AOD or C4 ANY THOUGHTS?

Clark · May 10, 2004

Due to the issues with my FMX lately this is becoming more important to deal with. I know both of these will work but with my engine being a 393W I want to make sure it will last. If I purchase the C4 or the FMX what would I have to change or reuse? Big question but need some help, Thanks.

69PaleHorse · May 10, 2004

Check out these recent threads, they may answer some of your questions.

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=461756

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=461749

ForceFed70 · May 10, 2004

An AOD in your car is going to be tricky because they never made an AOD to fit behind a big block.

A C4 can be built to handle 400HP with little cost.... that would be your easiest route. If you want to swap to a larger tranny, I'd skip the FMX and go with a C6. There's alot more aftermarket parts and knowledge for the C6.

Fomocohipo · May 10, 2004

393w sounds like a stroked smallblock to me.

Max Power · May 10, 2004

DarkBuddha · May 10, 2004

I too assume the 393W is a stroked 351W. In that case, I'd like to endorse the AOD option, especially if your car is a driver. If you're starting from scratch I think you could build a comparable AOD for 50% more than a stoutly built C4. The AOD would allow for running lower gears while maintaining drivability. Look at a tranny from Lentech, which will more than take the kind of power your making.

dodgestang · May 10, 2004

Clark said:
Due to the issues with my FMX lately this is becoming more important to deal with. I know both of these will work but with my engine being a 393W I want to make sure it will last. If I purchase the C4 or the FMX what would I have to change or reuse? Big question but need some help, Thanks.

I have a worked AOD behind my 408c...and while my specific build has been less than a stellar performer...when it is working I really enjoy the AOD.

Its REALLLY coool with my 4.11s cruising along at 3k in OD (which is pretty fast) and having someone with a little knowledge hearing the RPMS you are pulling and reving up on you

Just a little flick of the wrist drops it into 3rd and I leave em long gone and then upshift back into OD and slow down and wait for them.

Cantedvalve · May 10, 2004

AOD... cant loose

I have an AOD behind a 351C as well. Love the hell outta it. I got an Art Carr. Great service. I had the sales guy on the phone for probably 6 hours before I ordered it. He never got sick of me (or at least never showed it).

Clark · May 11, 2004

Right now I am leaning towards an AOD that I can get for $300 with a shift kit, not new but was recently rebuilt and was running good before a T5 change. A C4 does not sound that bad but is that AOD that weak? I know my 393W will have some torq but you would figure that it could take some punishment as many 5.0's I see tearing up the street. Thanks for the input.

ForceFed70 · May 11, 2004

Awe crap.. when I saw the 393 I just automatically thought Big block.

With a windsor block, the AOD should bolt up with little effort.

You'll probably need to shorten or lengthen your driveshaft.

dodgestang · May 11, 2004

Clark said:
Right now I am leaning towards an AOD that I can get for $300 with a shift kit, not new but was recently rebuilt and was running good before a T5 change. A C4 does not sound that bad but is that AOD that weak? I know my 393W will have some torq but you would figure that it could take some punishment as many 5.0's I see tearing up the street. Thanks for the input.

A $300 stock aod with a shift kit will not last for any period of time behind a 393w with driving anyway other than a grandmother.

The AOD uses a 2 peice input shaft which is the weak point. The standard thinking these days is to upgrade to a 1 piece shaft, non-lock up converter, and other 'tweaks' including extra clutch packs, larger OD band etc and setting it up very similar to the internals of a newer (and stronger) AODe/4r70w. Some people (including me) go so far as to put in the 4r70w gearset to get a 2.8 first instead of a 2.4 first for some pull off the line.

Edbert · May 12, 2004

dodgestang said:
A $300 stock aod with a shift kit will not last for any period of time behind a 393w with driving anyway other than a grandmother.

The AOD uses a 2 peice input shaft which is the weak point. The standard thinking these days is to upgrade to a 1 piece shaft, non-lock up converter, and other 'tweaks' including extra clutch packs, larger OD band etc and setting it up very similar to the internals of a newer (and stronger) AODe/4r70w. Some people (including me) go so far as to put in the 4r70w gearset to get a 2.8 first instead of a 2.4 first for some pull off the line.

Good advice, not only the two-piece design was weak but it was hollow as well

The other part that is notoriously weak on the AOD is the overdrive band. Don;t let that talk you out of the AOD though, only realize that in stock form the AOD was not intended for performance applications. You can buy a brand new (warrantied) bolt-in AOD that will take up to 450fwhp for around $1,500 though.

Black Thunder · May 13, 2004

dodgestang said:
I have a worked AOD behind my 408c...and while my specific build has been less than a stellar performer...when it is working I really enjoy the AOD.

Its REALLLY coool with my 4.11s cruising along at 3k in OD (which is pretty fast) and having someone with a little knowledge hearing the RPMS you are pulling and reving up on you

Just a little flick of the wrist drops it into 3rd and I leave em long gone and then upshift back into OD and slow down and wait for them.

408C huh? That's what I'm putting in my Mach. Did you build it or did you buy it assembled? How do you like it? I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the transmission. I have a C4 right now and I was thinking of just having it rebuild with stronger internals and hope it holds up to the 490HP that will be applied to it.

Edbert · May 13, 2004

C4s can take 1,000HP if built right, for the price of one of those puppies you'll be able to get a 500HP AOD though. The AOD will cost more than a 500HP C4 though.

AOD will have more parasitic loss and weighs more, but it allows you to use a shorter gear out back and still have streetability. Some think the trade offs are more than worth it, others do not.

dodgestang · May 13, 2004

Black Thunder said:
408C huh? That's what I'm putting in my Mach. Did you build it or did you buy it assembled? How do you like it? I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the transmission. I have a C4 right now and I was thinking of just having it rebuild with stronger internals and hope it holds up to the 490HP that will be applied to it.

Built it myself. Love it. 393 RWHP real run on the street....and I am getting 12 miles to the gallon with 4.11 and my 850 DP no less....so maybe in about 18 years if the tranny doesn't break anymore it will have paid for itself

AOD or C4 ANY THOUGHTS?

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