auto trans mods for 97 (any good trans guys in Portland/vanc area) - Diesel Forum

mandkole · 05-15-2006, 01:06 PM

I'm posting for my father in laws 97; He'd like to look at some good mods for the trans. Its all stock right now at 195K and no chip. The fluid is very clean; it runs good but gear changes are very soft and it acts like the converter 'hunts' between lockup and no lock depending on throttle load. I just don't know how to better describe it....

He pulls a 10K# travel trailer now and then, and wants firmer (not harsh) shifts.

Any ideas are appreciated!
thx!
Mike

MJPliska · 05-15-2006, 06:58 PM

My original E4OD died at 226k miles, then I went with a Ford-rebuilt E4OD, then added the mods in my signature file ~2 years later. All mod parts were from Tymar Performance, and self-installed. It was a pretty easy install. Not sure what it would do on an old tranny, but I have always figured that firmer shifts can't hurt!

I don't have any experience with anyone in the area who does tranny mods. I actually paid a former dealer tech to swap my tranny (first time I'd ever paid someone else for something like that, but I had no time since my daughter had just been born). I would recommend him, except I haven't been able to get in touch with him for over a year.

Regards,
Michael Pliska

rjlein · 05-16-2006, 01:04 AM

Two suggestions:

1. Larry and Sons, would look here for more of a stock rebuild. Very reputable and honest shop

2. Gresham Transmission, they are familiar with the E40D and can do more of a performance build but I don't think they are in the same league as Richter69 or BTS

pockets33 · 05-16-2006, 01:34 AM

I go to Kaare (Cory) at Trans-Medic. Go down Burnside to 202nd. Just before Rockwood if your coming from gresham or it's just before the hill to gresham if your coming from rockwood. He can hook you up with a shift kit.

alpena · 05-16-2006, 06:06 AM

mandkole,
Have you tried Clark Co. Transmission off Hwy. 99? (360) 574-7649.

mandkole · 05-16-2006, 01:17 PM

Thanks for the quick suggestions-- I forgot that I race with some transmission guys (the Floyds from Gresham and Tualatin trans), so I'll check with them. I'm not sure on the shift kit yet as I've heard that they can get pretty harsh. Perhaps its the chip programming also...

I've seen that many of the auto guys are using the Sonnax valve and tricumulator springs. What do these do? My FIL is on fixed income, so he'd like to just make the stocker better. I'm not real familiar with late model autos so the help is appreciated.

thanks, mike

**martyfowler** · 05-17-2006, 01:57 PM

a shift kit wont necessarily be harsh. it depends on what size holes you drill when you install it. since your not putting in big injectors, i would just put in a transgo tugger kit, a good cooler, and maybe a 4r100 converter. it wont break the bank, and it will make a big improvement. -marty

P.S. you should talk to Richter69, he can tell you exactly what you need, and i think he can even get you the parts.