Superchip or Banks Trans-Command?
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Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 25
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From: Butler, PA, USA
Superchip or Banks Trans-Command?
Hi this is my first post, but from what I've read, you guys are the best forum for my question. I have an early 97 F150 (mfg. 3/96) and I am not happy with the transmission shifting performance, big surprise! Has anyone tried the Banks, Trans-Command system in comparison to the Superchip?
My disatisfaction is primarily with the typical sluggish shift quality as well as the VERY slow upshift from 2-3 when under moderate to heavy load. Another one of my concerns is eliminating the trans "shudder" that seems to occur typically 40-55mph range when under minimum load. Neither of these conditions can be good for trans life expectancy given its poor reputation already.
My truck only has 27k miles on it and it seems to be well taken care of by the retired gentleman I recently bought it from. From what I have read from all your post's I am leaning toward the Superchip -- expecially since you get more power with it and it's even cheaper that the Banks kit, but I want something that will hopefully take care of all shift problems and hopefully put off an expensive transmission rebuild. Thanks, and sorry for the long post. Fred
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97 F150 Lariat, Dark Torridor Red/silver, grey leather, extended. Leer running board, deflector, tonneau, Trans fix to come.
My disatisfaction is primarily with the typical sluggish shift quality as well as the VERY slow upshift from 2-3 when under moderate to heavy load. Another one of my concerns is eliminating the trans "shudder" that seems to occur typically 40-55mph range when under minimum load. Neither of these conditions can be good for trans life expectancy given its poor reputation already.
My truck only has 27k miles on it and it seems to be well taken care of by the retired gentleman I recently bought it from. From what I have read from all your post's I am leaning toward the Superchip -- expecially since you get more power with it and it's even cheaper that the Banks kit, but I want something that will hopefully take care of all shift problems and hopefully put off an expensive transmission rebuild. Thanks, and sorry for the long post. Fred
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97 F150 Lariat, Dark Torridor Red/silver, grey leather, extended. Leer running board, deflector, tonneau, Trans fix to come.
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Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 629
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From: Mesa, AZ USA
There are a couple other alternatives too. Trans-go makes a shift kit and B&M has a electronic kit. Banks only makes the Trans Command for E4OD and 4R100 trannys. I know you don't have the 4R100. Do you have the E4OD? Also, at 27K, you're due for tranny service pretty soon(30K) Might as well do this while you'e at it.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Dear Freds4by,
The Superchip is what most people go with, who want to have better shifting *and* a nice power gain. There are several things that are changed in the program, that no shift kit can do.
First, Ford uses a shift delay signal to elongate and soften the upshift, and that is what induces the slippage, especially on heavy throttle. Second, Ford reduces engine power very noticeably with a transitional spark retard, both during *and* just after the upshift. Both of these are removed with the Superchip. Then the Superchip also increase line pressure, which is the main purpose of most shift kits.
And there are other things the Superchip does with regards to transmission operation, such as the removal of the downshift delay signals, and the transitional spark retard after the downshift as well. That alone makes a nice improvement in overall driveability. So it does far more than a shift kit does. If that turns out that you want muscle-car tire-chirping upshifts all the time, we can easily do a custom program to accomplish that, too. However, extremely few people do that once they've felt what the Superchip already does. It all depends on just how hard you want it to shift; the vast majority of people are very well satisfied with the improvements made by the Superchip, as they are substantial, and transmission life is extended by the reduction of slippage.
Shift kits certainly have their place, and in fact we are using a Transgo shift kit in conjunction with the Superchip in our Lincoln Mark 8; however, in our case, we installed the Transgo to hold off a rebuild for at least another year, and it has done that very well. This car's transmission has a rather badly glazed cluth pack, and I wanted to hold off the rebuild until I can have it done at the same time as we're doing other things to it in preparation for the supercharger. What we found is that the higher we crank the line pressure, the softer it shifts on the 1-2 upshift, simply because of the glazed clutch pack in that transmission, due to prior abuse from it's original owner, and the fact that MN12-platform vehicles (Mark 8's & late-model Tbirds only) tend to burn tranny fluid when driven hard in town at lower speeds.
The Banks Trans-Command unit is expensive, and a number of owners have complained to us that it shifts hard all the time, even on light throttle light load. If that is what you're looking for, it may serve you well. But like you said, for less cost, you can have it all with the Superchip, so it gets down to a matter of exactly what you want to achieve, and the most cost-effective way to achieve it.
