New (used) PSD, New Tranny, and a Superchips Programmer

[thebierguy]

Hey all! This is my first thread but have posted a couple of other times. Have done a lot of reading so far - this site is full of great information!!

Just purchased my first PSD last Thursday. It's a 2002 F-350, Crew Cab Short box Lariat, 7.3 L PSD, 83,700 miles on it currently. Autometer Gauges (boost, pyrometer, trans), Banks 4" stainless exhaust, AFE Cold air intake, and camoflauge seat covers

Last June, at 79,300 miles, the previous owner installed a new 4-speed automatic transmission (actually a remanufactured one) from FORD. He said the old one had clutches that were slipping so he put in a new one.

A superchips programmer (1705) came with the truck and I currently have it set at Tow Performance to get the best fuel mileage. I've noticed some weird shifting with the transmission as it does not stay in 3rd for very long and just shifts to 4th. Is this the programmer?

I have plans to upgrade to a DP Chip or a TW chip but I have to put away some money. Would it be ok to run this Programmer for a couple months or should I scrap the whole thing now and run it in stock mode?

Anybody want to buy a Superchips 1705 programmer?

[ridiculously_necessary]

i have a buddy with one. he likes it but does complain about shift nonsense.

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

you shouldnt have a problem...

[NoRalPh]

If nothing else, that SuperChips programmer is a useful tool for pulling the Ford specific diagnostic codes. Our trucks are not generic OBD-II as the connector might lead you to believe so, you've already got a "leg-up" on the situation

[Dietoremain]

i like the superchips.. sounds odd that yours shifts strange. mine shifts fine most of the time unless i throttle too lightly and it sorta slides into gear, otherwise fine.

of course i'll be gettin custom tunes at some point. the superchips is definitely good to go though... just not as nice lol

[Zytek_Fan]

Super Chips does enough trans tuning, but it doesn't do anything to the level of the custom chips.

Does it shift differently depending upon your throttle % and on different tunes?

[Shooter04]

That's odd my 1950 doesn't shift funny. Don;t know much about the 1705 but i assume it's the same programming as the 1950. Maybe switch it to economy mode? That's what mine is in and it's worked flawlessly.

[thebierguy]

Thanks for everybody's input so far. There is no economy mode...just (I think) Tow Extreme, Tow Performance, and Tow Safe.

It shifts funny when it I have light throttle, nothing over 2200 rpms. 1, 2, shift fine, go through a good range of rpm's in each gear. It hits 3 and goes for a range of maybe 1-200 rpms and then it shifts to 4. I just feel that it should spend more time in 3 to get better acceleration but it decides to shift to 4 instead.

I haven't tried different tunes yet - just have it in Tow Performance for most of my traveling so far and I had it in Stock for only 10 miles at one point.

I don't think it is a problem but I think I will pick up a custom tune sooner than later. I really dislike that I have to stop and shut off the truck to change the tuning. I really want to get a shift-on-the fly tuner/chip - much more convenient.

[erbilabuc]

I think your "funny shifting" might actually be your TC locking up.

[thebierguy]

I've put almost 2000 miles on the truck now and looking back, it would only shift funny after I recently reprogrammed the PCM. Now that it has a few miles under the current program it shifts fine. I'm guessing this is a result of the trans "learning" the correct shift pattern. I love the truck!