Test Drivers Wanted

[bluestream1]

I sent my survey by email on Dec 21st.

No reply yet: they must be busy....

 

[jimbo74]

what is the status on this? i was contacted yesterday by Cayce, as I have not yet installed my EPC as i rolled my explorer in mid december, however, i think i can still use this epc in my Ranger that i am currently driving and want to check, according to my door code and info that was found on the ranger station, i have a 4r44e tranny....

 

[manaen]

Just an update on this, I now have about 3000miles on the install. The transmission is shifting well. I have towed twice since the install there is no slippage and shifts are still solid. Interestingly I still seem to have more cooler flow than I had with the stock EPC, which I don't understand but things are working well. The past 3 weeks were spent driving daily 180miles to a customer in the DC area which mean I have to cross 2 mountains every day. The tranny performed flawlessly


total mileage on the transmission ~125k

 

[dogfriend]

I have almost 1k on mine, it is working great. Drove thru a snowstorm up to Tahoe and back last Saturday. Downshift (as when climbing a hill) seems more positive than before. It will take a while for me to accumulate mileage as the Explorer is not a daily driver. I have 118k now.

Jim - I think the EPC should be backward compatible (non-inductive signature), but check with Allbert to be sure.

 

[manaen]

So what is the status of this part? has it been released to the public yet?

I have about 7000 on the new EPC and the tranny is still shifting solid, and the additional cooler flow is still obvious, with summer coming I am going to be really giving this thing a workout with towing, starting in May with a trip to Maine.

I still have not had time to install the line pressure gauge but I hope to before the maine trip.

I am also curious how everyone else is making out with the new EPC??

 

[dogfriend]

I still have 118k, but was towing a small trailer around last weekend to move some stuff from my Dad's house. Mine works great, definitely improved the downshift performance compared to before.

 

[Jack Flash]

mine works like it's supposed to. I found some improvement.

I know it's not relater to the EPC changeout, but I'm experiencing slow engagement from reverse to drive. wish I had replaced the o-rings on the servo when the pan was off.

I guess the new fluid confused the low/reverse servo....lol
.
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............jjf

 

[Allbert]

mine works like it's supposed to. I found some improvement.

I know it's not relater to the EPC changeout, but I'm experiencing slow engagement from reverse to drive. wish I had replaced the o-rings on the servo when the pan was off.

I guess the new fluid confused the low/reverse servo....lol
.
.
.
............jjf

Just to give you all an update, we are in production on this part now, and they are being sold through our distribution center to the normal BW customers, mostly larger distributors and transmission repair chains.

Based on feedback from our customers, we have made a couple more small adjustments to our part to try to compensate for typical concerns in the transmissions. Specifically, the high end calibration has been bumped up a few psi and we have enhanced the flow capacity of the solenoid so that it now beats the OE by about 15%. For transmissions with tired boost valves or other leaks in the EPC circuit, this should let folks put off valve body reconditioning for a while longer than if they were to use the stock EPC.

Anyone who originally participated in this survey who would like one of the "latest and greatest" EPCs, please feel free to contact me directly at mallbert@borgwarner.com.

 

[BrooklynBay]

So you now need people to test another design? Is this design similar except for a larger inner orifice, and an adjustment on the set screw to boost the pressure by a few PSI?

 

[Allbert]

So you now need people to test another design? Is this design similar except for a larger inner orifice, and an adjustment on the set screw to boost the pressure by a few PSI?

These aren't really for test purposes... we're just offering these slightly enhanced versions of the product for anyone who might like the extra protection they would offer against issues arising from high levels of leakage in the valve body.

You're right about the changes though... it's really just more inlet and outlet window area and a little more pre-load on the armature spring (through the adjustment screw).

 

[dogfriend]

Thanks for the offer, but I just replaced the valve body gaskets and installed the TSB kit when I installed the new EPC. I'm hoping I won't need to do anything for at least 20k miles.

