There was a time where I would never consider an auto, dismissed, straight away, the manual has the clutch and control. Then, my driving
needs changed, I got older (cringe) or lazy with it, I got surrounded by tech in the cab: GPS nav, a mini HUD, Bluetooth phone and with my
4x4 Club Wagon, more people in the rig. I welcome a lot of the tech, I can say, it makes other things much more efficient. I'm
a big fan of the E4OD when built RIGHT is one of my top 3 choices for low rpm diesels with high torque off-idle. I'm an even bigger fan
of the stand alone controller like the one you mention. IF you are tech savvy, like the idea of plugging your laptop into the USB port and
making "shift tables" to suit your style or needs, then it's a no-brainer, work smart, plan your set up (like you are, by asking this question,)
and life will be much easier in the daily run.
I built up my own E4OD to a Stage 3, had great help from members on this forum, cherry picking the key upgrades, working against a set
budget, and ended up with a transmission better than I had hoped for. If you've never torn down a transmission before, then your budget
is gonna take a hit, PLUS you're trusting someone else to do it (and this is a double edged sword, you get experience, but like my core E4OD
(which I had an itemized invoice from the guy who sold it to me, FULL REBUILD, etc. etc.,) you can have sub-standard and even NON-diesel
parts in your transmission.)
With the stand alone controller, you can have a selector dial on your dash and change different shift tables "on the fly." These tables can be
whatever you think you need, upshift points, downshift, lockouts, it makes driving your rig a LOT of fun, IF you're into tech... ...like I said
it is no exaggeration that I was very impressed with their controller (Shift1.)
It was mentioned about EMP shielding, funny but I did a lot of mine using the same mylar stuff they send electronics parts with, and placement
of your electronics will determine how shielded you are. If for some odd reason you were the target of a "directed beam weapon" (such as
the Boeing Phantom Works' "CHAMP" system,) even mil-spec hardened electronics systems are now vulnerable (they had a successful test
2 weeks ago,) BUT you are not likely a directed target. General EMP at the edge of effective downwash or blast radius is not likely to harm
your electronics if you do basic, simple shielding- hopefully you will never have to find out. *I know about this stuff as I once worked in a
related field.
Do you have any pictures of your Centurion? Not many idi-powered rigs left, I've only seen one!
Have fun!
Here's my E4OD built (along with BW1356 rebuild)
http://www.oilburners.net/forums/sh...E4OD-on-the-outside-wait-a-minute!&highlight=
My van:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X1dLxbJAvQ