Upgrading Tranny...

[98MK8]

Hello. I ordered a 3qt tranny pan, the special filter, the factory tech valve body seperator plate shift kit, which is just the seperator plate and the "updated" accumulator pistons 1-2 and 3-4, which should be fine in my 98 but i'm replacing anyway. Just have a few questions on what else i should do while i'm at it, have an appointment for all this to be installed on this coming wednesday. I plan on leaving the 2-3 spring out, anything i should tell the tranny man when he's doing this? Anything about the tabs on the 2-3 retainer?

1. Should i leave the 1-2 spring out for an improved 1-2 shift? I know right now it's COMPLETELY DOGGY shift from 1-2, and don't know how much the seperator will help, but is it a good idea to leave the 1-2 spring out even for a daily driver? I want firm when driving hard, and quick but not neck-snapping when cruising. What about the tabs on the 1-2 retainer?

2. Anything else i should do while the tranny guy is in there installing these items?


I also have a tru-cool 28,000lb tranny cooler i'm planning on installing myself, after i get the shift kit installed. Should i route it in line with the factory one in the radiator? Or should i bypass the tranny cooler in the radiator and just use the tru-cool? I like in northern minnesota, and it gets down to 40-50 degrees below zero, but in the summer it can get to be 100+ degrees... should i leave it in line with the factory cooler to help warm it up in the cold months?? Thanks alot, i appreciate the help!!

 

[segxr7]

97-98 Marks are programmed to reduce engine power between shifts. It was one of several things they did to make it mushier and more Lincoln-y. The only way around that is with a chip.

I have a Lincoln Motorsport chip in my '95; I'm very happy with it. During light cruising, shifts are very quick but barely noticeable. And they're nice and firm when I tromp on it. Plus the shift strategy is better overall, and it made a noticeable improvement in low-end torque.

Considering that the Gen1s shift more firmly to begin with, I imagine that it'd make an especially big improvement on a Gen2.

 

[formerknown]

Your 98 already has the updated accumulators. Definitely leave out the 2-3. The 1-2; do this- remove the old fluid and leave out the 1-2 and 2-3, put the new VB plate in and put the old fluid back in. Drive it and see if you like it. That way, you won't waste $65 in new fluid. It can be rough, but that's all depending upon taste. Some people think it's too rough, some people think it's not. It's all up to you.

I also have a tru-cool 28,000lb tranny cooler i'm planning on installing myself, after i get the shift kit installed. Should i route it in line with the factory one in the radiator?

Yes.

 

[98MK8]

Alritey! I'm sure i'll like it with the 1-2 spring removed. Just making sure it's safe to do that and it won't damage anything? How do the clips work? Or should my tranny man know what i'm talkin about? lol. If i really REALLY don't like it with the spring removed, i can always drain the tranny oil and put the spring back in, then put the oil back in. I got a good deal on the oil, me and a buddy bought 3 cases, 12 quarts a case, and they gave it to use for $3.00 a quart. $1.20 a quart cheaper than it regulary was.

You say the computer cuts out the engine for the 1-2 shifts on the 97-98's, will i still notice an improvement by doing this kit (VB seperator plate, accumulators, no springs)? I'm also considering sniper tuning software, but i'll post that in a different section. Thanks!!

 

[segxr7]

You say the computer cuts out the engine for the 1-2 shifts on the 97-98's, will i still notice an improvement by doing this kit (VB seperator plate, accumulators, no springs)? I'm also considering sniper tuning software, but i'll post that in a different section. Thanks!!

The computer controls the engine power as well as the transmission's line pressure. I'd be concerned about mechanical bits changing gears quickly while the computer is still cutting power and trying to make slow smooth shifts (and expecting the internals to be in sync). I'd think the shifts would be both slow and jerky. And it could possibly burn up the clutches since the computer is slowly ramping up the line pressure (and slipping the clutches) after the next gear is already engaged.

However I have no firsthand experience with Gen2 transmissions and those are purely educated guesses. It's just what I'd wonder about if it was my car. Hopefully someone with more experience in the matter can chime in.

 

[98MK8]

That's a great point, thanks for the info.

