Superchip and Transgo Shift Kit
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2001
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From: Jersey
Superchip and Transgo Shift Kit
How you doing Mike? Haven't talked to you in along time.Gotta question for ya. Could my Superchip, an the Transgo Shift kit have a conflict with each other? I'm having major tranny problems. O/D in the tranny went two weeks after the shift kit was installed. My tranny guy tells me there was a problem before the install. I've known this guy for awhile, an trust his professionalism. The tranny shudders when the Torque converter locks up, an jumps an shudders in an out of gear changes. Tranny was completely rebuilt, with all new parts. Still doing it. I was just wondering if the two could be working against each other. For the life of me, I can't see how they would. I know guys that are running them, with no problems. But, I got the custom chip with extra hard shifts. I already know the answer, it's gonna be No. But, I just gotta ask. I trust your answer, judgement, an professionalism ,as I do my tranny guy. I could ask 50 people this same question, but wouldn't feel right about there answers, till I heard yours. ONLY THEN, I would feel right. This might even be a question I'll have to call, an talk to you about. If so, not a problem. Don't know if the chip went wacky, or needs a reflash. Be waiting to hear from ya. Thanks Mike! Oh yea, Ram Air has change alot since you last seen her on here.
Last edited by RAM AIR; Jul 16, 2002 at 09:59 PM.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi F-150 RA,
Good grief that's a pretty truck!
To answer your question, I seriously doubt it, as we do not see that kind of behavior in any of our customer's trucks running both the Superchip and the Transgo shift kit, nor has that happened in any of our vehicles, ranging from Lincolns to F-150's that we've done the exact same thing in.
As mbtech suggested, you could always pull the Superchip and see what happens. My hunch here is that even if that changes behavior somewhat (and that will of course soften up the shifts and reintroduce all the normal soft-shift characteristics once again as you'll be back on the factory program), that is most likely just going to be coindidental, given the fact that so many others are using that exact same combination with no such problems whatsoever.
One thing that is *critical* in rebuilding/replacing an automatic transmission after it's had problems is to install an inline fluid filter in the exit line from the transmission cooler, and if you have any auxiliary tranny fluid collers, install an inline fluid filter in the exit line from *each* cooler. I say that because Ford discovered they were having numerous quick repeat failures of transmissions after replacement due to the coolers not being able to be fully 100% flushed of all contaminents and the new tranny fluid being contaminated, and that contaminating the next transmission, causing repid repeat failure, in less than 10K miles many times, and in some cases in just 1000 miles or less! The cure was to install the inline filter just after the fluid exits the (each!) tranny fluid cooler.
TQ shudder is either a TQ problem or a fluid problem, usually. Replacing the TQ and draining *all* fluid generally solves that shudder issue, *if* it's TQ shudder.
Make sure to also check all TSB's for that vehicle, as some of the 4R70W's are affected by a TSB about this very thing, TQ shudder.
When Overdrive goes as happened with you, that means you've wiped out the Overdrive band, it can no longer grip the drum. You still have 1st, 2nd & 3rd gears, but you won't have 4th, and may not have reverse, either. That is typical with high-powered 4R70W applications when the tranny has not had a full performance rebuild (not just a rebuild, but a true *performance build thru and thru!), especially when the tranny is subjected to full-throttle 3-4 upshifts at or close to redline.
It sounds to me like you've just wiped some parts out when the OD band/drum failed.
The Transgo shift kit and some others have a provision in the shift kit to increase fluid volume flow to the Overdrive band for higher powered applications, so the band can grip the drum better/quicker to cut down somewhat on those kinds of failures. However, a shift kit alone cannot cure the 4R70W's ills in high-powered applications or in high-abuse situations, etc. Those 4R70W's can take 700+ horsepower, but *only* when built to the hilt.
I think you should call us on this, so I can go over some specific things with you.
All in all, I agree with your tranny guy, as with the rather large track record of F-150's with that exact same configuration, a Superchip for firm shifting *and* a Transgo shift kit used together, there is absolutely no pattern of increased failures or this shudder you're getting, etc.
Sorry to hear you're having problems, & hope you get them solved quickly!
Good grief that's a pretty truck!
To answer your question, I seriously doubt it, as we do not see that kind of behavior in any of our customer's trucks running both the Superchip and the Transgo shift kit, nor has that happened in any of our vehicles, ranging from Lincolns to F-150's that we've done the exact same thing in.
As mbtech suggested, you could always pull the Superchip and see what happens. My hunch here is that even if that changes behavior somewhat (and that will of course soften up the shifts and reintroduce all the normal soft-shift characteristics once again as you'll be back on the factory program), that is most likely just going to be coindidental, given the fact that so many others are using that exact same combination with no such problems whatsoever.
