How to smooth out the acceleration on V8s? | Ford Explorer Forums

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How to smooth out the acceleration on V8s?

98EBV8

Well-Known Member
Joined
November 9, 1999
Messages
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City, State
Alaska
Year, Model & Trim Level
1998 Eddie Bauer V8 AWD
Hi,
When I press on the gas too quickly, either from stop or low speed, the truck feels harsh. This doesn't happen all the time. Sometimes, I was able to get smooth acceleration without feeling like someone ran into me from behind. If I press the gas carefully, then I would not experience this.

I can also experience this at crusing speed when I press the gas too quickly. I'm concerned that something like this happening frequently could be hard on my transmission.

Would a mod with zip ties would help this? I would not put that on, unless the zip ties can easily come off if I ever wanted to.

Thanks.
 



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It's what happens when you actually have enough engine for the vehicle to get out of it's own way. :D

On a more serious note, most of us with a V8 like it that way, and the 4R70W tranmission is a lot tougher than the light duty transmission on the V6 Explorers. There are several of us who use and abuse our V8 Explorers and Mountaineers without any problem so far, but we also do regular PM's so that it can hndle the abuse.

Worse come to worse, I'm sure that Brian at Apten Performance can program a chip for you that will soften the acceleration--probably either economy or kiddy mode.
 






i love the feeling..i did the "zip-tie"(but i did not use zip-tie's) mod and man it feel's like it added 50HP i love it!!! i want a fast truck if i wanted easy i would have got a v6..the tranny will not get hurt from hard acceleration..just go with the flow that's what a v8 is for..i floor it off every stop light i can i love that rush!

when crusing and i floor it. i just down shift's is this all your does? if so it's normal
 






Ok, I'll accept for what my truck is, even it feels the engine wants to get out kinda like that Pennzoil commercial. I'll look into the Apten chip. What did you use instead for your "zip-tie" mod?

Thanks.
 






I'm not sure what your saying but if it's what I think you are it may be a sticking throttle body. If so, some STP throttle body cleaner will help.
 






I know at certain speeds the tranny downshifts further than others. Like while cruising at 25 mph with foot on the gas like normal just punch it and the truck will down shift one more gear than it normally feels like it should and pretty much tear ass for the next little while. I think the oher powerband crossover point is around 60-65 mph. You will have to try this to get the mph right. But sometimes it does it just right and that is what you get. I am suspecting you are talking about what I just outlined. Well no fear, the 5.0 V-8's with the 4r70W trannies are a very very strudy setup. I beat the piss out of my truck aloooooot. And I mean alot. Probably more than what TROLL does. lol. And it held up. With my new X I have the same thing. If I am going about 24 mph or so I floor it and it downshifts and with the V-8 exhaust, intake sound it just osunds very very mean. And also while going about 65 or so. It has been a while since I drove my truck so I forget at which point in the upper speeds does it shift like that. But when it does it right the tach just climbs very fast all the way to like 5600-5700 rpms. Oh by the way the new truck I am talking about is the 4.6 V-8 which redlines at a higher rpm, so dont worry. lol. Either way it is doubtfully a problem. But if you really dont like it for some reason you can either just not press the gas as much as you do. Or just get a chip for it with a different shift point profile. Or just have Brian retard the timing a tad. Or just go the ghettto way and screw a little piece of 2x4 wood underneath the gas pedal (NOT BRAKE PEDAL!!!) and go that way. j/k. Being a smartass again. lol.
 






i think it sounds like either your throttle cable is sticking (slightly) or the linkage at the throttle body is sticking (slightly).
 






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