Ok i have a 98 f150 with the v8 4.6L. This has the 4R70W transmission and im looking for a little harder shifts in my car. I hate hate hate that delay between 1st and 2nd when i put a little gas in the engine and i dont mind a little jolt. However i cant seem to find a valve body replacement for my tranny. I heard in another forum to ask here about doing a little drilling? I dont know about that but if anyone has any ideas or good sources of info i'd appreciate. I plan to change my fluid this weekend and i would like to do the valve body then as well so i dont have to use all that fluid just to have to replace it again. Thanks for any advice.

 

Factory Tech is coming out with one around x-mas. PerformanceAutomatic.com has one for around $285

 

At the moment, it appears the Factory Tech vavle body is only planned for '99-current models

There are 2 companies that currently produce a performance valve body for the 4R70W.

LENTECH
Performance Automatic

The PA valve body is around $100.00 less than the LENTECH VB. But, LENTECH has an impeciable reputation. PA's reputation is a little iffy and theirs carries only a 90 day warranty.

The drilling would be part of a shift kit. This is a permanent change to the stock vavle body. I personally have shied away from shift kits because of the irreversible modifications and occasion destruction of the transmisison shortly after the install.

 

what does a shift kit include? I would think maybe the proper drill and instructions but ive never seen one so i dont know.

 

This one comes with a couple of valves, but usually it's just a few drill bits and some springs.

 

wow. thats 180 dollars?
Whats with that?

 

You pay for research and development. All of the shift kit manufacturers charge about the same, so they can get away with it.

"$100.00 for a few drill bits and some springs?!?! Get the **** outta here!!!"

 

Mine is gonna be around $300, but it's a complete ready to install valve body. The one I have now is definitly compatible from 99 up, but I'm researching the older model compatibility. Eventually I'll do what ever it takes to get the 94 up, before 94 it gets kind of iffy on the swaps.

G

 

I hope I didn't step on your turf, Gregg.

Considering that you're a member here and have done wonders for the 4R100, I'm sure we'd all be most satisfied with a Factory Tech valve body, when it's available for the 4R70W

 

Factory Tech,

That's what I was waiting to hear. Let us know when they'll be available for prior 99.

Thanks again,

John