AOD-E Guys Needed

Well, over the past few months I have been collecting parts for this summer's transmission build up. I have a PI converter, Transgo shift kit, and a B&M cooler so far. I am hoping to do all the work myself, and I will be killing two birds with one stone as I have a rear main seal to replace while I've got the trans. out. My question is this, I want to incorportate the "J-mod" from TCCOA's website with my Transgo kit, and wonder if anyone can tell me what I should do in addition to my parts list below. The Transgo shift kit gives detailed instructions how to install there kit, but the J-mod recommends things like new 1-2 and 2-3 accumulators, larger servo's, etc.

While the trans. is down, I will be doing the following mods:
-’96 Deep sump pan
-2.7” Overdrive servo
-Overdrive servo return spring
-Reverse servo
-Overdrive band
-1-2 Accumulator piston
-1-2 Accumulator piston return spring
-2-3 Accumulator piston
-Transmission filter
-Transmission pan gasket

I hope to have a trans. that will hold up to whatever I want to throw at it, and want to make sure that I have not left anything out. As for the Transgo kit, I got it really cheap and when I got it noticed that it comes with 1-2 and 2-3 accumulator springs. The J-mod says to buy a specific Ford 1-2 top spring, and leave out the 1-2 bottom and 2-3 accumulator springs all together. Anyone have experience or a suggestion which route I should go: Transgo or J-mod recommendation for accumulator springs?

So far, I have spent the following:
(all items brand new)
PI Stallion: $300
Transgo kit: $40
B&M cooler: $60
Additional trans. items: Expected $100

I was fortunate to find some great deals on eBay, and can't wait to get everything installed this summer. Thanks in advance for any feed back.

94GTLaserRC said:

May as well install a new hardened input shaft too.
Where did you get a PI STallion for $300?
RC

Click to expand...

I got it off of eBay. The guy had it listed starting at $100 with no bids, so I asked the reserve price. He told me 400 and I said, "Too bad, I would bid if it was more around my price range of $300 shipped." Next thing I know he sent me an e-mail saying deal, and lowered the reserve to $260 with $40 shipping. I bid on it and won.

I talked to Jack from PI and he told me this:
All you need is the single disc 9.5" Stallion. I would suggest a stall
somewhere around 2600 to 2800 (ballpark).
Unless you are planning on a supercharger or Nitrous, the hardened shaft
isn't necessary.
I would also put a shift kit in the transmission, Trans-go is the brand we
recommend (but don't sell).
The converter sells for $734.58, comes with a 2 year warranty, and a 1 time
free stall change in the 2 years if you ever decide you want to raise or
lower the stall.

Swarzkopf said:

Sounds like a good parts list.

Your specific questions are above my understanding.

Click to expand...

Thanks, unfortunately my questions are pushing the limits of my understanding as well.

Dan95-5.0 said:

i would do the mechanical diode too.

for the 2nd accumulator you need a new cover i believe. its been a while. check out the tccoa articles out again.

i upgraded the accumulators, pan, and filter when the converter, cooler, transgo went in

i'd be a little iffy on the converter for $300. hopefully the specs are what they say they are

Click to expand...

See above about the converter, it was brand new, never installed. I don't think the guy new exactly what he had, then again, no one bid on it so...

The TCCOA website just mentions rolling some tabs over on the cover to hold the accumulator in. I'm not sure if this is what you are refering to or not, but I believe that's all it mentions in addition to replacing the old accumulator.

Thank for the replies so far, if I can't get an exact answer to this question (which I do understand is pretty specific) I will most likely just buy the new Ford spring TCCOA recommends just to make sure, as the Transgo kit's could be the wrong size because it expects you to use the lower spring as well.

BTW... any opinions on the stall speed? I know a lot of you run ~3000 RPM stall speeds. This converter will be lower, around 2400-2600 or so (what Jack told me when I gave him the serial # in another e-mail). Should I have it sent off and have the stall raised or just leave it alone? Any do a mid 2K stall speed and wish they went higher or vice versus?

Dan95-5.0 ,
About the diode... what exactly does it do and how would upgrading it improve performance. I don't know anything about the diodes, so educate me. Also, do you know approximate cost (for some reason it sounds expensive)? Thanks.

The converter is new, in fact brand new. A guy bought it for his car, never put it in, and his brother in law sold it for him on eBay. It was opened for pictures and that was it. I called PI before I bought it and checked out the serial number and Jack told me that would be exactly what I wanted for my car. Being N/A on a mostly stock shortblock, he said 2800 would be the highest stall he would recommend and this one would work fine.