SuperChip and Tranny
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, California, U.S.A.
SuperChip and Tranny
I had a question about the SuperChip. I know that it helps with the shifting by increasing the line pressure. My question is for a only lightly modded vehicle (intake, exhaust, possible chip), what are the hazards (don't know if thats the right word) of using the chip to increase the line pressure with the computer rather that doing it mechanically, possiblibly a vavle body or some kit. I guess the question is, what is more reliable and tranny friendly way of the two in just getting better shifting points. Just wanting some opionions.
Thanks,
Jes
Thanks,
Jes
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi Jes,
The line pressure increase we use in our "standard" performance program in these F-150's, etc. has not caused increased wear or accelerated the failure rate of any components inside that transmission. We've been doing this for as long as automatics have been computer controlled.
What we generally recommend depends on just how hard you want the vehicle to hit the gears on the upshifts. The Superchip can make it shift hard, but we don't do that unless the customer specifically requests. We'll generally advise the customer as to the practical limits of how much we can increase that before you start seeing long-term negative effects, etc., and if the customer wants a banging-hard shift characteristic, then the best approach is a combination of the Superchip and a good shift kit in the 4R100, or the Superchip and our line mod valve in the 4R100 automatic.
The time to use a shift kit or other mechanical modifications in these transmissions is generally when you want it to shift hard enough to chirp the tires on the full-throttle upshifts. For that kind of hard shift, it's best to use the combinations I mentioned above. The Superchip should always be part of that, as that is the only way to remove the various delays, retards, etc. that are built into the factory program, and then let the shift kit or line mod valve take care of providing the increased fluid *volume* needed to achieve tire-chirping upshifts. We can get a tire-chirping upshift about 70% of the time in these trucks in the lighter models with the Superchip, but if someone tells us they want it chirping the tires consistently, then it's time for the Superchip to be used in conjunction with a shift kit and/or line mod valve.
What I would suggest to get you the best answer for your situation is to give us a call & let's go over just how hard you want it to shift in various circumstances that we'll go over with you specifically, that way we can give you the most correct advice to accomplish how you want your transmission to shift.
The line pressure increase we use in our "standard" performance program in these F-150's, etc. has not caused increased wear or accelerated the failure rate of any components inside that transmission. We've been doing this for as long as automatics have been computer controlled.
What we generally recommend depends on just how hard you want the vehicle to hit the gears on the upshifts. The Superchip can make it shift hard, but we don't do that unless the customer specifically requests. We'll generally advise the customer as to the practical limits of how much we can increase that before you start seeing long-term negative effects, etc., and if the customer wants a banging-hard shift characteristic, then the best approach is a combination of the Superchip and a good shift kit in the 4R100, or the Superchip and our line mod valve in the 4R100 automatic.
The time to use a shift kit or other mechanical modifications in these transmissions is generally when you want it to shift hard enough to chirp the tires on the full-throttle upshifts. For that kind of hard shift, it's best to use the combinations I mentioned above. The Superchip should always be part of that, as that is the only way to remove the various delays, retards, etc. that are built into the factory program, and then let the shift kit or line mod valve take care of providing the increased fluid *volume* needed to achieve tire-chirping upshifts. We can get a tire-chirping upshift about 70% of the time in these trucks in the lighter models with the Superchip, but if someone tells us they want it chirping the tires consistently, then it's time for the Superchip to be used in conjunction with a shift kit and/or line mod valve.
What I would suggest to get you the best answer for your situation is to give us a call & let's go over just how hard you want it to shift in various circumstances that we'll go over with you specifically, that way we can give you the most correct advice to accomplish how you want your transmission to shift.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,444
Likes: 0
From: DFW, Texas
Hi Mike,
Long time no "post-n-reply"
Tell me more about the line mod valve. I'm STILL on the bubble with what to do to my tranny besides the service that it's ready for! And now towing the wiehgt I do, I have concerns about that as well.......
Long time no "post-n-reply"
Tell me more about the line mod valve. I'm STILL on the bubble with what to do to my tranny besides the service that it's ready for! And now towing the wiehgt I do, I have concerns about that as well.......
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi Family Ride,
Great to see you again, I hope you & your family enjoyed your Thanksgiving & are doing well!
The line mod valve is specifically for the 4R100 automatic transmissions, and has a larger orifice (1/2") that allows more fluid volume to flow during heavy-throttle upshifts. It simply replaces the factory valve so that the 4R100 is capable of flowing enough fluid volume to execute firmer upshifts at heavy throttle.
Cranking up the line pressure in the program is fine in relatively small amounts, like in the Superchip for example. But increasing the line pressure by really significant amounts in the program can accelerate wear on the pump, while yielding quickly diminishing returns in terms of actually giving a firmer & firmer shift, as you're basically trying to force gallons of fluid to flow thru a small straw. So you have to use a bigger straw; in the case of the 4R100, it's the line mod valve. You drop the tranny pan & valve body to install it, so you'll need to do it on a lift rather than in the driveway, but other than that, it's pretty simple & inexpensive.
We've got one in our '01 Lightning and I'm very happy with it. I don't like a really stiff light-throttle shift, and it doesn't do that. In my case, my Lightning is well into the 12's in the 1/4 mile and it still wouldn't chirp the tires on the 1-2 @ WOT. Installing this valve now has it leaving anywhere from about 7-15 feet of rubber on the WOT 1-2, depending on temperature & traction.
The light-throttle shifts are still acceptable, and it doesn't lose traction on the 1-2 until very heavy throttle is used. Stays nice & straight even when it spins on the 1-2. So for me, I couldn't be happier with the results, and any 4R100 owner who wants a nice quick & stiff upshift at heavy throttle might want to give this part a thought.
Thanks for dropping back by the boards, & we hope you'll be able to keep in touch!
Great to see you again, I hope you & your family enjoyed your Thanksgiving & are doing well!
The line mod valve is specifically for the 4R100 automatic transmissions, and has a larger orifice (1/2") that allows more fluid volume to flow during heavy-throttle upshifts. It simply replaces the factory valve so that the 4R100 is capable of flowing enough fluid volume to execute firmer upshifts at heavy throttle.
Cranking up the line pressure in the program is fine in relatively small amounts, like in the Superchip for example. But increasing the line pressure by really significant amounts in the program can accelerate wear on the pump, while yielding quickly diminishing returns in terms of actually giving a firmer & firmer shift, as you're basically trying to force gallons of fluid to flow thru a small straw. So you have to use a bigger straw; in the case of the 4R100, it's the line mod valve. You drop the tranny pan & valve body to install it, so you'll need to do it on a lift rather than in the driveway, but other than that, it's pretty simple & inexpensive.
We've got one in our '01 Lightning and I'm very happy with it. I don't like a really stiff light-throttle shift, and it doesn't do that. In my case, my Lightning is well into the 12's in the 1/4 mile and it still wouldn't chirp the tires on the 1-2 @ WOT. Installing this valve now has it leaving anywhere from about 7-15 feet of rubber on the WOT 1-2, depending on temperature & traction.
The light-throttle shifts are still acceptable, and it doesn't lose traction on the 1-2 until very heavy throttle is used. Stays nice & straight even when it spins on the 1-2. So for me, I couldn't be happier with the results, and any 4R100 owner who wants a nice quick & stiff upshift at heavy throttle might want to give this part a thought.Thanks for dropping back by the boards, & we hope you'll be able to keep in touch!