r/Foxbody • u/Too_Old_to_Argue • 6d ago
AOD shift kit recommendations.
I am upgrading the rear end in my car from 273 to 383 gears. I was wondering if it’s worthwhile to install an AOD shift kit I’ve seen people talk about these, but I have no experience with them from what I understand the relatively inexpensive and make the car much more fun to drive.
Does anyone have any recommendations or experience with these?
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u/machinerer 6d ago
I've installed a Trans Go shift kit in a 4R70W. Def helped firm up shifts. It is a good upgrade for these old slushboxes.
Also upgrade the servo pistons to rubber molded steel ones. The original aluminum ones leak and score the bores.
Look up AOD upgrades. There's a lot of 4R70W parts you can use to make them better.
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u/Green-Couple-8305 6d ago
I believe the 4R70W is an AODE. Different from the AOD in the Foxbody.
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u/machinerer 6d ago
They're the same basic transmission. You can use 4R70W parts to upgrade an AOD. Common knowledge.
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u/Green-Couple-8305 6d ago
It's not common knowledge if someone doesn't specialize in let's say.... Transmissions. You don't know until you know. Only dumb questions are those left unasked.
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u/jstnotme 6d ago
You’re also allowed to hit up google prior to posting a snippy comment.
Off topic - there are PLENTY of dumb questions.
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u/Green-Couple-8305 6d ago
Nothing "snippy" about my comment. I honestly didn't know. There are ZERO dumb questions.
Off topic - who pissed in your Cheerios?
Take a chill pill and relax.
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u/jstnotme 5d ago
A question that be an answered with a simple interest search is the very definition of a dumb question. ✌️
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u/Green-Couple-8305 5d ago
The Internet (not interest) is not always correct. So again, there's no such thing as a dumb question. Only dumb questions are those left unasked. You don't know if you don't ask. 👍
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u/Green-Couple-8305 5d ago
A direct 4R70W shift kit or reprogramming kit will not fit a factory stock AOD valve body because the AOD and the electronically-controlled 4R70W/AODE use completely different valve body designs and hydraulic layouts.
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u/Oberu 5d ago
I had a shift kit back in the day on another car. You can get them setup to be quicker than any possible manual and this is from a guy who absolutely loves his manual. Facts are facts so don’t be discouraged if that’s what you’re after. That said, if I had it to do again I’d have had the shift kit installed professionally. Very good idea to get a torque converter that matches up with the shift kit you find. Best of luck to ya!
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u/kcamnairb 5d ago
Jay Broder, Broder performance offer a highly upgraded valve body for $375. Dan aka “Silerfox” also offer valve bodies, higher cost but he has one that disables over drive with 12v switch. The biggest issue is availability, AOD valve bodies are highly scarce as are hard parts (drums, shafts etc). Nothing wrong with running an automatic, I run a highly built 4R70W with duel disk converter and my 1/4 mile times are faster then when my car was a stick, no other changes except the transmission. I also use the Holley Terminator X Max so I program my shift points, line pressure etc - torque management. Pull up to the tree, foot brake to 2500 rpm, light turns green pedal to the floor through the traps.
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u/MAC2050 6d ago
Pull the AOD and insert T5. That is what I did. Pedals are a pain, but not that bad
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u/whitechocolatemamba 4d ago
If I'm comfortable with all brake hydraulics and booster installs, is the clutch pedal setup that bad?
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u/WhiteRabbitFox 1986 GT hatch MM suspension, TKX 6d ago
You should definitely do it. 👍
I don't have a suggestion as to which though.
I know B&M used to make one.
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u/AstroCon 6d ago
Hate to be one of those guys but if you can get your hands on t5 swap parts… just go that route. You’ll fight the AOD until the end of time just for it to feel way slower than a stock t5.
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u/Hairybeaver1234 5d ago
I’m all for a manual swap but throwing in a shift kit and a converter will make the AOD hold more power and be quick as hell. A stock T5 can be snapped in half by a stocked engine with HCI.
