Firmer shifts on my F250 V10

[dover]

[leftlane]

I have an '01 F250 V10 4x4. I feel the shifts on the automatic could be firmer. I have read posts by people who put chips in and they state that the shift points are higher and firmer, which is great. However, they also mention the requirement of premium fuel, which I can't live with. These things drink enough gas without adding the cost of another 20 cents a gallon to my monthly fuel bill.

My question: does anyone know of a means of increasing the transmission shift firmness without necessitating premium fuel? Is there a tranny kit I should be aware of or a custom chip burner who will only modify the tranny portion of the program?

Thanks in advance.

[leftlane]

Thanks V10man. This is exactly what I was looking for. I have read those posts and been to the websites. So if I understand correctly, I'll need the combination of parts from two different sources: the Sonnax valve and the Tricumulator srings.

Sounds like you've got roughly the same setup I do (V10). So did you replace your stock springs with the Tricumulator springs or simply add the Tricumulator springs to the existing setup? Could you comment on the part numbers? Thanks again.

[V10man]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 05-Apr-01 AT 06:44*AM (EST)[/font][p]Call Blaine at Technical Transmission and Tool. He now sells the springs and valve. You no longer need to order them seperatly. I installed both items. I think the valve does most of the changes. I'm not sure what the springs actually do. The springs go inside the stock springs unless your tranny has 2 sets of springs. In that case you would remove the inner spring and install the new ones. (I believe that the older E4OD had these)

[heyvern]

You don't need to go into your tranny. Your local (reputable) Ford mechanic can increase the line pressure in it in about 15 minutes. Did that to mine. BIG improvement. Did it at about 15000 miles. Now have over 50000. Service it every 25000 miles. More often if rough service. Its easy on the new trucks, and a cheap investment.

[deat]

>I have an '01 F250 V10
>4x4. I feel the shifts
>on the automatic could be
>firmer. I have read posts
>by people who put chips
>in and they state that
>the shift points are higher
>and firmer, which is great.
>However, they also mention the
>requirement of premium fuel, which
>I can't live with. These
>things drink enough gas without
>adding the cost of another
>20 cents a gallon to
>my monthly fuel bill.
>
>My question: does anyone know of
>a means of increasing the
>transmission shift firmness without necessitating
>premium fuel? Is there a
>tranny kit I should be
>aware of or a custom
>chip burner who will only
>modify the tranny portion of
>the program?
>
>Thanks in advance.

The banks transcommand and kenne bell transcommand are two that are an answer to just tranny problems.

[leftlane]

I just want to provide the members with an update. It's been about 4 weeks since I've installed the Tricumulator springs and Sonnax valve in my '01 F250 V10 Lariat 4x4, and I wanted to comment on the install and results.

I charged into this install without much thought of how deep in the tranny I would really be. Luckily, it all worked out okay. It is a messy job, though. Once the pan comes off after you've drained it, the valve bodies will continue to drip from just about all areas for the duration of the procedure. All told, when complete, I think I added nearly 6 quarts of Motorcraft Mercon, which, by the way, was darned expensive at $4/quart from my local dealer (I could find no parts shop/store that carried Motorcraft ATF).

The springs and valve went in relatively easily, although the aluminum plugs required some coaxing to get them out of the accumulator initially. I had to use a couple jewler's screwdrivers in pincher type fashion to pop off the clips that hold these plugs. I added all of the springs: the 1-2 spring, the 2-3 spring, and the 3-4 spring, in addition to changing out the valve.

The pan gasket gets reused and I haven't had any leaks. It actually says right on the pan that it is a reusable gasket. Kudos must also been given to Ford for having a tranny pan with a drain plug. Much better than the designs of the past. Could it be that the modern day FoMoCo is actually re-embracing the ideals of Henry when he wanted a car that the average man could work on? Well, I wouldn't go that far, but this mod does facilitate the home mechanic.

The results were noticeable, but no where as harsh as I'd thought they might be. The shifts are quick, not the sluggish caddy style I spoke of in my initial post. It's not close to tire-chirping or anything, but my requirements have been happily met. In fact, I would defy a new rider in my truck to notice that anything has been done to the transmission shift style.

Thanks to those who offered up input.

[webguyrich]

Try a Banks TransCommand, I installed one and love it. It changes the shift points and torque convertor lock up. My shifts are now firm and acurate at the correct RPMs. It will allow your torque convertor to lock up sooner, no more lost power due to torque convertor slippage.