Custom Valve Body
- Thread starter Spooky
- Start date
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DarrinBC
Full Access Members
Yes, the same things can be done to those transmissions with the same results. I would suggest talking to Troyer Performance or BC Automotive to get a really high quality product for that.
Darrin
Darrin
BC did the valve body in my CV and it really firmed up the shifts and goes through the gears faster. It was one of the best bangs for the buck mods in my CV.
But, would it do the same for the Expy? I really want it to give more acceleration and to prevent some wear that you get from the TC locking up slowly. It should help with cooling a bit with the extra fluid flow. I don't do a whole lot of towing, but you never know. Are there any other benefits that I'm missing?
But, would it do the same for the Expy? I really want it to give more acceleration and to prevent some wear that you get from the TC locking up slowly. It should help with cooling a bit with the extra fluid flow. I don't do a whole lot of towing, but you never know. Are there any other benefits that I'm missing?
tonydiv
technical advisor
I think it's a bunch easier to just install a programmer and adjust the trans characteristics with it. Mine definately feels like it has a shift kit in it.
DarrinBC
Full Access Members
The thing with doing it through just programming is that the only way it can be done is via jacking up the line pressure. This can definitely cause longevity issues or stress failures.
Think of it like your circulatory system. If you have restricted passageways, this makes your heart work harder which raises your blood pressure. Raised blood pressure causes several problems. First of all, as mentioned, your heart is working harder and that is always bad when it's against a high line pressure and not from normal usage. Then, you have the added pressure in front of the restrictions and that can cause something to burst. All very bad.
Would your doctor prescribe a medication for you that raises your blood pressure so you can get better performance? I don't think so. I think he might suggest excersize and a diet to improve the flow of your circulatory system.
Regardless of how silly that sounds, it's the same for your truck. If you give it something that raises it's line pressure the pump is always working harder while the restrictions stay the same size. This will wear out the pump and increase the chance that any weak passage wall or seal might let go.
With a modified valve body the shift improvements are from modifications that allow increased flow at the same line pressures. This results in much quicker shifts that help the transmission live a longer life without the added pressure that will definitely also shorten it's life.
The reason the factory can't do it, or trust me they would, is because most people like to feel as little of the shift as possible. And, almost all of the modifications that are made to the valve body kits mentioned already were actually 'prescribed' by one of the Ford transmission design team engineers.
Just something to think about.
Darrin
Think of it like your circulatory system. If you have restricted passageways, this makes your heart work harder which raises your blood pressure. Raised blood pressure causes several problems. First of all, as mentioned, your heart is working harder and that is always bad when it's against a high line pressure and not from normal usage. Then, you have the added pressure in front of the restrictions and that can cause something to burst. All very bad.
Would your doctor prescribe a medication for you that raises your blood pressure so you can get better performance? I don't think so. I think he might suggest excersize and a diet to improve the flow of your circulatory system.
Regardless of how silly that sounds, it's the same for your truck. If you give it something that raises it's line pressure the pump is always working harder while the restrictions stay the same size. This will wear out the pump and increase the chance that any weak passage wall or seal might let go.
With a modified valve body the shift improvements are from modifications that allow increased flow at the same line pressures. This results in much quicker shifts that help the transmission live a longer life without the added pressure that will definitely also shorten it's life.
The reason the factory can't do it, or trust me they would, is because most people like to feel as little of the shift as possible. And, almost all of the modifications that are made to the valve body kits mentioned already were actually 'prescribed' by one of the Ford transmission design team engineers.
Just something to think about.
Darrin
DarrinBC
Full Access Members
It will do the same for your truck as it did for your CV.
The additional benefits are like I mentioned in the above post. Most have to do with longer life for the transmission.
Darrin
WHOISMOOTOO
Full Access Members
how easy or hard would this be to get ahold of and install or is it a "shop specific" job?
DarrinBC
Full Access Members
It's actually a really easy job. You need to remove the 14 bolts that hold the pan, drain and drop the pan and then remove the 24 bolts holding the valve body in place. Reverse to install.
Can easily be done in a driveway, but is obviously easier with a lift.
Darrin
I'm gonna wait 'till spring before I swap the TB's out. I'm kinda confused about which transmission I have. My transmission code is W, which is supossed to be a 5 speed manual tranny, but I have a 4 speed auto. WTF over?
I spoke to Lonnie at Blue Oval Chips and he's going to do a new restrictor plate for me, a "J" mod for the Expedition. No one really does the whole valve body anymore because Ford has discontinued a lot of the parts.
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