Shift Kit

[MyBlackBeasts]

My newly aquired 2003 MM is awesome but the 1 thing I find annoying is the crazy upshift of the trans. Too early and the way it shifts in to 3rd is nuts. Can anyone point me to a decent shift kit? Nothing crazy, this is a daily driver & I'm not racing. Need drivability & fuel mileage. Thanks!

[Mr. Man]

Might want to get a tune from Reinhart or Alternative Auto. Both vendors here.

[SC Cheesehead]

^^^^ What he said. ^^^^^

You can do a J-mod, but a tune will really improve the shift schedule; much firmer and more responsive than the factory setup.

[71cyclone]

I have the same problem -Trans is programed to upshift as ssoon as possible with no load . The reinhart tune will aleviate this problem. Also ford says[ flush trans fluid every 30.000 miles ]

[dohc324ci]

Yes Lidio or DR tune will fix you right up. Still not enough valve body or j mod will add some firm it up for you.

[wickedmerc]

+1 on the tuner.
They usually cost in the area of $300 but it makes a world of difference! Gives you a few extra horses too ;). It's money well spent.

Just be careful around inspection time. Here in NJ, I remove the tune about a week before inspection so engine codes can reset. After inspection, tune reinstalled. That's the beauty of the tuner. Most keep your stock tune on file so switching back and forth is a breeze.

[ctrlraven]

A tune will fix that. Flushing every 30k miles is a waste. Buy yourself a trans pan with a drain plug, every 3rd oil change (9k or 15k miles for some) drain 4-5 quarts out and refill. I've never had a flush done on mine and I've got 161-162k miles on mine. I also did the Jmod within the past 5-6k miles as well.

Now if you don't do maintnce work on the vehicle yourself, can just have the pan dropped, replace trans filter (if never been replaced or every 50-60k miles I guess).

IMHO

[MyBlackBeasts]

Thanks for the info & leads. I do all work myself. 34 yrs master mech & was pounding pistons with my dad at 2yrs. I'm really liking your site! :)

[ctrlraven]

If that's the case you are good to go then. If you drop the trans pan and see a yellow looking lollipop thing that means the filter has most likely never been changed before.

[bolsen]

i always hear about the "J-mod". what is exactly is the "J-mod" and how much does it cost? what are the benefits? thanks guys...

[SC Cheesehead]

i always hear about the "J-mod". what is exactly is the "J-mod" and how much does it cost? what are the benefits? thanks guys...

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/4-6l-tech/63669-what-j-mod.html

http://www.crownvic.net/tech/4R70Wnotes.pdf

http://www.tccoa.com/articles/tranny/

[MyBlackBeasts]

Might want to get a tune from Reinhart or Alternative Auto. Both vendors here.

Lidio tune on the way! Thanks for the info! :)

[ctrlraven]

Lidio tune on the way! Thanks for the info! :)
Oh boy you are in for a real treat then!