Hey Guys,
For all you shift kitted truck owners, which kit should I go with? B&M, Transgo, Baumann? I want firm (FIRM) shifts, but not neck snapping. Also how user friendly is the install of these kits? I've done a transgo kit install on a Dodge Ram and have heard the fords are easier to do (in general). Also are there specific kits for the 4R100 tranny?

Any information would be appreciated

 

Hopefully Mike Troyer will be along to explain to you, that: all these shift kits do is increase the line pressure which makes the shifts faster. The way he explained it: I have forgotten. It's been about almost a year. And yes, he does recommend the Trans-Go shift kits. He said, they are better built for our trucks and they make more of an improvement for us than B&M. That's what I wanted at first.

But Mike swayed me and stated that his chip changes, not only increases line pressure in the tranny, but also electronically, changes shift characteristics like RPM and rev limiters, and that "sloppy" delay between shifts.

I can also tell you that the Superchip actually does make noticable improvements to the tranny. When I first installed the chip, I was more impressed with the torque and HP numbers. My 3.55 geared 5.4 broke loose and then some my 32x11.50 SSR's. I crapped in my pants when my tires made that barking sound. Anyway. This summer, while driving home from work, my truck started to shudder at a stop light. I got scared. So I made an apointment to take it into the dealer. But before, I made sure I took the chip out, so they couldn't say, "Well, here's your problem. These damned aftermarket computers!" After I took the chip out, the shuddering went away. (That I am upset about. I sure hope it wasn't completely the chips fault). One thing I noticed however, how terrible the shift characteristics were without the chip. I was jonesin bad. So back went the chip and my truck was fine and has been since.

Point is: Get the shift kit if you want. It's not hard. I love hard shifts, so I still may get a shift kit. But if a firm improvement is all you want, you may get better results plus a few more HP and torque with a Superchip.

My two.

- Joel

 

Thanks Red Bull,
I've already rec'd the Mike Story about the shifting with the chip some time ago when I was inquiring about the superchip. At this point I'm saving up for a supercharger which will come with a superchip. But in the mean time I figured I could drop some $$ on a shift kit (to satisfy my mod-tinkering needs). As you can see in my sig below, I'm running a jet-chip which improved the shift points pretty good, but when I ride with my buddy in his dodge with a transgo, the shifts aren't even close. The shifts are firm/positive but not too harsh. Plus CrazyaboutF150 has a superchip and a shiftkit and it shifts REALLY good.

Something to think about....thanks again!

 

I would like to know what CrazyaboutF150's signature looks like. If we all have approximately the same truck, I'd say we all have the same needs. So, I may fork out some more cash for the shift kit. I didn't think the shifting could get much better. Good deal. Let me know any more info.

- Joel

 

I'll try and email him and have him jump onto this thread and give you his exp.

 

Hi 5150phD

I was finaly able to meet crazyaboutf10, very nice guy, i had his mechanic (steve) install my shift kit and underdrive pulleys. This was about 3 weeks ago. crazyaboutf150 said you had a power aid throttle body spacer that you might sell to me. crazy and me had a good time cruising around town in his truck. I was very impressed with the performance of his truck. So now i have my shift kit, and i will be getting a superchip in the next 3 weeks.

You can e-mail me about the spacer if you want to sell it.
Ljb3742@aol.com

Larry.

 

Hey guys,

Got your email 5150phD.

When I was looking for a shift kit, B&M and TransGo did not offer one for my '00 4R70W transmission. After reading threads on the Bauman Engineering kit, I decided to go with them. The Bauman kit was actually for a '99 4R70W tranny, but Greg (sales mgr.) said it would work and it does.

Now, speeder has installed the same kit in his '01 and while it has improved his tranny shifts, the shifts are not as firm as mine yet.

Difference? I had already installed a custom (flip-chip) Superchip. When making some revisions to my program, I requested that the line presure be increased to the max. that Superchips could make. Shift improvements were definitely noticeable. Sometimes I could chirp the tires during the 1-2 shift. Now after adding the Baumann shift kit, set on "stage 4", and I can chirrrrp 1-2 easily and have even heard 2-3 once. Manually shift from 1st to 2nd and chirrrp them tires!

What can I say? I'm very pleased!!

 

Hey crazy

Give me a chance, i still need to get a superchip and 3.73 gears.
It will happen, just need a little more time and a hand full of money. lol lol lol.

Larry.

 

Let me please jump in with my ignorant question gents. I've read nearly all the threads concerning the Bauman shift kit and realize that there are different settings but don't know what to do to achieve these settings. Is there a switch in the cab for this? Or is it the way you install the kit and can you switch the settings back and forth in the future or are you stuck with your first choice?

Thanx in advance

 

Hey Speeder,
Just emailed you about the poweraid spacer. Let me know.

Hey guys check out my new front end in the aftermarket section. Give me your opinions

 

Hi Le Pew,

The Bauman shift kit has different stage of performance settings that the kit can be installed to. I believe there are only 5 stages.

Once you have decided the performance level you desire, then follow the installation instructions for that stage setting. Remember, with this kit you can always increase the stage level but never drop backwards (ie: Stage 3 to 4, not 4 back to 3)

Several F150 owners have this kit set on stage 4. Pretty darn good shifting performance but not to radical for the everyday driven vehicle. Neal, on the other hand, has his set on stage 5 and with his other modifications, I understand that his transmission shifted pretty hard.

I hope this has help you.

By the way Speeder, I know you will achieve the tire chirping shifts. The chip is going to help that ECU on how the tranny should shift with the kit installed.

 

Tanx a bunch Crazy, I was wondering about that for a while now

 

cough cough cough. Sorry, mike does know a lot. But I am calling complete bull**** here.

The tranny shift points are controlled manually by the valves in the tranny. There are also springs and other parts in there. When you install a shift kit, you change the springs, valves and drill out a few of the passages to change how and when the tranny shifts.

As far as I can tell, the chip only controls the OD shift and the line pressure. That is about all the computer can control on the tranny really. Electronic overdrive.


The Ford is very easy to install. Just did one on LoknLoads truck about 3 weeks ago. You need to drill 2 passages, change some springs, and drill out the holes in the plate to different sizes. He did the transgo stage 2 kit. worked out excellent! He also installed the sonex valves at the same time as the shift kit. With 35s and 4.56 gears, it almost barks tires at WOT in the 1-2 shift. Just right!

FYI, he already has a superchip and it did nothing like the shiftkit did for the tranny! That is first hand knowledge there.

 

Hey Crazy,

Whew, you have alot of mods.. Whats your times.

ET, 0-60 ??

And any addition info appreciated..

Also...ur MAF and 75mm throttle body what brand are they and have you been able to feel a power gain from them and are they any diverse effects.

Thanks

 

Hi RTZracer,

Well, no official times as of yet. I've not been able to get to the strip early enough to get in line to run on the open street drag nights. The best I've been able to to is watch my buddy 5150phD run his truck a couple of times.

I'm still making some modifications within the next 2-3 weeks and will be taking time afterwards to see what my numbers really are. There is a thread on the board that's asking "What's your best kill?" and while I will probably not post all of mine, I've been pretty successful dusting all my competion to date.