My BTS valve body came yesterday, so I spent the evening installing that and my new DP Tuner chip! Damn, that's a huge improvement over Predator and Sonnax! I haven't driven too much yet, but what I've seen is pretty impressive. Throttle is less "twitchy" and the power is much better, especially in the mid range. It seems to be a more consistent power throughout the range. It also just feels better. To me, the tuner seemed like it was pushing the engine too far. Thus far, the chip just feels like good clean power! The shifting is also improved, much better than the tuner and Sonnax , tc lockup is better. I can't wait to tow with it!

I have been taking it pretty easy so far, I have too much air in the fuel line. I'm doing the hutch mod this weekend. I think all the mods I've done have made the air problem worse. I put a clear inline filter pre pump and there is a bunch of bubbles going through! It doesn't help that I'm letting the tank get low, causing even more air to be sucked in. What a poorly designed fuel system. Anyway, can't wait to get that fixed and really take it for a ride! Anybody on the fence about chip or tuner should consider this setup. I, as well of a lot of other guys here, have done it both ways and end up with a chip. Who needs a stinking warranty anyway!

 

Warranty's are for suckas....drop the hammer!!!!

 

That's the attutude to have hink!! Can't wait to hear what you think the first time you put that chip to its highest setting and let it rip. I was truly impressed. The tires broke loose so fast, you'd think I was on wet pavement.

 

Amen brother!! I dropped the BFH a long time ago!!!


Hink - glad to hear you are all set up - I think the Sonnax valve is on it's way out, as the FTE most often recommended tranny mod!! My BTS vb is on the way!

 

I have to agree, I didn't feel that the Sonnax did too much more than the Predator could do as far as firming up the shifts. Valve body is the way to go, it's a real pleasure to feel it shift, nice and tight !

 

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 am interested in the BTS Valve body. Did you guys order it directly from Brian's Truck Shop? How much was it? Thanks in advance.

 

Yes, ordered from Brian's Truck Shop. It was $225 plus $150 core (I think) and shipping. Well worth it. Looks to me like he uses a transgo kit with some modifications. I noticed two holes that look like they were added to the transgo plate, not sure about the springs, etc.. I tried the Sonnax, this is the way to go!

 

Yup. Ordered directly from Brian. Prices are what hink's got posed above.

 

Cool. Thanks. Very affordable. I spoke with Jody when I ordered my chip and he said it was not hard to install, just a big mess. Is there a thread handy that describes the installation process? Or will the valve body include installation instructions?

 

no instructions come with it. Here is a link to sonnax instructions that will tell you how to remove the valve body. http://www.dieselinnovations.com/techfiles/sonnax.pdf

The Only other thing you need to know, which JT pointed out to me, is that there is a screen above the valve body. You will need to remove it (by twisting, then pulls out), put the transgo plate in place and replace the screen. Then the valve body simply bolts back on. Once you know how the screen goes, only one way the rest will fit. Easy, but a bit messy. Good luck!

 

It probably won't come with instruction sheet. However, here's what I sent to another user who had purchased one:

"Just a note of advice when it comes to the install of the BTS valve body. I used the DI sonnax install sheet to get my torques specs for the valve body and for the pan. When Brian sent my valve body, it didn't come with any install sheet. Luckily, I'd already been into my transmission and knew what I was pulling out and replacing. You'll replace the whole valve body with the one he sends you. The DI instructions give a pretty clear view of what's coming out. The only snag I ran into was what to do wil the little screen filter that's in the transmission, above the valve body. You pull that screen out, it should twist until some tabs line up to let it come out, then put Brian's plate up there, put the screen filter back in (remembering to twist it a bit to lock it in place), and bolt up Brian's valve body. I tried to call Brian while I was in the middle of the install, to ask what to do with the little screen filter, but couldn't get through to him. I guessed on how to put it in, and when I got ahold of him the next day, luckily I had done it right. Which is the way I've described it to you.

It's pretty simple. I had the whole job done in about 45 min to an hour. Also, you'll want to replace the transmission filter that's in the pan with a new one -- always a good idea to do if you've got the pan off. Keep your stock pan gasket and re-use it. The filter will probably come with one, but the one that came with mine was a flimsy piece of rubber and will leak. I had this happen when I did my sonnax kit, but had already trashed the Ford gasket, so I had to go buy a new one. You'll probably need 6-8 quarts of transmission fluid too. Remember to clean out the bottom of the pan and take out the magnet that's at the bottom of the pan around the drain plug area to get things really clean."

Let me know if you have any questions.

JT

 

Is there a web site for Brians Truck Shop or a # that I can call him to get more info on it?

 

http://www.brianstruckshop.com/ . Probably get more info if you call him.

 

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.