My problems with the Xcal2

[f150fan]

Atop your'e trans is a white harness connector. The purple wire with a yellow trace is the circuit for the TCC. Basically cut and splice in an on/off switch in series with that wire. When the circuit is complete, the PCM will control the TCC on it's own accord. When open, the PCM has no controll of it at all and it will not apply. The PCM will also take a moment to respond when the switch is closed anfter being open. The PCM has a diagnostic monitor for this curcuit like many others so it will trip a code and your'e MIL will illuminate occasionally and then go out. This is not really needed unless the TCC scheduling has been altered by a reflash.

---Nice car. What A-pillar pod are you using and where can I find one???

I don't have a reflash on my car....but I do have the annoying T/C lock and unlock sequence with the climate control on. I'm pretty much looking for a cheap way to disable the TC and this looks like it should work I'm thinking?!?

Thanks for the compliments....The pod guage is made by autometer meant for the 94-95 Mustang Hardtop. Some minor sanding and it fits great!

 

[nik97]

Yes, the switch will be good for that application. I would recommend it if you are willing to put up with an occasional MIL.

I looked at your'e sale pics....Man, that really is a clean gen3. It must be hard to have to sell it but, there will always be another. Anyway I also really like the way those reverse glo's look. Who sells them and what do they cost??

 

[f150fan]

Yes, the switch will be good for that application. I would recommend it if you are willing to put up with an occasional MIL.

I looked at your'e sale pics....Man, that really is a clean gen3. It must be hard to have to sell it but, there will always be another. Anyway I also really like the way those reverse glo's look. Who sells them and what do they cost??

Yeah....She'll be with me for atleast another few months. It's tough to get what you think the car is worth versus market value....more value to us crazy SHO owners then anything else.

The dash gauges are from procarparts.com, which I picked up off of eBay for 20 bucks. The pillar gauges are the Lunar Series from Autometer, which I picked up from jegs.com. I have had no problems with any of the gauges after three years and I think it's my favorite modification, aside from the flowmasters!

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Man, I gotta get into the torque converter business!

Why would anyone make a mod that stops their converter from locking up? That's gotta be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard of someone doing to their SHO.

Let's see, higher tranny temps, burned up planetaries, faster converter wear, lower fuel economy, that's just the beginning of all of the really good reasons NOT to make such an asinine mod.

 

[f150fan]

Man, I gotta get into the torque converter business!

Why would anyone make a mod that stops their converter from locking up? That's gotta be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard of someone doing to their SHO.

Let's see, higher tranny temps, burned up planetaries, faster converter wear, lower fuel economy, that's just the beginning of all of the really good reasons NOT to make such an asinine mod.

I would figure that for around the town, city driving it would be better? My thought process being that the thing is constantly locking and unlocking due to the constant stop and go, the constant on the gas/off the gas again causing it to unlock/lock, and then with the AC on it locks and unlocks every 11 seconds.

Atleast here in Daytona, the traffic around here moves about 40mph and is constant stop and go. What I have expierienced is the car will shift into 4th, the torque converter will lock and lug or not make a smooth lockup. I beleive this is due to the slower speed (40mph) and the low rpms (When lockup occurs, the engine rpms is @ ~ 1200.) So, to prevent all this, I run around town with the OD switch off....which still doesn't prevent the T/C from locking, but its more drivable in the heavy traffic.

The switch wouldn't be for highway use, just around town. I can't see how fuel milage would get any worse because I run around town with the OD off which only allows 3rd gear. Wouldn't this help sustain the life of the TC by preventing its daily dance of locking/unlocking in heavy traffic? Thanks

 

[nik97]

Man, I gotta get into the torque converter business!

Why would anyone make a mod that stops their converter from locking up? That's gotta be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard of someone doing to their SHO.

Let's see, higher tranny temps, burned up planetaries, faster converter wear, lower fuel economy, that's just the beginning of all of the really good reasons NOT to make such an asinine mod.

The TCC is a good thing, don't get me wrong. Agreed, it reduces tranny wear and saves fuel..when it is operating properly. Unfortunatly, Doug's tune from on Xcal1 alters the TCC schedule and applies it when it is not needed or desired(WOT). I have a switch because I want the most out of 3rd @ WOT. In the factory format, my car does not apply TCC @ 3rd rear WOT...the way it should be. Stupid and asinine to not ever use the TCC...ok, but always consider the conditions that may be present.

 

[Axianator]

Recommended by who?---Ford? Why would it matter--curious I understand you know your way through Ford systems.

The reason why I personally do not recommend a modification like the one you've described (other than for the reasons that Chris mentioned) has to do with the fact that, when it comes to an EEC-controlled component like the TCC, you need to address the source of that control directly via the programming - not through a manual work-around process that completely bypasses or usurps the EEC's control of the component.

The TCC is a good thing, don't get me wrong. Agreed, it reduces tranny wear and saves fuel..when it is operating properly. Unfortunatly, Doug's tune from on Xcal1 alters the TCC schedule and applies it when it is not needed or desired(WOT). I have a switch because I want the most out of 3rd @ WOT. In the factory format, my car does not apply TCC @ 3rd rear WOT...the way it should be. Stupid and asinine to not ever use the TCC...ok, but always consider the conditions that may be present.

While third gear WOT lockup may not be desireable, it will (in most cases) result in greater power transmission to the wheels (at the expense of some additional converter clutch wear) than if the converter were to remained unlocked throughout an entire third gear run. If you are unhappy with this aspect of Doug's programming, then I would recommend that you contact Doug and work with him directly to rememdy the problem.

 

[SHOZ123]

On mine the TCC would lock too soon in 3rd at WOT. With the butterflies out and the final drive change the car would fall on it's face when the TCC engaged.

But for the first year and a half after the FD change the TCC would quit locking up after driving dfor an 1/2 hour or so at highway speeeds so I was happy to just get it locking again. Went all the way to California and back for the convention with it unlocked driving 85+ mph through the desert and mountains.

After finally getting a working Xcal2 I got the thrid gear TCC lockup at around 100 mph. Good enough for me as the rpms are up high enough then to offset the lag plauging me on the road course. I'm sure there are other issues and most were tied to the butterfly removal. This has been adressed too with timing changes.

 

[f150fan]

So the final answer is leave the TCC alone and use the OD off switch for slow, city driving?

 

[Axianator]

So the final answer is leave the TCC alone and use the OD off switch for slow, city driving?

Unless you can reprogram the TCC schedules to your liking, then yes.