Line pressure controller from Baumann Engineering.
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Senior Member
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From: Hawaii
Line pressure controller from Baumann Engineering.
I finally managed to get through to Greg at Baumann Engineering. He was very helpful. He advised me to hold off on ordering the Valve Body Kit (RK-AOD-E for AOD-E/4R70W - $99.95) due to the soon to be available Line Pressure Controller. According to Greg, right before the Ford transmission shifts, the line pressure (computer controlled) drops significantly to smooth out the shift. He mentioned that the RK-AOD-E kit alone will make some difference, but the LPC will offer more/better control of the transmission. At this point, it looks as though no changes will need to be made to the transmission itself, therefore making the RK-AOD-E kit redundant. The LPC is an electronic device, and unlike after-market chips, the line pressure will be adjustable (increase only) via some potentiometers on the "box". After-market performance chips are able to control line pressure, but they're not adjustable by the end user. This will be a dedicated transmission upgrade.
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'00 5.4L 4X4 Lariat (Black/Silver)
'01 F-350 PSD 4X4 Lariat (order this year)
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'00 5.4L 4X4 Lariat (Black/Silver)
'01 F-350 PSD 4X4 Lariat (order this year)
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Did he mention cost or availability date? Just curious; thanks.
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2000 F-150 XL, RC, LB, 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.55LS,
Class III tow, Payload #3, & Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS, Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner w/Paintsaver & gas/wheel/spare locks,
K&N F.I.P.K. w/Outwears pre-filter, Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back w/ 3" Y-pipe,
Hellwig front & rear anti-sway bars, Rancho RS 9000s,
Mobil 1, K&N oil filter.
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2000 F-150 XL, RC, LB, 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.55LS,
Class III tow, Payload #3, & Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS, Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner w/Paintsaver & gas/wheel/spare locks,
K&N F.I.P.K. w/Outwears pre-filter, Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back w/ 3" Y-pipe,
Hellwig front & rear anti-sway bars, Rancho RS 9000s,
Mobil 1, K&N oil filter.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 398
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From: Hawaii
Greg mentioned that they are currently testing an LPC on an F-150 with the 4R70W. They will be updating their web site soon to provide more details, and units should be ready to ship in a couple of months. He didn't mention cost.
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'00 5.4L AUTO 4X4 Lariat (Black/Silver)
'02 F-350 PSD CC DRW 6SPD 4X4 Lariat (order this year)
www.hawthorn-engineering.com
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'00 5.4L AUTO 4X4 Lariat (Black/Silver)
'02 F-350 PSD CC DRW 6SPD 4X4 Lariat (order this year)
www.hawthorn-engineering.com
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 3
From: WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CANADA
HI!... I would still rather have the traditional shift kit. Their LPC sounds like a B&M shift plus, but adjustable. Too bad it will eventually fry the line preasure selanoid like the B&M shift plus does. The mechanical shift kit is STILL the only SAFE way and PROPER way to increase line preasure. This LPC sounds like a LAZY mans shift kit to me, in my honest opinion.
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NEAL " THE H.P FREAK"
'99' F-150 XLT SPORT, oxford white, reg cab shortbox stepside,5.4, auto, 4.10L.S, captain's chairs, bedliner, GTS carbon fiber headlight covers, ***** CEPECK clear halogen driving lights, GTS slotted tailight covers (painted oxford white), fiberglass smooth wiper cowl (painted OXFORD WHITE), FORD locking lug nuts, tinted windows,true duel exhaust with 2.5 inch mandrel bent pipes and FLOWMASTER 3 chamber mufflers with 3' tailpipes exiting before the rear wheel like the LIGHTNING, HELLWIG rear stabalizer bar, 3 AUTOMETER guage pods, filled with tranny temp, engine temp, and oil preasure AUTOMETER "PHANTOM" guages,custom fabricated air intake trac and huge K/N filter, TPS mod, BELLTECH 2-inch rear drop, custom programed SUPERCHIP, BAUMANN ENGINEERING shift kit (on stage 5 setting)BYPASS CLUTCH CONTROL VALVE/PREASURE REGULATOR VALVE, ASP POWER PULLEYS, custom tig welded and ported JBA "JET BLACK coated headers, twin DERALE 16 INCH ELECTRIC FANS, PERMA COOL 14"/10" tranny cooler with 10" electric fan, custom ported (STOCK) throttle body, custom digital air intake temp sensor, custom ported TB intake elbow, relocated ATS.
