I'm getting ready to install a Baumann Engineering shift kit, B&M pan, Amsoil ATF and Autometer gauges this weekend. The TC drain plug is not a stocking item at my local Ford parts department and Baumann says to reuse the original one anyway. However, they do have 1 transmission filter "kit" for $42.76. My question is that after 6K miles on the truck, is it worth changing the filter at this point or should I save the money? If I had higher mileage I'd certainly change it, but 6K isn't very much. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

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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 changed mine at 12K and opened up the filter on a treasure hunt. I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of "treasures"; and was also pleased with the look and quality of the filter. With that info - I will be skipping the filter change at the 24K exchange.

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Y2K™ Jim - N8JG@Hotmail.com

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

Y2K,
that's good news. The $42 saved will cover half the cost of the ATF. The B&M pan adds three additional quarts, bringing the whole system to around 17 qts. I'm hoping that I won't have to change the fluid again until 30K, which will be in about 2 years.

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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 would personally never change a filter unless I was opening it up anyway, but if you do, buy the ATP Products filter kit, $29 at the local parts store. It's the exact sme part installed in the factory, the vendor sells them to several aftermarket vendors who put them in there own box. It comes with a cork gasket that you should throw away if you have the reusable composite gasket (the pans are different and the gaskets not interchangeable).

G

 

Thanks Factory_Tech. You've given me a good alternative. I think I'll reuse the factory filter. The ATF cost $142 for 22 quarts (15 - 18 qts for the trans and the rest for the power steering) so the $42 saved is a blessing.
I was expecting the B&M pan to come with an extension for the pick up, but all they specify is that you use the 4x4 filter/pickup ....

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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

 

$142!!!!!, that astonishes me.

I thought a quart of Motercraft went for about 3 bucks, and honestly, I can't see much point in paying any more than that....

G

 

Yeah, I know ... but you get what you pay for. I can probably leave the Amsoil in the trans beyond 100K miles, compared to changing it every 30K using regular oil. Also, I get caught in traffic often, and it's always hot over here. I'd say that I fall into the severe duty category.
$142 seems cheap compared to a $1200 overhaul, and as you know, excessive heat is the number one cause of trans failure. I think of it as peace of mind.

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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

 

And you're going to skip the $42 filter?

 

nomo,
IF I had higher mileage (only 6k at present) and/or IF there was an improved filter kit available I'd definitely do it. As Factory_Tech and Y2K mentioned, they don't see the point in changing a perfectly good filter. I tend to agree with them.

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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 must have missed something.

I'm pretty sure you'll be opening the tranny "anyway" to install the shift kit.

I don't care one way or the other. Just hoping you're not "sorry" about skipping the filter later on down the road.

 

Hi GAH!,
I plan on installing virtually the very same items that you are, except I will do it next weekend or the one after that. Did your Baumann shift kit come with the 5 stage setting? I notice that Neal has a kit with a 6 stage setting. What setting did you decide to start out with? I think I will start out on stage 3 and see how it feels. If it is not "tight" enough, then I will increase to stage 4 the following week. I will use the cheap transmission fluid for the first week, and change to Amsoil a week or so later once I am satisfied with the stage setting.

Please let us know how things worked out and how the install went. Also, any lessons learned during the install will be greatly appreciated as well.

Good luck and hope all goes well!!!
GDG


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2001 SuperCrew, Silver, 5.4L, 4x4, 3.55 LS, Tow Package, 265x70x17, Sliding Rear Window, Tuff Spray-on Liner, JBA Headers Jet Black Coated, Ravin Z55 SI/DO Sideswept Catback, K&N FIPK with fabricated cold-air box and ram-air, SuperChip, ASP Pullies, 1" Thick Sheepskin seat covers (nice "seat-of-the-pants" feel!), Nerf Bars, PIAA Superwhites, 65W (9006) Fog Lights
Future mods - Dual 14" Perma-Cool Fans, Baumann Shift Kit, Roots Supercharger, revamped sterio system

 

Yes, the kit I received has five settings, whereas Neal did mention having six settings.

Like you I'm going with Level 3 (moderate) to start. The instructions make the point that you can always drill a bigger hole, but not make one smaller.

That's a brilliant idea. I'm going to drop the pan tomorrow, cut the outgoing trans line to install the manifold, install the kit using the original filter, add 5 qts of regular ATF and run it for a week. The following weekend, I'll drop the pan again, install a new filter (in case debris from cutting the line or the shift kit gets in the system), install the B&M pan, drain the whole system and add Amsoil. I can change the shift kit settings at that time as well if I need to.
I like the idea of running the factory ATF for a week with my new trans temp gauge. That way, when I add Amsoil, I can see if there is a noticeable drop in trans temp as many dealers claim. My dealer claimed temperature drops as much as 100F!! We'll see. I just realized, I'll be installing the B&M pan at the same time, so any drops in temp could also be attributed to the pan.

I'm going to post a picture of my custom gauge set up, and any revelations that may be of help.


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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

 

where does that heat start up at ?

 

Well, I finally installed the Baumann shift kit on level 3, the B&M trans pan, Autometer trans gauge with manifold, new filter (ATP) and Amsoil ATF.

For what it's worth, here are some of my observations.

1. DO NOT have your wife crank the starter trying to get the TC bolt in the 6 o'clock position. You WILL have an argument/divorce. The easy way is to use a breaker bar and socket on the crank pulley nut.
2. Draining the TC and trans pan produces approx. 13 quarts of ATF.
3. The black plastic circuit board on the valve body in the trans connects to four points. Only disconnect the two ends.
4. Once you undo the 25 (8mm) bolts holding the valve body, get ready with a drain pan because a lot more ATF is waiting for you in there.
5. A small "sock" filter will fall out when you drop the valve body. When you re-install the valve body, use Vaseline to "stick" the filter in position otherwise you will STRUGGLE. The Vaseline will dissolve very quickly when the trans warms up.
6. The Baumann shift kit install is easy enough if you follow directions.
7. The B&M pan WON'T go on unless you remove the transmission support which is fairly straightforward. Just remove the skid plate behind the trans, then support the trans housing with a jack. Then remove the trans support.
8. I ended up adding 16 quarts of ATF after I finished everything else.

My observations after 15 minutes of driving.

1. The maximum trans temp I saw was 175F going up a long hill. The sender is on the outgoing line to the radiator which should provide the MAX temp. The sender is only 6" from the trans.
2. The shift kit on level 3 does ..... ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!! As far as I can tell, there is no difference in how the transmission shifts. The transmission does feel much smoother, but that could be due to the Amsoil.
3. I'm in no rush to change the shift kit settings, so I'll wait a month or so, and then I might try level 4.

I'd like to thank Neal for his advice over the months, and Factory_Tech for his heads up on the ATP filter kit.


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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

[This message has been edited by gah (edited 02-20-2001).]

[This message has been edited by gah (edited 02-20-2001).]

 

I'd like to add to my previous post. First, I think that the Baumann Engineering shift kit is an excellent product. The instruction manual is well written, and the components are of high quality. Second, I think that Baumann errs on the side of caution in the instruction manual. As they say, it's easier to go from level 3 to level 4, than the other way around. Finally, the shift kit also has the added benefit of increasing the longevity of the 4R70W, and so whatever the outcome, that alone is worth the $100.

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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