Just got out of the Tranny forum where some seem to think (and I do not want to mis represent their concern) that the Superchip/ Microtuner, which improves shift firmness, does so by increasing the tolerances and pressure, resulting in long term tranny pump damage. Has anyone had a similar experience or problem with having their tranny pumps go out because of a Traditional Superchip/ Microtuner application? My curiosity has been peaked since I didn't, and still don't, think this modification is harmful to our trannies. So what's the deal? Anyone?

 

Hi mf150,

That's horse-hockey, and nobody that actually *knows* what's really going on inside that powertrain program (which is virtually nobody here, only Superchips and we here at Performance know exactly what's being done in the transmission program for the F-150's) would ever say such a thing.

It doesn't take much common sense to read this section and see how many people have been using the Superchip for years and years with no problems whatsoever.

The Superchip DOES NOT do any harm to the transmission, not short term, and not long term. If it did, as anyone with common sense already knows, we'd be seeing rampant failures being reported right here with all the years this site has been around, which has never been the case.

Superchips has been recalibrating these vehicles for as long as F-150's have had computer-controlled automatics, and the only effect with regard to the longevity of any automatic transmission is to *increase* the service life of the friction materials, there is *no* deterimental effect on the front pump or anything else.

Funny how when Ford does what we do to make the Mustang GT automatics shift firmer than these F-150's there's no increased wear or failure. There are minor mechanical differences between those 2 versions of the 4R70W, along with program changes like Superchips does, and you'll notice that works just fine.

It's always something...........................

 

mike -

thanks for you reply. it just goes to bolster my feeling all along. some people are full of pi$$ and wind!
On another note, I was wanting to inquire on a set of pulleys. Any suggestions? Are they hard to install, and will they mess with any warrenty parameters?
Thanks.

 

Hi mf150,

You're very welcome of course, as always.

I really should have explained in a bit more detail, but I was out of town on a borrowed computer at a shop, and thus really didn't have enough time.................

This issue of increasing line pressure electronically is generally what most people are referring to, and I'd be the first to say that sure, you certainly *can* go too far with that, and end up working the front pump harder & shorten it's service life. But you have to really crank up the line pressure *significantly* to do that, something we just don't do.

It might be that you're hearing about this simply from the standpooint of say, "some chips" may use too much line pressure, for example, and in that case, sure, we too have seen that happen, so it gets down to a matter of just exactly which brand of chip, and what that manufacturer is actually doing in terms of how much line pressure they're cranking in. Bottom line, how much line poressure is being added electronically to a stock transmission, that's the real issue.

In the Superchip, we don't do high line pressure increases except under signed waiver, for those exact same reasons, so it is a concern that we share. You can count on any Superchips program from us being safe for the automatic transmission. You can also count on us (and have probably seen me say this many times already) telling people that if they want their tranny to shift "hard," or to shift hard & fast enough to actually chirp the tires on the WOT 1-2 upsfhit, then that is best accomplished by a combination of program changes *and* mechanical changes, so that the tranny is physically capable of flowing enough fluid volume & you don't have to overwork the front pump, and you get the various delays & retards removed that rob power and elongate the shift duration.

In terms of "pulleys," I assume you mean a set of underdrive pulleys. They are about a 1-1.5 hour job to install, in the V8 F-150's 1997 & up it's a 2-piece set and no, they will not affect your warranty. Expect about 12 hp to the rear wheels, so they are very much worth doing. For costs & further details, etc., give us a quick call & we'll go over all that with you properly if you like.

 

Mike~

One of these days I will end up calling you guys! Do you carry March Performance pulleys? If not, what brand do you recommend for a 4.6? I'll be in touch sometime soon. I want to order a set from you guys (three-pulley set).


Thanks.

 

When are ya going to have your online store up and running?? I hope its soon, because im not sure what all you sell other than chips and ignition kits. Plus, i dont know what kind of pricing you have...

- Rick -

 

 

Hi MF150,

March makes some great pulleys, but they have ignored the late-model F-150's pretty much, so we use ASP's pulleys for those, they're doing the best job.

 

Hi Rock,

Right now we're scheduled for launch on March 1st.

In the meantime, you can call us for anything performance related for these vehidles as we do it all from air filters to superchargers and everything in between. Most peole will continue to call us for the advice & help that is always needed to pick the right combination of parts to do a particualr job ro get to a certain pwoer or performance level. Having parts viewable in an online environment will never reduce the need for the experience we have, so people will still be calling us for most of their needs.

The bottom line in terms of wehat we carry & what we can do is, if it helps performance in these vehicles, we do it. We can take any F-150 literally just as far as any owner wants to go. If someone wants their Lighitng to run 11's, or 10's, no problem. If someone wants their Expedition to run 13's (or 11's, or whatever), again, no problem. And if someone is just looking for more power in their daily driver & occasional tow vehicle like so many do in these vehicles without compromising reliabiilty, again, no problem, we pretty much handle any aspect of improving power and performance.

 

Mike~

I will be calling you sometime next week to order a set of three ASP underdrive pulleys. Will the three piece set cause problems with my alternator's charging? I still have ethe stock alternator
(2001). What would you recommend? two piece or three piece?

Thanks.

*PS* do you also sell belts for the pulleys or recommend any for application? I have ordered a Goodyear Gatorback.

 

Hi mf150,

It's not a 3-piece set, for the Modular motor trucks it a 2-piece set, crankshaft & water pump, and that will give you a 25% underdrive on everything except the water pump, which will be underdriven 26%. From this you'll pick up right at 12 HP at the rear wheels, very worthwhile.

And yes, we do carry the Goodyear Gatorback belts, we acftually helped pioneer them in these trucks, working with Goodyear to get them to make them in all the various sizes we needed for both regular F-trucks as well as the supercharged Lightnings, Harleys & Cobras. It took months to make that happen & get all the correct part numbers out across the country, etc. We're very strong proponents of the Gatorback belt design, absolutely.

With the underdrive pulleys in the 1997-2002 F-150's, you do not need to change the length of the serpentine belt, the stock length (99" with A/C) works just fine.

Talk to you soon!

 

You can expect my call on Thursday of next week (27th I think). My paycheck will be in the bank! Wahooey!!!! Yuppee!!!yea!!! So, please save a set of ASP's for me-K- just kidding, I'm sure you can always get them.


How late are you guys open? I'm 3 hours behind your time!

 

Hi mf150,

We're open from 10am to 7pm Eastern time, Monday thru Friday.

Talk to you soon!

 

I know I could wait until I call you on Thursday, but I was also interested in some headers and a throttle body. I saw an article on BBK shorties where they were installing a pair on a 5.4 of headers. I have a cat. back flowmaster system on the other end of my 4.6. I want to leave the cats. on, so would it be worth it (HP wise) for me to switch headers? If so, what would you recommend? Same goes for the throttle body (would I have to reburn my Superchip?)

Thanks again; I'll talk to you on Thursday.

 

PULLEYS!!!

sorry, got a little excited any posted a no-no.
I'll call on Thursday!