Tranny Questions

S

SolipcisticSmile

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Okay, so everyone has been super gracious in helping me to build a good foundation of knowledge about these cars. I really love my Mark and think I have a relatively good plan of attack for upgrades. ( I finally got in touch with Lonnie, I'm gonna get a X - Cal from him within the next few days.) When I was looking over the "spec sheet" that one has to complete in full before ordering an x - cal, I once again noticed the terms (under transmission modifications) "J - Mod" and "Baumann Shift Kit". I still have no idea what these two things are, what they do, how much they cost, if I need either one with the electronic improvements I will get from the chip, and whether they even apply to me cuz of the 98' only trans upgrade. Any feedback will as always be most appreciated. Driller? You seem to be able to recite this stufff in your sleep.....
 
Stay away from the Baumann and Trans Go (Trans Broke) kits. They both will jack up your line pressure high enough to damage the trans and shorten the life of it.

The Jmod was developed by Jerry W who at the time was a Ford Engineer who was part of the development team for the 4R70W and its programming. He took the time to write a tech article on how to properly modify these transmissions. At the time of his writing the article I was able to learn directly from him how to properly modify these transmissions and tune them. He's given me permission to use the Jmod name as a product on my site but since I do offer kits for them but I just call them valve body kits because I offer either a straight Jmod or my custom calibrations. One thing to think about is that the tuning is only one part of the upgrade while the Jmod is the other. Think of it as the tuning is the electronic calibration side and the Jmod is the mechanical side. Either one can be done alone but to get the most out of your trans you should do both.
 
I had a Baumann kit on my '93 as one of my first real drivetrain mods and was very happy with it. I did replace the tranny but did so as a premptive upgrade. The autopsy of the OEM tranny showed no remarkable wear above what would be considered normal.

I often say the Baumann kit is very similar to the J-mod. You can read through the instruction manual yourself and compare.

http://imageevent.com/driller/baumannshiftkit
 
Yes I know you ran a Baumann kit JP, we talked about it before. They are not nearly as bad as the Trans Go kit but they will damage the trans from excessive line pressure. I ran one for a few years until I was shown the data and seen the evidence. I even ran one in my AOD that is trashed now. Both I had to replace valve body to trans gaskets due to high pressures. The AOD was the worst, I kept spare trans cooler hose, fluids and gaskets because it would blow out the gaskets or cooler lines. That was one of the reasons Ford (FRPP) dropped the Baumann kits in their catalog, too many failures.

Yes the Jmod is cheaper if you do it all yourself without say purchasing from me or someone else selling the need parts and modifying it for you.
 
SolipcisticSmile said:
if I need either one with the electronic improvements I will get from the chip, and whether they even apply to me cuz of the 98' only trans upgrade.
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You could just use the chip. I have a transmission tune in my 98 lsc that made the 6-rib belt squeel with each shift. (although its kinda toast though now because I blew the front main seal and stuff... heh). Depends on how much you want to spend.

The j-mod will extend the life of your transmission though more than just the tune (so would the tranny cooler)
 
Sorry I been away from my own thread, I had to have minor surgery, but I'm fine now. I ordered a X-Cal 3 from Lonnie today, so the upgrades have officially commenced!:D I am now going to research the "J-Mod", and the next time I pass the FLM dealership, I'm gonna ask about the TSB concerning the trans cooler. I wanna go fast, but I need to stay intact in the Process!:big-grin:
 
In the 94 I just bought, teh previous owner did what he called "Electronic Trans Go Kit".

I said "electronic"? and he confirmed that.

I have no idea what he meant. any clues?

Let's say I wanted to undo that kit, and go with the J-Mod valve body. What's invovled with that, Lonnie?

thanks!
 
KempoDavid said:
In the 94 I just bought, teh previous owner did what he called "Electronic Trans Go Kit".

I said "electronic"? and he confirmed that.

I have no idea what he meant. any clues?

Let's say I wanted to undo that kit, and go with the J-Mod valve body. What's invovled with that, Lonnie?

thanks!
Click to expand...

That is the Trans Go kit for the AODE/4R70W. The electronic side of it is what is the worst part. It by passes the EPC so there is full line pressure all the time. This is what they consider to be the best part of their kit besides being able to hold any gear for as long as you hold the shifter in that position. They have no real understanding of how the EEC plays a vital roll in controlling line and shift pressures. Since they can't control the EEC which controls the EPC where your trans gets it's line and shift pressures they eliminate it so that you have full line pressure all the time. The problem with full line pressure is that it puts all kinds of extra forces on all the internals and seals thus wearing out and breaking the parts ie your trans. So in other words the EEC is no longer controling the line or shift pressures and why anyone trying to program a vehicle with these kits has to be careful since they are already a ticking time bomb. The way they bypass the EPC is they have you drill a new hole through the valve body's body and this is why you can never go back once it a Trans Go kit is installed. You have to purchase a complete replacement valve body.
 
Lonnie said:
That is the Trans Go kit for the AODE/4R70W. The electronic side of it is what is the worst part. It by passes the EPC so there is full line pressure all the time.
Click to expand...

Thats what I'm assuming is done to my transmission. It would shift like a bat out of hell stock at any rpm and I would often have to tighten the lines connected to the radiator and it blew a front main seal.
 
Lonnie said:
That is the Trans Go kit for the AODE/4R70W. The electronic side of it is what is the worst part. It by passes the EPC so there is full line pressure all the time. This is what they consider to be the best part of their kit besides being able to hold any gear for as long as you hold the shifter in that position. They have no real understanding of how the EEC plays a vital roll in controlling line and shift pressures. Since they can't control the EEC which controls the EPC where your trans gets it's line and shift pressures they eliminate it so that you have full line pressure all the time. The problem with full line pressure is that it puts all kinds of extra forces on all the internals and seals thus wearing out and breaking the parts ie your trans. So in other words the EEC is no longer controling the line or shift pressures and why anyone trying to program a vehicle with these kits has to be careful since they are already a ticking time bomb. The way they bypass the EPC is they have you drill a new hole through the valve body's body and this is why you can never go back once it a Trans Go kit is installed. You have to purchase a complete replacement valve body.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Lonnie. The car is right now hibernating for the winter (unless we get a big thaw and the steets cleaned up) but it looks like I will get a new valve body from you before I do any serious driving this spring... and chip of course :)
 
OK, thanks for the link. My x - cal from Lonnie is on it's way, so I guess the J - mod is next. We've been having some pretty crappy weather here in Jersey, and I do all of my work on my back in the driveway, so it might have to wait a minute.
 
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