Hey guys and gals, Ive got a mild built 428 in my 70 f100. I was lookin for and overdrive setup and have decided to go with building a 1985 AOD instead of building my C6 and buying a gearvendors overdrive unit. Ive got it all planned out and was just wandering if anyone else has did this. Did it do good/bad, easy/hard and any tips or ideas. Thanks P.S. I know that i need an adapter for the trans to bolt up to the motor and have found a kit, also am builng the trans to withstand 650hp because in the near future i plan to highly modify my motor. Planned cost for the build and adapter is $1700 at the most Vs buildind a C6 for about $800 and then buying the overdrive for another $2300.

 

If you are beefing the AOD up for 600+HP it should work OK. IMHO



John

 

My neighbor had his own transmission shop that his son now runs...
He didn't have anything good to say about the "Ford AOD". :/
C6 and 4EOD are good tho. :)

And I'd have to talk to him about your specific situation and what
could be done to an AOD to change his mind... is it worth my effort?

I inherited a '91 F150 auto 5.8 65,000 miles and asked him about the
transmission and guys on FTE thought it might be an AOD but turned
out to be a 4EOD instead and he was much relieved to hear that. LOL :)

After the talk with him about Ford's AOD and me not liking the sorry
*** mush boxes to start with... I wasn't happy. :/

What a waste of a good engine putting it in front of an automatic. :/
Takes all kinds I guess? ;)
YMMV

Alvin with a sorry attitude in AZ

 

$1700, $850+ of which is for the adaptor? How much beef can you heard into that AOD case for that money? When hi-po AOD's go for $2100+?

BTW, a 1985 is NOT the unit to use. '88-93 boxes have several improvements that make a difference. The propaganda on the sites below will provide some info on that. They only use '88-93 cores. Take it from the pros, not me.

Do you have the "formula" for the beefed AOD? These links sell parts or trans and tell you all the stuff they do, especially TCI.

Good luck.

AOD Transmission from PATC, AOD Transmissions

AOD Performance Products - Baumann Electronic Controls

www.CKPerformance.com

TCI - Ford AOD, AODE and 4R70W

If you rethink the AOD, especially using an '85, consider the GM 700R. Adaptor is the same price; see the first link, halfway down for the adaptors. They show pics so even if you don't buy there, you'll get an idea of what to look for. (little things like being able to bolt up a starter....)

Frankly, if I was running a "mild" 428, I would run a C6 with a Gear Vendor if I was inclined to do this at all. That, or a wide ratio C6 with a taller axle, or a manual trans.

Good luck. Do your homework.

 

Well the site ive been checking out is www.tranmissioncenter.org I talked to the guy and he told me the dowm side of an AOD and also how to fix them. I wanted to go with a manual but I keep on coming up with dead ends because of the weight of my truck and the power im producing I would have a problem with strenght. I know I probably could gwt by with a 4 speed toploader but I still wouldnt have the overdrive i'm wanting. I've done alot of reseach and this seems to be a good way to go. Just check the site out and see what they have to offer and then give me a heads up on ur ideas then. Let me know if there is a manual trans I can use. Oh and on the site I was goin to do the 4R70W gear swap but get my gears from a used unit. Thanks for replys though.

 

Sounds like you're doing the research. Manual OD trans would be TKO, T56 or NV4500 (truck trans), so no free lunch there.

Good luck.

 

Yea I called Tremec and noone could give me a straight answer cause I was looking at the T-56 or the TKO600. But after talking to the right people they said that if I got near 600 hp that niether one would be strong enough because of the weight factor. Going the AOD route it seems to be more cost efficient and is going to give me the results I'm looking for. With the lower first and second gear and the beef up it shouldnt have a problem launching of the line with the right converter and maybe 4.11 gears but with the overdrive I'm still capable of cruising down the interstate. Just thought Id post my idea to see if anyone has tried this or had any other suggestions. I plan to start rounding up parts after new years and will keep u guys and gals posted.

 

Oh yea the tranny is out of a 89 150 that had a 302 in it, not an 85.

 

a quick question.
what trans are you using thast it will mate to a 428??
the last i heard, there were no transmissions that would bolt up to the FE newer than the C6.

 

Did you miss "Thanks P.S. I know that i need an adapter for the trans to bolt up to the motor and have found a kit, " in the first post??



John

 

yup, you guessed it.

 

Yea thats ok I miss reading things sometimes to but yea an adapter is required. But ur right a c6 is the the newer tranny that will bolt directly to the motor.

 

I know this is an old thread but is there any new input on putting the aod behind the FE. I know lyntech and Performance Automatic are building aod's to hold 1000Hp but is ther any real world experience yet. My c6 is in need of a rebuild but like the idea of some better gas milage running down the highway.

 

Ya know, if it weren't for that rather pricey controller needed to operate it, the newer E4OD would be an attractive option. Locking convertor, and lots of internals "borrowed" from a C6. These were able to handle a 460 or the diesel, so I would think a moderately built FE wouldn't be an issue.
The controller and required bellhousing adapter would shoot up the total cost too high to ever be "practical"......

 

Just thought I'd share a link. AOD to FE adapter for $600. Which is like $250 less than the Bendtsen Adapter. AOD to FE

I would do a search over on that forum if you're looking for people experienced with an AOD behind an FE. There is a much larger population over there as well as many of the FE gurus to help you out.