Can My Trans Handle A Chip?

[MrClean]

I would very much like to start upgrading my 130k mile 2000 Excursion but have been reluctant due to trans worries. I'm not too knowledgeable about autos, having manuals in every vehicle besides this and an old Explorer I didn't really care about. Hopefully you guys can give me some advice.

First, I haven't even put gauges in yet so I don't know what my trans temperatures are. From what I can tell, the trans fluid seems fine. What causes me concern is the time it takes for the 2-3 shift with 33% throttle and above. It starts to engage the shift correctly, it is not like it hangs. It acts like it is slipping itself into gear, similar to slipping a clutch in a manual in first gear from a stop. There is always forward momentum. I also experience a slight RPM flair when downshifting from 4-3. It only jumps about 100 RPM or so within a 1/2 second time frame.

Are my clutch packs on their last legs? How much life is left on my stock trans? Would I benefit from a BTS valve body, 6.0 TC, and 6.0 cooler, or would that be a waste of money? Would a chip bring a quick death to my trans? Should I just wait until I can get a built trans in? This is daily driver #1.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[INFRNL]

You will be fine as long as you do the basic mods and just a chip. When you start doing injectors, etc is when you want to think about a BTS or similar. You will have no worries as long as you drive responsibly.

I am not sure what you mean about your shifting, Is there a delay or hesitation instead of quick shifts? Sounds like normal stock shifting. Good tunes and/or a BTS valve body will set you straight with your shifting.

Do not waste your money on a 6.0l IC, but you may want the tranny cooler especially if you tow. The 6.0 tranny cooler is one of the best mods for our trucks and is fairly cheap.

I would start with a good set of guages, 6637 DIY intake and a good TS chip with PHP, Beans, Tony Wildman, Swamps tunes. Gearhead and BTS also have good tunes but its your choice, any of these tuners tunes will make you happy.

Then you can look around for free or cheap mods if you want. Keep it simple

[MrClean]

Originally Posted by INFRNL

I am not sure what you mean about your shifting, Is there a delay or hesitation instead of quick shifts? Sounds like normal stock shifting. Good tunes and/or a BTS valve body will set you straight with your shifting.

It would be great if this was stock shifting, I just have trouble believing that.

I guess the best way to describe it is that it takes 1.0 - 1.5 seconds from the point it starts shifting and the RPMs start to drop until it is fully in gear. It is not a hesitation, but a gradual slippage into gear. It only does this on moderate to max acceleration. It is about as soft a shift as physically possible. I just can't believe this is how these trans shift when stock. I could only imagine how bad it would be if I was pulling something.

I'm sure added line pressure from a valve body could help. I'm just thinking it might be too late to try to save this trans.