Micro Tuner or Shift Kit??
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Joined: Nov 2003
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Micro Tuner or Shift Kit??
Does the Superchips Micro Tuner eliminate the need for a Shift Kit or Valve Body for better shifting while towing. I'm not so much interested in 1/4 mile times as I am on towing. I want want to better protect my transmission while towing. I know that the soft shifts can't be good for the tranny while towing. Thanks in advance for any info you can offer .....
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi toofun,
Welcome to F-150 Online!
Yes, the Micro Tuner *will* improve the shift characteristics and reduce slippage in the automatic trannys, extending the service life of your transmission's friction materials (bands & clutches) and reducing heat buildup - the number 1 enemy of all automatic transmissions.
The majority of people in your situation use the Micro Tuner instead of doing a shift kit or a FT valve body - not only does it improve the shifting, but it also gives them more horsepower and torque, which also helps the powertrain & makes towing easier.
So for most people, the Micro Tuner does the most cost-effective job of helping the tranny & getting some more power - and you can't have too much torque when towing.
There is one scenario in which I would change this, which is - If you are doing *frequent* towing of heavy loads and you use Overdrive when towing, you can help your transmission even more by using either the Factory Tech Valve body *or* a Transgo shift kit in *addition* to the Micro Tuner, and here's why: these transmissions don't flow a lot of fluid volume to the Overdrive band, and increasing the fluid volume helps the band to grip that drum better - quicker, & tighter - especially the pre-1999 models. And that helps the Overdrive band last longer.
Now even if you *are* doing frequent towing of heavy loads, if you *don't* use Overdrive when towing, then this is not a real concern - this is really only a concern when towing heavy loads frequently *and* you're using Overdrive when towing, too.
See, the real problem comes in when you're towing a heavy load and the transmission is having to cycle back and forth between 3rd & 4th gears (Overdrive is 4th gear) - in *that* scenario, that Overdrive band & drum can fail prematurely - this is more prevalent in the pre-2000 4r70 automatics, and by 2000-2001, most of them have larger orifices in the valve body, etc., as compared to the older models & will flow a bit more fluid volume.
What we suggest is to start off with the Micro Tuner, and if you're concerned about that transmission, also install a simple transmission fluid temperature gauge where the fluid reads the hottest - and if you see temps hitting 200 degrees or more when towing, then you'll need to help the factory auxiliary transmission cooler (you have this if you have the towing package) by installing another cooler with a thermostatically controlled fan that automatically turns on & off as needed to keep the fluid temps under control.
If you'd like to go over this in more detail, go over what you're towing, how often & where you're towing, etc., for some advice on your specific needs, give us a call & we'll be happy to help.
Last, to get the best price on the Micro Tuner you'll want to give us a call instead of ordering thru our web site, as we sell them significantly cheaper via phone. On our web site, we have to adhere to the manufacturer's minimum advertised price guidelines - so calling us for best pricing on Superchips products is the hot tip. We also carry the shift kits & Factory Tech Valve Body parts as well, of course.
Best of luck,
Welcome to F-150 Online!
Yes, the Micro Tuner *will* improve the shift characteristics and reduce slippage in the automatic trannys, extending the service life of your transmission's friction materials (bands & clutches) and reducing heat buildup - the number 1 enemy of all automatic transmissions.
The majority of people in your situation use the Micro Tuner instead of doing a shift kit or a FT valve body - not only does it improve the shifting, but it also gives them more horsepower and torque, which also helps the powertrain & makes towing easier.
So for most people, the Micro Tuner does the most cost-effective job of helping the tranny & getting some more power - and you can't have too much torque when towing.
There is one scenario in which I would change this, which is - If you are doing *frequent* towing of heavy loads and you use Overdrive when towing, you can help your transmission even more by using either the Factory Tech Valve body *or* a Transgo shift kit in *addition* to the Micro Tuner, and here's why: these transmissions don't flow a lot of fluid volume to the Overdrive band, and increasing the fluid volume helps the band to grip that drum better - quicker, & tighter - especially the pre-1999 models. And that helps the Overdrive band last longer.
Now even if you *are* doing frequent towing of heavy loads, if you *don't* use Overdrive when towing, then this is not a real concern - this is really only a concern when towing heavy loads frequently *and* you're using Overdrive when towing, too.
See, the real problem comes in when you're towing a heavy load and the transmission is having to cycle back and forth between 3rd & 4th gears (Overdrive is 4th gear) - in *that* scenario, that Overdrive band & drum can fail prematurely - this is more prevalent in the pre-2000 4r70 automatics, and by 2000-2001, most of them have larger orifices in the valve body, etc., as compared to the older models & will flow a bit more fluid volume.
What we suggest is to start off with the Micro Tuner, and if you're concerned about that transmission, also install a simple transmission fluid temperature gauge where the fluid reads the hottest - and if you see temps hitting 200 degrees or more when towing, then you'll need to help the factory auxiliary transmission cooler (you have this if you have the towing package) by installing another cooler with a thermostatically controlled fan that automatically turns on & off as needed to keep the fluid temps under control.
If you'd like to go over this in more detail, go over what you're towing, how often & where you're towing, etc., for some advice on your specific needs, give us a call & we'll be happy to help.
Last, to get the best price on the Micro Tuner you'll want to give us a call instead of ordering thru our web site, as we sell them significantly cheaper via phone. On our web site, we have to adhere to the manufacturer's minimum advertised price guidelines - so calling us for best pricing on Superchips products is the hot tip. We also carry the shift kits & Factory Tech Valve Body parts as well, of course.
Best of luck,
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Glad to see FamilyRiude dropped by........
He's using both, as can be seen in his signature, and that is the best route to helping the traansmission live longest - taking care of *both* the program issues *and* making the tranny physically capable of flowing more fluid volume is the ideal configuration on a "stock" transmission in just about any heavy vehicle - especially if it's doing heavy towing.
FR is doing a fair amount of heavy towing, so he did the smart thing and did both - actually, that shows in all his mods, he's got a very nice and well-enhanced Expy there!
He's using both, as can be seen in his signature, and that is the best route to helping the traansmission live longest - taking care of *both* the program issues *and* making the tranny physically capable of flowing more fluid volume is the ideal configuration on a "stock" transmission in just about any heavy vehicle - especially if it's doing heavy towing.
FR is doing a fair amount of heavy towing, so he did the smart thing and did both - actually, that shows in all his mods, he's got a very nice and well-enhanced Expy there!