Does anyone run a Go-Go solenoid or similar with their Suncoast Built Trans?

lxcoupe · Nov 18, 2014

John the owner at Suncoast says, (and I quote), "that's a sure way to burn out your transmission fast." He also said "if it behooves you, you might consider installing a new Ford OEM direct drive solenoid."

My good buddy has about 10k on his Suncoast trans, he makes 603 to the wheels on fuel, and runs 12.20 on a 100 shot. He decided to have the trans shop who built his trans (Quin Trans in Lompoc, CA) reuse the Go-Go solenoid when they built his trans using the Iron Pac 3 kit (which includes valve body upgrades). His trans shifts REAL nice and firm, if he goes WOT on the freeway, it will downshift and chirp the 35's. He also selected to use the Ford trans fluid in his build.

When I had my trans built, I decided to go with Suncoast's recommendation to run regular mineral based Dexron-Mercon 3 fluid, and I reinstalled my stock trans solenoid.

My question is, who is running the Go-Go or similar trans solenoid with their built trans (Suncoast or other)?

sootie · Nov 18, 2014

there should be no need to run a modded dd solenoid on a built trans with correct tuning.

i have run one in the past and since removed it.

Bushwood_6.0 · Nov 18, 2014

I have a gogo it seemed to help firm my 3-5 shift. I also bumped up the pressure in 3-5 10%. Seems the harder I push my 5r the better it shifts. My converter and trans went thru h*ll the last 2 seasons. Right at 800 with 11.43@116 in my 6.0. Do the shifts feel sloppy?

lxcoupe · Nov 18, 2014

Ok thanks for the info.

Does anyone have a weird condition where if they at like 3/4 throttle (spirited acceleration but not WOT), on the 3-5 shift it completely shudders and shakes the truck and doesn't shift properly, almost like missing a gear or shifting into 4th or something. Really weird.

I had the exact same thing with my stock trans, I figured it was a stock trans issue. Nope, I have it with the Suncoast as well. My buddy had it with his stock trans, and he also has it with his Suncoast.

We both are running the IDP Xtreme X (+~300) engine tune with the Firm shift trans tune.

Bushwood_6.0 · Nov 18, 2014

Like a flare. Rpms jump up between shifts?

lxcoupe · Nov 18, 2014

Bushwood_6.0 said:
I have a gogo it seemed to help firm my 3-5 shift. I also bumped up the pressure in 3-5 10%. Seems the harder I push my 5r the better it shifts. My converter and trans went thru h*ll the last 2 seasons. Right at 800 with 11.43@116 in my 6.0. Do the shifts feel sloppy?

The shifts don't feel as firm as I'd like, that's for sure. They are a tad firmer then when I had my stock trans + Go-Go + IDP firm trans tune, but I'd like this thing to nearly chirp the tires on every shift, I had a 4L60E in my Silverado that I built with all the good stuff and the TransGo and that thing would do exactly that... chirp the tires on nearly every shift.

I do feel like the shifts are a bit "sloppy."

My tuner device is at IDP right now getting their newest updates installed. I didn't even have the ability to increase line pressure on my SCT Livewire with my old IDP tunes. IDP says that the new tunes will have provisions in the tuner to increase line pressure. I'll definitely increase them by 10% when I get it back tomorrow.

Bushwood_6.0 · Nov 18, 2014

lxcoupe said:
The shifts don't feel as firm as I'd like, that's for sure. They are a tad firmer then when I had my stock trans + Go-Go + IDP firm trans tune, but I'd like this thing to nearly chirp the tires on every shift, I had a 4L60E in my Silverado that I built with all the good stuff and the TransGo and that thing would do exactly that... chirp the tires on nearly every shift.

I do feel like the shifts are a bit "sloppy."

My tuner device is at IDP right now getting their newest updates installed. I didn't even have the ability to increase line pressure on my SCT Livewire with my old IDP tunes. IDP says that the new tunes will have provisions in the tuner to increase line pressure. I'll definitely increase them by 10% when I get it back tomorrow.

Before you bump the pressure drive it and see if the updates help the shift. Then up the pressure if it doesnt help an make sure you relearn the trans after.

lxcoupe · Nov 18, 2014

Bushwood_6.0 said:
Like a flare. Rpms jump up between shifts?

Not a flare, it's hard to describe. More like a "bog bog bog" then boost builds back up and the truck starts accelerating like it should again. Almost feels like boost bleeds off for whatever reason (pardon my lack of knowledge regarding tuning), then it spikes back up. It more feels like the motor cuts out for a second, then the trans trips out, but it only happens on the 3-5 shift. It must be a tuning issue because my buddy's truck did it with his 70k motor/ trans, and it does the exact same thing with his 10k motor (Ford warranty replacement lol) and 10k Suncoast trans. I guess it must be an Innovative tuning glitch?

Bushwood_6.0 · Nov 18, 2014

Sounds like your running out of fuel.... Do you have a lift pump? What else is done to the truck.

