I went to www.lightningforceperformance.com and went into the drivetrain/transmission section and under shift kits they/he actually calls this thing the "Factory Tech. Accumulator Shift Kit / Value Body".

first of all what is a value body

second of all, how can they call this Factory Tech? They didn't just steal the design (which is the american way...microsoft windows) but they stole the man's name too!!! that is rediculous

(edit: if this is just a typo or error on the LFP website then it's just a simple mistake, but that doesn't appear to be the case. If it is, then Mark should straighten it out with all of us here to keep his companies name in good standing. Also, if he's no longer a dealer, then what's the deal with still selling FT valve bodies in the first place???

 

I had a conversation with Mark a couple of weeks ago regarding VBs. He told me that he had come out with a kit of his own to offer his costumers as well as offering the Factory Tech kit. He refered to his new kit as LFP - Stage one, or something like that. He never refered to it as being a FT VB or that it was a copy, but that it accomplishes the same thing at a lower cost. For all we know is that this "Ford Tech Factory Transmission Valve Body" is just a typo that was missed on his site when he created the web page and he was just selling the FT VB at a lower price. I dunno.
I wish this situation was a bit more clear, as I have never had any bad experiences with Mark. And for the most part it has been the case with everyone who has done business with Mark (except easterisland). I hope that more light can be shed on this topic so that we all know what actually is going on.

-Kimball

 

WOW! Iam shocked that all of this could happen! Lfp was the closest tuner to me and was the tuner of choice becasue of location but for now i guess im lookin at the boys up north for my parts.

 

I don't know what to think of this. I know Greg has worked hard to make his product great and for someone to take his product and sell it as their own is wrong, but in the same sense...Our trucks have many great parts stock that the aftermarket for these things are a "few" parts shy of the selection say the five liter guys have. So what I'm tryin to say it's only a matter of time that some parts get "reproduced" under a different company for competition sake...i.e. interchangable pulleys. There are several companies offering these that one company started out with....that looks almost like the mirror image of the originals design. So the only thing I have to say...Greg keep up the good work and all the others are up to consumer discretion!

Just my .02

 

:o

 

To all concerned,

If you go to my website and look under shift kits you will see two listed. The first is the FT the second is LFP Stage 1. Both are clearly marked and both have different part #'s. Both where being offered just as I also offer more than 1 torque converter, just as I offer more than one traction control devise, just as I offer more than one set of front lowering springs etc..etc.
The mistake being made by most, is you see FT and stop reading and begin to assume.
As soon as my webmaster returns from his holiday vacation it will be removed.
There is no intent to mislead ANYone. All LFP Stage 1 valve bodies that have been shipped have gone with full disclosure as to which.
Our valve bodies are in no way a copy. LFP and FT both start with a Ford valve body. We reached our goal for optimum performance without ever having a FT valve body present.
We still offer a lifetime warranty.
After being told that the price was going up and that I would no longer be able to purchase from FT I became very concerned/worried. I expressed my concern to FT and sincerly didn't know if I would have product to sell come Dec. because of the limited options being presented to me as a FT dist.
LFP's motivation was purely a business response to not wanting to pay more and not wanting to be a dist. that needed to purchase product from another dist. To many channels to many hands to many $$.
All owners of vehicles considering this mod. now have a choice. I won't make claims as to which one is best. You the consumer will decide.
Both are quality products. You have a choice. LFP Stage 1 / FT VB
There are simular choices for electric fans, pulleys, traction bars, throttle bodies, chips etc...etc...
In the future lets not resort to bashing when all the facts of our business dealing will never see the light of day. A consensus can't be reached or a judgement passed with half a story.

Thanks
Mark/LFP

 

I didnt miss the point....I understand what you guys are saying but I chose not to take sides and say, "ya I know exactly what Mark did and he stole Greg's design....no wait...he prolly just scratched Marks name off them with a sharpie and puts his next to it!" That was a joke for all you serious people Anyway...I am one who's very picky about what I buy and from where...which is why I dont have any go fast goodies on my truck...But believe me I have been making a list and every repectible tuner is on it because I believe they all have something to offer be it some one else's part/design/idea or what. But I also understand someone's hard work and dedication and believe credit should be given where it's due. So again....Greg you know what to do and everyone else...ROCK ON

 

Hmmm, lets see,

A valve body offered by someone who has spent a good part of his life building Ford transmissions and, on the side, designs and sells a performance enhancing transmission product for Lightnings. . . .

vs.