FUTURE MODS : FORD SVT 24LB INJECTORS, CUSTOM SUPERCHIP FLIP-CHIP, BBK 75MM THROTTLE BODY, 80MM PRO-M MASS AIR METER, AADI F1 RAM AIR HOOD WITH CUSTOM FABRICATED RAM AIR SET-UP, CAL-TRAC TRACTION BARS, EXTRUDE HONED INTAKE MANIFOLD, SHM CUSTOM FUEL RAILS, SHM "RACE WATER PUMP, 90/10 FRONT CE SHOCKS, 70/30 REAR CE SHOCKS, BELL TECH 2/4 DROP, EXPEDITION CENTER CONSOLE, HARLEY DAVISON F-150, LOWER FRONT VALANCE (painted oxford white) and a KENNE BELL BLOWZILLA SUPERCHARGER.
ESTIMATED H.P TO DATE : 330H.P / 425ft/lbs of torque.
CURRENT PERFORMANCE : 1/4 MILE - 14.53E.T * MPH - 93.00 * 0-60MPH - 5.8 * 1/8 MILE - 9.2 * 60 FT - 2.0
OTHER TOYS : "83" PRO STREET FORD RANGER : 351-w stroked to 408c.i 625H.P (natural), 875H.P with 250H.P "BIG SHOT" N.O.S kit, tubbed (crome moly tubing), 12 point chrome moly roll cage, 4-link with coil overs, MUSTANG II front suspension, c-4 tranny (race prepped), 4000rpm stall converter(8 INCH), 3" chrome moly driveshaft,AUTOMETER guages, 15.50 MICKEY THOMPSON rear tires, 4" M/T front tires, CENTERLINE CON-VO PRO rims, fiberglass hood - bumper - prostock hood scoop, wishbone trac-link, two chrome moly driveshaft loops, 16 gallon RCI fuel cell,etc
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NEAL " THE H.P FREAK"
'99' F-150 XLT SPORT, oxford white, reg cab shortbox stepside,5.4, auto, 4.10L.S, captain's chairs, bedliner, GTS carbon fiber headlight covers, ***** CEPECK clear halogen driving lights, GTS slotted tailight covers (painted oxford white), fiberglass smooth wiper cowl (painted OXFORD WHITE), FORD locking lug nuts, tinted windows,true duel exhaust with 2.5 inch mandrel bent pipes and FLOWMASTER 3 chamber mufflers with 3' tailpipes exiting before the rear wheel like the LIGHTNING, HELLWIG rear stabalizer bar, 3 AUTOMETER guage pods, filled with tranny temp, engine temp, and oil preasure AUTOMETER "PHANTOM" guages,custom fabricated air intake trac and huge K/N filter, TPS mod, BELLTECH 2-inch rear drop, custom programed SUPERCHIP, BAUMANN ENGINEERING shift kit (on stage 5 setting)BYPASS CLUTCH CONTROL VALVE/PREASURE REGULATOR VALVE, ASP POWER PULLEYS, custom tig welded and ported JBA "JET BLACK coated headers, twin DERALE 16 INCH ELECTRIC FANS, PERMA COOL 14"/10" tranny cooler with 10" electric fan, custom ported (STOCK) throttle body, custom digital air intake temp sensor, custom ported TB intake elbow, relocated ATS.
FUTURE MODS : FORD SVT 24LB INJECTORS, CUSTOM SUPERCHIP FLIP-CHIP, BBK 75MM THROTTLE BODY, 80MM PRO-M MASS AIR METER, AADI F1 RAM AIR HOOD WITH CUSTOM FABRICATED RAM AIR SET-UP, CAL-TRAC TRACTION BARS, EXTRUDE HONED INTAKE MANIFOLD, SHM CUSTOM FUEL RAILS, SHM "RACE WATER PUMP, 90/10 FRONT CE SHOCKS, 70/30 REAR CE SHOCKS, BELL TECH 2/4 DROP, EXPEDITION CENTER CONSOLE, HARLEY DAVISON F-150, LOWER FRONT VALANCE (painted oxford white) and a KENNE BELL BLOWZILLA SUPERCHARGER.
ESTIMATED H.P TO DATE : 330H.P / 425ft/lbs of torque.
