Factory Tech Transmissions Mods

[Jeffh]

Has anyone here tried Gregg Evans valvebody kit? He is pretty much the god of E4ODs and 4R100s. He has a new kit out for 4R70W.

[BruteForce]

Any links to reviews or articles about this?

[QWK SVT]

Gregg is a supporting vendor, on the Lightning Boards. Here's a link to his support forum. Basically, his rep is very, very good. Just surf through the NLOC boards (particularly the one for Gen2's), and you'll see what I mean.

He also sells his wares on eBay... Here's a link to the 4R70W kit. I can't speak to it, just what he can do for a Lightning - perfect shifting, tire squacking fun!

[jakdad]

Any links to reviews or articles about this?

I have a FTVB in my Lightning. This is the first mod that I would recommend to anyone. Greg Evans builds quality products and stands behind them. The lightning valve body shifts hard under heavy throttle but is well mannered under light throttle. I didn't know he had the Marauder unit. Go for it. You wont be disappointed.
I bought mine from Tim @ Chickenears Performance. Don't laugh, that really is the name of the store. You can call Tim or contact Greg directly, although he is sometimes hard to catch. Greg answered all my questions via email. There are other valve bodies on the market but they do not compare. Go for it, you'll have a smile on your face!

[RoyLPita]

My '95 CVPI could use something like that. The only thing is, it costs as much ( parts and labor) as what I bought the car for.

Welcome aboard, Jeffh. Enjoy the site.

[Svashtar]

Gregg is a supporting vendor, on the Lightning Boards. Here's a link to his support forum. Basically, his rep is very, very good. Just surf through the NLOC boards (particularly the one for Gen2's), and you'll see what I mean.

He also sells his wares on eBay... Here's a link to the 4R70W kit. I can't speak to it, just what he can do for a Lightning - perfect shifting, tire squacking fun!

Well, this looks really good to me. Can you tell me is this similar to Reinharts Level II kit (I think that is what he calls it) for the transmission? Do you have any idea of the effort in hours by a tranny tech to install these parts, so that I could get a good idea of the total cost of the mod?

My only concern is that I am running Dennis's program off my 9100 which firmed up shifts very nicely, and installing these parts might screw up that program or cause a situation where dennis wouldn't know how to account for the new parts?

Thanks for any further info!

Norm

[Logan]

The FTVB is a great piece, used one in my Lightning too. Perfectly proportioned.

The Reinhart Stage II is basically a full rebuild of your tranny with heavier duty bands and clutches and a new valvebody, the FTVB is just that, a valvebody.

[jakdad]

Well, this looks really good to me. Can you tell me is this similar to Reinharts Level II kit (I think that is what he calls it) for the transmission? Do you have any idea of the effort in hours by a tranny tech to install these parts, so that I could get a good idea of the total cost of the mod?

My only concern is that I am running Dennis's program off my 9100 which firmed up shifts very nicely, and installing these parts might screw up that program or cause a situation where dennis wouldn't know how to account for the new parts?

Thanks for any further info!

Norm

The install is fairly straight forward. The FTVB comes with full instructions. I installed mine in my shop with the truck on stands. A lift would be easier. The install should take an hour or so. You will also need a new filter and trans fluid. The instructions explain all this. No bigee, but what a difference.

[QWK SVT]

The install is fairly straight forward. The FTVB comes with full instructions. I installed mine in my shop with the truck on stands. A lift would be easier. The install should take an hour or so. You will also need a new filter and trans fluid. The instructions explain all this. No bigee, but what a difference.

Yeah, little under an hour, with a lift. Scary to think about, but simple to do.

No bigee? Quicker, firmer shifts AND increasing tranny longevity at the same time! The FTVB makes everyone go from this > to this >

[Svashtar]

Cool! I was thinking from looking at it that the tranny needed to be taken out of the car and taken apart (?) If it's just a lift and following instructions then I can probably figure it out.


Thanks again.

Norm

[QWK SVT]

Cool! I was thinking from looking at it that the tranny needed to be taken out of the car and taken apart (?) If it's just a lift and following instructions then I can probably figure it out.

Thanks again.

Norm

It's a basic hand tools kinda deal - you could get by with a socket set, but you really should have the right torque wrenches though - one to measure lb/in and another that measures lb/ft.

If you want the instructions, fire off an email to Gregg - he is usually quick to respond, though I think he might be on vacation, right now (or just getting back from).

My only concern is that I am running Dennis's program off my 9100 which firmed up shifts very nicely, and installing these parts might screw up that program or cause a situation where dennis wouldn't know how to account for the new parts?

Just noticed this part of your previous message ^^^

The VB is generally considered a better way to increase shift firmness (versus the change in program). Since you have a 9100, I would suggest you get a new program for your car reducing the programmed line pressure back to normal (or closer to), after FTVB install. You could always switch to the old program if you wanted to. I'm quite sure Dennis'll know what to do, to work well with this mod...

[Svashtar]

The VB is generally considered a better way to increase shift firmness (versus the change in program). Since you have a 9100, I would suggest you get a new program for your car reducing the programmed line pressure back to normal (or closer to), after FTVB install. You could always switch to the old program if you wanted to. I'm quite sure Dennis'll know what to do, to work well with this mod...

Excellent. Thanks very much for the good info.

Norm

[EbonyMarauder03]

It looks like a nice and complete kit but beware. If your car is still under warranty and you develope a trany problem they may bounce you with their valvebody. Unless you take the hit on the $75 core charge and hold on to your old valve body you'll have a hard time explaining where your Ford valve body went.

If you are out of warranty don't sweat it.