Upgraded valve body experience

Hey all, thinking about upgrading my valve body, at some point I’m adding a supercharger, but for now just occasional towing. I’ve been looking at the IPT, nomad, and extreme. What are your experiences? Hard shifting? Any failures? Noticeable difference from stock? Thanks for your feedback!

 

Quite a bit of discussion in the last couple of months regarding that upgrade in this thread:

General Supercharger Thread

 

Just did the WAT extreme. Got a little over 200 miles on it. It’s barely noticeable. 1-2 and 2-3 are a bit more firm but not even enough for my wife to notice the difference. The rest feel stock. The reverse and drive engagement are more noticeable but otherwise it’s pretty much stock feel.

 

I’ve read through most of it, kinda upset I missed out on the WAT group bug lol, I assumed some members that aren’t supercharged might have done this upgrade and might have some feedback.

 

good to hear. I read where someone was having an aggressive reverse transition, which is more what I was concerned about because my wife drives it occasionally. Another member mentioned the 1-2 shift on the IPT was very aggressive. Just trying to gauge everyone’s experience with them.

 

WAT extreme here and yes all above is correct with @centex barely noticeable, but when you shift into reverse it’s very noticeable, drive for me not as much.

 

I also did the WAT extreme. I wouldn’t bother with the less agressive Nomad. The extreme is totally livable. I asked my wife if she could tell a difference from the passenger seat and she could not. I notice it from the drivers seat, but it’s all positive changes for me. It does push a little more than stock shifting from P to R, but you have to have your foot on the brake anyway to do so, so it’s not a big deal. It’s not THAT aggressive. If you’re looking for max longevity, do much towing, or plan to add power mods I recommend it.

 

I too, did the Extreme VB upgrade...a preventive maintenance adder if you're boosted. If not, maybe one day you would be so do when another deal happens or not...jury is still out...it's a soft notice but potentially a holder of more horsepower...the future will tell us everything...

 

You'll get a wide variety of experiences with how each valve body operates from WAT/IPT/Level10. Not all have the harsh shifting but some do. It's kinda strange how each company does the build with their own mojo; IPT and stiffer springs, level10 solenoid and not sure what WAT uses beside their special separator plate. But still have a variety of experience with shifting feel.

 

That’s what I’ve heard, that’s why I’m asking for opinions on said valve bodies to get a general consensus on which ones have harsher shifting than others.

 

Good video here on the WAT valve bodies. Not super specific to the AB60, but it is mentioned anytime they mention a 200 series basically. It’s informative. Seems similar to IPT as far as boring out and installing larger components, etc.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L7MrxcEjHbQ


Here is also a good one for IPT and what they do with theirs.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pjcsTGiK_jw&pp=ygUIaXB0IGFiNjA=

 

Are everyone’s valve bodies still holding up? I just ordered the extreme with this new group buy.

 

Got almost 10k on mine and still have the same opinion. Would do it again.

 

I've had John Lombardo's IPT Valve Body/Shift Kit in my 2010 SR5 for several years. Along with the 20" BA Exhaust System I've installed 4 years ago, It's the 'total package' for my uses.

 

Great to hear, a little nervous about the hard shifts, and weather or not the OTT tune shift maps will make it worse or not.

 

The hardest shift is the kick going from P to R, it’s really not harsh driving around.

 

Is your transmission have non factory shift maps as well?

 

My transmission aspects of my tune have mostly been left alone. Even those with transmission tune tweaks and the extreme VB have not said their shifting was too rough. Either way, slow and smooth shifts generate heat and accelerate wear. It would be worth the discomfort IMO even if it was a little harsh.

 

Each transmission will respond differently to the built valve body upgrade. It is relative to the condition of your clutch/brake frictions and sprags. One might have a harder shift in 2-3 or 3-4 while an other just has the P to R bump.
Shift map will do little for the shift harness.
If you start turning up baseline pressures and the duty cycle percentages then you'll either go from a slipping to to truck jolting shift(both can damage the trans). Everything needs to be in balance.
I run the IPT and only under part throttle do I get a little bump in 1-3 shifts WOT are firm and smooth shifts.

 

Thank you guys for the responses! I’m looking forward to the upgrade!

 

It's a trade off for WOT shifting where the accumulators don't have enough pressure or a stiffer spring, that slows it, from being fully open. That's where the bump comes in at part throttle.

 

I’ve noticed my shifts feel quickest and most firm at 50% ish throttle with mine since the VB. I prefer the feel of it in those scenarios also.

 

ah!

my VB & Pan get delivered today!

 

Let me know how you like it, did you opt for the extreme?

 

I've got the WAT extreme. Got about 8k miles on it with a turbo and towing. No complaints. 1-2 is a bit more firm than stock but not enough the wife noticed. Other gears feel the same. Reverse is a bit more firm but nothing violent. Would highly recommend it.

 

Nice, I wussed out and went with the nomad. I don’t plan on forced induction, so that’s what cruisers and co recommend.

 

I'm going to drop a review here i posted on John's IPT performance transmission.. I know the guy has been active online various forums and has one hell of a youtube channel gold mine with information regarding our trucks transmission. I can honestly say at this point I would only deal with him for any transmission issues/etc for my tundra. I was having an issue with my truck when downshifting 4-3 that started two years back and slowly got more consistent. Sounded like a hollow pop of sorts when downshifting. I got a valve body from John and did a swap and haven't see the issue since. Shift points overall feel much smoother now.

I ended up finding IPT Performance through some online research into a problem i was having with my Tundra's transmission. Glad I did. John is one hell of a guy.. Had to the patience to answer my questions both before and after I purchased a transmission valve body from him. I got the part very quick and it worked perfectly. I really appreciate having someone this knowledgeable to be able to talk to about transmission issues. John's videos on youtube are an absolute gold mine of information. I am not a mechanic but was able to swap my own transmission valve body in my buddy's shop on my own thanks to John's detailed videos.
Many thanks again to John!

 

Where do the new springs go that are in the first picture?

 

@ZPhilip
They go in C2 and C3 to firm up shifts. Some would put a shim them too or limit the throw but that's old school.