The Chip's in!
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,296
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From: Coal Valley, Illinois
Originally Posted by zipperhead86
Thanks loads. I hope I did not hijack this thread, but my eyes were really opened as to transmission performance when I installed the chip from Jody. I only drove it about ten miles yesterday, but what a difference in shifting. Until I experienced what tight, smooth shifting was, I couldn't tell if the stock shifting was that poor. This shifting is so smooth, I was cruising at 60 and I thought "Is my truck shifting?" I was focusing on the power (which there is plenty) and I did not notice the tranmission at all. It was smooth and powerful and I hardly had my foot on the accelerator. Whoa, it was great. I had had an ancient Superchips chip that produced the same 80 hp that I got from Jody, but the DP-Tuner chip performers so much better. Now, I am obsessed with improving my stock tranny's performance for the short term. I have 160,000 on my stock transmission and it seems to be going strong. I just have my Ex as a big, powerful, fast family wagon and I never tow anything. I don't know how much longer my tranny will last, and I am researching which tranny to replace it with once it goes away. But, if I can improve its performance and perhaps forstall its demise, I will do everything I can. And it appears this valve body is getting great reviews and it is something I can do myself.
So, thanks for your knowledge. I guess I will be swimming in transmission fluid soon.
So, thanks for your knowledge. I guess I will be swimming in transmission fluid soon.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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My only question is how much would it cost to get something like that to Nevada from his shop. And, though I am fairly handy, would replacing a transmission be as easy as ordering one, having it shipped and swapping the new for the old and then shipping the old one back? Or, will I keep some parts from the old to use with the new transmission? And there are so many options regarding the transmission it appears difficult to decide which configuration to get. I figure the more expensive the better performance but, the way I use (or don't use) my Ex, I think after a point it might get to be overkill.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,413
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From: Columbia, MO
Why not make a vacation out of getting a new transmission. Brian will actually do the install for you. Schedule it, and it only takes him a day. His shop is located in Arkansas, and if you're into the outdoors at all, there's some good things to do there. Luckly for me, Brian's is only about 4 hours away from my parents house, so I'll be able to take it down to him and have it done in one day.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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That's a thought. Are the White Mountains anywhere nearby? I always wanted to fish there. I may have to map something like that out and see what a trip like that would entail. I have read other threads that also support other transmission shops but it seems like Brian's is the flavor of the day right now.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,413
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, MO
I'm not sure where the White Mountains are compared to Brian's shop. I'm sure Brian could tell you a lot more about the area. Cookie might know more about the area too, being from Arkansas. Brian is quickly proving his reputation as a good trans builder. I've seen some video of a big Ford truck, although powered by a 12V Cummins that makes over 1000 hp, run a low 11 second quarter mile. That truck has one of Brian's transmissions behind the motor.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,476
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From: Monroe Michigan
After just spending $ 2,300 to have the transmission rebuilt and adding the sonnax , heavy duty T/C, aluminum fin oil pan.
Do you guys think i should or need to do the valve body upgrade with my fresh transmision when i install the JT chip. I'm buying the JT chip mainly for towing my Toy box (12,000lbs) Thanks
Do you guys think i should or need to do the valve body upgrade with my fresh transmision when i install the JT chip. I'm buying the JT chip mainly for towing my Toy box (12,000lbs) Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 1
From: Elverson, PA
Originally Posted by jtharvey
You're gonna like that thing!! As you can see, hink and I are both lovin the switch from the Sonnax to the BTS valve body. 
I'm glad I read here about the little "filter screen" issue here too!! I don't remember seeing anything like that when I did the sonnax valve - does anyone have a picture of it?? Might help if I knew what I was looking for - or is it that obvious? So does it basically hold the Transgo "shift plate" in place until you put the VB back on? (Sorry just having a hard time visualizing it)
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,296
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From: Coal Valley, Illinois
Originally Posted by CAT_man_963
Yea I definitely can't wait!!
I'm glad I read here about the little "filter screen" issue here too!! I don't remember seeing anything like that when I did the sonnax valve - does anyone have a picture of it?? Might help if I knew what I was looking for - or is it that obvious? So does it basically hold the Transgo "shift plate" in place until you put the VB back on? (Sorry just having a hard time visualizing it)
I'm glad I read here about the little "filter screen" issue here too!! I don't remember seeing anything like that when I did the sonnax valve - does anyone have a picture of it?? Might help if I knew what I was looking for - or is it that obvious? So does it basically hold the Transgo "shift plate" in place until you put the VB back on? (Sorry just having a hard time visualizing it)
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,413
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From: Columbia, MO
The filter is on the passenger side of the trans, I believe more toward the front. The actual screen part sticks up into the transmission, so all you'll see is a base. It kind of looks like a grommett.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Coal Valley, Illinois
Originally Posted by maevans
After just spending $ 2,300 to have the transmission rebuilt and adding the sonnax , heavy duty T/C, aluminum fin oil pan.
Do you guys think i should or need to do the valve body upgrade with my fresh transmision when i install the JT chip. I'm buying the JT chip mainly for towing my Toy box (12,000lbs) Thanks
Do you guys think i should or need to do the valve body upgrade with my fresh transmision when i install the JT chip. I'm buying the JT chip mainly for towing my Toy box (12,000lbs) Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,248
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From: Elverson, PA
Hey thanks for the info Hink and Jtharvey - that definitely makes a little more sense now!!
Maevans - I'd definitely go for the BTS - especially if you do a lot of towing! Like Hink said - Jody does different tranny programming depending on what you have - and he can do more for your shifting with the BTS.
Maevans - I'd definitely go for the BTS - especially if you do a lot of towing! Like Hink said - Jody does different tranny programming depending on what you have - and he can do more for your shifting with the BTS.
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