For those that have installed the Transgo in an 4R100 (or other), what "setting" did you use and how do you like it? Especially anyone that tows with it.

Also, does replacing the Line Mod Valve really make a big difference and would you recomend it with a kit and chip in a heavy truck? Or, what are all the benefits of the extra fluid a "Sonnex" for example, will flow?

Thanks

 

FamilyRide,

I was about to start a thread on this very topic. Glad you brought it up. Hopefully someone can help us out.
GDG

 

FamilyRide,

I went ahead and replaced just the Line Pressure Modulator valve with a Sonnax manufactured one. With the Superchip in, my transmission became firm at part throttle, neck snapping at half throttle and very harsh at full throttle. So harsh that I was afraid that the transmission and transfer case mounting brackets would become damaged. I have since removed the Superchip to see if the normal line pressure would be to much. Luckily, the stock line pressure give s a firm shift at normal throttle positions and a lot firmer at full throttle but not excessive. Mike is currently reburning my chip to remove the line pressure modifications but maintain the engine mods and other transmission mods. I am currently going through chip withdrawl symptoms.

 

Oh by the way, what exactly do they mean by "holds shifts at any RPM" and "shifts at your command".

How do you have that control?

And thanks Bigred. That's helps!

 

Hi Familyride,

I installed the TransGo kit in my 4R70W transmission two months ago - love the performance so far. I selected the first of three setting from the kit installation directions; I did want to continue using my Superchip with the shift kit. Mike Troyer told me that if I used the first setting with the Superchip, I'd be fine. You might want to speak with Mike T.

I tow a horse trailer so it was important that these mods did not negatively affect towing; so far they don't.

To answer your question about holding a gear as long as you want does work. I control it by using the throddle; I accelerate steadily in second gear. As soon as I ease off on the throddle a bit it then will shift into third (at the RPM I want). Once you get the hang of it; it can be fun!

Hope this helps!

 

Hmm, so, what if you drive normally? Will it shift normally? In other words, can you drive it just as you would without the kit and have it shift as it would without the kit?

 

Familyride,

It does shift normal when you stay off the hard throddles. No complaints from the family so far - unless I get on it to pass.

 

After I read my post I realized I didn't ask the question I meant to, I don't think

What I mean has to do with shift points. If you can control the shifts, can you drive normally and allow it to shift when it normally would.

Hope that made more sense.

 

When you have the shifter in the "OD" position the transmission shift points are at the normal timing when the computer tells the trans to shift.

The gear command allows you to down shift to any lower gear at speed.

 

I second that!

 

So anyone else? What setting did you use? V6, V8/V10 or diesel?

Also, the video and the kit just don't seem to match! My kit doesn't have all the gaskets; pan (I wouldn't expect that in the new ones) main valve body and accumulator valve body. There is a thicker seperator plate for the accumulator valve body, but besides that, it's springs and one valve looks to be for the main valve body. I thought the whole kit was modifying just the accumulator valve body? I guess I'll be watching the video again and probably calling them to see what I'm missing, or what is for the older E4OD and what's for the newer 4R100.

 

do the middle setting

 

Ok, so it's in. I did do the 2nd setting Transgo call's V8/V10. Several people recommended it including another Expy with a chip. So I did it last night (it was a breeze). I planned on dropping the pan and letting it sit overnight then getting a frsh start this morning so I had all day. It took me about 5.5 hours form start to finish. That includes about 30-45 minutes trying to get the Expy up on 4 jack stands in the garage securely and where I felt safe! It also included about 30 minutes of test driving, a 20 minutes trip with the family (had to show them some really cool Christmas lights!), cleaning and putting everything away and lastly, pouring up the old AFT into jugs and dropping it off at a local quick lube to be "disposed of properly". I expect about an hour this morning since all I need to do is drain, drop, drill and put it all back!

I'm about to go out and yank out the VB again and go for more. After driving about 20-30 miles testing as much as I can, 1-2 shift is not a whole lot different than just with the chip. It's crisper and I can definetly tell a difference but I'm in no danger of tearing up tires or drive train or even offending any passengers.

2-3 shift is much more like it. I went about 75% of the range of both level 2 and 3. The only difference in level 2 and 3 is the 1-2 shift. But they give a range for the 2-3 and 3-4 settings vs. an exact size for the hole as with the 1-2. I went about .088 out of a range of .083-.092. I'm going to punch it out closer to .092. I drilled 1-2 to the spec'd .094. I'll be driling it out close to if not right at the low side of the level 3 setting of .110. Level 3 is .110 - .116 (they call it "Diesel")

Luckily I installed the Ford pan with a drain so dropping the pan, filter and VB will be a breeze; even more of a breeze.

::Added Edit::
Ok, a couple hours and few miles later and it's done, again. 1-2 shift out to a loose .110, 2-3 out to .082 or a tad more, and I loosened up the .94 for 3-4 a little too. It's better so I think I'm leaving it. It's raining so I haven't been able to test WOT or even pretty heavy throttle but 1-2 is much better. If I had it out again, I might even bump 1-2 out a little more but I'm going to settle. Probably next week the Amsoil goes in and so many people have said their shifts change after going to synthetic we'll see. Even with the *lowish* end of level 3 (top level) I can confidently say that I'll bet my wife will only say (as she did last night on a test drive/Christmas light drive) "...that did feel a little smoother..." talking about one of the shifts of course.

 

Hi familyRide,
Thanks for your detailed input. I have been wondering if the middle setting would be noticable on a 4R100. Seems like between 2 and 3, or maybe even 3 is about right. Looks like my turn will be in a couple of weeks.
GDG

 

Well actually.........

2 days after ordering my Amsoil ATF got here. However, I was all set to drop the accumulator valve body yet a 3rd time. So, Amsoil is still sitting in the garage awaiting me to get the tranny the way I want it.

I dropped it again this afternoon and here's where I ended up:

Level 3 (diesel) 1-2=.110-.116, 2-3=.073-.082 and 3-4=.094
My current: 1-2=.140, 2-3=almost .110 and 3-4=about .098

You might think I'm crazy! Believe it or not, the 1-2 shift is much better but still not what you'd expect for going that high. 2-3 is a little firmer than it was and since I hit 3rd at about 80 MPH I haven't felt WOT 3-4 but what I do feel is crisp.

I'm thinking I should have gone in with the Sonnex line mod valve because it's just got to be that I need more fluid to get the pressure up there. I'm afraid if I did it now WOW. Who knows. It's much better and I'll go for a while and see how it is. I'm not worried about towing at all! ONe thing for sure, so far in 3 days the tranny has had 24 quarts of new ATF pumped through. By the time I drain everything and go back in with Amsoil, it should be pretty darn clean.

By the way, I drained it and dropped the pan after driving all over. It was very hot. The ATF was pretty warm but that's it. The pan was warm but nothing I had to protect myself from. I was amazed at how cool (not hot) the tranny and ATF was.