Should I get a performance AODE or go with a manual conversion?

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DaveL

Founding Member

May 10, 2001

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NYC

Jan 26, 2004

#1

• Jan 26, 2004

• #1

My stock AODE with 101,000 seems to be on it's way out and it seems like everyone I ask says it's time for a rebuild. I've been looking at some performance AODE units and had almost made up my mind on PATC's Interceptor unit at $1900 I found out they only offer a 6 month warranty. Since I've only found one person on Stangnet and Corral I'm weary of ordering from PATC to save a couple of hundred now and maybe spend a $1,000 more a few months later if anything goes wrong. So should I spend about $3,200 for the tranny, converter & install or spend $2,700 for a manual conversion? My only concern with going the manual route is how I will like it when stuck in NYC traffic on a daily basis.

 

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HazMat404

Founding Member

May 24, 2002

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Jan 27, 2004

#2

• Jan 27, 2004

• #2

its your choice. i wouldnt give up doing my conversion for anything. it was the first time for me ever driving a manual after i took out that slush box aode. i drive a good amount of traffic with a 4.10 out back and it is a little tedious but you get over it. its just those days where you are so tired.

its your choice if you want the ease (and consistency of course) of a well built auto or the control (and fun in my book ) of the manual.

 

onebad95

Sherriff of Bling King County

Jul 22, 2002

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37

At the end of the track waiting for you !!

Jan 27, 2004

#3

• Jan 27, 2004

• #3

I went with the art carr aode and never looked back. I used to be a die hard 5-speed guy. Now after driving a worked over automatic, I would never go back to a manual. Ofcourse you can launch harder with the 5-speed, but a transbrake would solve that issue.

 

red94fiveo

New Member

Apr 12, 2003

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Wichita, KS

Jan 27, 2004

#4

• Jan 27, 2004

• #4

Its all about what you want out of your car. I would never give up my manual b/c I drive on the street WAY more than the track, so I like the fun factor. An auto will be more consistent at the track, but a manual is 10x better for street driving in my opinion. I say go for the stick!

 

FastmanGT

Founding Member

May 22, 2002

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Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Jan 27, 2004

#5

• Jan 27, 2004

• #5

I like the aod-e myself, they just need to be built right. My tranny is sitting on the garage floor next to the car waiting to be installed. I just have to get a few things for the install and the car will be up and running.

 

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STONECOLD

New Member

Mar 31, 2003

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N.Y.C.

Jan 27, 2004

#6

• Jan 27, 2004

• #6

i went with a Lentech unit myself (about a month ago) because i got tired of giving ford money. (i replaced the original with another ford aode and that went about 2 years later.) you can check them out a www.lentechautomatics.com

they have different models and price ranges depending on your needs. i spoke to them in length on the phone about how i wanted it to perform and feel and they very helpful even way before i told them i was considering buying soon.

i also considered going with a 5 or 6 speed but it was going to be about the same amount money. (i dont have the skills to do the swap myself so i would have to pay someone) plus i live in new york city as well and couldnt imagine being stuck in traffic shifting every couple yards, lol

im very happy with it, it has a 2800 stall, firm shifts and can easily keep up with any stick car.

 

94GTLaserRC

Squint as you approach, lest you be blinded by my

15 Year Member

May 7, 2002

11,178

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Ernan Says "here it comes... dushbag"

Jan 27, 2004

#7

• Jan 27, 2004

• #7

You have to decide yourself.
I already have a PI Stallion, cooler, and shift kit.

For $700, I can get the main kit, diode kit, and input shaft from Art Carr. I have a local "reputable" shop that will do the entire rebuild for $425. If you call Rich at Art Carr, he may be able to recommend a "package" to rebuild yours instead of a WHOLE new one.

Also, PM Green94 5.0, he has an AODE in pretty good shape (had work done on it) He wants $150 for it. You can get that, spend $1,500 on a kit and converter and do it yourself or leave it for awhile at a shop and let them do it....take your time and do it slowly..

Good luck
RC

 

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DaveL

Founding Member

May 10, 2001

320

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NYC

Jan 27, 2004

#8

• Jan 27, 2004

• #8

I know a few people that own manuals and they swear by it saying that I will never go back to an auto after I switch. If I did do the conversion it would the first manual car I've owned. My only concern is dealing with it in traffic, the never ending road construction, rush hour traffic and road checks at bridges. Sometimes my 45 minute commute can easily turn into a 1.5-2 hour ordeal. At this point I'm 50/50 either way. Thanks for all the input guys.

 

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HazMat404

Founding Member

May 24, 2002

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Jan 27, 2004

#9

• Jan 27, 2004

• #9

well as i said before, 5 years of driving an auto then i swapped out to manual. have a 4.10 out back (first gear lasts less than a second even in traffic ) but i still wouldnt trade it for anything. i never did a swap before either but i did a ton of reading and i decided when i was taking out my engine to be rebuilt, id put in a manual.

like everyone says tho, its your choice. i dont really like driving an hour in traffic (should take about 25 min w/out traffic) to and from work but when there is no traffic or only a lil.....its tough to beat. weigh your thoughts and think about how much work it will be either way. it comes down to money and how much work you want to put in.

 

andystang

Member

Oct 2, 2003

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Florida

Jan 28, 2004

#10

• Jan 28, 2004

• #10

i say go with a built auto. i have a t5 and i must say that the grass is always greener on the other side. i sometimes wish i had an aode, and when i used to have an auto i wished i had a manual. i travel in very little traffic, yet i get very fed up with the clutch and having to shift a lot. just my opinion....

 

Joes95GT

New Member

Jan 23, 2003

3,132

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Delaware

Jan 28, 2004

#11

• Jan 28, 2004

• #11

I only drive my car about once a month, so when I do take her out for a spin, I like to beat it a little bit. There is nothing like flat shifting a 5-speed and bringing the ass end of the car around when you do it. Bottom line is unless your running a huge stall with a big rear and a very tight automatic, you will not beat a manually shifted car (if driven properly).

Joe