Understanding my AOD and its potential

[tjm73]

.. and no i havent been in a car with a full manual valve body...what does that actually do? thanks!

Think of it like a clutchless, manual transmission with a torque converter. That's basically what it is. Except you never have to let off the gas. Just pull the shifter for the next gear. You never stop accelerating or let off the gas.

You have total control over when it shifts and it's only in the gear you put it in. Wanna pull out and pass someone? If you want it to kickdown, you gotta kick it down manually.

 

[tjm73]

Opps double post.

 

[webshot]

On the topic of valve bodies. I visited Lentech and read through their site. But I was wondering for the stock AOD in my car, which valve body and shift kit would you guys recommend? Lentech seems to have many applications for their VB's

 

[tjm73]

On the topic of valve bodies. I visited Lentech and read through their site. But I was wondering for the stock AOD in my car, which valve body and shift kit would you guys recommend? Lentech seems to have many applications for their VB's

You should ask Lentech. I'm sure they have some normal questions to help you determine what would best fit your needs.

 

[Lyncher]

Think of it like a clutchless, manual transmission with a torque converter. That's basically what it is. Except you never have to let off the gas. Just pull the shifter for the next gear. You never stop accelerating or let off the gas.

You have total control over when it shifts and it's only in the gear you put it in. Wanna pull out and pass someone? If you want it to kickdown, you gotta kick it down manually.

so you shift it yourself..like a stick but there is no clutch?...

 

[tjm73]

so you shift it yourself..like a stick but there is no clutch?...

Yeah, basically. You have a shifter just like if it was a stick and when you want the next gear, you pull (or push depending on the shifter you have) the stick to get the next gear. Since no clutch is needed their is no pedal to press. Just pull (or push) the stick and you are in the next gear. It's effectivly a sequential manual transmission. Make sense?

 

[Boss 351]

And the gear changes are lightning fast too. My cousin's 69 Cougar with a C4 is crazy, there isn't any delay. I'm looking to get my AOD rebuilt for performance too. [edit, don't have a 5.0L COugar anymore]

 

[tjm73]

And the gear changes are lightning fast too. My cousin's 69 Cougar with a C4 is crazy, there isn't any delay. I'm looking to get my AOD rebuilt for performance too.

Yeah my brother has a 418W Ranger with a full manual C4 and we were out this past Sunday with a little shakedown run and it was bang,bang,bang. As fast as the shifter is moved the gear is changed. Pretty cool. A proper auto will change your opinions on automatics if you think they suck.

 

[BLADDER92FOX]

So how much would a tranny upgrade(including rebuilding)with a 3000 stall ,
Trans go Shift Kit, 1 piece input shaft, Lentech manual valvebody, tranny cooler and red high friction clutch packs run me roughly?I am heading towards that direction in the begining of next year.

 

[Lyncher]

...thats awesome...so then a c4 with a lentech manual valve body is definatly better then a 5 speed right? So it would be better to start with a manual car right...so you could use the stock console thing?....also do you need a special shifter or could you use a pro 5.0 or something??? thanks!!

 

[Thenemesis]

im sorry but AOD's dont impress me much.. i have yet to find any car that would out run me or my dad with our manuals.. one a T5 and his a toploader.. AOD's just seem like they lag to bad.. maybe i just haven't gotten to ride in a proper AOD car lol i've road in a few with shift kits and manual bodys with stall and all that.. but they werent to impressive.. shifted hard bc of the setting the guy had it at so it would shift hard and keep the rpm's up. with a T5 or any manual atleast you can control your RPM and if your good at shifting.. you can shift just as fast. I take down AOD's and automatic cars all the time bc when they got me and then shift, boom there rpms aren't as good and htey gotta build it up again and im already at the light.. Its just IMO so dont take it personally

 

[Lyncher]

Anyone else?? Does anyone else have experience with a manual valve body? thanks

 

[Foxfan88]

i've been in a car with a BUILT auto, valve body and converter the works

and shifting was so firm.
even around town normally the car would break your neck.

it was nice but i love 5 speeds.

 

[Lyncher]

i've been in a car with a BUILT auto, valve body and converter the works

and shifting was so firm.
even around town normally the car would break your neck.

it was nice but i love 5 speeds.

Does anyone ahve any track comparisons between the same or a similar car with a 5 speed and another with a built auto? thanks

 

[SeventyMach1]

AOD, AODE, C4, etc. = the kings of BRACKET RACING.

T-5, 3650, TKO line, T-56, etc. = the kings of EVERYTHING ELSE!


That's just my opinion. But yeah, my buddy's old '92 AOD was swapped for a built C4 with manual valve body. That thing was amazing. If built right, they can be quite stunning. But not as fun on the street as ANY manual.... just my .02.

 

[Lyncher]

^^ Ok thanks for everyones input... 1 last question...is there like a switch or something to make it run like a normal automatic tranny without the manual part? or do you always have 2 shift and stuff? Thanks anymore input on the subject is also welcome!!

 

[tjm73]

^^ Ok thanks for everyones input... 1 last question...is there like a switch or something to make it run like a normal automatic tranny without the manual part? or do you always have 2 shift and stuff? Thanks anymore input on the subject is also welcome!!

Lentch's valvebodys allow fully automatic all the time with full manual control when wanted.

 

[Lyncher]

^ thanks! So im guessing they sell these at like summit and stuff right? Approximatly how much do they run? ANd do they ever need to be replaced (like do they wear out like a clutch or something)? Thanks!

 

[notchback]

ok check it out bro...i have been through (5) 5.0's

2 of them aod's

the shuffle WILL cause failure...some clutches will not be disengaged when they should be, the intermediate clutches.

it only helps about a tenth at best anyway, so just don't do it. same goes for the tv adjustment....incorrect line pressure will toast it too.

the best mods..are a shift kit, and OPEN the oiling holes as much as possible. a cooler (do this or you'll break it for sure)
and a converter...no matter what you read...if you go less than 3000 you will be unhappy.

mustangs are too light to go by advertised stall speed, and the less hp your making the less stall speed you'll have too. i got a 2200 and it felt stock.

use lentech if you can, and stallion for the converter.

if you break it....look into a lentech trans...they are built well, and you can't have the work done for the price of a new trans...a complte rebuild on an aod is about $1800
about all i can think of...oh yeah do the "a" servo too.

 

[notchback]

Does anyone ahve any track comparisons between the same or a similar car with a 5 speed and another with a built auto? thanks

sorry i didn't read this til i posted.

not exact car but here are times w/ mods for some of my old cars.

1990 GT aod = 3.73, shorty headers, dynomax , sprtsman pro's , gt40 intake,pullies, low gear set (1st is now 2.84 instead 2.40 and 2nd is 1.55 instead of 1.47) transgo shift kit, 2200 converter and synthetic oil. it went 14.40's ...... i bought this car new and over 6 years was on the 3rd aod

1989 notch 5-speed bone stock w/ 4.10's and sprtsman pro's went 13.60

1988 notch 5-speed bone stock w/ street tires and 2.73 went 14.30

1990 lx 'vert 3.73 and 100 shot on street tires 15.10 N/A and 13.60 on the juice

1993 notch 5-speed on 2.73's went 14.60's last week