Which is better for performance? Also, do either procducts have any longterm negative effects on the transmission?

I was told by a front end shop this week that the F-150 trannies are soft. The guy told me to turn off OD when I am driving around town?

Is this true?

Sorry for multiple questions in one thread. But I do want to get a microtuner for sure next year. Just cursious about the transgo as well...

Mike or anyone else, would appreciate some input.

Thank you,

Jag

 

Hi Jag,

Well, in terms of which product will improve "performance" the most, hands down that would be the Micro Tuner, as there is no power gain from a shift kit. The Micro Tuner will add power as well as improve the shifting, and it will remove the TS limiter & give you the ability to correct the speedometer for tire size & gear ratio changes in the '99 & newer vehicles, etc.

Usually with a Transgo shift kit on Level 2 or 3, you'll see about 1 to 3 tenths off the 1/4 mile ET's in these trucks, depending on weight - whereas with the Micro Tuner it's more like a half-second to a full second off those times depending on weight - so in terms of the actual improvement to "performance," hands down it's the Micro Tuner that comes out *way* ahead, even though it costs more than the shift kit.

With regard to turning off O/D when driving around town, that's not a bad idea at all - it will cut down on some of the wear & tear from not having to shift up into 4th & then back down again when you need more power. Really, Overdrive was always intended for situations in which you are cruising at light load, to cut down on engine rpms so you can save some gas - Overdrive was never intended to be used all the time, nor should anyone expect these vehicles to stay locked up in Overdrive when going up steeper grades, or when towing, etc. Overdrive is simply to reduce engine rpms under light-load cruising, nothing more.

So I'd say that advice was not out of line - now realistically, most of us do *not* turn off the O/D in town, and it's certainly not required - but you could if you wanted to, and that would not hurt the tranny at all - it might even help it a little bit.

If I had to choose between doing any shift kit (and I prefer Transgo), a Factory Tech valve body or doing the Micro Tuner, I would do the Micro Tuner first - *always*.

And then if I had to choose between which tranny mod to do, the choice is between the Transgo shift kit and the Factory Tech valve body - and I prefer the Factory tech valve body between those 2. It's more expensive than the shift kit, but it does a better job and is also easier to install. The Transgo shift kit is fine, don't get me wrong - it works well and is great for the person on a budget trying to make every performance dollar count for the most.

I hope that info clears things up for you a bit there, Jag, & have fun!

 

Mike,

Thanks a lot for the explanation. That really clears it up for me now. I assumed the tuner would be the best bang for the buck. I guess I am looking for performance/reliability out of that tranny in my Supercrew.

I dont plan on racing down the track (although sometimes I wish I could afford to purchase a Lightning to do that) so its not the case. I do a LOT of highway driving so I want quick/firm shifts, with some power gains. I get sick of punching it and the truck just does not move like I want it to.

I plan on getting a tuner either around the holidays or sometime next spring, depends on the $$$ situation. After that, I definitely want to do a cat back system. I figure after those two I might stop. LOL Or if I still feel the need, I will get a cold air intake or something to that effect. All in due time. Im in no rush to go wild with the mods as I try to add things as my budget allows. My first mods were for looks (obviously), so now its finally time for some performance.

Thanks again for the reply. And I will be calling you and Anita when the time comes for the purchase.

Once more quick question though. With the new micro tuner, I know the third setting is for all out performance (which is what I think I will be using) However, for the mid one (which I guess would be used when towing) are we talking strictly towing? Or does this apply when the truck is under load, e.g. bed full of stuff?

Thanks again Mike!

Jag

 

Hi Jag,

You're very welcome.

On your last question, the "tow-perf" program, which is the premium gas program that you can safely tow on, you do *not* have to be towing to use it, not at all - the difference between the "max" performance tune and the premium gas towing program (tow-perf) is simply the A/F ratios - the "max" performance tune sets the A/F's for best power *without* the ability to take on tons of additional load via towing.

You can actually use either the 87 octane or the "tow-perf" programs, both of which allow you to tow, and not do any towing at all. In fact, that is exactly what the previous generation 1715 Micro Tuner had, was what is now called the "tow-perf" program, or the premium gas towing program and people use it for *everything*, towing or not, which is perfectly fine - it's designed so you can do that, no problem.

With regard to the specific problem you mentioned of the vehicle not being very responsive when you nail the throttle, that's just the various delays & retards in the stock factory program that are slowing down the downshift and the powertrain's overall response times - you will see that significantly improved with the Superchips tuning, in addition to the raw power gain.

Have fun & talk to you soon!

 

factory tech valve body??? what is it??

 

Hi RD,

The "Factory Tech" valve body is just that - it's a new performance-calibrated valve body that is available for either the 4R70W or the E4OD/4R100 transmissions. We carry them, and they are made by Gregg Evans, who works for Ford Motor Company - he helped design the current 4R100, for example.

Anyway, this valve body allows the tranny to flow much more fluid volume so that shift duration is reduced (reducing slippage & heat, etc.). So that clutches fill quicker thus you get firmer, tighter shifts that help to extend the service life of the transmission. It's a relatively simple bolt-in part, you just drop the transmission pan & filter to access the valve body.

You can read about it & see the pricing over on our web site at www.TroyerPerformance.com - click on "Shop" once the home page loads, and then you will see all the individual sections - Intake, Exhaust, and so on - on the bottom right of that page, you will see the Transmission section - there you can get all the info on the Factory Tech valve body.

And of course if you would like to go over any of this in more detail, please feel free to give us a call as well.

 

Mike,

Thanks for getting back to me with my questions. I feel that the Superchips Microtuner sounds like a great product, one I need to get my hands on!

The only downside is the price of premium fuel right now. Its about 18 to 20 twenty cents more per gallon than 87 octane.

I know that you and some of the other guys on this site have said that even with spending the extra $$$, it is worth it due to increased performance and an increase in MPG.

Do you feel it is still worth it even with the current gap in prices between 87 and lets say 93?

Jag

 

Hi Jag,

Yes I do, because all else being equal, the most it can cost you in *additional* $$ for gas is $100 per each 10,000 miles driven - that's the maximum additional cost difference between running on 87 octane on the factory program, versus running the Superchips premium gas tuning.

Now of course, I'm a dyed-in-the-wool hot rodder, so I personally wouldn't care if I had to spend a lot more - but the actual increase in fuel cost is really pretty small, so yes, I do feel it's worth it for anyone that cares about performance.

 

Hi Mike,

Thanks again for the insight into this. As soon as I square away the $$$ situation, I will be giving you a buzz.

Best Regards,

Jag

 

You're very welcome, anytime!