Anybody with a gen 2 shift improving device wanna give me some info please?! Now i'm concerned, i already have the parts for everything, lol, so i kinda needa know quick like Thanks!

 

[98MK8]

Yep. That's the only thing i'm concerned about at this time, is what segxr7 had said about the shift kit, and the ecu cutting out and revamping the tranny line pressure during the 1-2 shift. Any GEN2 owners had any problems while doing a J mod to their transmissions and not changing the computer with a chip?? Thanks alot i really appreciate it!

 

[jdlmkviii]

IMHO, and just getting done with taking a class on Transmissions and drivetrain, My $.02.... If you want the harder shift, go ahead and throw the accumulator springs out. It honestly doesn't make any sense to me in how a shift kit would hurt line pressure. IMO, Leaving the factory "Old-manned-out" shifts is the worst thing for the clutches because the line pressure is bumped to a min. and slipping the clutches on the apply for a smooth shift. Taking out the Acc. springs will SLAM the clutches on with minimal slip. Keep in mind that the computer has NO IDEA that you are installing a shift kit and unless it were maybe a brand new '07 car, it won't detect that it is shifting harder and won't make any attempt in correcting it. Now with that said, I have not had an AODE apart and I'm not fully aware of how everything is set up in it. If you are doing the spacer plate and accumulator mods, it will inevitably boost the line pressure to those clutches. So honestly if it were me, I'd go balls to the wall and just throw everything you want in there but be prepared for some pretty hard shifts.... I just did a shift kit in my truck and honestly I wish it shifted even harder, but I'm sure the 33" tires don't help very much...lol...

Hope it helps

 

[98MK8]

IMHO, and just getting done with taking a class on Transmissions and drivetrain, My $.02.... If you want the harder shift, go ahead and throw the accumulator springs out. It honestly doesn't make any sense to me in how a shift kit would hurt line pressure. IMO, Leaving the factory "Old-manned-out" shifts is the worst thing for the clutches because the line pressure is bumped to a min. and slipping the clutches on the apply for a smooth shift. Taking out the Acc. springs will SLAM the clutches on with minimal slip. Keep in mind that the computer has NO IDEA that you are installing a shift kit and unless it were maybe a brand new '07 car, it won't detect that it is shifting harder and won't make any attempt in correcting it. Now with that said, I have not had an AODE apart and I'm not fully aware of how everything is set up in it. If you are doing the spacer plate and accumulator mods, it will inevitably boost the line pressure to those clutches. So honestly if it were me, I'd go balls to the wall and just throw everything you want in there but be prepared for some pretty hard shifts.... I just did a shift kit in my truck and honestly I wish it shifted even harder, but I'm sure the 33" tires don't help very much...lol...

Hope it helps

Yeah, i think that's what im gonna do, piss on the computer right now. I plan on gettin a chip probably within a month or two anyways. I'm curious if anyone's had any experience with the 96+ factory tech shift kit seperator plate. It comes with an aftermarket seperator plate, accumulator pistons and a brown spring. I don't want it to shift TOO hard so i'm probably going to leave the springs in it for now, then get a chip, and see where i am after that. I'm leaving the 2-3 spring out though. Just need to know if anyone's used the factory tech seperator plate from SCP....Anyone? Thanks!

PS...VERY sharp mark! I like!

 

[PHRANQUY]

Your 98 already has the updated accumulators. Definitely leave out the 2-3. The 1-2; do this- remove the old fluid and leave out the 1-2 and 2-3, put the new VB plate in and put the old fluid back in. Drive it and see if you like it. That way, you won't waste $65 in new fluid. It can be rough, but that's all depending upon taste. Some people think it's too rough, some people think it's not. It's all up to you.

Just thought I'd mention that not all 98's have the upgraded accumulator pistons, only those built after, and I'm going by memory here so I may be wrong on the month, December of 1997, have the upgraded accumulator pistons.

 

[98MK8]

Just thought I'd mention that not all 98's have the upgraded accumulator pistons, only those built after, and I'm going by memory here so I may be wrong on the month, December of 1997, have the upgraded accumulator pistons.

I think mine was built in december, lol.