Gang:

I'm trying to diagnose what I would consider some weird behavior by my transmission. Can you help a brotha out?

Please do the following and report back...

Standing start, transmission in drive, OD on. Roll into the throttle as aggressively as possible, and run it at WOT up toward redline in 1st gear. Before the shift (ideally at around 4000-4500 RPM), roll the throttle back to right around 1/2 open, then hold it there for a good long while until is gets into OD (55 MPH or more).

Please report how each of the 3 shifts (1-2, 2-3, and 3-4) feel. Also indicate your truck's model year, if you have a valve body (or line mod valve) installed, and any transmission parameters (line pressure and/or torque reduction) altered by your chip (if you have one).

Looking forward to your report. This experiment only takes a couple of seconds. Who will be the first to try it?

Once we get a few reports I'll let you know what I'm seeing.

Thanks, guys. Peace out.

 

I have a 2002, stock trans, nothing touched on the chip. 6lb lower, no other noteable performance mods.

When I perform your test, the truck SLAMS into 2nd, still shifts hard, but very subdued compared to the 1-2 shift into 3rd, and eases into OD. I performed the test twice, and shifted into OD at around 60 both times.

Hope this helps.

 

Dou':

Thanks for the quick reply. That's about how I remember mine shifting when it was stock.

The infamous "lift-shift" - feels like getting azz-ended by a Beetle on the 1-2 shift.

Waiting for a few modded ones - especially with tranny mods.

Keep it coming.

 

Mines been doin that lately. Ever since I took out the chip. My friend's say its going to blow soon. I think its the clutch packs, I've got 54k miles and someone put something shiney on the engine too.

[edit]I'll admit it, the truck that is "just like mine" has more boost, about 4lbers. I thin the tranny thinks the driver is giving it more gas than is actually input, thus the harder shifts. When I'm at or near WOT it seems fine. But if I'm part throttle, with some boost, it slams pretty good.

 

Tundra:

More specifics, please. Gimme some details. Hook me up.

Alaska rocks.

 

Tundra:

Run the experiment as described, please, and report...

 

Maybe we'll catch a couple replies tomorrow...

 

Yeah, I'll have to look at this later on in the week. I have been up since 1pm sunday, so I am about to crash.............

 

Anybody else? Help a brotha out!

 

Don 't attempt this with a J1 tranny, it's not safe.

G

 

Greg:

Not trying to be a smart-azz, but what would you recommend somebody do on the street if they blast away from a stoplight and some little tyke chases a ball out into the road, say, right as they approach 4257 RPM at WOT in 1st gear? The experiment I describe is well within the parameters of "normal driving/throttle input".

Basiacally, I'm trying to collect some data from the community as to what is typical shifting behavior under this condition for Lightnings with various combinations of mods. Thus far, the two report I've received "check out", per my experience.

And lest I forget, the Factory Tech valve body rocks and keeps your transmission together, particulalry in a modded 'Bolt. If you don't have one, get one. On top of that, Greg's customer service is the best in the business, bar none. Trust me.

 

01 Stock with 21400 miles.. Shifts smoothly into 2nd though it hesitates at high rpms for a moment when you left off the throttle, 2-3 is seeminly oblivious if your not watching the tach or listening to the engine, same with 3-4

 

Thanks for the heads up Factory_Tech.

Now for the big question. What is a J1 tranny? Is that a 99 tranny? If it is, I've got one.

 

The J1 was the early 2001 tranny, only a few were built. The original tranny for the 2001 was supposed to be the 5Q, but none of them were built at all, it had the first model mechanincal diode and they could be blown by pulling out of throttle just before the 1-2 shift, or just after any shift above a certain RPM. NONE OF THESE WERE BUILT FOR LIGHTNINGS, but the newer model had a similar part and I'd be worried about tempting fate with one.

G

 

Guys
WARNING
There are well known issues with some Trannys with certain diodes. If you have one of those trannys and you try this experiment you may blow up your tranny.

My experience:
My 2000 has done this as long as I can remember. It happened today ... PART of the feeeing is that you are expecting and compensating for G forces going back then when you let up the firm shift feels worse..

Doug