Diablo Predator and Trans problem?
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 97
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From: Stafford, Va
Diablo Predator and Trans problem?
I recently had to have my transmission rebuilt with only 82k on it. My truck is 7.3 PSD 4x4 and I drive it pretty conservatively and perform all scheduled maintenance I have been running a Diablo programmer on my truck in the 60hp and Towing setting off and on since Sept. I'm wondering if the programmer had any part in what I consider as a pre mature failure of my transmission. I have spoken to a few other folks with Diablos that had transmission failures and they believe the programmer is the common denominater in all of them. Has any one here running a Diablo had any transmission failures since using it? Can I be overeacting with this...? I would love to hear if anyone running these programmers has had any problems with their transmissions.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
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From: Enjoying the real world.
There are a lot of guys with air intake kits with premature tranny failure.
There are a lot of guys with aftermarket floor mats with premature tranny failure.
etc., etc.,
The tranny behind the 7.3 isn't known for its longevity in many cases. Essentially a non-heavy duty tranny pressed into heavy duty service.
There are a lot of guys with aftermarket floor mats with premature tranny failure.
etc., etc.,
The tranny behind the 7.3 isn't known for its longevity in many cases. Essentially a non-heavy duty tranny pressed into heavy duty service.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,965
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From: H-town, MN
I have a '99 F-250 with Diablo Predator. I run the 100hp setting all the time (except when towing) and have had only one incident with tranny overheating. I was towing a skid loader on the 40hp setting and was in a hurry to get some dirt moved before sunset. I was a little heavy on the foot feed and resulted in fluid leaking out when I parked it for the night. The next day no more leaks where found. Talked with a tranny shop and they said I was lucky. The front seal probably popped out due to overheating and when it cooled retracted back in. He also said that the torque converter might not be locking up fully. Could be electrical problem he thought. His advice was to get tranny gauge (which I did) and monitor the temp. I was told if tranny temp reaches 300-350 degs. its toast! It hasn't happened since. So not sure to this day if programmer is at fault or truck related issue. Best of luck! 
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Stafford, Va
Thanks to both of you for your input. Webmaster would you have any idea where I could get a schimatic for the Diablo programmer? I was talking to my tranny specialist and he said he would need to see one to determine what changes in the tranny parameters to determine if they could cause problems
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NJ
Ken, I'm curious why you make these statements about the transmissions behind the 7.3, since you sell both the Diablo and Superchips programmers at your Motorhaven web site. Do you know something we dont?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
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From: South Dakota
Me too.
If memory serves me right the 4r100 is rated for something on the order of 1000ft-lbs of torque.
If memory serves me right the 4r100 is rated for something on the order of 1000ft-lbs of torque.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Stafford, Va
Thanks again to everyone for your post but what I'm trying to accomplish here is to determine whether a programmers setting may have caused a premature failure or is it a systemic problem with this 4R100 transmission. I really don't need a full schematic off what the program changes just the transmission functions. Surely this is not going to give away the proprietary secrets to any program. Lets face it, this is not DNA where on chromozone is an exact duplicate of the other 26 in the make up of a human! I'm just trying to see if there is a de-rail in the tracks. Surely anyone who stands behind there product would have no problem with releasing a small piece of the, especially when it wouldn't give up the entire puzzle.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Stafford, Va
Oops two many chromozones in the earlier post I believe there are only 23 but I think everyone will get the point...lol Note to self do not type after drinking large amounts of alchohol!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
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From: Enjoying the real world.
Originally Posted by surfclam
Ken, I'm curious why you make these statements about the transmissions behind the 7.3, since you sell both the Diablo and Superchips programmers at your Motorhaven web site. Do you know something we dont?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
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From: Enjoying the real world.
DiabloSport, Superchips, Hypertech, Edge, etc. will not release exactly what they do with line pressure, TQ lock-up, shift delay, etc. All they will say is they increase line pressure, change TQ lock-up, reduce shift delay, etc.
They don't want to tip their hand to the competition. For instance, if people said they liked programmer XYZ's shift the best, and XYZ released what they did to the public then it wouldn't be very long before XYZ's competition copied it. Its more work to force your competition to look at reads and figure it our themselves. If your tranny guy really wants to know what was done he can buy programming hardware/software and compare the stock file to the performance file. Its going to take more work than its probably worth as far as his time goes.
They don't want to tip their hand to the competition. For instance, if people said they liked programmer XYZ's shift the best, and XYZ released what they did to the public then it wouldn't be very long before XYZ's competition copied it. Its more work to force your competition to look at reads and figure it our themselves. If your tranny guy really wants to know what was done he can buy programming hardware/software and compare the stock file to the performance file. Its going to take more work than its probably worth as far as his time goes.
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
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From: East Texas
Originally Posted by superrangerman2002
Me too.
If memory serves me right the 4r100 is rated for something on the order of 1000ft-lbs of torque.
If memory serves me right the 4r100 is rated for something on the order of 1000ft-lbs of torque.
Interesting, Where did you read that info?
When I was looking to order a roll back wrecker truck, 40 hp increase required an trans upgrade. I figure that, if just a slight increase in hp required a trans upgrade then i better leave well enought alone but if that 1000 lb. torque is anywhere close to being true i just might add a chip
gseeders
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: South Dakota
I cant say for sure, but awhile back in the 97-03 F150 forum (when I still had one) there was a long thread debating the merits of the 4R70W and the 4R100 which are both used in the F150.
I'll have to see if I can find that thread.
I'll have to see if I can find that thread.