CURRENT PERFORMANCE : 1/4 MILE - 14.53E.T * MPH - 93.00 * 0-60MPH - 5.8 * 1/8 MILE - 9.2 * 60 FT - 2.0
OTHER TOYS : "83" PRO STREET FORD RANGER : 351-w stroked to 408c.i 625H.P (natural), 875H.P with 250H.P "BIG SHOT" N.O.S kit, tubbed (crome moly tubing), 12 point chrome moly roll cage, 4-link with coil overs, MUSTANG II front suspension, c-4 tranny (race prepped), 4000rpm stall converter(8 INCH), 3" chrome moly driveshaft,AUTOMETER guages, 15.50 MICKEY THOMPSON rear tires, 4" M/T front tires, CENTERLINE CON-VO PRO rims, fiberglass hood - bumper - prostock hood scoop, wishbone trac-link, two chrome moly driveshaft loops, 16 gallon RCI fuel cell,etc
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 398
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From: Hawaii
Hi Neal,
I know you've spoken highly of their shift kit and that's why I've kept trying to contact them. Greg's point was that the late model Ford autos are computer controlled and so better control can be achieved with electronics. I asked him if I should order the valve body kit, and then get the LPC when it's available, but he indicated that I'll be able to get better results with the LPC alone. Not being an expert, I can only defer to his opinion. I would hope that he knows what he's talking about.
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'00 5.4L AUTO 4X4 Lariat (Black/Silver)
'02 F-350 PSD CC DRW 6SPD 4X4 Lariat (order this year)
www.hawthorn-engineering.com
I know you've spoken highly of their shift kit and that's why I've kept trying to contact them. Greg's point was that the late model Ford autos are computer controlled and so better control can be achieved with electronics. I asked him if I should order the valve body kit, and then get the LPC when it's available, but he indicated that I'll be able to get better results with the LPC alone. Not being an expert, I can only defer to his opinion. I would hope that he knows what he's talking about.
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'00 5.4L AUTO 4X4 Lariat (Black/Silver)
'02 F-350 PSD CC DRW 6SPD 4X4 Lariat (order this year)
www.hawthorn-engineering.com
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 398
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From: Hawaii
From Factory_Tech
So if this is the case, and the transmission can be controlled completely with electronics, why did Ford not simply reprogram the ECU for the Lightning. As you've mentioned Neal, maybe the valve body kit is STILL the way to go.
Do you remember if the 4R70W kit comes with upgraded springs?
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'00 5.4L AUTO 4X4 Lariat (Black/Silver)
'02 F-350 PSD CC DRW 6SPD 4X4 Lariat (order this year)
www.hawthorn-engineering.com
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">One difference in a Lightning Tranny and a regular gas 4R100 is stiffer springs in the accumulator, which is why a Lightning shifts much firmer, so the concept makes sense to me.</font>
Do you remember if the 4R70W kit comes with upgraded springs?
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'00 5.4L AUTO 4X4 Lariat (Black/Silver)
'02 F-350 PSD CC DRW 6SPD 4X4 Lariat (order this year)
www.hawthorn-engineering.com
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Senior Member
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Posts: 398
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From: Hawaii
Neal,
just to let you know that I went ahead and ordered the RK-AOD-E shift kit this morning. The difference in the springs as stated by Factory_Tech, and your positive experience has convinced me that the shift kit is the way to go. If the LPC is available in the future, and it proves to be worthwhile, maybe I'll install that as well. For now I'm looking forward to installing the kit, along with changing to Amsoil ATF. You mentioned level 3 as being a good starting point, so I guess that's where I'll start.
Thanks for all your help over the months.
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'00 5.4L AUTO 4X4 Lariat (Black/Silver)
'02 F-350 PSD CC DRW 6SPD 4X4 Lariat (order this year)
www.hawthorn-engineering.com
just to let you know that I went ahead and ordered the RK-AOD-E shift kit this morning. The difference in the springs as stated by Factory_Tech, and your positive experience has convinced me that the shift kit is the way to go. If the LPC is available in the future, and it proves to be worthwhile, maybe I'll install that as well. For now I'm looking forward to installing the kit, along with changing to Amsoil ATF. You mentioned level 3 as being a good starting point, so I guess that's where I'll start.
Thanks for all your help over the months.
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'00 5.4L AUTO 4X4 Lariat (Black/Silver)
'02 F-350 PSD CC DRW 6SPD 4X4 Lariat (order this year)
www.hawthorn-engineering.com