....like that Transpak from B+M and/or that B+M electronic shift improver. I will buy either one depending on some of the input I get from this forum. How much difference in firmness between the two? I have torn down/rebuilt engines before, but I have never messed with the guts of the transmission's valve body before. Think a goober like me can do a transpak?

 

I installed the B&M Electronic Shift Improver in my '98 F150 Extended Cab. Made a big difference in how the transmission shifted.

I installed the TransGo S/K in my 'Screw and it definitely made a huge difference in the day-to-day driving of the truck.

The B&M is easier to install, but the TransGo is a better way to go...

You can also get a SuperChip and have Mike T. tweak it for you to improve the tranny shifts...

 

I also have 3.55 in my truck. As far as shifting firmness, how is the electronic improver? Does it chirp between 1st and 2nd when you manually shift it? Or does it just clean up the stock soft shifts? My moms 69' 460 f100 has a shift improver kit in it, not a transpack, and it shifts very fast! That is what I am looking for. You did say that the Transgo is better, why?
With my truck, I just will add bolt ons to it- like pulleys, t body and M.A.F sensor, headers and 4.10's. I am looking to build this truck up for an off the line beast, not so much on top end. Honestly, would that electronic shift improver be adequate?

 

Let me ask this...Seem to me like the B&M shift improver or any other electronic device that improves the shifting would have the same effect/charasteristics on the transmission as a chip or tuner. Don't they accomplish the exact same thing as far as the trans is concerned?????????

 

Never use a chip or electronic controller to change shift feel, there are issues with the pump if you do.

Read this about mechancal shift duration.

G


http://powersurgeperformance.net/shift.htm

 

Factory Tech-

Just to set my confusion aside, I thought that Superchip's Micro Tuner and Traditional Superchip Module improved shift firmness. I've felt the difference as well. In what way is this modifcation harmful toward your tranny pump? I have had no adverse effects so far.

Thanks

 

The B&M Electronic Shift Improver has 3 settings: Off, 1 and 2.

Off - Factory shifting.

1 - Firm, controlled shifting. Recommended for all daily driving.

2 - Extra firm, harsher shifting. No where near as sharp as a shift kit, but much more harsh than stock. Not to be used except for short term runs, such as a quarter-mile drag race. B&M warns that extended running on the # 2 setting will damage the tranny pump.

The TransGo S/K utilizes different valves and springs and fluid pressures to improve the shifting speed of a tranny.

The electronic versions simply trick the computer controlling the pump in the tranny to elevate pressures, which in turn helps with shifting.

The SuperChip / Micro Tuners manipulate both pump pressures and shift points.

From what I've been able to read, it seems that the B&M and the SuperChips / Micro Tuners alter the pump pressures, but not enough to cause damage ??

 

It's my opinion that any electronic rise in line pressure can cause damage to the pump.

G

 

Not to be combative with you, but I haven't heard of one case where the tranny pump has been adversly affected by the Superchip/Microtuner. I am by no means an expert on the subject though. For my knowledge, please elaborate more on the specifics.

Thanks

mf.

 

I agree, mf150. I ran the B&M on my '98 for 40,000 miles or so (I sold the truck and it was still on it) and NEVER had a problem with the tranny.

I will say I only tried switch position # 2 once, after I had first installed it, to see how it worked. All the rest of the time the switch was left on # 1.

I too would like to hear more on the subject, if there are facts to support it.

 

Mike Troyer (he can be found in the Computer Chip forum) is the brain when it comes to Superchip, and I trust his advice more than any other on the Subject of Computer Chips. Maybe we should ask him if the higher settings on the Microtuner could cause any adverse effects on the tranny pump. I'd bet he would know!

 

I can't comment on why I know, but I do, it's a known issue in the 4R100, became evident about a year after the diesels came out with less HP for the auto than for the 6 speed. A lot of auto SD owners wanted that extra HP and bought chips for the ponies. The chips also raised line pressure, which most of them didn't mind, but the trannies started failing and the root cause was wear on the pump gear.

Normally the pump outputs more pressure than is needed for moninal use, and the extra gets diverted by a bleed off valve, whne the tranny needs a "surge" of presure, it gets it from this extra pressure that is being diverted. Pump output is a constant related to engine RPMs, the more times the gear turns, the more volume of fluid it moves. Now if you raise line pressure with a chip, it's taking the diverted pressure away and routing it to the shift circuits, but when it needs the "extra" pressure, it's not there anymore, so for a few fractions of a second give or take, it's starving itself. Doesn't cause any damage you'd notice in a day, or a month, but over time it scores the pump gear and eventually the pump will fail.
My opnion anyway.

G

 

Factory_Tech-

Your rational makes sense. How long would any noticable wear take to manifest itself by pump failure? You mentioned this on 4R100 trannies, but have you seen this problem on 4R70W trannies. I know that the 4R100 trannies are supposed to be a stronger version, but are there any structural or systemic differences in construction that would change the development of wear? What about Auto tranny/manual differences? Police and county agencies use Superchips in their patrol cars, and an officer depends on his patrol car sometimes with his life. I have not heard of this problem happening even with semi-retired vehicles.

Thanks for the information..I am now curious!

 

The 4R70W is totally different from the 4R100, does everything differently and is built upside down from a 4R100 guys point of view. (the direct clutch is in the bottom where reverse is supposed to be, for instance) I don't work on the 4R70, so I don't know whether it's an issue with them or not, but it would seem possible. I have seen a lot of dmamged 4R100 pumps doing Lightning rebuilds, in a Lightning, I can almost tell whether it's been chipped or not, fromt he pump and the intermediate plates alone. Some people disagree with me on this, Sal comes to mind, but I'm not gonna do it to mine, if that gives you any idea, and I consider a transmission rebuild a minor inconvenience where most people it would about ruin their day.

G

 

Factory_Tech -

So what's your opinion on the TransGo Shift Kits??

Do they cause problems as well?

Have you had the opportunity to examine a tranny after running one for a period of time?

Any info would be much appreciated...