Can someone teach me about shift kits? I have heard of them and sort of know what they do but not exactly. I have a '90 aod btw. I'd like to install a shift kit later on. How much are they? Where can I get one? Has anyone installed one and how did it work out for you?

Tanner

 

Well shift kit is short for Shift Improver Kit, and that's exactly what it does. A stock transmission usually has buttery smooth shifts to keep your average customer happy, but the way this is done is by applying the clutches and bands slowly. Slipping the clutches, just like you'd do with a manual transmission. Now since the clutch packs and bands are internal to the transmission they're bathed in transmission oil. Slipping them causes the oil to heat up from the friction, and also causes them to wear faster as you'd expect.

So what a shift kit does is make it so that when the trans goes to shift gears, it applies the clutches and bands much faster and firmer by allowing more oil flow to the clutch apply pistons and band apply servos. This forces them into engagement with barely any slippage, just like dropping the clutch on a manual transmission. Most shift kits also contain parts to increase line pressure (helps with firming up the shifts) and sometimes improve oil flow for better lubrication and/or cooling.

The end result is that after you put a shift kit in, each gear change will be firm and snappy instead of mushy, and instead of taking ~1 second to complete a shift, it'll only take maybe less than half a second. If you set it up for max performance, it feels like powershifting a manual transmission. I had one in my Thunderbird (4R70W transmission) and it would bark the tires on the 1-2 shift and usually chirp into 3rd. Made people look twice at that car!

They're usually less than $100, and you can install most of them yourself if you have a clean work area and basic hand tools. You can get them online or from just about any speed shop. Here's a few for an AOD:

TransGo AOD: AOD-HP

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/bmm-40263/overview/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/trg-aod-hp (Same as first link)

Note that I said those were for an AOD... I did NOT say "your" AOD because I didn't read the applicable years and notes and whatnot, so make sure you read up before you buy. If you order from Summit Racing (great folks) you can call them up and tell them what you have, and they'll tell you what will work.

This is a video of a Chebby with a shift kit.
It was the first result that came up and I wasn't looking for Fords specifically, but your AOD will be about the same. See how fast the gear changes happen? Don't expect to be able to chirp second gear every time! It all depends on how mild or wild you set your shift kit up, what kind of tires you have, road conditions, etc.

I'll be installing a kit in my E4OD soon when it's due for an oil change. Just because I hate that it shifts like a Lincoln.

 

Thanks a lot for that info Dixie, very helpful. I'm interested in the transgo kit in your link. It says that it should fit my application, a 1990 f150.

How easy are they to install? I've never done any trans work except for a fluid/filter change. The price is good so the only obstacle for me would be if I could install it myself with basic tools.

Tanner

 

I was 16 (34 years ago) when I installed my first shift kit. I did it in a home garage with no lift or air tools. If you can read and have a reasonable amount of tools you can do it in an afternoon. The only specialized tool I would buy or rent is an inch-lb. torque wrench.

 

subscribing as I am curious to what the answers are on this forum vs the forum I answered him on.
Trav

 

Thanks, I'm 17 and have a pretty good collection of tools. I'm also pretty good at working on trucks so maybe it won't be a big deal.

Also, I'm interested in raising the shift points a bit. I've read about people adjusting the tv cable on the aod to increase upshift rpm. Does anyone have any info on that?

Tanner

 

I would follow the factory adjustment procedure here:
Monkeying around with the TV cable adjustment can be detrimental to your wallet thickness. You can effect small changes by toying with the TV cable but it can be an expensive experiment.

Since the AOD is basically a mechanical/hydraulic transmission the best way to increase shift point RPM is with the governor.

Try this: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/trg-aod-hirev

 

So the OP has a history of the same question and expecting a different answer?

 

Well he asked it at the same time and I noticed it on the other forum before this one.
Now if he is looking for a different answer I don't know. LOL
Trav

 

It's all good!

 

I was just trying to get all the info I could before I tried it out. I appreciate everyone's input

Tanner

 

No problem here....just trying to figure out where you are coming from. It's a learning curve for everyone. Just realize the AOD is mechanical/hydraulic so easy quick fixes can be detrimental.

My second vehicle, since I destroyed a very nice 1974 Monte Carlo, was a C20 2wd Chevy truck. I did the shift kit and a few other electrical mods. It was almost bullet proof. The valve springs gave out at ~5200 RPM so there was little chance of grenading the motor. The B&M shift kit I put in was killer. Chirp the tires at every 1-2 and 2-3 shift. I sold the truck 6 years later for the same price I bought it for. Huge fan of shift kits from reputable suppliers.

 

Thanks for the advice and the link to that governer kit. How hard are those to install? Would this work well with the shift kit?

Tanner

 

Appreciate it man. You think I could bark on the 1-2 shift with my truck and the transgo aod hp? Lol

Tanner

 

I read over on the mustang forums about the aod 1-d-1 shuffle. Some people said they have done it without issue and some say it has a negative effect on the trans. Your thoughts?

Tanner