A valve body offered by someone who, from what I understand, is in some kind of construction business dealing Lightning parts as he has time and, on the side designs(?) and sells a performance enhancing transmission product for Lightnings.

Guess what's in my truck?

 

I never misread Marks ad.I figured being that he offered 2 types of valve bodies that you had a choice. A simple phone call to him would clear up what the differences were. Lets not forget that we live in a capitalist country (thank God) and a little competition makes the pie bigger for everyone.I feel that he did NOT try to screw anyone .

 

:o

 

I'm not really sure what the problem is with the LFP valve body. Gregg has had the market basically to himself. Many people use his v/b (I love mine Gregg!), and the attitude has been you're 'cheap' if you buy just a line mod instead of his product. Well now there's an alternative, with similar parts, that retails for $50 cheaper (hmmm...). So what's the problem?

At one time Sal sold the only lower pullies, is JL a thief for 'stealing' his design and making lower pullies? JDM was selling the first rancho style bars, but now several vendors sell the same thing with similar brackets. Ba Bolt was making the first single blades, so are the accufab's a ripoff?

C'mon guys, let's think about this. Just like the very similar air kit's sold by the vendor's, there's only so many ways to make a d@mn shift kit and people have been doing it for years. Gregg didn't invent the idea, he's just the only one that's been selling them. This isn't a flame against you Gregg, your valve body is awesome, it's my favorite mod.

By the way, a friend of mine (a Ford driveability tech) has been using an almost identical valve body as Gregg since '99.

EDIT: Gregg, just wanted to say again that I'm not trying to flame you, you're the authority around here on these transmissions and I know you make top notch stuff. It's all good.

 

I recently ordered a VB from Mark, he contacted me to let me know he no longer had the FT VB and explained it was a new, in house designed VB. He let me make the decision, I told him to send it. (it was only part of my order) I will be honest and tell all that I originally wanted the FT but I figure why not give this a try. I have installed two of the FT's in customers L's and they work just as promised by Greg. (I was impressed with Gregs explaination etc. regarding trans. mods on another vendors site.) I have not recieved the stage 1 yet , but when I do, I will be able to do an accurate comp. test as 1 of my customers has same mods as my own truck , except he has the FT VB. I will say Mark was straight-up with me on this, and, if his VB is the same, I will be happy.

 

Odins Wrath,

I am not and have not mis-led anyone. I had been selling the FT VB (first valve body listed on website). It is plainly marked as a FT VB.
I then added my LFP Stage1 valve body (second valve body listed). Different part # different name. Listed completely seperate from the FT piece. There is no confusion and no need for a confession. There is nothing to fess up to. I can only admit that I offer two valve bodys. At the same time I offer 3 traction control devices. All 3 with seperate listings with a different part # and a different name (Cal-Trac, LFP/Rancho etc..). I also offer four different front spring replacements. Here again with different listings with different part #'s and listed with a different name ( Bell-Tech, Hotchkis, FRPP, Eibach). I have done no different with the valve body. You can't order my Ranchos and get my Cal-Tracs neither can you with the VB's.
I was selling two seperate units. With two different names.
I have been offering our LFP Stage 1 performance valve body for several weeks. Not one has shipped unsuspectedly to an un informed customer. Even in our shop here in Houston customers have been told which VB was being installed. My Houston customers can attest to that.
As Jonathan pointed out, he placed a very large order with me. Jonathan new upfront the valve body being shipped was our LFP Stage 1 Performance valve body.
It can't be marked any plainer than LFP Stage1 Performance valve body. A quality performance VB with everything you would expect and more. You won't be disappointed. I have shops installing them and the only negative comment was 1 customer calling my performance tranny tech to say the 2/3 shift was a bit to hard. Most will like it a few may not. As always we offered to take the VB back for rework or replacement.
Hope this matter is now resolved.
Be looking out for our LFP Stage 2 and some other great tranny mods. for our Lightnings/ HD's.......................

Mark/LFP
www.lightningforceperformance.com

 

I'd sure be looking out for them also. Looking out and making sure they aren't within 100ft. of my truck. When your products do go bad you refuse to return the money. I hope no more people get burned by you and your company.

 

Has anyone actually installed and tested one of these LFP's stage 1 valve bodies yet? Just curious how they actually perform compared to the F/T VB. I guess time will tell how customer service is, but it seems LFP's customers are satisfied.