-TransGo or Baumann Shift Kit
-Sonnax Pressure Regulator & Bypass Clutch Control Valves
-Auxiliary Transmission Cooler
-Transmission Temperature Guage
-B&M Transmission Drain Plug

This is literally $200.00-$250.00 worth of transmisison performance and insurance. These few simple mods would prevent or cure every flaw inherent to the AOD-E/4R70W, yet as far as I know, Neal is the only owner here that has all of them.

Considering the value of these mods, I'm scratching my head as to why everyone here hasn't done them already.

 

So where can I get these parts and is it do-able for a amateur wrench-head (I've changed the air filter ) or should I pay someone to do this? I have access to a lift (I think). Would you also recommend upgrading the Valve Body?

Thanks in advance..
- Jay

 

f150intally
The Transgo or Baumann shift kit is the upgrade to the valvebody. Then going a step better you would add the two Sonnex valves.
If your looking for a valve body replacement upgrade not too many places make that for the 4R70W/AODE's. THe 4R100 boys are best off buying the Factory Tech unit's but the rest of us can usually get buy with a shift kit.
If you do want a whole valvebody replacement, here ya go www.lentechautomatics.com./

 

Ok,

so I spoke to an old friend who built a transmission in one of my previous cars. Get this, he works for the chevrolet dealer but is going to put these parts into my ford tranny. This kid is awesome. I say kid because he is no more than 26 years old, a real natural born mechanic.

Any ways, here is what I'm thinking:
Transgo Shiftkit (buy from Summit)
Transmission Cooler (Suggestions for Brand????)
Sonnax valves (Suggestions on Vendor???)
B&M Drain Plug Kit (buy from Summit)

Where do I get the transmission cooler and Sonnax Valves from? Should I call Sonnax and ask for an authorized dealer?? Also, what transmission cooler is recommended for my tranny?

Thanks.
- Jay

 

HI!... You can get the SONNAX valves from BAUMANN ENGINEERING. I'm running a aftermarket PERMA-COOL 10" X 14" large tube aluminum tranny cooler. Also get yourself a small electric fan for the cooler hooked to a manual switch inside the truck.I also suggest splicing in a AUX tranny filter.

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https://www.f150online.com/galleries...4-793-6937.jpg
https://www.f150online.com/galleries...4-793-6939.jpg

 

Wow, I'm halfway there! I did'nt get the two sonnax valves cuz they were recomended for trannies with 40k miles or more and at the time I only had 19K. I'll install the drain plug at 40k miles along with the sonnax valves. A temp gauge is a good idea but then again all my gauges are the factory Ford certified bogus units.

What I did do is a thorough drain of the trans and torque converter. A Transgo kit set to level 2, a fat trans cooler, and then a refill with synthetic trans fluid (Mobil 1= Mercon spec).

Still good insurance over stock though not as thorough a your recomendations

Maybe Neal can tell us where he got a set of pillar pods for 3 gauges?? Or is it a set of 2 along with a single??

 

HI!... I currently have 3 single AUTOMETER guage pods stacked on top of each other. They are trimmed to fit. I'm currently waiting the arrival of my one peice LO-TEK 3 way 2-1/16 colour matched guage pod to arrive.

 

Thanks for the reply Neal. I checked out the LO-TEK gauges at their website. They look alot more sanitary when they are all intergrated like that.

 

Neal,
Do I remember you learned this the hard way??
I have only the Chip to increase line pressure in my trans. It is running great but at 120,000 miles (turned on sunday), can my trans take it if I do these mods??
I think I am going to put in a performance torque converter. Nothing radical but mostly for towing, any suggestions?

 

HI!... WLF : QUOTE]Originally posted by WLF
[B]Neal,
Do I remember you learned this the hard way?

HUH????????


I would say for you to install a TRANSGO shift kit before going with the stall converter. Stock stall is around 1600 - 1700RPM. I'm currently having a custom one built for my truck that is going to be a 2400RPM stall. I don't suggest you go that high if your not going to the track. At 120,000 MILES I would very strongly suggest that you go with the ONNAX valves.

 

Neal,
Just thought I read a post by you a while back that you blew a trans.

OK and these valves are available at Baumann? Also can they be installed without pulling the tranny??
I might as well go with the valve body at the same time.

It's a little early for a trans fluid change but I am going to tow my 5th wheel to Indian Head beach in FL in a couple of weeks. About a 1,200 mile trip each way. So I may as well do the trans upgrades now and change the fluid...

I will have to wait on the torque converter but when I do, what stall do you recommend? Also what company?? Can't afford to get my truck to run with the Mustangs (kicks a$$ with other trucks though) so my main reason is for towing.

 

I sent an email yesterday to Baumann requesting pricing information, but haven't heard anything yet.

 

HI!... WLF : Yes I did blow up a transmission. I actually broke a intermediate shaft. This was caused by the BAUMANN ENGINEERING's shift kit. I now run a TRANSGO on it's highest setting. I would strongly suggest if your going to do a fluid change as well, to go with a full synthetic fluid like REDLINE D4. Full synthetic fluid has a lot higher burn temp than the factory fluid. The TRANSGO shift kit is not a new valve body. It is a recalibration kit for your stock valve body. It will increase line pressure mechanically instead of electronically. This is the better and safer way of increasing line pressure.I got my two SONNAX valves at BAUMANN ENGINEERING when I ordered their CRAPPY shift kit. The "PRESSURE REGULATOR VALVE" is PART # PR-AOD-E and is $15.00(U.S). The " BYPASS CLUTCH CONTROL VALVE is PART # BCV-AOD-E is $25.00(U.S)

 

I tried to get in touch with the Baumann people. They will not respond. I bought my Transgo kit through Truckperformance.com. I have a question. The kit did not come with a new pan gasket. Do I need to purchase this? It does not stick well with me reusing a gasket.

 

I seem to recall the newer trans gaskets are reusble.

Sound kind of weird I know from teh old school this is a no-no, but I have seen several posts were reusing the stock gasket is ok to do.

See what other answers you get, but if you look over the posts on changing the trans fluid, they reuse them.

Don't know for sure what year this started, that is the other to check, I don't know the year of your truck.