 

[BrooklynBay]

How much are they? Do they look the same as the ones we tested?

 

[manaen]

I just received the updated part, and installed it. Initial reaction is WOW... But I am going to wait to see what happens as the computer re-trains itself...

It looks just like the other part, I mean really what could they possible make different when confined by the design of the OEM peice.

One thing that I did a little different this time is to make sure I had the openings in the screens aligned with the ports of the valve (not sure I did that last time)

As soon as I have a few hundred miles on the part I will post my results.

Initial Impressions (after about 15 miles, so this probably doesn't mean much)
the power transfer is so much better, it seems like the tranny is locking up much better. Also along with this is better fuel mileage, just in the short trip I took I seemed to be getting about 1 - 2 mpg more than with the previous part.

But again, I stress that I just don't have enough miles on the tranny yet and the computer is still figuring out the shift settings for the new EPC valve...

 

[Silver X]

Is there a part number available for the new EPC solenoid? Can this be purchased from Ford dealerships yet? If not, where can I get one?

I'm getting ready to install my replacement trans (used) and want to update the parts that are known to cause problems.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Are you one of the original testers of the first version? You could send him an email: Mallbert@BorgWarner.Com.

 

[Silver X]

No, unfortunately I passed up the deal. My Explorer has been down since December (problems started months before that) and I'm just now getting time to fix things. Got the replacement trans this week and want to get it in ASAP.

 

[manaen]

OK I have about 100 miles on the new part and my in town fuel mileage is holding at about 19mpg that is a 1-2 miles per gallon increase on the previous setup. the only change was the EPC, well and I undercoated the truck, but I highly doubt that is a factor. The transmission seems to shift more solid into the next gear, and when driving mildly it seems to shift much much sooner into the next gear. That is what I attribute to the better fuel mileage, it is easier to pull out with little throttle with the transmission shifting much quicker. Before it seemed as though I would have to let the engine rev out farther to get the next upshift.

this all may be unique to my setup, and I would imagine the computer is still working on programming the new shift patterns. I will keep the updates flowing when I have them.

Oh btw as a side note, I was going to replace the shift solenoid orings on all the solenoids (there are 8 total, 4 larger and 4 smaller)

Called Ford because I only thought of it when I already had the tranny apart, so I figured I could pick them up right away. Well after talking to Ford they wanted $10.50 Each (that's right!!!) for the larger one and $8.50 each for the smaller of the two.

I'm not a rocket scientist but these are not parts for the space shuttle, they are just o-rings operating in a standard environment. Why so much money for a seemingly simple part.

So I put things back together and let well enough alone. However after putting everything back together I went to HD and noticed they have the same size o-ring for 1.59 for a pack of 6. Maybe next time I will replace them all for 3 bucks and change.

can someone tell me why the Ford parts are so expensive????

(maybe I should have put that in another thread )

 

[CDW6212R]

I did my EPC and two shift solenoids about 2000 miles ago. Id' suggest doing the solenoids as needed, they come with o-rings. The solenoids are about $25 each, I chose the 1/2 and TC solenoids(most used). I notice firmer shifting, which is great. The down shifts are also firmer, which isn't all that great.

BTW, you can adjust the shift timing a lot with a PCM reprogram. Some Ford updates have been available, you might check on those which may be free. I have a Excal flasher to do programming for my truck, that's a more precise way to gain power and MPG. Regards,

 

[manaen]

Yeah I have been drooling over a programmer for a while (thanks for pouring salt in my wounds JK..) , but I have a holdup in the form of cash. Didn't know about the re-program from ford, I will have to check into that when I drop by for the infamous warranty recall they finally got the parts in last week. I am a little leary now though since everything is working so well. It seems like this newer EPC plays much better with the transgo kit in the heavy towing setting.


Ahhh... I would love to have a programmer, but I digress...

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks Allbert for sending the newly updated EPC solenoid in such a timely manner! I've left positive feedback in your transaction feedback thread.