I have a 98 F150, 5.4, E4OD (4R100), and have been using the canned tune from the Xcal3. This summer I'm doing a PI head swap and I know that I'll need custom tunes. This morning, I installed my Factory Tech 2C Valve Body. The truck shifts way too hard now. If I return to stock, it feels much better. I know that I can decrease line pressure with the X3, but I'm afraid to play with the settings. I tried a 15% reduction and still rattles my teeth.

Hears my delima.....I would like to get tunes but I want to wait until I do the head swap so that they can be set up for the increased airflow. I know that I can get a single tune from VMP in a few days. Should I go this route and just eat the 50 bucks for this tune when I need new tunes after the head swap or should I try to keep reducing the line pressure until it feels better. I don't want to drive it like this until I can get the shifting right. Any opinions welcome.

Thanks

 

I'd just spend the $50 on a tune for now to avoid the risk of causing damage to your transmission.

 

If you are in a pinch, just run stock (no-tune) untill the PI swap, in the meantime get a base PI tune so that you are ready for your swap and not waiting on tunes.

 

That's what I'm doing now (stock tune). I already miss the extra power and I was averaging a little over 1 mpg increase in fuel economy with the tune. I know that Troyer has a long wait, how has VMP's wait been lately? If I knew what to set the shift frimness percentage at I could use what I have. I tried it at 15% reduction and it was still much harder than stock. I don't want to get it too low and burn up my trans.

I've sent emails to VMP and Troyer. I know Troyer is the most talked about but he also has a much longer wait time. I wish I wasn't so impatient!

Thanks

 

I don't know about being more popular. VMP is making a name for themselves around this community more and more every day. I believe it's only about a 4-5 day wait right now. However it's possible for the wait to be longer in the realm of 2-3 weeks. Shows, scheduled dyno tunes, etc can slow him down.

 

2 to 3 weeks is still better than 2 to 3 months. I sent Justin an email explaining what I want. I was going to order a tune from his website but I had a few questions and wanted to explain what I want. I'll wait for his reply and go from there. Do you have tunes from him? Are you satisfied? Thanks for the advice!

 

I've had tunes from him on my 2006 F150 and now my Mustang. I'm completely satisfied with his service and his products. I always recommend him on this website and the Mustang website that I frequently visit. I couldn't be happier.

 

Ordered 1 tune from Justin at VMP last night. Can't wait to get it!

 

I got my tunes today. The truck is like a whole different vehicle now. The shifting is dead on. Even with the Factory Tech Valve Body, the light throttle shifts are smooth. At full throttle it will still bark my 32 inch Michelins. The throttle response is perfect. I highly recommend using VMP. When I do my future mods, there's no doubt he will do the tuning.

 

Hell yeah !!

 

Good to hear everything worked out.