Shift Improver or Superchip
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
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Shift Improver or Superchip
I am looking into a chip but my main driving concern for getting one is shift improvement. I'm not drag racing or anything but do want to firm it up. So, my question is this, what is the differences, good and/or bad, between a shift improver (like the B&M) and a chip? As far as the transmission is concerned, don't they operate or have the same effect/outcome on the transmission??
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,558
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From: Eastern TN
Not to fuzzy up the question, but I don't believe B & M makes a Electronic Shift Improver for your '02.
I had one on my '98. Worked great. When I bought the '01, I got another. Put it on and the shifting was better, but the O/D light blinked continually until I removed it. Ended up installing the TransGo S/K. Best thing I could have done to the tranny for driving improvements, that's for sure. I wish I had done it when the truck was brand new.
I had one on my '98. Worked great. When I bought the '01, I got another. Put it on and the shifting was better, but the O/D light blinked continually until I removed it. Ended up installing the TransGo S/K. Best thing I could have done to the tranny for driving improvements, that's for sure. I wish I had done it when the truck was brand new.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,856
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From: New Orleans
The chip is going to make the front pump worker harder, thats what the chip does, it increases the line pressure electronically. A shift kit like a TransGo widens holes, changes valves and springs, so that it can easiy move more fluid, rather than overworking the pump. I guess its like a straw, if you were to blow water through it into a cup, and the straw is 1/4", you will have to blow real hard to get that same amount of water through the straw as if the straw was 1/2". I have both and I love it, the shifts are great, no tire chirping, and I did go with the 3/32" drill size, but my tires are 275/60R15s and I only have a 3.31 rear end, but they are nice, firm, and crisp.
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Joined: Mar 1998
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From: Virginia
Hi Galaxy,
First, I need to point out that Beastie's comment should not be misoconstrued to mean the chip is "overworking the front pump," as that is not correct at all. The Superchip does *NOT* "overwork" the front pump.
Now if you crank up the line pressure to extreme levels by electronic means alone, *then* you can reach the point of working the front pump harder, but that is only in extreme cases, something Superchips doesn't do, as everyone here using the Superchip knows.
With regard to the B&M electronic shjift improver, no, that $40 device has nothing in common with the Superchip, they do not do the same thing to the transmission by a long shot. The B&M unit,. which warns you right in it's own documentation not to use the highest setting for any prolonged period, as it can hammer the shift solenoids & wear them much quicker, and does nothing to remove various delays & retards or firm shifts in the manner that the Superchip does. The Superchip firms the shifts only in direct correlation to the amount of throttle opening, very safely, with much better results than the B&M unit.
No $40 unit that splices into the PCM harness to spike the voltage sent to the shift slenoids is going to be comparable to the changes in the powertrain programming made by the powertrain engineers at Superchips.
First, I need to point out that Beastie's comment should not be misoconstrued to mean the chip is "overworking the front pump," as that is not correct at all. The Superchip does *NOT* "overwork" the front pump.
Now if you crank up the line pressure to extreme levels by electronic means alone, *then* you can reach the point of working the front pump harder, but that is only in extreme cases, something Superchips doesn't do, as everyone here using the Superchip knows.
With regard to the B&M electronic shjift improver, no, that $40 device has nothing in common with the Superchip, they do not do the same thing to the transmission by a long shot. The B&M unit,. which warns you right in it's own documentation not to use the highest setting for any prolonged period, as it can hammer the shift solenoids & wear them much quicker, and does nothing to remove various delays & retards or firm shifts in the manner that the Superchip does. The Superchip firms the shifts only in direct correlation to the amount of throttle opening, very safely, with much better results than the B&M unit.
No $40 unit that splices into the PCM harness to spike the voltage sent to the shift slenoids is going to be comparable to the changes in the powertrain programming made by the powertrain engineers at Superchips.
