BOP 400 vs AOD Ford trans

[Larry]

Im still considering the BOP 400 with a std Griner Brake. I was talking to Steve Griner ( griner Brakes)today. He suggest I talk to a number of people - one being FB Performance. I called and because I may drive on the street alittle bit- they suggested I go with a AOD ford trans. It has a forward shift pattern with a switch or button to go to overdrive. They put on an approved bell housing to bolt up to the block. He said I could use my stock shifter and would need minimal modification to the linkage and cooling lines. He said running Mid Nines with it would no problem- $2595. Pricey, but- the overdrive sounds good. They are at FB Performance - part # GM4STB. Anyone running this transmission? Pro's- Con's? Thanks Larry

 

[chris718]

at ck performance we build the same trans with all brand new planetaries and drums and also with a wide ratio gear set.we have several cars in the low 9 second zone running them successfully,.this thing is alot stronger than a 2004r and uses the ravigneaux style compound planetary that does the work of the 2004rs three planetary gearsets.we are the only company making a 40 element intermediate drum for this unit making it more reliable than the factorys weak roller clutch and updated mechanical diode.we also run them as three speeds in turbocharged 8 second renegade mustangs where a c4 rolls over and dies.our brake still has automatic shifting when desired and a functional tv system making it more user friendly than others.freddy brown is pretty reliable too from what i hear although i only know of a few people who have used it.

 

[Larry]

Price does not include the torque convertor. Chris, whats your opinion on using this AOD vs a 400? Thanks Larry

 

[chris718]

the 400 is great but if you need the overdrive than there is no better way to do it at your power level.the aod takes less horsepower in first and second gears,but slightly more in direct than a 400 because it must accellerate and drive the carrier to initiate direct drive and it is 17lbs.this is not to say there is a considerable increase in rear wheel horsepower over the 400 because although both units must run the reverse sun gears through a heavy clutch drum clockwise against engine rotation in maximum reduction,stop it in second and drive with the engine in third , the aod must also run the direct drum with the engine because it is locked to the turbine shaft from the moment the car is placed in gear and is must drive through its clutch pack in first and second gears when the clutch pack is not applied.this design makes a perfect 2/3 very hard to accomplish w/out proper calibration.in clutch surface area both are able to hold more power than they will ever need to and the forward and intermediate clutch packs are both very much similar in the capacity dept but not in the direct pack the 400 has about 35 percent more area when comparing a 6 pack 400 drum verses an 8 pack direct aod set up.anyhow the news is on and after the world events of the day i think we should all take a minute to appreciate our life liberty and the pursuit of happiness .these terrorist are taking innocent lives for a cause that will never be in my opinion possible w/out the existence of the united states .in other words be careful,they are everywhere.

 

[trophystock]

Chris, are you using an adapter plate to bolt the aod to the buick block? I would love to put an aode in my TTA!! These are in my opinion the absolute best tranny out there.

 

[chris718]

we are using a custom made bolt on aluminum bellhousing that bolts 2 the front pump.i agree with you ,it is a mechanical masterpiece to those who know how to work with it.

 

[trophystock]

what kind of money are we talking about? I assume it will be the same for the aaaaode vs. the aod? what do we do about the flex plate to match up to and aode converter. I have a converter and tranny and the computer for an aode and would love to have that in the car.