Frequently Asked Questions
by Gregg Evens

"The Questions I get asked most about Transmissions."

Will a Factory Tech Accumulator Void my Powertrain Warranty?

In theory, any modifications to the transmission could cause Ford to void your Powertrain warranty, but according to the Moss-Mangenson Act, the manufacturer must prove that the modification caused the defect.  To date, no Factory Tech Accumulator has caused a dealer or Ford Motor Company to void a warranty. We have over a thousand Lightnings equipped with the Factory Tech Accumulator Shift Kit and none have had issues that caused transmission damage. This is a proven design.

Does a harder shift hurt my transmission?

No!!!  A shorter shift duration decreases the time that the clutches slip, reducing heat and clutch wear. The harder shift is not adjusted enough to be an issue with the transmissions hard parts or the rest of the drivetrain. A Factory Tech Accumulator will actually increase the life of your clutches and transmission.

How hard is it to install the Factory Tech Accumulator Shift Kit?

Installing the Factory Tech Accumulator is only a little bit more involved than an oil change. With a toque wrench that measures lb/in and another that measures lb/ft, and a few sockets, you can do it yourself in about an hour, following the instructions with color illustrations. 

Will the Factory Tech Accumulator fit my vehicle?

The Factory Tech Accumulator is available for all E4ODs and 4R100s except the 1989 model E4OD. The 1990-1993 models get the E9 Model, 1994 - 1996 models get the F4 Model and 1997 and newer need the 2C Model.

Is the Lightning transmission built better than a regular F-150?

Most definitely.  The Gen 2 Lightning is the strongest gasoline model 4R100 ever built from the factory, and contains many components otherwise only available in diesel units.  All cores returned must be Lightning units and have the code 1F, 1S, J1 or 5X, or a core upgrade charge of $500 will be withheld from your core deposit. A regular F-150 4R100 will not stand up to the toque generated by the S/C 5.4L engine.