I'm disappointed with the shift feel on my 03 H-D, and I wouldn't mind a few more HP. I took care of both on my 97 F150 with a Hypertech chip, but some posts here make me question the use of a chip on the H-D. Since I've already had it towed in once with a dead engine, I don't want to lose my warranty. Is there a proven chip out there that provides modest HP gains, improved shifting and will not ping on a stock motor? I'm not drag racing, so don't need to squeeze every last drop out of it. Thanks.

 

Do a quick search on "factory tech valve body" and your answer will flood in!

hands down if you want better firmer shifts, thats the way to go! I've gotten rides in a few L's with and without the FTVB, and wow! what a difference between the two! the FTVB makes the shifts feel SOOOOO much better. makes me thinking about it. LoL! can't wait until greg finishes up working on the FTVB for the 4R70 tranny so i can get mine in! but he's already got em out for your 4R100 tranny.

welcome to the site btw and congrats on the new HD!
post pics and build # when you get a chance!

 

Johnny lightning makes the Fastest HD's around.

If you wanna good chip talk to him.

I run his chip.

Edit: I see your local, ever plan on hitting the track in it ?

 

Just had it a few weeks, so still doing the research on best mods. Not likely to hit the track, but sill slowly make improvements. Nothing I've ever owned stayed stock for long - I'm sure most on this list can probably relate to that

 

Cool, maybe I'll see you around. I am afraid to say I have Canibialised(sp ?) a few HD's in my day.

Not one would talk with me after we ran. ?


Of course a **** eating grin on my face dont help.

 

Fastphil,

lots of good chip tuners and aftermarket parts , look for Johnny Lightning, JDM and Razor's Motorsports on the f150-online sponsor page. Factory Tech valve body will take care of the shifting. get a plan as to what mods you want and then proceed to get the chip burnt. i could have saved some bucks if, instead i have had my chip burnt with each mod installed.

 

Preaux gave some great advice. I started with a stock 02 and then got the Hypertech chip. It shifts each gear at a lower rpm point and shifts a firmer shift (somethimes it feels like my backend breaks loose going into second). However, now that I want to do other mods (FIPK etc.) I'll have to get the chip reburned. This time I'm going to do it all at once.

 

My original Diablo chip had awesome shift firmness. FTVB is another option but I would strongly suggest you to drive a truck with it and make sure you like it. It may shift too hard for your taste. I got one that felt like a very angry Mike Tyson punching you on the back when shifting. It is being resolved as of this writing so I'm pretty sure I'll like it when fixed.

 

yes, FTVB plus a chip that increased the shift firmness can be neck snapping! when i rode in fred's (silverlightnings) 00 L his chip was on the street program and it snapped my neck on the 1-2 and 2-3 pretty good! i can't even imagine how hard it was on his race side

 

FTVB must be run with stock line pressure as recommended by Greg.

 

Gregg’s valve body is the only one going in my transmission.

 

I think you might have driven a truck with a FTVB that also had line pressure increased via a chip. I have ridden in numerous L's with FTVB and I have one in my truck. All of them shifted firmly, but did not exhibit even the slightest bit of "slam"... It just moves quickly and firmly into the next gear with no fanfare or excitement. I think this is one of the best mods out there.

If you have a chip that increases line pressure AND a FTVB, and you go almost full throttle and then let off right before it shifts, the truck will slam shift so hard you will think you just got rearended at high speed... NOT good.

My FTVB has NEVER slam shifted (desinged not too) and has never done anything "wierd".

HD4... Maybe I misread your post... are you getting a diablo reburn or are you getting your FTVB reworked? If your FTVB slam shifted like that, that's interesting...

Ken

 

The test was my truck. Line preassure in the Diablo was stock Ford. Two were installed with same problem. FTVB is being reworked.

 

What happened wiht the ones that "bang shifted" is I was working on some improvements for people who wanted an extra hard shift for specific drag racing, and 20 of them got sent to one of my dealers by mistake, so it was my fault, I have most of them back, some people liked them that way and kept them. If you have one and don't like it I'll be more than happy to replace it.

G

 

I figure something like that did happen. My dealer is taking good care of it already. Thanks a lot