Bushwood_6.0 · Nov 18, 2014

lxcoupe said:
Not a flare, it's hard to describe. More like a "bog bog bog" then boost builds back up and the truck starts accelerating like it should again. Almost feels like boost bleeds off for whatever reason (pardon my lack of knowledge regarding tuning), then it spikes back up. It more feels like the motor cuts out for a second, then the trans trips out, but it only happens on the 3-5 shift. It must be a tuning issue because my buddy's truck did it with his 70k motor/ trans, and it does the exact same thing with his 10k motor (Ford warranty replacement lol) and 10k Suncoast trans. I guess it must be an Innovative tuning glitch?

Sounds

lxcoupe · Nov 18, 2014

Bushwood_6.0 said:
Sounds like your running out of fuel.... Do you have a lift pump? What else is done to the truck.

MBRP 4" DPF/ muffler delete, stock downpipe
MBRP intercooler pipe (I heard these were worthless)
S&B intake
Cal Tracs
Eaton Tru Trac
Suncoast trans w/ their converter
stock 3.55 gears
stock 285/70/17 tires

Tuning:
Innovative Xtreme X + 300 tune

Truck has run 12.76 @ 105.88

It's a regular cab 4x4, weighs 7200lbs with me in it

lxcoupe · Nov 18, 2014

I forgot to add that the trans has always shifted 100% at WOT, never skipped a beat once with 1.68 60fts, and a bunch of street racing. No flare ups even with the stock trans, none with the Suncoast either. I just built the Suncoast so the truck wouldn't leave me stranded.

Bushwood_6.0 · Nov 18, 2014

lxcoupe said:
MBRP 4" DPF/ muffler delete, stock downpipe
MBRP intercooler pipe (I heard these were worthless)
S&B intake
Cal Tracs
Eaton Tru Trac
Suncoast trans w/ their converter
stock 3.55 gears
stock 285/70/17 tires

Tuning:
Innovative Xtreme X + 300 tune

Truck has run 12.76 @ 105.88

It's a regular cab 4x4, weighs 7200lbs with me in it

Dang want to sell it? But I'm serious haha. But it sound like your running out of fuel. I would invest in a low pressure fuel system if you plan to keep running it at the track or hard period. You stock fuel pump can't supply enough to the hpfp and runs out then builds pressure back up and takes off again. That can eventually lead burning it up and having to replace the hpfp. I bet a low pressure fuel pump will take care of the problem. Has it always done it and does it do it on a lower tune?

Bushwood_6.0 · Nov 18, 2014

Example my air dog quit at the track an wouldnt shift 3-5 and just fell on it's face. New airdog and shifts perfect.

lxcoupe · Nov 18, 2014

Bushwood_6.0 said:
Example my air dog quit at the track an wouldnt shift 3-5 and just fell on it's face. New airdog and shifts perfect.

I can't sell now lol I have too much into it with the trans lol.

I'm not sure it's a fueling issue. My buddy with the same truck has an airdog cause he did a shortbed conversion and his truck still does it. I wish I knew someone local who I could borrow their tuner to see if it's an IDP tuning issue. It's just so weird that only me and my buddy are the only ones on the internet with the issue.

Bushwood_6.0 · Nov 18, 2014

Has it always done it? Hopefully the update will fix it. What tuner do you have?

bigrpowr · Nov 18, 2014

lxcoupe said:
I can't sell now lol I have too much into it with the trans lol.

I'm not sure it's a fueling issue. My buddy with the same truck has an airdog cause he did a shortbed conversion and his truck still does it. I wish I knew someone local who I could borrow their tuner to see if it's an IDP tuning issue. It's just so weird that only me and my buddy are the only ones on the internet with the issue.

were you at Bakersfield ? think I helped you guys with tire pressure on your buddy's black truck .

lxcoupe · Nov 18, 2014

Bushwood_6.0 said:
Has it always done it? Hopefully the update will fix it. What tuner do you have?

It didn't do it when it was stock, but then again it didn't make enough power for me to notice. I have the SCT Livewire 9025or. It has done it since the very first day I put the device on. I get the device back tomorrow so I'll be sure to post up my findings.

Bigrpowr, yes that is my buddy's truck. When he saw me run 12.70s at Famoso a couple years ago, he went out and bought the same truck, but he went way crazier than me what with the shortbed conversion.

Bushwood_6.0 · Nov 18, 2014

lxcoupe said:
It didn't do it when it was stock, but then again it didn't make enough power for me to notice. I have the SCT Livewire 9025or. It has done it since the very first day I put the device on. I get the device back tomorrow so I'll be sure to post up my findings.

Bigrpowr, yes that is my buddy's truck. When he saw me run 12.70s at Famoso a couple years ago, he went out and bought the same truck, but he went way crazier than me what with the shortbed conversion.

Ok yea that seems to be tunning goodluck. Wish I had a reg cab