Just so you'll know, this affects virtually *all* of FOrd's vehicles, there are very few that don't share these same characteristics, as it is part of Ford's "soft shift strategy", which they have implemented to accomodate the female buyer. Odd, eh? They realized some years ago that females are buying over 50% of all new vehicles, and so almost all the automakers are doing something similar. Honda was one of the last holdouts, and even they implemented this starting in 1999.
Please feel free to give us a call to discuss all of this in greater detail, so you can give it some thought and make your decision. Our number is below.
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html
The Superchip is what most people go with, who want to have better shifting *and* a nice power gain. There are several things that are changed in the program, that no shift kit can do.
First, Ford uses a shift delay signal to elongate and soften the upshift, and that is what induces the slippage, especially on heavy throttle. Second, Ford reduces engine power very noticeably with a transitional spark retard, both during *and* just after the upshift. Both of these are removed with the Superchip. Then the Superchip also increase line pressure, which is the main purpose of most shift kits.
And there are other things the Superchip does with regards to transmission operation, such as the removal of the downshift delay signals, and the transitional spark retard after the downshift as well. That alone makes a nice improvement in overall driveability. So it does far more than a shift kit does. If that turns out that you want muscle-car tire-chirping upshifts all the time, we can easily do a custom program to accomplish that, too. However, extremely few people do that once they've felt what the Superchip already does. It all depends on just how hard you want it to shift; the vast majority of people are very well satisfied with the improvements made by the Superchip, as they are substantial, and transmission life is extended by the reduction of slippage.
Shift kits certainly have their place, and in fact we are using a Transgo shift kit in conjunction with the Superchip in our Lincoln Mark 8; however, in our case, we installed the Transgo to hold off a rebuild for at least another year, and it has done that very well. This car's transmission has a rather badly glazed cluth pack, and I wanted to hold off the rebuild until I can have it done at the same time as we're doing other things to it in preparation for the supercharger. What we found is that the higher we crank the line pressure, the softer it shifts on the 1-2 upshift, simply because of the glazed clutch pack in that transmission, due to prior abuse from it's original owner, and the fact that MN12-platform vehicles (Mark 8's & late-model Tbirds only) tend to burn tranny fluid when driven hard in town at lower speeds.
The Banks Trans-Command unit is expensive, and a number of owners have complained to us that it shifts hard all the time, even on light throttle light load. If that is what you're looking for, it may serve you well. But like you said, for less cost, you can have it all with the Superchip, so it gets down to a matter of exactly what you want to achieve, and the most cost-effective way to achieve it.
Just so you'll know, this affects virtually *all* of FOrd's vehicles, there are very few that don't share these same characteristics, as it is part of Ford's "soft shift strategy", which they have implemented to accomodate the female buyer. Odd, eh? They realized some years ago that females are buying over 50% of all new vehicles, and so almost all the automakers are doing something similar. Honda was one of the last holdouts, and even they implemented this starting in 1999.
Please feel free to give us a call to discuss all of this in greater detail, so you can give it some thought and make your decision. Our number is below.
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Butler, PA, USA
V10man,
I have a E4OD and I am going to have the fluids changed now. I think I am going to get the flush to get all new fluid and consider the synthetics. Thanks for your input regarding the shift enhancers.
Actually, I spoke with Mike Troyer today (for almost 40 minutes) and after talking to him I believe the super chip will take care of my concerns. THANKS MIKE! I look forward to getting the Chip this week. I'll let you know how it works out. Now for the hard part.....telling the wife I'm modifying her truck. Maybe I'll just surprise her.
Fred
------------------
97 F150 Lariat, Dark Torridor Red/silver, grey leather, extended. Leer running board, deflector, tonneau, Trans fix to come.
I have a E4OD and I am going to have the fluids changed now. I think I am going to get the flush to get all new fluid and consider the synthetics. Thanks for your input regarding the shift enhancers.
Actually, I spoke with Mike Troyer today (for almost 40 minutes) and after talking to him I believe the super chip will take care of my concerns. THANKS MIKE! I look forward to getting the Chip this week. I'll let you know how it works out. Now for the hard part.....telling the wife I'm modifying her truck. Maybe I'll just surprise her.
Fred
------------------
97 F150 Lariat, Dark Torridor Red/silver, grey leather, extended. Leer running board, deflector, tonneau, Trans fix to come.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Dear Freds4by,
You're very welcome, anytime! We're happy to take the time to answer the many questions that vehicle owners have about the product, and about how to best improve the shift characteristics and feel of these late-model computer controlled automatics.
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html
You're very welcome, anytime! We're happy to take the time to answer the many questions that vehicle owners have about the product, and about how to best improve the shift characteristics and feel of these late-model computer controlled automatics.
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html