One thing that is *critical* in rebuilding/replacing an automatic transmission after it's had problems is to install an inline fluid filter in the exit line from the transmission cooler, and if you have any auxiliary tranny fluid collers, install an inline fluid filter in the exit line from *each* cooler. I say that because Ford discovered they were having numerous quick repeat failures of transmissions after replacement due to the coolers not being able to be fully 100% flushed of all contaminents and the new tranny fluid being contaminated, and that contaminating the next transmission, causing repid repeat failure, in less than 10K miles many times, and in some cases in just 1000 miles or less! The cure was to install the inline filter just after the fluid exits the (each!) tranny fluid cooler.
TQ shudder is either a TQ problem or a fluid problem, usually. Replacing the TQ and draining *all* fluid generally solves that shudder issue, *if* it's TQ shudder.
Make sure to also check all TSB's for that vehicle, as some of the 4R70W's are affected by a TSB about this very thing, TQ shudder.
When Overdrive goes as happened with you, that means you've wiped out the Overdrive band, it can no longer grip the drum. You still have 1st, 2nd & 3rd gears, but you won't have 4th, and may not have reverse, either. That is typical with high-powered 4R70W applications when the tranny has not had a full performance rebuild (not just a rebuild, but a true *performance build thru and thru!), especially when the tranny is subjected to full-throttle 3-4 upshifts at or close to redline.
It sounds to me like you've just wiped some parts out when the OD band/drum failed.
The Transgo shift kit and some others have a provision in the shift kit to increase fluid volume flow to the Overdrive band for higher powered applications, so the band can grip the drum better/quicker to cut down somewhat on those kinds of failures. However, a shift kit alone cannot cure the 4R70W's ills in high-powered applications or in high-abuse situations, etc. Those 4R70W's can take 700+ horsepower, but *only* when built to the hilt.
I think you should call us on this, so I can go over some specific things with you.
All in all, I agree with your tranny guy, as with the rather large track record of F-150's with that exact same configuration, a Superchip for firm shifting *and* a Transgo shift kit used together, there is absolutely no pattern of increased failures or this shudder you're getting, etc.
Sorry to hear you're having problems, & hope you get them solved quickly!
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi Family Ride,
Thanks for your post, good to see you again as always!
We're shopping trailers ourselves right now ourselves, for something to tow the Lightning around on or in. It's quickly reminded me of just how much I hate shopping for trailers, we always want about 3 times what we want to spend, of course.
Just yesterday, we went from looking at simple flatbed units to wanting an enclosed racer's trailer with room for tools, a lounge, some A/C, etc......................................
It's always something, isn't it?
Thanks for your post, good to see you again as always!
We're shopping trailers ourselves right now ourselves, for something to tow the Lightning around on or in. It's quickly reminded me of just how much I hate shopping for trailers, we always want about 3 times what we want to spend, of course.
Just yesterday, we went from looking at simple flatbed units to wanting an enclosed racer's trailer with room for tools, a lounge, some A/C, etc......................................
It's always something, isn't it?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Im having the same problems with my truck.. I have an Xcal2.. Did you ever get your problems solved? Mine does it when the tranny heats up.. Or if it runs in overdrive for a long time.. Like a long trip
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Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 75
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From: Florida
I have had several transmissions fail and each time it has been due to some problem with the external cooling. ie a coolant line gets crushed, the cooler gets clogged, etc. The last time I had a transmission fail, a trusted transmission man explained to me how important it is to get the cooler right. after he replaces the tranny, he spends a whole bunch of time cleaning and testing the cooler for proper flow. If he can't get the thing perfectly clean or if he can't get great flow, he just replaces all the coolant lines and the cooler. Also, he said that for trucks that don't use an external cooler, they just use the lower portion of the radiator. He said this was just as bad for particles and for blocked flow. If the guy who replaced your tranny just hooked back up to the cooler in your radiator, that my be your problem. Since a new tranny is several thousand dollars and since a new cooler is about $100.00, I would replace the cooler and put in an inline filter like Mike said every time I had to get a new tranny. Heat is the number one killer of an automatic transmission and can destroy one in no time flat. The above is even more important if you are running your tranny to the extreme.
By the way, that picture of your truck is about the best looking truck I have ever seen. Makes me want to go out and sell my 2006 and look for one like yours. Beautiful truck.
By the way, that picture of your truck is about the best looking truck I have ever seen. Makes me want to go out and sell my 2006 and look for one like yours. Beautiful truck.