Just wondering if any one out there has had any problems with their tranny since installing their superchip? Installed one last fall and was pleased with the results in performance and the way it shifted much crisper. Probebly just coincedence but my tranny puked at 46,000 miles I think it is the converter ,went to the shop today have not heard back yet. I do alot of towing boat and snowmobiles,I am careful about using OD when towing when it hunts kicking it out of OD. Had the tranny fluid changed 30000 miles so it is not neglected. Would like to put it in when I get it back from the shop. Any comments greatly appreciated

thanks

 

HI!... KIRTH : I have been running a SUPERCHIP in my truck foe two years now with out any problems with my tranny. I have 74,000kms on my 4R70-W. I had MIKE T crank up the line preasure on my tranny way above the stock SUPERCHIP program. I'm also running a BAUMANN ENGINEERING shift kit on STAGE 5, RELINE SYNTHETIC fluid, PERMA-COOL tranny cooler with SUMMIT RACING 10 inch electric fan, and a PERM-COOL external tranny filter. Remember that HEAT is a tranny's worst enemy. I would suggest to you to install a AUTOMETER "MECHANICAL" trans temp guage. Hope this helps you out.

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NEAL " THE H.P FREAK" E-MAIL :nnewman@sympatico.ca
'99' F-150 XLT SPORT, oxford white, reg cab shortbox stepside,5.4, auto, 4.10L.S, captain's chairs, bedliner, GTS carbon fiber headlight covers, ***** CEPECK clear halogen driving lights, GTS slotted tailight covers (painted oxford white), fiberglass smooth wiper cowl (painted OXFORD WHITE), FORD locking lug nuts, tinted windows,true duel exhaust with 2.5 inch mandrel bent pipes and FLOWMASTER 3 chamber mufflers with 3' tailpipes exiting before the rear wheel like the LIGHTNING, HELLWIG rear stabalizer bar, 3 AUTOMETER guage pods, filled with tranny temp, engine temp, and oil preasure AUTOMETER "PHANTOM" guages,custom fabricated air intake trac and huge K/N filter, TPS mod, BELLTECH 2-inch rear drop, custom programed SUPERCHIP, BAUMANN ENGINEERING shift kit (on stage 5 setting)BYPASS CLUTCH CONTROL VALVE/PREASURE REGULATOR VALVE, ASP POWER PULLEYS, custom tig welded and ported JBA "JET BLACK coated headers, twin DERALE 16 INCH ELECTRIC FANS, PERMA COOL 14"/10" tranny cooler with 10" electric fan, custom ported (STOCK) throttle body, custom digital air intake temp sensor, custom ported TB intake elbow, relocated ATS.


FUTURE MODS : FORD SVT 24LB INJECTORS, CUSTOM SUPERCHIP FLIP-CHIP, BBK 75MM THROTTLE BODY, 80MM PRO-M MASS AIR METER, AADI F1 RAM AIR HOOD WITH CUSTOM FABRICATED RAM AIR SET-UP, CAL-TRAC TRACTION BARS, EXTRUDE HONED INTAKE MANIFOLD, SHM CUSTOM FUEL RAILS, SHM "RACE WATER PUMP, 90/10 FRONT CE SHOCKS, 70/30 REAR CE SHOCKS, BELL TECH 2/4 DROP, EXPEDITION CENTER CONSOLE, HARLEY DAVISON F-150, LOWER FRONT VALANCE (painted oxford white) and a KENNE BELL BLOWZILLA SUPERCHARGER.

ESTIMATED H.P TO DATE : 330H.P / 425ft/lbs of torque.

CURRENT PERFORMANCE : 1/4 MILE - 14.53E.T * MPH - 93.00 * 0-60MPH - 5.8 * 1/8 MILE - 9.2 * 60 FT - 2.0

OTHER TOYS : "83" PRO STREET FORD RANGER : 351-w stroked to 408c.i 625H.P (natural), 875H.P with 250H.P "BIG SHOT" N.O.S kit, tubbed (crome moly tubing), 12 point chrome moly roll cage, 4-link with coil overs, MUSTANG II front suspension, c-4 tranny (race prepped), 4000rpm stall converter(8 INCH), 3" chrome moly driveshaft,AUTOMETER guages, 15.50 MICKEY THOMPSON rear tires, 4" M/T front tires, CENTERLINE CON-VO PRO rims, fiberglass hood - bumper - prostock hood scoop, wishbone trac-link, two chrome moly driveshaft loops, 16 gallon RCI fuel cell,etc

 

Hi Kirth,

You're right, it is just coincidence, as the Superchip does not have the ability to damage your automatic transmission, and does nothing more than what Ford does themselves in some of their "performance" models, which is to remove the delays & retards and give it a bit more line pressure. The only noticeable effect the Superchip has on internal components is a tendency to extend the service life of your friction materials, which are the bands and clutches.

