TunerPro Ford Falcon Tuning Screenshot

J3 Chip Transmission Shift Edit & Shift Kit

Using a J3 Chip you can unlock many transmission shift parameters on your 6 cylinder EB-AU Falcon, or V8 AU Falcon.Β  Through the chip you can edit shift firmness (line pressure), gear change RPM, and even torque convertor lock up.Β  All changes are referenced by TPS and the Power/Econ switch, so you can make the auto shift firmly above 75% throttle and retain soft shifts for driving around town – much better than a traditional shift kit!

Shift Firmness (Line Pressure)

Adjusting line pressure is the most significant change you can make to improve shift quality and firmness.Β  Power modifications that increase engine torque cause extra slipping in the clutches within the auto, increasing transmission wear, generating more heat and losing performance.Β  Using a J3 you can prevent this wear and get the auto shifting firmer.

Traditional shift kits (resistor shift kits or adjustable line pressure solenoids) cause a constant raise in line pressure.Β  This leads to rough shifts off throttle, and can even damage driveline components.Β  With a J3 the Line Pressure adjustment is referenced by Throttle % (columns) and RPM (rows), so adjustments can be made in line with where power is being made, ensuring off-throttle shifting remains smooth.

We find factory shifts a little soft at mild throttle positions, so suggest starting with a +10 offset for all throttle positions above 40%.Β  Increase the line pressure by larger amounts where you are making more power than standard – increases of 20-30 at the WOT shift RPM are normal for N/A applications, and up to 100 is expected for high boost applications.Β  As an example, the below table is from our Supercharged EF Falcon and provides a nice firm shift but no wheelspin – ideal for getting the power to the ground.

Tuning Screenshot

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J3 ChipA J3 Chip and Programmer Kit can let you access all of these parameters yourself to set up your vehicle for the best possible launch. We also have options to add on a Programmer or Full House Kit if you already have a chip.

Gear Shifts & Torque Convertor Lockup

We will update this guide to cover additional topics based on your feedback and as time permits! Leave a comment if you have any questions for us.

Happy Tuning!

8 replies
  1. Avatar
    JD G HARD says:

    Hi i have used a El Fairmont 4.0 litre engine and trans in a saloon race car. i went through the smart lock issues and a brought a bypass unit which failed, then paid to have the BCM / smart lock module wired in with the key.
    now after-not running it for a year i have brought it back out and it turns over but has no injector pulse, or Spark from the coil the fuel pump primes.
    The trans has been wired to shift manually in each gear and will compression lock if shifted to early which is the bees knees to race with. but the starting issues are wearing me thin

    Reply
    • Avatar
      Jason Bolger says:

      We can do a Stage 1 J3 Chip with a tune to bypass Smartlock, or a Stage 2 J3 Chip with a performance tune to get a little more power from Premium fuel. If you are running a cam this will help get the best performance from it (we will need information about the cam obviously). Please drop us an email to talk further. Cheers, Jason

      Reply
    • Avatar
      William says:

      Really fresh to playing with gearboxes, but would I be safe running a stage 1 or 2 chip in a stock au auto box?
      Really fresh to this but keen to learn about it

      Reply
      • Avatar
        Jason Bolger says:

        A Stage 2 J3 Chip will include minor tweaks to transmissions shifts under load. We can alter shift points and firmness.
        Cheers, Jason

        Reply
  2. Avatar
    Noel says:

    I am after more but basic info on the J3 and shift kit for my standard S1 Forte auto. Is the package programmed ready to install. Is it an external installation. What benefits. I am looking for a moderate but noticeable gain in overall performance.

    Reply
    • Avatar
      Jason Bolger says:

      We can do ZF tunes on all BF-FGX PCMs with our PCM Remap service. These PCMs do not use J3 Chips for tuning.
      Cheers, Jason

      Reply

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