tough question

[wood4heat]

Is it possible to tell if your truck has a shift kit installed without pulling the pan?

I bought a used 2003 and was told the trans had been rebuilt. I have since contacted the dealer I bought it from but they were unable to tell me anything about the rebuild. The truck makes really solid shifts in my opinion but I have nothing to compare it to.

How firm do these tranny's shift in stock form?

I'm planning to order a PHP chip soon but am afraid if it does have a shift kit the new tuning could make the shifting overly harsh.

Anyone have any ideas? :confused:

[907DAVE]

Seems like alot of the tranny guys I know like to add a tugger kit (or similar) to their re-builds, mainly from longevity. But the way I understood it, the dealer just installs a rebuilt unit and sends the original back as a core. If this is the case - it would be hard to believe the re-man OEM trans would have any modified shifting components.

If you are satisfied with the shift firmness/feel as it is now, have PHP leave the shifting parameters stock.

[rammertide07]

I specified that I have a shift kit when I ordered my reburn. Not sure if shift points were still programmed in or not...but shifting is still fine as it is now.

[cleatus12r]

I specified that I have a shift kit when I ordered my reburn. Not sure if shift points were still programmed in or not...but shifting is still fine as it is now.

If you have a modified valve body or pressure-increasing device, we will STILL modify the shift points.....just not shift pressures. ;)

[rammertide07]

Yea, what Cody said. I wouldn't worry about it IMO.

[wood4heat]

I don't have enough experience with these trucks to say whether the shifting is good or not. It definitely shifts harder than my '99 Chevy 1/2 ton but I would expect that.

On upshifts it feels like shifts are made with the torque converter locked up. They're not harsh but my butt can feel each shift. Almost like I had a subwoofer behind the seat. Is that normal?

One of the reasons I want custom tunes is to improve the tranny life with the towing I do. I'd hate miss out because I didn't know any better. :sigh:

[907DAVE]

My trucks (when stock) shift so smooth you cannot even tell it sometimes.

Sounds like you might have some time of shift kit in there.

[wood4heat]

My trucks (when stock) shift so smooth you cannot even tell it sometimes.



Is that typical for a stock 7.3? I've been paying closer attention since starting this thread and the some shifts are more pronounced than others but you can feel each shift.

How much harder will it shift with PHP programming? I am thinking about the 120 race program but don't plan to run it much. I'll bounce between 80DD and 65 tow 99% of the time.

[cj45lc]

In my truck the shifts feel really good in the 120r, not harsh but you can feel the shifts & it seems the more throttle the smoother it feels if that makes any sense. The 65tow seems to shift a little harder, not real bothersome but just a little different feel & the 80dd is just plain nice. That is all in a completely stock trans with 190k on it.
Before the PHP chip I had a banks chip (68hp) & the transcommand. I felt a little diff in the shifts with that setup compared to stock but nothing like the better feel of the shifts with Bill's tunes. It would be great if someone near you with Bill's tunes could give you a ride in their truck so you could feel the difference yourself.

[wood4heat]

In my truck the shifts feel really good in the 120r, not harsh but you can feel the shifts & it seems the more throttle the smoother it feels if that makes any sense. The 65tow seems to shift a little harder, not real bothersome but just a little different feel & the 80dd is just plain nice.

Any chance you remember how the shifts felt stock?

[cj45lc]

Any chance you remember how the shifts felt stock?

For want of a better word, lazy. I hope that makes sense to you but the shifts just feel a little more crisp or solid now, not a mule kick in the back of the seat but nice & firm.