ok let me start by saying i have a 5.4 powered f-350 so.... anyways i bought a factory tech valve body on 12-29-09 and ever since installing it i have a very hard 1-2 shift. it will actually chirp 1-2 at any throttle input even at normal grandmom driving. Im having a very hard time getting hold of gregg so i need advice from someone about this. So question is i've done google searches and ever thing is about the FTVB in lightings?? i havent found one page of it installed into a super duty truck anywhere? is this normal for yous who have the ftvb to have it shift so f$cking hard into second gear? please i really need some help if not im going to install my factory valve body tuesday after work.

 

Who did your custom tuning and did they do it before the FTVB was installed?
The line presser settings for the trans should be at stock setting with the valve-body in there.

 

I have a FTVB. Had it since 2007. Love it. 03 5.4 4X4 3.73

Mine shifts very hard between 1st and 2nd. It took a little getting used to at first. I'd imagine that part of your problem lies in your 4:30 gears, probably makes what I feel quite a bit harsher. Like I said, it took me some getting used to the shifts, but now, unless I'm towing or racing to the next stoplight, I just take it real easy off the line. But I'd never consider going back to stock settings. It's one of the best mods I've made to my rig.

 

I think you meant to say,(stock VB) not stock commuter line presser settings.

 

i had mike at five star do my custom tunes after i installed the FTVB. The first one i had would chirp 1-2 and 2-3 shift so i called back and they sent me out another new valve body, i installed it and 1-2 was still very hard but 2-3 was much better? i've had it for almost a year and a half so far and i cant take it. your truck should not chirp 1-2 going 15mph through my development. my neighbors look at me like im some young *****ing punk! Also factory tech website is no longer available, no one replies to my emails or phonecalls and i was told by two people that they shut down so who knows. All i know is a unch of people with super duty trucks said they had them and would never recomend it or buy another one, so you can add me to that list as well.

 

and why would my 4.30 have anything to do with it chirping 1-2 shift? i have a little 5.4 not a 600HP diesel. the trans should shift the same weither i have 3.73, 4.30, or 4.88's.

 

Yes, you're right.

Does your transmission hold 1st longer than it used to before the VB mod?

Well, I don't know the physics, technically, but because your engine winds up a little faster with the 4:30's the shift would be firmer.
I had a chat with a member on here a while back, (reax) (and to the best of my recollection) about this very topic, and he indicated that when he re-geared from 3:73 to 4:30 the shift of his tranny, with a FTVB, went from hard to violent. The gear change affected the firmness of the shift.

 

There's a guy Ive talked to,(Stoffer) about changing springs in the vale body to help with the hard shift.
I sent him a PM and asked him to pop in here to see if he can explain it to you.

Otherwize you could try a different VB.
I run a BTS valve-body in my truck with 4.11 gears and 600RWHP. And unless I'm trying to chirp the tire ,it shifts fast but beautiful from first to second gear.
BTS.- Brians Truck Shop

 

Phil, I have not messed with the springs in the 4r100 only the 4r70.





The only advice I can give the OP is to go back to the stock valve body and do the line accumulator mod...

 

I ran a Factory Tech valve body in my Harley Truck for about 50 miles .... BTS or Punisher will be building my next one