Upgrading the AOD

Topic: Upgrading the AOD (Read 2061 times) previous topic - next topic

Upgrading the AOD

December 26, 2006, 07:04:32 PM

Posting about a bunch of things lately. Guess being thousands of miles from my car has got me thinking more about it. I've got it in my head to strengthen the whole drivetrain this summer and what I'd thought I'd do is get another AOD, rebuild it and fix some weak points in it but I just started thinking whether I should look for something naturally stronger. I know a few of you have changed over to some of the AOD's decendants, though the name escapes me right now. I just wanted to get some ideas about what I could go to and what would be involved in adapting it.

Upgrading the AOD

Reply #1 – December 26, 2006, 11:30:50 PM

The AODs from '89-up have a better lubercating system than the earlier units... You can go with the 4R70W which has better gear ratios and other improvements, but you'll need a EEC or aftermarket controller to shift it...

Upgrading the AOD

Reply #2 – December 27, 2006, 11:59:01 PM

I have an AOD and LOVE it.

Here is a very infortive web site for the AOD.

http://www.clickclickracing.com/

Upgrading the AOD

Reply #3 – December 28, 2006, 02:40:46 AM

Well I'm shooting for 400 horsepower with this car. If I upgraded an AOD with an aftermarket shaft and shift kit would it hold up?

Upgrading the AOD

Reply #4 – December 28, 2006, 11:42:11 AM

It should. I'm around 360-370 at the flywheel and have no issues.

Upgrading the AOD

Reply #5 – December 28, 2006, 04:52:37 PM

Quote from: Paul Flockhart;120455

It should. I'm around 360-370 at the flywheel and have no issues.

that makes me feel so slow wit my 151 stock horsepower the 1 is from the cheap mods ive done

Upgrading the AOD

Reply #6 – December 28, 2006, 09:54:36 PM

My 1st AOD held up to around 500RWHP. It had the 1 pc shaft and a good SERVO. If you don't manually shift it they will live.

Upgrading the AOD

Reply #7 – December 29, 2006, 11:21:18 PM

I've been manually shifting the hell out of mine and it's been fine for two years. I'll be trashin my AOD soon and will have a complete valvebody with B&M shift kit already installed...that will wake it up a bit...along with a convertor and you'll be out having fun.

Upgrading the AOD

Reply #8 – December 30, 2006, 10:36:46 AM

Why is manually shifting so bad on the AODs? I've heard this before but don't understand it.

Upgrading the AOD

Reply #9 – December 30, 2006, 11:57:37 AM

Doin' the 1-D-1 shuffle to hold 2nd causes the reverse band to partally apply just for a instant which shortens life considerably...

I have a Trans Go kit in my stock(never apart), '89 Super Coupe AOD... Even after seven years and approx 650 drag strip passes, it still works very well but I feel it's time to freshen it up... I still have the much hated(by everyone but me)two piece lockup input. Orig did break first time at track, so I replaced it with a hardened shaft which has been fine...

I also have a early Lentech mod in my valve body that eliminates 3rd gear in the "D" position, so I can shift 1-2 -D(O/D) with no problems. I have no way to manually lock out O/D(except hold it on the floor), but with the 3.73 gear you don't really need it. I've had the car in the mountains several times, and it scooted up the hills in O/D with no problem...

Upgrading the AOD

Reply #10 – December 30, 2006, 06:09:30 PM

I have a transgo kit waiting to install, besides firmer shifts and extended shift points does it make manual shifting any easier on the tranny? I've installed shift kits and converters on th350s and th400s before but that's been the extent of my auto tranny experience and knowlege

I don't see why the reverse band is momentarily applied when shifting from 1 to D when the trans is actuall in second gear. Is this caused by the gradual drop and rise in pressures. Does the increase in line pressures after installing the transgo solve this?