Transgo or Factory-Tech
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Transgo or Factory-Tech
I am in the process of setting my truck up to tow a #4500 trailer. truck is 97 F150 4.6 auto 4.10 LS. Lots of bolt on fun.
Should I go with a Transgo shift kit or a Factory Tech valve body?
What are the differences between them performance wise, cost wise, installation wise?
Do I need either?
Thanks for any positive info guys
Paul
Should I go with a Transgo shift kit or a Factory Tech valve body?
What are the differences between them performance wise, cost wise, installation wise?
Do I need either?
Thanks for any positive info guys
Paul
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 796
Likes: 3
From: Charleroi PA
I feel the factory tech valve body is the way to go. Easy instalation no drilling or taking things appart. very high quality and good instructions. Has nice firm shifts and lowered my trans temp by 30 degrees. Also very good customer service. Gregg sells quality products and backs them with quality service.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 538
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From: Chino Hills, Ca
Your stock transmission has been programmed at the factory for smoothness and comfort when shifting. This actually causes extended slippage on the friction plates, which cause them to wear sooner and also generates heat. A mechanical shift kit will reduce the shift time and give a firm crisp shift. You will feel the shifts more and some people don't like the jerking, but it is actually better for the life of your trans.
With the Transgo kit, you will have to dis-assemble the valve body and do some drilling and changing of pistons and springs yourself according to the Instructions. Also Transgo kits have different settings for the level of shift firmness you want.
The Factory Tech valve body is a bolt-on affair. All the work internally has been done to his specs and all you do is remove your old v/body and bolt-on the FT v/body.
With both kits, you will also replace some springs in the accumulator pistons.
There is about a $100-125 premium for the FT v/body versus just the cost of the Transgo kit. If you're paying to have the Transgo installed or are not comfortable disassembling the valve body, then go Factory-Tech, it's a great product and he backs it up!!
With the Transgo kit, you will have to dis-assemble the valve body and do some drilling and changing of pistons and springs yourself according to the Instructions. Also Transgo kits have different settings for the level of shift firmness you want.
The Factory Tech valve body is a bolt-on affair. All the work internally has been done to his specs and all you do is remove your old v/body and bolt-on the FT v/body.
With both kits, you will also replace some springs in the accumulator pistons.
There is about a $100-125 premium for the FT v/body versus just the cost of the Transgo kit. If you're paying to have the Transgo installed or are not comfortable disassembling the valve body, then go Factory-Tech, it's a great product and he backs it up!!
Last edited by 01screw; Feb 18, 2005 at 05:13 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,380
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From: cincinnati
The trans-go is known to cause problems as well. I work in this industry and the transgo 4r70w kit has given them a bad name. What year of trans do you have? Factory tech is selling a kit to build your own cheaper than the transgo now.
The 96-2000 kit is ready, we are still testing the 01up version.
Alan
Edit: I saw it is a 97. contact gbevans@peoplepcdotcom and he will give you details.
The 96-2000 kit is ready, we are still testing the 01up version.
Alan
Edit: I saw it is a 97. contact gbevans@peoplepcdotcom and he will give you details.
Last edited by dirtyd0g; Feb 18, 2005 at 06:34 PM.
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 1
BLANK21,
Read what 01screw posted carefully. What you MUST know is either of these modifications will make the transmission shift much harder then it does now. If that is OK with you then fine; if not then stay stock. If you are running a Superchip then expect even harsher shifts.
-My first transmission I modified with a Transgo kit. It shifted firm and with the Superchip was sometimes rude. It was fun to chirp 2nd (for a while) but not when I was towing.
When I lost 4th at about 139,000 miles I replaced the transmission with a race built Interceptor transmission. At first it was down right brutal. I changed out the accumulator springs and it was better but still harsh. When towing, it would slam into second because with the trailer it was always under load.
Recently I had a mishap with a U-joint that caused the transmission housing to crack then fail catastrophically (no fault with the transmission). I got a core transmission and had it rebuilt stock. It is so smooth I will not change it again. After living with harsh shifting for the last three years, this is just plain nice.
I post this because you note the reason for this mod is for towing. I think an active transmission cooler is a must but think twice about changing the valve body. Perhaps you can contact factory tech and get something in-between.
Just my 2C.
Read what 01screw posted carefully. What you MUST know is either of these modifications will make the transmission shift much harder then it does now. If that is OK with you then fine; if not then stay stock. If you are running a Superchip then expect even harsher shifts.
-My first transmission I modified with a Transgo kit. It shifted firm and with the Superchip was sometimes rude. It was fun to chirp 2nd (for a while) but not when I was towing.
When I lost 4th at about 139,000 miles I replaced the transmission with a race built Interceptor transmission. At first it was down right brutal. I changed out the accumulator springs and it was better but still harsh. When towing, it would slam into second because with the trailer it was always under load.
Recently I had a mishap with a U-joint that caused the transmission housing to crack then fail catastrophically (no fault with the transmission). I got a core transmission and had it rebuilt stock. It is so smooth I will not change it again. After living with harsh shifting for the last three years, this is just plain nice.
I post this because you note the reason for this mod is for towing. I think an active transmission cooler is a must but think twice about changing the valve body. Perhaps you can contact factory tech and get something in-between.
Just my 2C.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,985
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati, OH
Both our FTVB for the 4R70W and our new Separator Plate mod can be installed without the changes to the accumulator which will give you the benefits of a firmer shift without it being too harsh. The Plate all by itself is just a great mod for towing if you don't want it to bang gears under load.
The Separator Plate is also great because it's very easy to return it to stock and no core is required, you just change the plate on the valve body you have. No drilling and you keep all your stock parts.
G
The Separator Plate is also great because it's very easy to return it to stock and no core is required, you just change the plate on the valve body you have. No drilling and you keep all your stock parts.
G