Chips for life?
Would\could a chip add longevity to my auto. Trans.? 
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Chips for life?
You'll have a better response in the computer chip forum. Can shoot over there, and get a good response, you can even buy them from this site.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.
Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Heavyduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Weighs around 7,000lbs w. 65mph top speed, who wants to race me!
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Heavyduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Weighs around 7,000lbs w. 65mph top speed, who wants to race me!
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,738
Likes: 2,668
From: SE Florida
Chips for life?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 25-Aug-02 AT 08:35 AM (EST)]All the chips I've seen increase the engine's power. Some of them will increase the transmission's pressures, too.
Neither of these is good for extending the life of the transmission. In fact, both of them an shorten it's life.
Higher power than the transmission was designed to operate with is a no brainer. That will shorten the life.
Higher pressure would seem to improve the life, and maybe it could if it were done only at ceratin times. If the chip asks for more pressure when the pump can't supply it, ceratin areas will be starved for fluid. The torque converter feed is the first thing that loses pressure in this situation. The first priority in an automatic is to maintain pressure to the clutches and bands. If they lose pressure they slip and their life can be measured in feet instead of miles.
The torque converter can operate for a while without pressure. So that gets cut first. The fluid that leaves the converter goes to the cooler, and then is used to lubricate the rear half of the transmission. If the converter isn't getting pressure, neither is the cooler, and neither is rear lube. So raising the pressure COULD cause the transmission to not get lube!
Do the chip manufacturers know this, and test for it? I don't know. I do know that Ford knows when this can happen and makes sure that their program does not ask for more pressure than the pump can deliver.
Mark
Neither of these is good for extending the life of the transmission. In fact, both of them an shorten it's life.
Higher power than the transmission was designed to operate with is a no brainer. That will shorten the life.
Higher pressure would seem to improve the life, and maybe it could if it were done only at ceratin times. If the chip asks for more pressure when the pump can't supply it, ceratin areas will be starved for fluid. The torque converter feed is the first thing that loses pressure in this situation. The first priority in an automatic is to maintain pressure to the clutches and bands. If they lose pressure they slip and their life can be measured in feet instead of miles.
The torque converter can operate for a while without pressure. So that gets cut first. The fluid that leaves the converter goes to the cooler, and then is used to lubricate the rear half of the transmission. If the converter isn't getting pressure, neither is the cooler, and neither is rear lube. So raising the pressure COULD cause the transmission to not get lube!
Do the chip manufacturers know this, and test for it? I don't know. I do know that Ford knows when this can happen and makes sure that their program does not ask for more pressure than the pump can deliver.
Mark
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
Likes: 18
From: Enjoying the real world.
Chips for life?
The chips delivery slightly more pressure during shifts and it gets firmer at higher RPM (hard accelleration). The chip companies have been at it for a long time and know how to safely raise the pressure. This increases clutch and band life due to less slippage. In higher horse power applications, such as the Powerstroke and Lightning, if you want a very firm shift it is highly recommended that the shift valve is changed out in order to prevent just the very type of problem you mentioned.
A blanket statement that they shorten tranny life, when you admitted "I don't know" about how the chip makers test, isn't fair nor a fully qualified statement.
A blanket statement that they shorten tranny life, when you admitted "I don't know" about how the chip makers test, isn't fair nor a fully qualified statement.
