Wow! If any of you want your transmissions to work better, this might be the answer. I installed one of these kits last week and I am very impressed with it. I have added a Powerdyne, snow injector system and have a tune by Sal, all of this to help pull my 5th wheel camper (about 8000pounds). I have lots of power and everything but I could tell that the transmission was just not handling it right. I talked to Mike at Mad Enterprises and he suggested this separator plate kit. It was easy (and VERY messy) to install but now it shifts just beautifully. Very mild when you are just driving it and good and firm when you are driving it hard. I've been looking for some help in the tranny department for a long time and this thing seems to fit the bill just about perfectly. I don't race and rod around with it so I don't know how that will affect things but for the daily driver that it is, it is great. Just thought there would be others out there that want a transmission upgrade that wasn't to expensive and really works nice. I have about 500 miles on it so far and we are taking a 2000 mile camping trip this week with it so I'll let you all know how it tows when I get back.

 

is this kit different than the Factory Tech Valve Body ???

 

Yes, it is just a plate and some parts for the 1-2 and 2-3 shift controls. I don't know the proper names for this stuff. Call Mike at Mad Enterprises, he walked me through all the info and was easy to work with. 510-742-6780

 

I have the FTVB and love it. Its one of the best mods I've done so far. Driving the truck without a load can be really fun, get some nice chirps from 1st to 2nd on the right pavement.

 

The biggest difference is that the plate kit is only half the price.

 

Whats the real difference besides cost. They can't do the same thing?

 

The difference is that with the plate kit you will have to change the plate on the valvebody you have. The FTVB comes as a complete valvebody with gaskets,and accumulator springs. The kit comes with a new seperator plate for the valvebody and accumulator springs(optional). Basically the difference in cost comes in the fact that it is alot more expensive and troublesome to ship valvebodies that require valuable cores, than it is to ship steel plates that do not require a core. Pre 96 vehicles will require a valvebody, there is no kit for that they simply aren't worth doing. Another great feature is that if you save your old parts the kit is completely reversable.
Alan

 

Gregg, at Factory Tech told me that during the development of the 4R70W Monster Box is when he discovered a better, simpler and less expensive way to accomplish the same end result.

I have had a few customers install them already and they are delighted, vis a vis- photomatt

 

The last couple of mods I did to my transmission were very uncomfortable. I understand this is much more "wife friendly". I just may put it in my new trans.

 

Mike is right. This IS NOT the same modification done in the FTVB for the 4R70W, but that kit was frankly too complicated to use for the Monster Box because I didn't think Jasper would want to make a production part out of it, it requires some drilling, re-sizing bores and lapping that just is really hard to do in a factory setting, sooooo, I came up with a parts swap solution that works very well, it is a little less harsh on the shifts, but is a great mod, and as several people have said, it both allows you to reverst to stock quite easily, as well as being very inexpensive.

G

 

I understand the design differences between the FTVB and the separator plate kits, but what is the difference in the driveability between the two kits (shift firmness for example.) I tow with my 2003 F-250 V-10 4X4 and I am looking to firm up the shifts to hopefully extend the life of the trans. through quicker shifts, lower temps etc.. Basiclly what I'm looking for is shift firmness dependent on throttle position. When I'm on it hard I would like it to shift hard, but during normal driving slightly firmer than normal would be fine.

Thanks,
Dennis

 

It's very close to being the same, but it's not quite as harsh. It also has some "adjustability" in it.

G

 

so this is who all questions should be referred to with that number? also, can anyone link to a page that has these for sale?

 

I just returned from a 1900 mile camping trip through the Ozarks. WOW! This thing shifted wonderful! The trans temps never got above 215 or so in the mountains and ran about 180 or so on level ground. The shifts are firm yet supple. Ha Ha Had the whole family along and no one ever said, "why is this thing shifting like that". Outside temps were in the 60's and 70's so I am very happy with it. I did not put in the extra springs for softer shifting, I followed the instructions for more firm shifts. I know I'm rambling, but I am very pleased with how the trip went and how everything worked. The camper we pull is a 5th wheel aprox 8000 pounds. The shifts are firm from 1 - 2 and 2 - 3 and a bit softer going into OD. The same is true for the downshifts going up the hills. I'm supercharged and I could pull this thing at basically any speed I wanted, up or down the hills. It just got worse gas mileage the faster I went. I drove usually about 62 and averaged between 8 & 9 MPG.

 

Outstanding, glad you are pleased.