Shift kit

[jester6]

So it appears that my '00 sport has a 5R55E. Has anyone put a shift kit in one w/ this tranny?

Does it make a huge diff & whats the best kit to buy?

 

[Glacier991]

How many miles you got? I'd suggest you might find a lot of useful info in the 5R55E Valve Body Rebuild Diary in the stickies section at the top of the forum.

 

[jester6]

105k.

Yea I seen that section but havnt checked it out yet since its labeled "rebuild", Im intreseted in shift kits.

Back to my original question, can anyone suggest a kit & the difference it makes?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Each kit comes with different parts for different sections of the valve body. In Glacier's diary, he mentioned using more than one shift kit. There is no "universal" shift kit. If you want to upgrade everything, you might want to invest in more than one. If you have a local supplier for transmission parts, you could compare a few kits. I know that some parts might be common between a few brands, but not everything is repeated.

 

[Glacier991]

At 105 K I'd replace the EPC, do the FORD Mod with the new bonded separator plate, and add a Superior kit. But then all that was discussed in detail in the thread you don't want to read, as were the differences (and overlap) between the only 2 shift kits commonly offered. Best of luck.

 

[BrooklynBay]

This link is a good place to read a few basics about the valve body, and the cost of its related parts to rebuild it: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154655&highlight=steps+5r55e+diary

 

[jester6]

I plan on having the vb rebuilt. Im going to have it done by a shop so I didnt really feel like rumaging through like 7 pages for something Im not going to be doing myself.

Id just like to know how big of a difference in shifting will a shift kit make. Is it going to make the tires chirp in 2wd low? Is there a signaficant diff in gas mileage? Will I be able to hold it in 1st or 2nd?

I take it that Superior is the better kit to go with?

 

[BrooklynBay]

If the shop does the rebuild properly, you should feel some improvement, and possibly get more mpg, but it's basically the engine that is providing that wheel spinning power. The transmission is only tranferring the power. That is why it is called a transmission. The shift improver kits help with certain issues, such as delayed engagements, harsh shifts, flare ups, etc. It won't make a V6 feel like a V8.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Even if you aren't going to rebuild it yourself, it is still a good idea to read up on this stuff so that you will be knowledgeable when you go into the shop. Some shops try to take advantage when they see somebody come in that isn't familiar with the repairs that they are going to do. You have to basically tell them what you expect out of them. You could say for example that you are having a delayed reverse engagement. This would tell them that you could possibly have an issue in a specific part of the valve body, or with the seals of the low/reverse piston. Another example would be slippage in every gear. This would tell them to check your EPC pressure. The solenoids in this transmission play a major part of its operation.

 

[jester6]

Yea no doubt, theres a lot of shops that do. Weve done business w/ this one a few times & their work is always good & less than other places weve been to. Has anyone paid a shop to do this? Just so I have some kind comparision when I do get an estimate from the shop. Plan on having everything replaced like the soleniods & what not. I wish I could do it myself but our apt complex is very strick, not even allowed to change an air filter in the parking lot.

We actually dont have any issues w/ the tranny right now so this is actually just preventive maint. Really just looking to get firmer shifts & to hold in 1st & 2nd. I have a very basic understanding of what their suppose to do, engage the clutchs quicker providing quicker shifts & less wear but thats about all I know. Would be sweet if it would make it feel like a v8 :smoke: but yea I know its not gona do that.


Be nice to drop in a built C4 w/ a reverse manual valve body but this will have to do.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Somebody once posted here that a shop charged them $500 for a rebuilt one that had all of the modifications. They didn't rebuild the original one. They just swapped it for one that was already rebuilt.

 

[CDW6212R]

Always try to keep the valve body in it's original transmission. Each is calibrated for the specific application, year, model, trim level etc. There are hundreds of different calibrations for every valve body. If at all possible, keep the valve body with it's original transmission. Good luck,

 

[jester6]

$500 doesnt sound too bad.

Yea I had planned on keeping the valve body. Didnt know that so thanks for the info CDW.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Here is that link for those new valve bodies: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150919&highlight=$500+valve+bodies