Back in October of 2001 when I bought my truck below I was looking for the same thing you are and ended up buying\installing the factorytech valvebody. After a few years under my belt with it I wish I would have just purchased a tuner instead. I would have gotten the shifts I wanted plus the additional horsepower. I have found that my 1-2 shift is so violent that I have to baby it until after that shift point to get on it. I am about to purchase the new xcal2 in hopes to correct this problem. I don't want to have to tear into the tranny again. I don't know what type of vehicle you have or what your ultimate goal is but I would have to say check out the new xcal2 from Troyer. I think you will find the shifts you are wanting plus alot more. Let us know what you decide to do. Good Luck
Just kind of out fishing right now - I have no idea if or when I am going to do anything about this. The Expy is a grocery getter at this point, and I'd rather put the money into my 'Stang. I have thought about a chip or a tuner in the past, but I am a bit reluctant to do either because I have no experience with either, and I only want a little better drivability and a reasonable amount of additional power.
I guess a shift kit is a what you would call a "hard" fix and a tuner is a "soft" fix. The shift kit is less expensive but the tuner is quite a bit more flexible. The only mod on the engine is a K&N intake kit, and no more are planned in the future. Anyone with more opinions on this please respond.
I'm telling you go with the xcal2 for the expy. When I had my 89 stang several years back I was never really into chips and tuners, but after spending a few years reading through the threads in the computer section of these forums, I think the tuner is just what you need.
i used a B&M kit in mine. have had it installed for 4 years now and no problems. cost under $100 and had 2 choices of firmness, heavy duty/4x4 or street/strip, i chose 4x4. gives good firm shifts, not to harsh. added a tuner later and had to have the firmness turned down on the tuner.
your choice--do it electronic or mechanical, both work.
tuner is GREAT!!
kit was cheap!!
Randy
__________________ http://www.f150online.com/galleries/....cfm?gnum=4411
1996 F150 5.0L XLT 4x4
SCT 9100 by Troyer Performance
Custom SI/SO Magnaflow Cat back
shorty headers, K&N w/F250 air tube
B&M shift kit, underdrive pullys,
e-fans, 3" body w/33x12.5's, Line-X
Get the tuner from Troyer. You will be very pleased with the results. You will get more power and the trans will shift much better with the tuner, plus you just plug in it and go, no messing with tranny fluid.
I would also recommend a tuner of your choice. There are several different models of tuners available in all price ranges, and if you have some good performance mods then maybe a custom tune for you particular application. I had mine customized to my specs, and it shifts like a dream now whereas before it wouldn't shift worth a crap
I have a Factory Tech valve body installed with an XCal2 tuner. They work great together.
But I think the best way to go is with custom tuning ....... if that is not enough for you, then work on the transmission.
Try giving Troyer Performance a call, and discuss with them.....LOL
i have the factory tech valve body and i love it, i recomend it
__________________ 03 F-150 5.4 FX4 with HD supercharger swap at 10PSI, 6" fabtech with PA 3" body lift, 38"15.5" MT Baja claws, on 16" 10" extreem aloys, fabtech steering stabilizer, procomp traction bars, pro comp add a leaf, cranked torsion bars,4.88 gears, detroit locker in rear, ARB locker up front, troyer E-fans, X-cal 2 tuned by Sal, FTVB shift kit, on board air system, TONS OF CUSTOM MODS, AND ONE UNSTOPPABLE BEAST
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