2.3L/2.5L horsepower junkies w/ 4R44E trans: What are you doing to the trans?

[Fredness]

Is the stock 4R44E holding up to a hot-cammed, ported and polished 2.3L/2.5L engine?
Normally Aspirated 2.5L, PP, high lift cam, injectors - am I starting a "Death Clock" or will the usual 4R/5R mods (bonded separator plate, Sonnax, TransGo shift kit) keep me going with even some "Spirited" driving?

Thx

 

[Dirtman]

If you use the biggest auxiliary trans cooler you can and change the fluid often it will probably hold up O.K. for a while. Heat kills them pretty much instantly and they make alot of heat...

 

[Fredness]

Those are always "Step 1".
Looking to see if folks have a preferred builder (because they got tired of grenading stock ones), of if the "Explorer Approach" works:
VB rebuild (Ford EPC Relief valve, Sonnax Zip Kit, Superior shift kit), Band adjust, BIG servos (ZC and AB).


I'm in the "assess stage"; drop pan, change filter, add fluid and drive...

 

[Fredness]

My '05 Sport Trac has the "Explorer Approach" with a B&M 20K GVW Cooler on a 4.0L SOHC 5R55E

 

[Dirtman]

My 5r44e has a 14x10 trans cooler, trans-go shift kit with heavy springs, sonnax o ringed plugs, and a few other sonnax fixes I forgot about. I have adaptive shift control so the biggest improvement I've done was disabling that from the ECM. It shifts like a bastard now but I'm not putting any power to it so in the long run I have no idea how well it would hold up to abuse. Everything I did was just because I had it apart anyway and want the truck to last.

Them just ain't great transmissions...

 

[Fredness]

The Adaptive Shift, is that disabled through a tune?

 

[Dirtman]

Only 5r series 2001 and up have adaptive shift control. And I disabled mine with ford tools, dealer stuff. So yes you could do it with a tune but a 4r series wouldn't have it anyway.

 

[8thTon]

Them just ain't great transmissions...

Well, I disagree. The 5R44E in my 2004 has >130,000mi and it works extremely well. CarFax showed it had regular fluid & filter changes but nothing else of note. I'm really impressed with the way it shifts, and I'm not an auto fan. Maybe it will grenade tomorrow, but even if so I don't think it owes anyone anything - and I'm betting it will last quite a while yet.

 

[Dirtman]

Let's hug.

 

[8thTon]

Let's hug.

How about I just go crack a beer in your honor?

 

[Fredness]

Come on, someone has 175hp of fire breathing 2.3L/2.5L Lima strapped to a 4R44E up in here...

 

[8thTon]

Come on, someone has 175hp of fire breathing 2.3L/2.5L Lima strapped to a 4R44E up in here...

Limas breathing fire is usually a temporary situation......

 

[Fredness]

...or not.

 

[8thTon]

?

 

[Fredness]

Interesting point - 2001 Ranger 2.5L Trans Code "T" (Allegedly 4R44E)
but all the docs I find say it is a 4R44E to '00 and a 4R55E or 5R44E '01+

I can PM a VIN, but it didn't help MY search...
[Dealer hasn't called back from last week, doh...]
[Ooo... maybe a "Ford 999 Report"?]