I was looking around here and saw your sig with the Transgo Shift kit. I assume your chip did not give you the shifting you wanted? Guess you wanted more. I have noticed that if you do drive the xp with the chip "normal" for about 350 miles the adaptive system starts to make the shifts kind of light again. Does this help this? Thanks...

 

Well, I have to say, the chip does a good job. It does adapt to your driveing but it will do the same with a kit.

However, there is a pretty big difference. If you've read my "saga", you'll see I had the VB out 3 times trying to get it right. Turns out, I've opened up the 1-2 past where it will do anymore good without going back in the oil circuit and reducing some restriction there. If I did that, I *should* be way to far and would be in for a head banging!

Right now it's great. 1-2 is a good solid hard pull. 2-3 is a little more "crisp" and in some cases, I sometime think I went slightly too far with it, then I say, "nah"!

I've towed with it and it's great. I had nothing to worry about.

I did the whole shabang. 4x4 pan (with drain plug) the Transgo and after tweaking 3 times and adding 24 quarts of fresh ATF 2 gallons at a time, once I had it where I wanted it, I drained everything and went back with Amsoil. Of course a new filter as well. Ended up getting all but about 1 1/2 quarts out with the final drain. Most of that had been diluted/flushed along the way with all that $4 a gallon ATF though.

All in all, I'm very pleased with it! I'm not going to be chirping tires I don't think but it's even more fun to drive and from what I've seen, the tranny is cool as a cucumber!

As for ease, the first try was bout 4 hours and a lot of that was getting the beast up on 4 jack stands, taking my time and clean up. The next 2 VB drops were a breeze. Maybe 2 hours from start to driving. Mostly cleanup if you get a speeder to drop the 20 pan bolts and 14 VB bolts. AFT cleans up easy though, and it's not bad even soaking in it!

 

So what is the kit doing for ya? I went to the web site and could not really get any info. Does it shift firmer than the chip already produces, does it allow it to shift at a higher rpm with part throttle, or does it just allow the fluid to move around better to make it last longer?

Also, from your post I understand that you adjust it by taking the VB back out. I guess it would be good to use the cheaper fluid until you get that dialed in then go with synth? Why did you go with Amsoil and not Mobil one?

Thanks....

Edit.....
You don't have to answer any of that stuff above, I read all you previous post. I probably will not go with that... I like that 4x4 pan for our Texas heat and ease of drain. I might get that. Just a dealer I suppose? How much? I would like to do that before a big trip in June. Pan, Filter, and all new Synth fluid.

Later

 

DFWBMW-
I though I'd jump in here...I put Amsoil in the tranny and what a difference in shifting with the OEM tranny. Couple with the chip, you can barely feel the shifting during normal driving. When you stomp on it, the chip pops through the gears and the synth fluid makes all the difference.

As for the diference between the two, I strictly chose Amsoil based upon reputation. All the comments I read gave the Amsoil the #1 thumbs-up. FYI...I switched from Mobil1 to Amsoil for my engine oil as well.

 

Thanks, where do you get Amsoil fluid at....

 

Salvo Auto Parts

I don't know how large of a company it is, but they are all over Maryland. I purchased the oil and tranny fluid from them. It ain't cheap!

 

The pan I reccomend you buy from www.oemfordparts.com. It's the Ford store over in Weatherford. They'll seel it for about $30. I bought mine over the counter (not thinking ahead) from what used to be Village Ford (Maybe it's Country Ford now) for full pop retail at about $43.

Jeff hit it with the Amsoil. I bought mine direct from Amsoil. If you buy a Perfered Customer Membership you'll save a bunch because you'll buy it for wholesale. I think mine cost about $110 $120 for 18 quarts. I only used about 14 so I over estimated. One good thing is that there is a distribution center here in Dallas so UPS ground shipping is one day! I'd have to look, I got a "Dealer" card from them. I think I can buy it and resell it. Another guy here in Flower Mound called me as he is my "sponsor". I guess he's in it for profit. He wanted to know if I was going to sell or just use it. I may look into whether I can make any money at it. If so, I'll be calling Steve to get Supproting Vendor status!

The kit has a seperator plate that goes under the accumulator valve body like a gasket. In that plate, you drill out, or open up a hole for each valve that is the 1-2, 2-3 and 3-4 shift. You open it up to allow more fluid to flow, thus harder shift. It also includes new springs for the valves.

It sounds complex if you've never gone into an auto tranny like me but I had a blast doing it and it wasn't hard.

It shifts more firm/crisp. I might take the chip out to see what it's like. I've heard of some that found that with the chip out, it shifts even better. In that case, I'd have Mike reburn the chip to remove the line pressure increase. However, I'm thinking it won't be necessary. It's not a necessity but I'm glad I did it.

 

Family-

I'm planning on doing the Transgo this spring. And like yourself, have NEVER worked on a automatic. From what you say, it sounds like a pretty straightforward install. I have a chip but still not very satisfied with the shifts that I get.

One thing I am wondering about is why did you need to get a new pan for? Thanks in advance!

 

Way2Big

I only changed the pan so I had a drain plug. It hold a little bit more AFT (about a quart or less) which is OK too, but I wanted the drain plug. You can see it's slightly deeper so if you look under the truck you'll see it hangs down a little more but not any lower that the fuel tank!

In a way, it's not a big deal because if I'm draining, I'd likely change the filter again too so I'd have to drop the pan anyways, but incase I feel the need to just drain I can. And dropping the pan is a little easier, less messy if you can drain it first.

And yes, if you're mechanicly inclined at all, it shouldn't be hard. I've done things that people who say they are mecahnicly inclined have problems with and they are a breeze. I think it's like anything, know what you're getting into before you start. As you go things will be familiar. I'd do another in a heartbeat.

 

Just wondering what you guys payed for your kits? Local shop is getting me one, 4ODE, for $40 + tax. Is that about right?

 

If you're getting a complete Transgo kit for $40 you're stealing it! I got mine for about $100. Truth is, it's basicly springs and a seperator plate. You get a new pan gasket but you don't need it. There are some other things that come with it for the EOD4 but for mine, I used springs and plate.

 

I got the kit today and I must say I was "surprised". I know you said that the instructions were a bit confusing but WTF. You mentioned that there were different settings as in shifts. Instructions do not mention anything about it. Sereval board members mentioned about several drill bits for the type of shift that you want. There was only one. There was no video, so thats why I question if it is right one that they got for me. Any suggestions would help! Thanks!