B&M ShiftPlus Electronic Shift Improver??

[97_edition]

I have never heard of this before. Anyone used or heard of this actually working to improve shifting. It seems pretty generic to me. How would this work? Shifting only at higher RPMs?? http://dagostinoracing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13590&currency=USD

 

[thePUNISHER]

I have never heard of this before. Anyone used or heard of this actually working to improve shifting. It seems pretty generic to me. How would this work? Shifting only at higher RPMs?? http://dagostinoracing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13590&currency=USD

It raises epc pressure. It's crap. Horrible for the trans. Best way to firm up shifts is mechanically.

 

[tonydiv]

Why would you say that it's bad for the trans? There's nothing wrong about raising line pressure in the trans.

Isn't it way worse for the trans to slowly slip from gear to gear like it does in its stock form?

My edge programmer firms up shifts and changes shift points. I've never heard anyone ever say that they have had trans damage as a result.

A new valve body obviously will improve shifts, but without a programmer, the engine will still drop power between shifts to smooth things out.

 

[Stoned06]

I have heard from numerous sources that increasing the line pressure is bad for the trans too. I actually haven't heard anything to contradict this.

 

[tonydiv]

One of the selling points that trans manufcaturers always claim for their high performance valve bodies is... wait for it... "increased line pressure" to prevent clutch slippage.

Granted TOO much pressure can put a drag on the motor, but none of these programmers come anywhere close to those levels.

In stock form the Expedition trans allows a hugh amount of slip when shifting in order to give you a nice smooth ride. That slipping causes heat and wear. Nothing kills a trans like heat. The programmer firms up the shifts and eliminates that slip, it also stops the motor from cutting power while shifting. All these things make it ride less like a soccer mom truck and saves the trans from unnecessary wear.

Sure, it would be great to build up a Monster trans for the truck, but that's an expensive answer.

 

[Stoned06]

It's funny, right after I posted that I went to a Lightning/HD site and did a search. No one knew of anyone who blew a tranny due to increased line pressure, but still said the VB was the best alternative. And there was only one tuner who wasn't on the VB bandwagon and swore the line pressure increase was safe. So, I guess go the route you feel most comfortable doing. Line pressure is cheaper and works, and the VB would give you peace of mind but cost more.

 

[97_edition]

So I this is just a cheaper alternative to improving the shifting by increasing line pressure. I really would like to get a programmer but the $400 price tag sucks! I am going to need new tires on my ride but with my current shifting issue with my truck has me at a stand still. I could wait on tires but my shifting or performance issue needs 100% attention right now (see explanation in this thread: http://expeditionforum.com/showthread.php?t=5535. The problem is not bad, but I have only been driving it for about 5 months and never notice it until recently. I want to make sure it is not going to take a crap on me when I 4x4 it. I may be explaining it wrong, but I will update the post when I am driving it again.

The programmer seems like the best way to go, especially because I would like to add a CAI in the near future. If I'm understanding it correctly, the programmer will adjust air full mixture as well as improve shifting? Will the programmer adjust the MAF sensor or will I need to dish out more $$$ for a new/better MAF? I just want to justify spending the money vs. performance.

Thanks everyone you have been very helpful as I am not a mechanic by any means.

 

[thePUNISHER]

speaking in terms of the e4od/4r100 raising epc too much is bad for the pump. stresses the hell out of it. it wont cause damage today or tomorrow...but in the long term the pump is gonna wear. the 4r70W may not be prone to this i dont know....

theres a reason ford made about 11 different accumulators for the e4od/4r100. do you think they would have gone thru the trouble of doing this if the whole time they could have changed shift firmness with a couple of key strokes via the factory tune...?????