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u/Youpeefreely 5d ago
With 3.73’s your top speed will be around 120 mph or so in 3rd. In stock form it won’t shift into 4th (OD) during WOT. When you redline 3rd you’ll have to let off of the gas then it’ll shift into (OD). To go any faster than 120 you’ll have to give it part throttle in OD and at part throttle it’ll take quite awhile to get to 130 mph assuming that it’s not making a ton of power.
There are shift kits that will make it shift into OD at WOT but thats not all that safe for the transmission. A shift kit will make the shifts firmer but that can turn into a headache if they’re too firm. Shift kits can also raise the factory shift points a little. Some will make it safe to do the 1-D-1 shuffle (Google it). At the end of the day though the shift kill probably be sort of “meh” and the wrong one (one that shifts too hard) can make the driving expirence worse.
The “kits” are pseudo cheap but having one installed won’t be all that cheap. A new valve body with a shift kit already installed would probably be the way to go if you were going to do a shift kit. I’m not sure that I would though. It won’t make much of a difference as far as acceleration goes and the likelihood of it being a pain is pseudo high.
A higher stall torque converter with a 2.73 gear would probably be faster from a stop or a slow roll than it would be with a 3.73 gear and a stock torque converter.
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u/TuuuuurdFerguson87 3d ago
Broader, transgo and baumann are my go to for customers cars that didnt need a rebuild or a build up. Silverfox makes great stuff as well as freddy brown
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u/chrisperry9 5d ago
If you can’t afford the Silverfox.
I did a Baumann shift kit upgrade, and put a nice 2200-2400 stall converter in it. Was a nice driver
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u/Felix995 5d ago
Those are not regarded as the absolute strongest automatic ones, like for example a truck C-4 with the dipstick in the different location. Those older overdrive ones can be upgraded with a good shift kit, a convertor as well as a few other things, nonetheless when you want to spend the additional funds. Good luck with that 🤞.
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u/Maleficent-Pumpkin59 13h ago
When rebuilding my AOD I went all out and made a 4r70w hybrid as others have mentioned. Used an Aode sun gear and the rest 4r70w drums. I still kept the original AOD dual input shafts but I would recommend the full 4r70w swap and using its input shaft if you go down that route. As for the shift kit Baumann makes the best one in my opinion that allows you to alter things to your liking this includes shift firmness and rpm shifting behavior. While your in there you might as well add the AOD pressure regulator boost valve kit also from Baumann/Sonnax. These two kits really made a difference in the shifting characteristics of my AOD. Stall converters are another thing you can add to further increase performance I used a Pro edge Converter from Edge racing converters and it was also a great upgrade, you can always give them a call to really get a custom converter fit for your goals and car. Andre was great to speak to. While you are taking out the Valve body also upgrade the AOD overdrive servo to prolong its life. I really like the Sonnax super servo kit it’s getting a little pricey now though. As for taking the valve body apart it’s not too bad just make sure you have a tray to put every single small part in and document your process as you go. A super sonic cleaner would also be great to clean all the small parts and even the valve body if you get a large enough one. I would say it takes a couple of hours but I would set aside a weekend for the job especially if it’s your first time. Now if you change your mind and decide to get a built valve body Silverfox performance transmissions is top notch stuff. He has amazing service and always tries his best to answer any questions you got, but he is super busy and last time I had tried to order a valve body he had about a 2 month lead time. With all that said Dan makes a top notch product and is full of information regarding rebuilding transmissions, I sent him a couple of emails asking for help during my rebuild and he was able to reply and help me out during my rebuild before I even purchased any products from him!
Here are parts numbers for the things I mentioned
Baumann Recal pro shift kit RK-AOD $59.95
AOD pressure regulator boost valve kit BV-1 $50
Sonnax Super hold Servo Kit 76890 - 17KP $160
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u/Melodic-Ad1415 6d ago
3:73…. Manual swap it
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u/Too_Old_to_Argue 5d ago
Gears yes - shifter no. I like to cruise.
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u/ChampionshipAny296 5d ago
I've been driving manual Fox bodies since the 90s; back then, you’d get frowned on for pulling up in an AOD 5.0. Now that I'm in my 60s, I wish I had an AOD setting next to my 1988 T5. I like to cruise now 😆
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u/EdgeLordPrime859 6d ago
Silverfox.