Anyone with AOD, how did you sturdy it up? February 21, 2006, 08:17:18 PM My fourth gear went out in my Cougar, was told the overdrive band is fried.I have been doing a little research and trying to find a good reliable transmission or ways to get mine rebuilt.What recommendations do you think for around 300 hp?I know Aamco said they would rebuild for $1200 with rebuilt torque converter. Do you recommend Aamco? 1 year 12,000 mile warranty, upgrade to 3 year 36,000 for $250 more.Thanks! Quote Selected
Anyone with AOD, how did you sturdy it up? Reply #1 – February 21, 2006, 08:48:55 PM i think as long as they will warenty it and you are happy with the price i would go for it. i, however, wouldnt go with a rebuilt torque converter. some things i prefer to get new and for some reason that is one of them. Quote Selected
Anyone with AOD, how did you sturdy it up? Reply #2 – February 21, 2006, 08:53:52 PM 2 words.....SHIFT KIT! Quote Selected
Anyone with AOD, how did you sturdy it up? Reply #3 – February 21, 2006, 09:09:58 PM Better yet...Crown Vic AOD....bullet proof behind a stock Cougar!....I have one....want to buy it? If you buy the parts, I'll rebuild it and hop it up. I gotta get it out of my dad's garage and I'll never use it.Besides, it's stronger due to the fact that the Panther chassis is well...heavier. And mine has 120,000 miles on it and it still has all for gears...er did when I pulled it. But I'd be willing to rebuild it in order to get rid of it. Quote Selected
Anyone with AOD, how did you sturdy it up? Reply #4 – February 22, 2006, 11:10:52 AM TCI performance rebuild, Also the energy suspension mounts do wonders for it. they are priced realitvely low to through summit. Just keep in mind an AOD is only good up to 350Hp at the flywheel. Anymore you are going to be riding on borrowed time. After burning up my 3rd I decided for the performace rebuild. If your gonna spend 1200 get this TCI-431000 summit # 1259 brand new Quote Selected
Anyone with AOD, how did you sturdy it up? Reply #5 – February 22, 2006, 11:26:06 AM throw in a t-5 or a c4 Quote Selected
Anyone with AOD, how did you sturdy it up? Reply #6 – February 22, 2006, 01:17:46 PM Hmm the t-5 will barely hold more than a rebuilt AOD. And who wan'ts to get rid of there overdrive? Especially you "Mr. Drive a million miles for cat jam" Quote Selected
Anyone with AOD, how did you sturdy it up? Reply #7 – February 22, 2006, 02:55:14 PM Quote...Crown Vic AOD....Besides, it's stronger due to the fact that the Panther chassis is well...heavierAren't those the AOD-E? I thought the Panther was what they call the newer Crown Vic/Grand Marquis/Towncar. Quote Selected
Anyone with AOD, how did you sturdy it up? Reply #8 – February 22, 2006, 04:20:21 PM Panther platform runs from '79 & up, but I wasn't aware that CV's, TC's, & GM's had different AOD specs than their Fox-body cousins of the same vintage. Quote Selected
Anyone with AOD, how did you sturdy it up? Reply #9 – February 22, 2006, 06:13:29 PM It's got a regular AOD...but beefed up...I've tried to find the differences in specs...but found nothing. You have to admit, if it was the EXACT same AOD...it would fail a lot quicker and more frequent in such a heavy car. My guess is it has extra clutches and possibly some HD parts...I have yet to take an AOD apart so I couldn't tell you the differences first hand. But I've heard they are stronger and thought about it and have come to the conclusion that something is different between the two AOD's. If there isn't a difference...then it is just a coincidence that mine has survived 100,000 in a CV and then 20,000 in my Cougar with me pounding on it constantly....hmm prolly the reason my rear is bad now too...:p Quote Selected
Anyone with AOD, how did you sturdy it up? Reply #10 – February 22, 2006, 07:24:32 PM hmm. I have a 91 crown vic(last year of the aod I do belive) basically sitting parked. I have heard nothing until now of them being any beefier. I am sure a crown vic with a police interceptor would have more clutches then that. Quote Selected
Anyone with AOD, how did you sturdy it up? Reply #11 – February 22, 2006, 08:13:48 PM So what about the AODs in 80's trucks? Same as CV spec? even heavier duty? I just assumed they were all the same - they arent exactly renowned for durability in any (stock) application. Quote Selected
Anyone with AOD, how did you sturdy it up? Reply #12 – February 22, 2006, 08:43:38 PM My mechanic and I dug into information about AOD's via Ford shop manuals a few years ago. Basically...yes, they're all the same inside. The Mustang AOD has a few extra clutches but that was the only difference that we ever found. The valve body was revised in 1988 and is better than the earlier ones because of improved internal oiling passages. Otherwise...there's floor shift and column shift, and that sums up the major differences right there. A shift kit sort of 'does one better' to the stock valve body in that it can be made to help the transmission shift quicker and more efficiently. That wastes less energy and eventually helps with fuel economy (although I doubt you could measure it LOL). But the tradeoff is a firmer shift, something not as desirable in mushy land yachts. Will it help an AOD last longer? By most measures, yes, so long as the transmission isn't otherwise abused.A performance converter...for mild street, the larger in size, the better. Because the smaller you go, the higher the RPM's for the stall speed, but also the more heat you generate. I believe stock is 11" or 12"; going to a 1" smaller one is good. Going 2" smaller, meh, that should be about the limit if you're never going to take the car to the track. Most people look at stall speed, which directly correlates to your camshaft, weight of the car, and general usage. But the physical size should also be considered just so you can keep down the heat. I think the B&M Street Heat or whatever is like 8"...that's like, serious strip use only.The best investment, though, is an external trans cooler...and not the one built into the radiator either. Heat kills transmissions, and especially so with an AOD. Regular fluid changes are good too...although I'm not too keen on flushing. An illustration: Eric buys 1988 XR7 in 1998. Eric never touches the absolutely perfectly-shifting AOD. Friend buys Eric's XR7 in 2002. Friend immediately changes AOD filter and trans fluid. Less than 2 weeks later, AOD is toast. Friend is upset. Eric says, "I told you so." :) Quote Selected
Anyone with AOD, how did you sturdy it up? Reply #13 – February 22, 2006, 09:02:08 PM QuoteEric buys 1988 XR7 in 1998. Eric never touches the absolutely perfectly-shifting AOD. Friend buys Eric's XR7 in 2002. Friend immediately changes AOD filter and trans fluid. Less than 2 weeks later, AOD is toast. Friend is upset. Eric says, "I told you so." :)agreed as long as their are no sighns of trouble dont flush it. i ran a stalion 9" converter in mine...i forget the stall on it. nice unit but i way overspent on it becaust i just plain didnt need that calibure of TC. a cheeper one would have been fine in my car... Quote Selected
Anyone with AOD, how did you sturdy it up? Reply #14 – February 22, 2006, 09:10:56 PM Ha...so I got lucky...sweet...even still...I want to get rid of it...or else it will sit and sit and sit and...you get the picture. Unless someone has a killer deal on an 87 XR-7 with shot tranny so I can replace the one I regretfully sold to a guy for parts. Oh in PA.It was weird though, the 84 with 84 CV AOD held up through a rough winter and a brutal summer with line locks, hard lauches, and much full throttle action...yet my 87 die....cruising....45 mph.........!!! Didn't touch it, just went out, then changed filter and fluid...didn't help (didn't think it would...my dad's idea). Still ran strong, just no OD. Quote Selected
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