HD4R100 and BTS VB
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 705
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From: Sandia Park, NM
HD4R100 and BTS VB
I will be installing an HD4R100 this weekend. I was wondering what I would get out of installing Brian's valve body. I do not own anything to tow, but would like to get a small TT eventually. I am also upgrading to the 6.0L trans cooler while I'm at it. Do you guys think a magnefine filter or the like is necessary?
Are there any worthwhile upgrades to this trans that won't break the bank? Would a shift kit still do some good?
Are there any worthwhile upgrades to this trans that won't break the bank? Would a shift kit still do some good?
Last edited by 01PS; May 21, 2013 at 03:11 PM. Reason: More questions
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,246
Likes: 761
From: Houston, Texas
I have an HD4R100 and and have had one for the last 7 years with (knock on wood) no issues.
The only upgrade I've done is the Sonnax/Tricumulstor springs and the 6.0 trans cooler. If I had to do it all over again, I would have done either a BTS or John Wood VB instead of the shift kit.
Don't forget one of these either: External Transmission Filter Kit
That coupled with regular flushes every 30K have kept my transmission alive and troublefree. When Ford installed it February 2006, they had to do it again in April 2006 becuase they forgot to install it the first time. It didn't take long, but metal shards from the transmission breaking in, ate the front pump, caused an oil leak, and led to them replacing the transmission due to the contaminated fluid.
I cut open the first one they installed Summer 2012 (didn't know they were supposed to be changed every 30K) and the black filth, gunk, and metal shavings that came out was appalling.
Either way, those are my pointers...
The only upgrade I've done is the Sonnax/Tricumulstor springs and the 6.0 trans cooler. If I had to do it all over again, I would have done either a BTS or John Wood VB instead of the shift kit.
Don't forget one of these either: External Transmission Filter Kit
That coupled with regular flushes every 30K have kept my transmission alive and troublefree. When Ford installed it February 2006, they had to do it again in April 2006 becuase they forgot to install it the first time. It didn't take long, but metal shards from the transmission breaking in, ate the front pump, caused an oil leak, and led to them replacing the transmission due to the contaminated fluid.
I cut open the first one they installed Summer 2012 (didn't know they were supposed to be changed every 30K) and the black filth, gunk, and metal shavings that came out was appalling.
Either way, those are my pointers...
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
The BTS valve body just have a shift kit already installed in it for you. I've done both the transgo tugger and the sonnax tricumulator and both firm up the shifts. The sonnax kit has much fewer parts. Sonnax also seems to make the shifts more firm. Sometimes one of the shifts is a little too firm, but most of the time it feels good.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 705
Likes: 1
From: Sandia Park, NM
I have an HD4R100 and and have had one for the last 7 years with (knock on wood) no issues.
The only upgrade I've done is the Sonnax/Tricumulstor springs and the 6.0 trans cooler. If I had to do it all over again, I would have done either a BTS or John Wood VB instead of the shift kit.
Don't forget one of these either: External Transmission Filter Kit
That coupled with regular flushes every 30K have kept my transmission alive and troublefree. When Ford installed it February 2006, they had to do it again in April 2006 becuase they forgot to install it the first time. It didn't take long, but metal shards from the transmission breaking in, ate the front pump, caused an oil leak, and led to them replacing the transmission due to the contaminated fluid.
I cut open the first one they installed Summer 2012 (didn't know they were supposed to be changed every 30K) and the black filth, gunk, and metal shavings that came out was appalling.
Either way, those are my pointers...
The only upgrade I've done is the Sonnax/Tricumulstor springs and the 6.0 trans cooler. If I had to do it all over again, I would have done either a BTS or John Wood VB instead of the shift kit.
Don't forget one of these either: External Transmission Filter Kit
That coupled with regular flushes every 30K have kept my transmission alive and troublefree. When Ford installed it February 2006, they had to do it again in April 2006 becuase they forgot to install it the first time. It didn't take long, but metal shards from the transmission breaking in, ate the front pump, caused an oil leak, and led to them replacing the transmission due to the contaminated fluid.
I cut open the first one they installed Summer 2012 (didn't know they were supposed to be changed every 30K) and the black filth, gunk, and metal shavings that came out was appalling.
Either way, those are my pointers...
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 705
Likes: 1
From: Sandia Park, NM
The BTS valve body just have a shift kit already installed in it for you. I've done both the transgo tugger and the sonnax tricumulator and both firm up the shifts. The sonnax kit has much fewer parts. Sonnax also seems to make the shifts more firm. Sometimes one of the shifts is a little too firm, but most of the time it feels good.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 6
From: Marseilles IL
I don't know if Brian uses a kit, but his valvebody that I have, did have an added plate and it said Transgo Tugger on it.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
HD4R100? I have one and I've been told the VB and TC are far more robust than the original. I also know from experience that conventional tuning upgrades do not work on the HD... the shifts are neck-snapping harsh. The conversation with the tuners have been along the line of "We'll back most of the settings down to stock levels to get the smoother shifts". This will keep my Powerstroke from puking parts onto the pavement. There are still a few things that need to be non-stock for dealing with the exhaust backpressures on my 375-400 HP tunes, but overall... the upgrades seem to have addressed the weaknesses of the original 4R100. I'm not saying this would take the place of a JW or BTS.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Sandia Park, NM
HD4R100? I have one and I've been told the VB and TC are far more robust than the original. I also know from experience that conventional tuning upgrades do not work on the HD... the shifts are neck-snapping harsh. The conversation with the tuners have been along the line of "We'll back most of the settings down to stock levels to get the smoother shifts". This will keep my Powerstroke from puking parts onto the pavement. There are still a few things that need to be non-stock for dealing with the exhaust backpressures on my 375-400 HP tunes, but overall... the upgrades seem to have addressed the weaknesses of the original 4R100. I'm not saying this would take the place of a JW or BTS.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Houston, Texas
HD4R100? I have one and I've been told the VB and TC are far more robust than the original. I also know from experience that conventional tuning upgrades do not work on the HD... the shifts are neck-snapping harsh. The conversation with the tuners have been along the line of "We'll back most of the settings down to stock levels to get the smoother shifts". This will keep my Powerstroke from puking parts onto the pavement. There are still a few things that need to be non-stock for dealing with the exhaust backpressures on my 375-400 HP tunes, but overall... the upgrades seem to have addressed the weaknesses of the original 4R100. I'm not saying this would take the place of a JW or BTS.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 705
Likes: 1
From: Sandia Park, NM
I think I will ride with it for a bit and might change my mind later down the road. Out of the box it has to be better than the slippy turd that's coming out. Let's say I did change the VB. Wouldn't I be screwed on the warranty since I'd have to send my core in? Maybe I should wait 3 years 'till the warranty expires and then play with it?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
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From: Texas
The transgo hd kit does involve drilling a couple of holes, but I don't remember which valve body they get drilled into.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,080
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From: Elsinboro, NJ
I watched him build mine and they took one part out of the Transgo Tugger kit and threw the rest away.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Sandia Park, NM
Drilling holes in any kind of trans part does not sound like a good thing for me to do. If and when I decide to I will order the BTS or JW for sure. Thanks for all the input guys. It seems I get very anxious to spend more money than I need to when things break.