Performance Chip Warning

[Apten]

If you choose to run a chip, to increase performance, often times what the chip program contains is a line pressure increase in the trans to 'firm up' the shifts - what we used to do with a valve body. Increasing the 'line pressure' strains the trans pump beyond capabilities, and will prematurely fail it.

the transmission pump is more than capable of supporting more line pressure. Most programmers that firm up shifts change dynamic TV pressure (or Electronic Pressure control <EPC>), which if done right doesn't hurt the transmission at all. When I started developing transmission programming, I spent a great deal of time working with the engineer on the 4R70W transmission project at ford. I've even rebuilt 4R70W's, and converted AOD-E's to 4R70W's. The Engineer I worked with agreed that correct transmission programming would extend (not reduce) the life of a transmission.

On the other hand, you need a modified valve body if you plan on running high HP. The seperator plate, and other VB components are not suitable for much over 450HP. Doing so with a stock valve body will cause transmission failure, regardless of TV pressure or programming. I have a link to a really great article on updating the 4R70w for anyone intrested.


While I can't support all tuners programming, I have doubts that superchips transmission program was the cause of failure on the case above. But many dealers look somthing to blame. Your friend should pursue the problem with the ford "Factory Zone Representative" for his region, and dispute it with the warranty committe at ford.

Brian

 

[leenjen]

Originally posted by Rick
Most automatic transmissions are purposely designed to shift too soft. Most soccer moms don't want a firm shift. They want a"stepless" shift where they don't feel a thing. Trouble is a soft shift means clutch slippage, which leads to excessive tranny fluid temps, which leads to premature failure...

Decreasing shift overlap, (quicker shifts) will increase the life of a transmission that's still in good shape.

there is a very easy and inexpensive way to do this without a chip. i have done it to a few other vehicles with an automatic transmission, but my explorer has a manual trans. basically it will create faster and firmer shifts by increasing line presure and disabling the slight fuel cutoff which makes a slow and smooth shift.