Yup as the title says, no issues yet on a 70k mile ford reman and I want to keep it that way. The truck is a 96 psd cc SRW 4x4 7.3 that came from AZ last year and I'd like some suggestions on the most popular mods w/out pulling the trans. I had a 97 in the same configuration years ago with a superchips programmer (I was young and stupid) running 3.55s and 36s, with the line pressure bumped electronically I just got by if I manually shifted into OD. The new truck has 4.10s thank god and ill probably bolt on 6" of lift and 37s or 38s, so I just want to insure I'm doing what I can to help relieve the most heat and stress. So aside from a VB and another cooler what else could I do or better yet what combination is working for you guys? Someone told me years ago that the combination of tuning and physical mods may be too much but I'm inclined to disagree (like bumping line pressure w a VB and shift kit). I'd love to hear what's worked for you fellas. Also can anyone point out a thread or threads that clearly explain the relationship of TC lock up and OD. I'm not well versed on this as I should be. I remember Madvan had the cure but I think I've seen some more recent mods out there for this. Seems there's hundreds of threads regarding busted, broke, smoked, the shacked gear boxes but none w what I'm looking for specifically so I apologize in advance if this is a redundant thread; I may have overlooked the few that may pertain to my situation. Thanks for your help!

 

In simple terms, they are not related.

TC (torque converter) lockup is a clutch inside the torque converter. When it is engaged there is no slip in the torque converter. When it is disengaged the torque converter slips. This is what allows the truck to come to a stop in gear without stalling the engine. When locked there is no torque or speed loss inside the torque converter, everything the engine is putting out goes to the transmission.

Overdrive is simply a gear ratio that is less than 1:1. In the E4OD the overdrive gear ratio is 0.71:1. This means that for every rotation of the driveshaft the engine turns 0.71 times.

 

Thanks! I may have worded the request incorrectly though; although I do know what the torque converter does and how it functions as well as Overdrive, I don't know how they would in a relationship when in Overdrive in the E4OD? When it shifts into OD does it lock right away or cavitate a little until a certain speed or rpm? Does the TC lock in every gear in the E4OD and if not is there any automation that can be added to add lock up in all or certain gears say 2-3-4 but not 1 and R?

 

The torque converter should NEVER cavitate. Cavitation will destroy the torque converter. Did you mean hesitate? It sometimes will hesitate.

The E4OD is capable of locking in all forward gears. The lock is controlled by the PCM, based on go pedal position, gear, vehicle speed, temperature, and a few other things. Just because it is in overdrive does not mean the converter is locked.

 

When I said cavitate I meant not lock, not anything out of the ordinary as far as charictoristics go. Thanks for that tidbit about the TC though. Now that I know that is there a devise that gives you any more control over how quickly it'll lock in OD? Maybe my quest should b for a safe line pressure mod. Know of any that won't smoke the pump?

 

I don't know of any safe mods. Why does the line pressure need to be modified? What's wrong with the stock programming? What problem are you trying to fix?

There are aftermarket programmable controllers that will let you program what you want as far as transmission and torque converter control. I don't know that any of them are "safe." If you don't know how to properly program the trans you have an excellent chance of destroying it.