Really wanting to buy a Superchip. One thing I want to know is what kind of shift improvement can I expect? I mean, are we talking a 1-2 chirp at WOT, or am I expecting too much?

 

Hi radjks,

We're not trying specifically to chirp the tires on the 1-2 WOT upshift in the Superchip, though a few of these F-150's will do that, it's not the typical result.

The Superchip pulls the various shift delays, retards, etc. that Ford uses to deliberately prolong and induce so much slippage into the shifts as part of their soft-shift strategy, and that alone helps a lot to firm & quicken the upshift, as well as add power. We also raise line pressure for a firmer shift, by a small amount, and in direct relation to how much throttle you give the vehicle. So it still shifts smooth when driven conservatively, and then shifts firmer with more throttle, exactly as it should.

What we recommend is to use the Superchip for at least a month before deciding that you want to do mechanical modifications to the automatic transmission for even harder shifting than what the Superchip itself does. For most people, the Superchip alone does enough to improve the shift charactersistics that they don't do additional tranny mods.

If you want the tranny to consistetnly get a nice chirp on the 1-2 upshift, we recommend doing that with a combination of the Superchip and the Transgo shift kit, that is the best & safest way to make the transmission shift hard enough to do that consistently, yet not be too harsh on light-throttle shifting, this does a very nice job of accomplishing that result. The Superchip will take care of all the program issues, and the shift kit takes care of the mechanical issues.

If we did that all in the Superchip, meaning cranking in enough line pressure via programming alone to make it always chirp tire on the 1-2, long term that can increase wear on the front pump in some cases, by it trying to force more pressure thru the same small orifices & passages. So doing both the Superchip and the Transgo shift kit is the best way to achieve a consistent chirp of the tires on the 1-2 upshift, as well as pick up nice power gains, etc., and still have a tolerable light-throttle shift characteristic and no reduction of service life of any transmission components.

If you'd like to go over this in more detail, please feel free to give us a call at our number listed below, we'll be happy to go over all of this with you and talk to you about just how hard you really want the transmission to shift, etc.

 

mike,

so, if you use a transgo and get a superchip, will the shifts be too hard? i have heard some say that you need to get the line pressure turned down on the superchip if you get a shift kit?? i know neal is runnning increased line pressure as well as a stage 3 on the transgo.... but is this too hard shifting? i was just wondering if you have a diffrent "code" for a tranny with a shift kit so that it wont shift too hard? or should you just do a stage 1 or 2 on the transgo. i want my shifts to be firm and reliable since i am adding a supercharger.... Neal, if you read this..... are your shifts hard during normal driving... also do you think they would be too hard for someone who isnt quite as freakish about thier horsepower??

-steve

 

Hi Steve,

Ahh, an excellent point.................

What we recommend is to use the Superchip together with the Transgo shift kit installed on Level 1. That generally results in a very tolerable light-throttle shift characteristic and a nice "chirp" of the tires on the WOT (wide-open throttle) 1-2 upshift, without doing any specific custom changes in the Superchip program.

If you decide you want even harder shifts, you can always go back in and take the Transgo kit up to Level 2 or even Level 3 if you want. We recommend "sneaking up on it," so to speak, starting off with the Transgo installed on Level 1 for the very reasons you mention. Most people don't want a shift that is brutal at all throttle positions & rpms, most people want a nice liveable shift when driving normally or conservatively, and then a nice kick in the seat at heavy throttle, and that is generally what the Superchip & the Transgo on Level 1 usually accomplishes.

Give us a call if you;d like to go over this in detail, we'll be happy to.

 

Just what I was looking for

I'm considering either Transgo or the Factory Tech valve body along with my chip (F250 has the 4R100 tranny like the L's).

Any words of wisdom? I'm looking for firm, quick shifts, (more than I had with the Superchip alone in the F150). Towing application as well.

I noted that you increase line pressure "a little". I've read some chips increase it quite a bit, people not liking the combination (shifts too hard .. Diablo chip?).

As you mention above, you've got some play with the transgo setting, but none with the valve body unless you add a kit to it I suppose?

Anyway, any info/impresions of the SC and the FT Valvebody would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

HI!... I have a custom SUPERCHIP that has had it's shift firmness cranked "WAY" up. Plus I have a custom built RACE DUTY 4R70-W with valve body modifications and a TRANSGO shift kit set on the highest setting. I actually find that the shifts are not hard enough, but that's just me!LOL Here's a video link to my truck at the dragstrip and you can clearly hear how hard it hits 2ND gear on a track covered with VHT.

http://www.85merk.com/members/nealhp...7oct01-2_s.mpg

 

Thanks Neal, nice video
I ordered a transgo, will give that a shot.

 

Decided to go with the Factory Tech Valvebody.. will be here before the weekend .... Hopefully my reprogramed chip will be too.