Ken. I was waiting to get a Diablo programmer after hearing some feedback.
Haven't heard much yet----still looking. I would like to tighten up shifts and was wondering if you thought it would be better to program for that or just install a shift kit and leave the shift option in programmer alone. I'd read somewhere that it might decrease trans. life by increasing line pressure w/ computer mods.

Will wait to buy after i see your reply. Thanks for the help!

 

does anybody have any ideas?

 

lots of ideas by everybody, but post was for Ken and usually everybody waits for him so we don't step on toes. But since it's now open, here goes.

Buy the shift kit and install it. It will make the tranny shifts firm and flow more fluid.

2 ways to firmer shifts. 1) more fluid flow 2) increase line pressure.

Both due the same, kit increases fluid flow, tuner increases pressure. Its like draining a lake through a straw, the kit increases the straw size allowing a rapid fluid flow. it does increase pressure mechanically. the tuner does the same but it does it electronically with pressure.

the combonation of both are what I did and the shifts are firm, fast and slightly higher than normal allowing the engine to rev up a little more in the power ban. Buy the shift kit and install it. Not hard, go slow, follow directions and you won't have a problem <$100. then buy the tuner and run it too!! if you don't like the shift, increase pressure with the tuner and the shift points for a little more rpm in the ban.

hope that helps,
Randy

 

Sorry gang.... I've been out of town at a press event. Ditto the recommendations....

 

ssnrandy. Hey thanks for the reply. What type of kit did you use? Did you have to drain all the fluid in the converter too? And if I'm gettin' ya, you're saying that you can fine tune w/ the tuner an already good shifting trans?

Thanks again!

 

I used a B&M kit, Transgo makes a good one too. the B&M has two settings (heavy duty/4x4 and street/strip) to choose, I used the heavy duty/4x4. Transgo has three settings. I recommend starting with the lowest setting the kit offers and increasing the pressure and shift points with the tuner. The kit allows higher fluid flow and increased pressure mechanically. Fine tune it with the tuner. Works great! I did not drain the convertor at time of install. I did use 10-12 quarts of fluid and a new filter.
Hope this helps,
Randy

 

Most defininetly does!!
Did you use existing gasket or a new and different one?

Thanks again!

 

new gasket and filter, often it does not come in the kit, check it to make sure before you rip it apart.

 

Can't stand leaks!!!!! Is there a better gasket than stock? Haven't had any yet so I guess stock isn't so bad.

 

The stock gasket is fine. Gasket quality isn't usually the cause of leaks.... improper torquing (especially too tight) and uneven torquing usually are the reason.

 

how is that shift kit?

 

Back again fellas!! This time a little faster than before. Just installed the new "Predator" tune and it seems fine so far.

Alot more adjustment parameters than I thought would be available, so I have a few questions: (Regarding menu prompts in the modification section of the tuner).

1. What does "Trans tv pressure" mean and what is an acceptable range? It would be helpful to know how this affects performance vs. durability aspect of the trans.

2. What does "Torque modulation" mean? And again, how does this affect performance vs. durability?

3. Is the "Axle ratio" prompt for a differential that's been changed to a ratio other than what it was manufactured with or does this adjustment actually change the effective ratio of any differential regardless of what came from factory?

4. Does the "Shift firmess" affect part throttle as well as WOT shifts?

5. When "Shift RPM" is shown, it displays what the current shift point is. Does that
reflect the stock shift point or the installed tune shift point?

I'm not going to second guess the techs who spent countless hours on the dyno with this thing, but I am curious as to how and what some of the adustments actually do, (more so w/ tranny performance). And I really don't want to grenade my truck just because I didn"t know when to stop!!! Definetly a cool tool though---not sure but I think I heard a chirp from 2nd to 3rd @ about 65mph?

ssnrandy------no shift kit yet-still on the list.........next! Keep ya posted.

Sorry 'bout all the questions Webmaster, whenever you can reply is good.

Thanks..

 

1. Its the shift firmness. More pressure = firmer shift. Diablo gives a range they feel is safe.

2. The factory tune retards timing during a shift. Changing this will make it a more aggressive shift.

3. Axle ratio is for people who change axle gears and need to adjust the speedometer because of it.

4. Both.

5. The installed.

Chirp may be belt slippage, I seriously doubt there's enough power in that vehicle to chirp from 2nd to 3rd at 65 MPH. Maybe in a modded Lightning....

 

Okay.. So you think it's alright to maybe start at the middle of "trans tv pressure", "shift firmness", and "torque modulation" and still be within factory durability expectations?

Thanks.

 

Yes.