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Shudder confirmed, upgrades wanted

Started by Flexthis2011EB, June 09, 2016, 07:24:53 PM

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Flexthis2011EB

So it turns out the shudder ive been experiencing in my flex is due to a bad torque convertor with possibly more internal damage. The tranny is being removed and instead of just replacing torque convertor im going for a full rebuild. But i would like some better parts (high stall, shift kit, etc) but am having trouble finding aftermarket support. Does anyone or has anyone done transmission upgrades? Which company?  Pros and cons to messing with upgraded tranny parts for these cars?
2011 Ford Flex AWD Ecoboost 3.5l twinturbo

AJP turbo

Hard parts require tune changes...there are slip rates, clutch fill times for gear changes and slip ratiofor the clutch packs

You should feel how fast a properly tuned ecoboost transmission can shift being completely stock
SCT Dealer/Custom Calibrator                        
Specializing in 3.5 Ecoboost   
Remote/email custom tuning including E85 blends 
Authorized retailer for all SCT devices. 
 
Former:2014 PP SHO
3 bar 93 tune, Airaid, Stainless Works non catted DP's  
405whp/520tq
Dyno
     
Current:2016 F150 2.7 Ecoboost
Tuning in progress

Flexthis2011EB

Quote from: AJP turbo on June 09, 2016, 07:29:49 PM
Hard parts require tune changes...there are slip rates, clutch fill times for gear changes and slip ratiofor the clutch packs

You should feel how fast a properly tuned ecoboost transmission can shift being completely stock

Hmm, so what would you recommend, stick with OE for the rebuild and focus more on getting it properly tuned? And are you talking handheld or dyno?
2011 Ford Flex AWD Ecoboost 3.5l twinturbo

AJP turbo

I think the selection of parts will suck....and id be afraid if i put an upgraded type converter in and it didnt work as anticipated and daily driving sucked you would be screwed
SCT Dealer/Custom Calibrator                        
Specializing in 3.5 Ecoboost   
Remote/email custom tuning including E85 blends 
Authorized retailer for all SCT devices. 
 
Former:2014 PP SHO
3 bar 93 tune, Airaid, Stainless Works non catted DP's  
405whp/520tq
Dyno
     
Current:2016 F150 2.7 Ecoboost
Tuning in progress

BiGMaC

Currently I have no tranny issues (knock on wood).

Sorry to here of the failure of your TC, but agree with the rebuild as the best route. I researched the issue for weeks about 6 months ago simply because with the 3.5EB gen1 we have can easily be tuned and modded far beyond any engineering specs or long term reliability prospects for the Tranny and PTU. Unfortunately even the one company who said they could beef it up on their website declined and had no suggestions. Stay with OEM would be my advice and for daily use have a tune that makes below 450-475 AWHP.  Some have tunes that make as much as 617 AWHP (almost 800 CHP equivalent), but have been warned by their tuner that they would break the car if they used it for DD... So they use a milder tune most of the time.

Just my $0.02.  Best of luck with your difficulty.

•2013 Taurus SHO nonPP - All Ford factory options, 3BAR MAP, LMS v8 tune (mods for 3BAR, DPs, and T-stat), Paint & plastic correction, CQuart finest all exterior surfaces, limo black window tint,VLED Triton switchbacks, Daytime BrightLites switchback DRLs, full interior and exterior LED conversion, Lamin-X charcoal blackout tail lights and reflectors, PPE catted and coated downpipes, EBPP coated hotpipes with BoVs VTA, MDesign CAI
•2013 F250 CC Lariat 6.7EB Diesel -stock

Flexthis2011EB

What do yall think about deep sump aluminum pan and cooler? Also, ive heard some good benefits on a shift kit and that no tuning was required but dont no the truth behind that.
2011 Ford Flex AWD Ecoboost 3.5l twinturbo

AJP turbo

There is no pan on the bottom of the car

I would say tuning for ANY trans hard part...i really wish you all could see the trans section for an ecoboost tune
SCT Dealer/Custom Calibrator                        
Specializing in 3.5 Ecoboost   
Remote/email custom tuning including E85 blends 
Authorized retailer for all SCT devices. 
 
Former:2014 PP SHO
3 bar 93 tune, Airaid, Stainless Works non catted DP's  
405whp/520tq
Dyno
     
Current:2016 F150 2.7 Ecoboost
Tuning in progress

Flexthis2011EB

Quote from: AJP turbo on June 09, 2016, 10:50:33 PM
There is no pan on the bottom of the car

I would say tuning for ANY trans hard part...i really wish you all could see the trans section for an ecoboost tune

Lol. No pan? Well that answers that. Lol. What kinda of tune would you recommend?  Like a handheld?
2011 Ford Flex AWD Ecoboost 3.5l twinturbo

SHOdded

Wouldn't you have fitment issues if you tried the "deep sump" approach, assuming it is even feasible with the casings on these transmissions not really having a pan?  If, and I mean IF, you could have a custom piece made by cutting into part of the casing, possibly, then there would be clearance issues with the exhaust, belly pan, ...

