

I have been testing Mercon ULV in my car.

Why?

Ever since I hit the 500whp mark and beyond I would experience an issues with the transmission shifting into third. This particular issue seems to effect cars with similar power tuned by other tuners as well. It feels like the car is hitting a limit and pulling power, which in a way it is. This always had me convinced that It was something in the tune or a "nanny" pulling power. Ever since I ran an 11.13 a couple months ago I have been data logging regularly with Matt @ GHT trying to resolve this issue, tweaking the torque management system, adjusting the methanol system, adding the nitrous, all kinds of variables. Up until this week the only thing that hadn't been solved was the issue in third gear. One variable that I was able to key in on by talking with Andrew @802SHO was transmission temps. I have been running the car extra hard the last couple weeks and found that if the transmission was above 208 the issue would go away.

I relayed this information to Matt and his response was that we should try Mercon ULV. I did some really basic testing but so far in three attempts the Mercon ULV has resolved the issue 100pct. I wont really know until I can go to the track but I am feeling very excited about ULV so far. Matt explained to me that the shift into third requires the most pressure amongst all the gear shifts and that LV might not be completing the circuit fast enough. The TM system then see's the issue and pulls power. The added viscosity at lower temps from ULV seems to be what the transmission needs. The shifts are great, they feel smooth, light, and less effort for the transmission.

******I have no idea the long term implications this will have on the trans but I will keep yall posted.

Highly possible it's perfectly compatible with the 6F55 transmission.

 

[76FoMoCo]

hummmm

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

Very interesting stuff.

 

[SM105K]

Yes, very intersting.

 

[FiveLeeter918]

Keep us updated. I was curious about this, but haven't had time to dig further as the Mercol ULV product specifications specifically state it is NOT backwards compatible and to not use in applications where Mercon LV is recommended.

https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us/home/our-products/chemicals-and-lubricants/transmission-fluid/mercon-ulv-automatic-transmission-fluids.html

But of course, we all know innovation is about going against manufacturer recommendations and we tend to push our cars well past what the manufacturer ever intended, so keep us updated, you just may be on to something.

 

[Bluezone]

Interesting that Ford's been doing stuff to improve shift quality due to temperature.

 

[DadMobile]

I’m also curious to see how this works in the long run! My day job is diagnosing and repairing Ford transmissions so I’m especially curious haha. I may do some deeper research into the Mercon ULV and give it a go in my transmission as well.

I’d love to hear your perspective! They seem very different chemically. ULV almost smells like diff fluid and the odor really carries. Matt was saying the extra additives should be good for the torque converter.

 

[SHOthyme]

It states above that it isn't backwards compatible, but if you look at the Amsoil that is listed for our transmission, the ULV compatible fluid shows as something that can be used in our transmission. (at about twice the cost - still cheaper than a new transmission I guess)

 

[DadMobile]

Keep us updated. I was curious about this, but haven't had time to dig further as the Mercol ULV product specifications specifically state it is NOT backwards compatible and to not use in applications where Mercon LV is recommended.

https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us/home/our-products/chemicals-and-lubricants/transmission-fluid/mercon-ulv-automatic-transmission-fluids.html

But of course, we all know innovation is about going against manufacturer recommendations and we tend to push our cars well past what the manufacturer ever intended, so keep us updated, you just may be on to something.

Yah I saw that too but I figured I have been at the **** up your stuff power levels for awhile now, YOLO.

It’s definitely an on going experiment. Got another dig in today, rip another AEM nozzle.

 

[DadMobile]

“B-L-O-W up your stuff”

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

I'm interested to see how the Amsoil product I'm currently using stacks up against this ULV. Might have to pull both spec sheets and see what its looking like.

 

[802SHO]

I love this!! Using a fluid that claims it’s not backwards compatible but it sure seems like it is…..I don’t imagine Ford would say that it “might be” backwards compatible. I think perhaps they didn’t really dive into mixing it with other transmissions. But I’d have to assume initially the 10 speeds were given LV…….then they created this better fluid. Did they already prove its backwards compatible?

10/10 there shouldn’t be a need for ULV in a 6F50/55 trans……but we are on the front line of pushing these things where they weren’t designed…..so changing to the latest and greatest Ford trans fluid makes a whole lotta sense to me!

Funny quote!

 

[FiveLeeter918]

I love this!! Using a fluid that claims it’s not backwards compatible but it sure seems like it is…..I don’t imagine Ford would say that it “might be” backwards compatible. I think perhaps they didn’t really dive into mixing it with other transmissions. But I’d have to assume initially the 10 speeds were given LV…….then they created this better fluid. Did they already prove its backwards compatible?

10/10 there shouldn’t be a need for ULV in a 6F50/55 trans……but we are on the front line of pushing these things where they weren’t designed…..so changing to the latest and greatest Ford trans fluid makes a whole lotta sense to me!

likely something Legal made them put since they didn't care enough to test it in an oem application haha

 

[Ta2dResqr]

I am interested to see the results. Not very hopeful though given statements like "DO NOT USE", "not backwards compatible", etc. It seems like they would be happy to make only one fluid (like in the past where they have elminated an old standard). It also seems like they would say "may not be backwards compatible" or "not recommended" if they had not tested it. By specifically saying DON'T (in capitals and in multiple ways) it sounds like there may be negative results. To further that theory, there are multiple manufacturers that are selling a ULV and a LV fluid instead of including them in a multi vehicle formula. I hope for the best but, I am not sure there will be good results.

 

[Sksho17]

I’d love to hear your perspective! They seem very different chemically. ULV almost smells like diff fluid and the odor really carries. Matt was saying the extra additives should be good for the torque converter.

To be completely honest I’ve seen wayyyy more 10R80 failures than any other Ford transmission in the last 8 years. The 6f35’s are the runner up for sure though. Have only had to repair a few 6f50/6f55 transmission. One being my one, but that was a driving habit induced failure haha. They really keep the secret sauce to themselves with ulv, I couldn’t find much about the additives except that they basically allow the clutch and steel plates to have less friction between them when the clutch isn’t applied. Mostly to keep heat and wear down. The flash point of the ulv is also 370f vs luv 421f. The main advantage of the ulv is extremely quick hydraulic action. I’m sure we are all going to see some type of failure related to this fluid, if more try it. Probably just some burnt clutches that wouldn’t have burnt out quite as quick due to the fluid different additives. But it will be neat to see. Most 10r80’s I have repaired have relatively low miles, have seen some with worn valve bodies and also burnt out clutches with no seals failing in the transmissions at all. Mainly 3 clutches they share a “cylinder” in the transmission. As I said before I may be willing to try this out and beat on the 6f55 a bit, simply because if I have a failure it won’t be a huge expense to pull it and see what happened and repair it.

 

[Bluezone]

A little more coal for the fire.

The Year of the 10-speed

Explore the essentials of 10-speed transmission fluid and its role in modern automatic transmissions for optimal performance.

www.lubegard.com

 

[Sksho17]

A little more coal for the fire.

The Year of the 10-speed

Explore the essentials of 10-speed transmission fluid and its role in modern automatic transmissions for optimal performance.

www.lubegard.com

That was a good read! Thanks for the info solid info