best AODE option

[johnmc302]

This is a continuing saga of a person looking for the best option for a trans, no stick swaps please.

1. Local re-build? I am new to the area and in the sticks (Chandler, Tx)
2. Performance trans: Art Carr, Perf. Auto, etc

Looking for people who have bought performance drop in trans, I can do the work myself. Not looking forward to the day or so on my back in the garage, but I have 4 heavy duty jack stands and a very tight budget (okay the truth is I know it is just grunt work and have trouble paying more than $150 for someone to do the install)

Any insight would be great, I had a post earlier this week but I think interest died or maybe no one buys performance trans from above companies.

Thanks in advance,

John

 

[drakesdad]

LOOK AT Lasotaracing.com.............

 

[MLC Stang]

Looking for people who have bought performance drop in trans.

John,

Friend of mine at work recently bought a LenTech AOD for his Fox body and dropped it in. He can't say enough good about it. Good company reputation, good service and support, and the tranny runs great.

Here a link to their site:

http://www.lentechautomotive.com/

 

[Stanger007]

LOOK AT Lasotaracing.com.............

+1. The tranny isn't a hard install just a bit awkward in the driveway - my tranny jack saved the day and made the job much easier.

Look at a performance convertor as well if you don't already have one. Searching here will uncover enough fact/opinion to keep you busy reading for days.

A transmission cooler is recommended as well - I got the biggest one B&M makes off of summitracing.com.

Wes

 

[gcomfx.com]

I got screwed by a local shop, then found a reputable local builder from guys at the track. If the mechanic says, "yeah I can do that. I've worked on one or two fords" Run, don't walk away. The AODE seems tougher for some guys to work on.

The second guy I had build the tranny did a great job. It's held up well. I would hang out on the forums for the closest drag strip you have to you. See who the Ford guys recommend. If you can't get any good reputable recommendations. Buy the prebuilt ones.

The install isn't terrible. You definitely will benefit with a buddy there to help though.

I too recommend a bigger stall, shift kit, and tranny cooler if you want the car to fly, and last long.

 

[miller92063]

Don't know if you are interested, but I have a profesionally rebuilt AODE if your looking.

Same thing with mine. Local shop did it screw it up, but then i found someone who knew what he was doing, 26+ years rebuilding performance automatics. Awsome outcome.

 

[johnmc302]

Thanks for all the great replies,

At this time I am going to change fuild and filter and add some trans "goo" see my other AODE question for exact name.
Hopfully I can get saome more time out of it. Thanks "miller92063" but I will probably buy a package from Lentech or PA, hopefully a year or so from now.

I will let you all know how I do,

John

 

[STM1965]

Had mine rebuit last winter

During the engine swap we did last winter, the guy I bought it off didn't bother to tell me the tranny was slipping (his father ratted him out) when I had to go back cause we forgot a part of the harness. The guy that rebuilt it does them all the time and we had a lot of issues and the tranny was in and out of the car twice! 1st off the car started over heating and would shift weird, so we tried replacing the solinod pac, but when we dropped the tranny pan it looked like a band had let go as we had a lot of sand like material in with the fluid, that turned out to be the OD breaking down as it wasn't shifting. So the tranny was pulled apart and cleaned out, and the new pac installed, had same problem car started to over heat and wouldn't shift right. Finally someone had the bright idea to check the wiring harness and bingo found a broken wire! What a PITA. And yea I recommend a tranny cooler! I'd rather not do a swap in the driveway, rent a u -do it place with a hoist, but frankly for $150 bucks I'd rather work an OT shift at what I do best and then dick around doing a driveway swap. Just my opinion!