SO,
I'm relatively satisfied for now at how my car is performing... overall runs strong and faster than most cars around here.

The only problem I'm having is I think the AODE is eating up a ton of power. I just wanted some suggestions on some ideas of how to beef up the AODE for relatively cheap ($100 - $150)! I don't want to do any kind of a tranny swap at the moment (maybe some day in the future). It's the stock transmission with about 60,000 miles... hasn't had any work done on it

There is a NOTICEABLE loss of power when the car has been running for awhile and is fully warmed up... could this be that the AODE is running too warm? Maybe a tranny cooler would help??

Anyways, I don't plan on upgrading anything soon (within a week) but I would like to know what you guys suggest! I know basically NOTHING about transmission upgrades! Really would appreciate some input!

thanks,
Cort

 

You should visit
http://clickclickracing.com/forums/

You can add a tranny cooler, change the fluid and filter and use some royal purple,a stall converter, and/or get a shift kit.

 

The AODE is a decent transmission. It got me 13.1's@105 N/A. The number one cause for transmission failure is HEAT! I would say a cooler is mandatory. They are inexpensive and will extend your transmission's service life. Another item to get is a shift kit. It will firm up your auto's shifting and prevent clutch wear(when shifting, the auto is in two gears. It basically overlaps one another to give you a nice granny shift). The shift kit will also increase your aceleration, since the car will not take forever to shift. Stall converters are nice, but they can get pricey(Expect to pay $600+ for a good one: TCI, Precision Industries). An upgraded stall will give you faster launches(Stock I beleive is 1800rpm). Plus burning rubber on the street will be easy. If you plan on any forced Induction down the road, the AODE will need to be built with stronger clutches/bands. My AODE dumped after two months with the SC. In it's place is an upgraded AODE with the lower 4r70w package. It's held up fine(guy I bought it from said he ran 11.7's in the quarter) and I don't doubt it. For about $150, I'd get a shift kit(TransGo makes a great one) and a transmission cooler.

 

save your money for a trans swap

 

you may want to check into a rebuild. My friend just got his built by a guy in Mississippi. I can't think of his name. The guy had never done a overdrive transmission before because most of his customers go with a c-4 or powerglide. Anyway, he told him he would make it withstand 450hp along with a 1 year warranty. My friend told him he would be on the strip with it and the guy told him that it didn't matter, the warranty is still valid. He is getting this done for 700 dollars. Pretty good deal for reliability.