These transmissions aren't close to perfect, they can and do fail on occasion, just like the automatics in GM & Mopar trucks and in all other types of vehicles, from time to time, and it has nothing to do with the Superchip. If it did, we'd be seeing posts here everyday with failed transmissions after the installation of the Superchip, to say nothing of our phones would be ringing off the hook with customers calling us about failed transmissions, and we don't see either of those happening. Actually, given as many F150 owners as we have posting here, I'm a bit surprised that we don't see more automatic transmission failures just due to sheer numbers of people & vehicles, and in some cases with as rough as some of the people here treat them( !) and that's a testament to the soundness of their basic design. They tend to fail usually when there is a problem with a component inside, such as the shift solenoids, or a torque converter, etc., and then they finally give up the ghost after a period of time in service.

We have seen torque converters fail in less than 500 miles, and we've seen torque converters go 250,000 miles and more without a failure, and just about everything in between. It seems that shift solenoids & torque converters are the parts that fail most often, and that makes sense, given their respective roles.

While Ford does have certain specs that their parts suppliers are required to meet in each component supplied to Ford, within those specs is some variance, and I can't tell you how many times we've heard design engineers and people building these transmissions and similar people from other automakers complain about the quality of the materials used internally on occasion. Not most of the time mind you, I don't mean to give that impression, but on occasion it happens, and we've heard about it a number of times in recent years.

I also don't think that it had anything to do with a lack of service on your part, Kirth, as you had the fluid changed at 30K miles, just like you're supposed to.

Towing is the hardest strain you'll ever put on that automatic transmission, particularly the torque converter, as it is a fluid coupling to the engine, and is under quite a strain when towing substantial loads. Yes, these trucks do have tow packages available and pretty high tow ratings given their status as 1/2 ton pickup trucks, but still, towing is the hardest strain most of these vehicles will ever see. The bottom line is that you've apparently had a failure of the torque converter, and that can and does happen, both stock and with the Superchip alike.

It will not harm your new automatic transmission to use your Superchip again, so I wouldn't be concerned about using it again. I do think it's a good idea to get maybe 300-500 miles on your new transmission, just to let things seat in and so that you'll know there are no immediate problems with your new transmission, but after that, there is no reason why you cannot continue to use your Superchip.

If you'd like to discuss this with us in detail, please feel free to give us a call, and we'll be happy to go over your situation with you.

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer

[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 03-19-2001).]

 

Thanks for the reply Mike, I know when I talked to you on the phone , when I ordered my chip you most helpful. I was not saying that the chip was at fault,but when something happens like this given the miles you wonder what if? I do plan on putting it back in because it did work. I did have a post under tranny's. Like you said the number of the trucks out there you would think there would be more, so it must be a tough tranny. I am not the only one towing with a Ford.

thanks

 

Hi Kirth,

No problem, I think it's a reasonable question of course, and if you don't ask, you'll never know.

And of course you're right, you're not the only person towing with their F-150, not by a long shot! These vehicles get subjected to some rather amazing abuses by some of their owners, and then some are extremely pampered & garaged, etc., and everything in between.

We feel like you mentioned, and as we mentioned in our first post back to you, that given the 750,000 F-150's built every year, it's really amazing that we don't see transmission failures mentioned here a *lot* more often!

We've seen F-150 Super Crews, the heaviest F-150 configuration available, loaded to the hilt, with a supercharger and towing 8000 lbs. to boot, running with a totally stock transmission and never miss a lick. And then we've seen them fail bone-stock in less than 500 miles, though that is pretty rare, it happens.

Since you are towing, even if you have the towing package with the factory transmisison fluid cooler, we recommend installing another transmission oil cooler equipped with a thermostatically controlled fan, to keep the fluid temperatures in line, as even with the factory towing package, the transmission fluid can easily get well over 200 degrees. Though this may have had absolutely nothing to do with your torque converter failure (assuming it was the torque converter), you will be doing yourself a big favor in the long run if you'll do this, and keep that tranny fluid nice and cool. Another suggestion is to use only synthetic transmission fluid. Synthetic transmission fluid stands up to heat far better, and you don't get the typical molecule shear you'll get with conventional automatic transmission fluids when they get much over 200 degrees or so, and you'll have more consistent shift characteristics.

Best of luck whatever you decide,

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer