whats a good (cheap) aod shift kit to get?

Topic: whats a good (cheap) aod shift kit to get? (Read 6427 times) previous topic - next topic

whats a good (cheap) aod shift kit to get?

January 08, 2011, 01:03:55 AM

I'm getting an AOd from a 90 bird and I wanna throw a descent shift kit in there but I don't want to spend much more than about $100 on it. I don't really know much about shift kits so I was wondering what you guys think would be a good thing to throw in there.. I just want something to help it out, nothing too serious. Its not going to be getting anymore than the equivalent of a stock HO going through it. At least not anytime soon.

whats a good (cheap) aod shift kit to get?

Reply #1 – January 10, 2011, 11:23:04 AM

I have the Transgo shift kit in my AOD. I believe they call it a transmission reprogrammer / Transgo AOD HP kit. Trans shifts nice and tight, but doesn't "slam" into gear.

whats a good (cheap) aod shift kit to get?

Reply #2 – January 11, 2011, 01:16:29 AM

Check out this guy: http://www.silverfoxtrans.com/silverfoxtrans.com/VB_AOD.html

It's an already set up valve body. You won't have to drill holes in yours or play with the check balls.

whats a good (cheap) aod shift kit to get?

Reply #3 – January 11, 2011, 08:39:57 AM

The TransGo/Baumann kits are each about $100 give or take depending on where you buy them from, and you will have some tiny parts to mess with, as Lou said those valve bodies are done, you don't need to modify anything, just unbolt the big chunk of aluminum and bolt in the new one LOL. But those are $250 and up.

What rear end gear ratio do you have? If you can save up the cash to spring for the full assembled VB, then in the meantime just don't beat the shiznit out of the car and more importantly adjust the TV/kickdown cable that goes from the trans to the throttle body, all the way to it's highest setting. That is, loosen the lock that keeps it in place and pull it all the way through (forward/toward front of vehicle) so it's as tight as it can be. Your shift points will move up in MPH a bit, and you'll be surprised how much *that* firms up shifts. With my 3.73 gears before the shift kit, just tightening up the TV cable all the way was making my junky 205/70 tires at the time actually chirp lightly on the 1st to 2nd shift under just the right conditions on smooth fresh pavement where they'd just redone it in some places around town. If ever AOD ever was adjusted like that they'd last at least another 50k than they normally do.

whats a good (cheap) aod shift kit to get?

Reply #4 – January 11, 2011, 03:02:40 PM

Quote from: ZondaC12;349250

The TransGo/Baumann kits are each about $100 give or take depending on where you buy them from, and you will have some tiny parts to mess with, as Lou said those valve bodies are done, you don't need to modify anything, just unbolt the big chunk of aluminum and bolt in the new one LOL. But those are $250 and up.

What rear end gear ratio do you have? If you can save up the cash to spring for the full assembled VB, then in the meantime just don't beat the shiznit out of the car and more importantly adjust the TV/kickdown cable that goes from the trans to the throttle body, all the way to it's highest setting. That is, loosen the lock that keeps it in place and pull it all the way through (forward/toward front of vehicle) so it's as tight as it can be. Your shift points will move up in MPH a bit, and you'll be surprised how much *that* firms up shifts. With my 3.73 gears before the shift kit, just tightening up the TV cable all the way was making my junky 205/70 tires at the time actually chirp lightly on the 1st to 2nd shift under just the right conditions on smooth fresh pavement where they'd just redone it in some places around town. If ever AOD ever was adjusted like that they'd last at least another 50k than they normally do.

This is not corral net. That is not the answer . There is more to it than that.

whats a good (cheap) aod shift kit to get?

Reply #5 – January 11, 2011, 10:34:13 PM

Thanks for the input guys. I will look into them. Thats the second time I've heard about both transgo and silver fox, but they're a little higher than what I'm looking to put into it right now.

...I've also heard good things about the B & M kit, and personally felt how it shifts, and it really intrigues me, since its only 35 bucks...

whats a good (cheap) aod shift kit to get?

Reply #6 – January 11, 2011, 10:59:54 PM

The cheap B&M kit is a good way to kill an AOD.....

whats a good (cheap) aod shift kit to get?

Reply #7 – January 11, 2011, 11:07:31 PM

Quote from: thunderjet302;349371

The cheap B&M kit is a good way to kill an AOD.....

Please elaborate ........ I'm not putting one in or even thinking about it , I am just curious

whats a good (cheap) aod shift kit to get?

Reply #8 – January 11, 2011, 11:14:39 PM

Quote from: Kitz Kat;349276

This is not corral net. That is not the answer . There is more to it than that.

LMAO I realize that, I'm just relaying my own experience as a suggestion for a *temporary* solution he could use while the permanent one is unavailable. As with anything "your mileage may vary" and that's certainly not a precise way to set up the thing. Important to have set right though, seeing as so many AOD's fail because that thing pops off and drops the TV pressure to nothing.

whats a good (cheap) aod shift kit to get?

Reply #9 – January 12, 2011, 11:55:12 AM

Silver Fox -- hands down. The Trans Go is a good piece, but there are a few design flaws that are not addressed in the instructions that if you are not aware of may cause you grief down the line.

I have firsthand experience on this.

whats a good (cheap) aod shift kit to get?

Reply #10 – January 12, 2011, 04:54:35 PM

Quote from: hypostang;349376

Quote from: thunderjet302;349371
The cheap B&M kit is a good way to kill an AOD.....
Please elaborate ........ I'm not putting one in or even thinking about it , I am just curious

um yeah. why would you say that? The guy that told me about it swears by em. hasn't had a problem yet and he's been using that for years.

whats a good (cheap) aod shift kit to get?

Reply #11 – January 12, 2011, 07:46:49 PM

The cheap $35 B&M kit is a cheap kit. You end up removing some check balls and not really modifying the valve body.

Read here: http://www.clickclickracing.com/forums/showthread.php?7978-About-to-order-a-shift-kit...&highlight=b%26amp%3Bm+shift+improver+kit

That forum have everything you ever wanted to know about AODs.

Also I have what basically amounts to an Art Carr epoxy mod valve body in my AOD.

whats a good (cheap) aod shift kit to get?

Reply #12 – January 12, 2011, 10:02:44 PM

After looking at SF's stuff its really making me wanna just get the cheap one and throw it in for now, then when I get around to being ready to do the turbos, get a complete 700 with a stage 1 kit installed....

whats a good (cheap) aod shift kit to get?

Reply #13 – January 12, 2011, 10:48:43 PM

you should really listen ,, and not make a bad choice.

I have never understood how someone could say how much they want to spend on something they outwardly share that they know nothing about.

I am looking for some gold to buy but i dont want to spend more that 50$ an ounce.
I just dont want to see you mess up and have a broke car later because you want the instantanious satisfaction of a shift kit ,,on the cheap.

I want stuff too, just cant seem to work in the goodies on cars right now, especially when I have to get a fox for mason my oldest.

whats a good (cheap) aod shift kit to get?

Reply #14 – January 12, 2011, 11:32:46 PM

The problem with that B&M kit is it's likely *not* taking care of overlap problems. As it's been said you should really read up on this but here's a good cliff notes. There's the amount of pressure applied with each shift and there's the timing of the transmission letting go of a clutch pack/band and grabbing with a different one to go to the next gear. Part of the way a factory transmission is programmed is this overlap, where for a small period of time both are being grabbed to some degree, two clutches are trying to hold the same drivetrain at different speeds, they fight each other and one slips or both slip, wearing down the friction material, making heat and sucking power and torque away from the WHEELS where it should be going.

The Baumann kit is $59.99 http://becontrols.com/products/aodcat.htm RK-AOD. This is what I have. However, it is highly recommended to get that Sonnax boost valve to replace your stock one. If you absolutely must cheap out, at least use this kit. The instructions are very straightforward, if you follow what they say EXACTLY, you'll have no issues. Plan a day where you won't be in any rush, have plenty of space, a CLEAN workbench/area to put the parts, and carefully do what the instructions say. If you know the history of the transmission you are getting very well, then you could, I suppose, skip that boost valve for now. If it's got 50,000 miles on it, that would be a safe bet. If it's got 100-200 thousand on it, that valve is probably a bit worn out and is gonna cancel out what this kit tries to do. Then again, if the tranny is old and beaten, adding a shift kit to a trans with already worn down clutches and bands will probably just make it stop working altogether much quicker.