There has been a tiny amount of attempts made to improve the trans, specifically, a higher stall converter, but that failed to yield any performance improvement.

I think if you could figure out where the flow restrictions are inside the transmission, where the weak solenoids are, that kind of thing, you could actually improve upon Ford's design.  Not a project taken on casually, or for someone who does not have deep pockets.
2007 Ford Edge SEL, Powerstop F/R Brake Kit, TXT LED 6000K Lo & Hi Beams, W16W LED Reverse Bulbs, 3BSpec 2.5w Map Lights, 5W Cree rear dome lights, 5W Cree cargo light, DTBL LED Taillights

If tuned:  Take note of the strategy code as you return to stock (including 3 bar MAP to 2 bar MAP) -> take car in & get it serviced -> check strategy code when you get car back -> have tuner update your tune if the strategy code has changed -> reload tune -> ENJOY!

Flexthis2011EB

Quote from: SHOdded on June 09, 2016, 10:53:16 PM
Wouldn't you have fitment issues if you tried the "deep sump" approach, assuming it is even feasible with the casings on these transmissions not really having a pan?  If, and I mean IF, you could have a custom piece made by cutting into part of the casing, possibly, then there would be clearance issues with the exhaust, belly pan, ...

There has been a tiny amount of attempts made to improve the trans, specifically, a higher stall converter, but that failed to yield any performance improvement.

I think if you could figure out where the flow restrictions are inside the transmission, where the weak solenoids are, that kind of thing, you could actually improve upon Ford's design.  Not a project taken on casually, or for someone who does not have deep pockets.

Well i have it in a trans shop now who is taking it out and apart and rebuilding with all new parts for only $2000 which was way below my budget ($5-$6k) so i was hoping for "drop in" performance parts but doesnt look like thats happening. Lol.
2011 Ford Flex AWD Ecoboost 3.5l twinturbo

SHOdded

Completely understand how you feel.  The "aftermarket" is just not there for these transmissions.  I mean you could talk to mfrs like Sonnax for their insight, maybe they also know repair/performance shops that routinely work with the 6F55.
2007 Ford Edge SEL, Powerstop F/R Brake Kit, TXT LED 6000K Lo & Hi Beams, W16W LED Reverse Bulbs, 3BSpec 2.5w Map Lights, 5W Cree rear dome lights, 5W Cree cargo light, DTBL LED Taillights

If tuned:  Take note of the strategy code as you return to stock (including 3 bar MAP to 2 bar MAP) -> take car in & get it serviced -> check strategy code when you get car back -> have tuner update your tune if the strategy code has changed -> reload tune -> ENJOY!

Flexthis2011EB

Quote from: SHOdded on June 09, 2016, 11:02:18 PM
Completely understand how you feel.  The "aftermarket" is just not there for these transmissions.  I mean you could talk to mfrs like Sonnax for their insight, maybe they also know repair/performance shops that routinely work with the 6F55.

Awesome. Appreciate the feedback.
2011 Ford Flex AWD Ecoboost 3.5l twinturbo

AJP turbo

Quote from: Flexthis2011EB on June 09, 2016, 10:53:11 PM
Quote from: AJP turbo on June 09, 2016, 10:50:33 PM
There is no pan on the bottom of the car

I would say tuning for ANY trans hard part...i really wish you all could see the trans section for an ecoboost tune

Lol. No pan? Well that answers that. Lol. What kinda of tune would you recommend?  Like a handheld?

The handheld device is just the communication medium to transfer the calibration....id go with unleashed or lms
SCT Dealer/Custom Calibrator                        
Specializing in 3.5 Ecoboost   
Remote/email custom tuning including E85 blends 
Authorized retailer for all SCT devices. 
 
Former:2014 PP SHO
3 bar 93 tune, Airaid, Stainless Works non catted DP's  
405whp/520tq
Dyno
     
Current:2016 F150 2.7 Ecoboost
Tuning in progress

Flexthis2011EB

Quote from: AJP turbo on June 09, 2016, 11:26:16 PM
Quote from: Flexthis2011EB on June 09, 2016, 10:53:11 PM
Quote from: AJP turbo on June 09, 2016, 10:50:33 PM
There is no pan on the bottom of the car

I would say tuning for ANY trans hard part...i really wish you all could see the trans section for an ecoboost tune

Lol. No pan? Well that answers that. Lol. What kinda of tune would you recommend?  Like a handheld?

The handheld device is just the communication medium to transfer the calibration....id go with unleashed or lms

So i have to buy a tuner like the sct x4 and then purchase a lms or unleashed tune, load it on my handheld, then load it in the car?
2011 Ford Flex AWD Ecoboost 3.5l twinturbo

AJP turbo

SCT Dealer/Custom Calibrator                        
Specializing in 3.5 Ecoboost   
Remote/email custom tuning including E85 blends 
Authorized retailer for all SCT devices. 
 
Former:2014 PP SHO
3 bar 93 tune, Airaid, Stainless Works non catted DP's  
405whp/520tq
Dyno
     
Current:2016 F150 2.7 Ecoboost
Tuning in progress