Author Topic: AOD Problems (Read 900 times)

PJ Moran · « **on:** October, 07, 2010, 03:52:36 PM »

My engine's a 408 that produces 524 hp and 516 ft-lbs at or below 500 rpm. I purchased a transmission from PATC in Bossier City, LA. It was rated at 550 hp. That pice of crap went out right away.

I had my local shop rebuild it and put in some better parts, but still used their valve body. Crapped out, again.

Both times, the OD/Reverse band was wiped out and the drum it rides on got chewed up. The second time, the input shaft got twisted.

PATC refused to help me unless I brought the car to their shop for inspection and repair. They're over three hours away, so I contend that that's an unreasonable position to hold. They refuse to pay "my" guy to inspect and fix their trans. What if I were ten hours away? 18? Is it still reasonable to demand that I take the car (or ship the trans) back to them? I think not.

PATC sucks. And, I'm not their first victim.

Rebuilt a third time with hardened shaft and every known hard part upgrade. I also used a valve body from an AOD "expert" I discovered on the 'net.

Lost fourth again. Not totally, but it slipped alot.

VB man builds me a new VB, this time a "constant pressure" type. OD and downshifting problems solved. Shifts great both ways. But, now it slips and shudders badly when taking off from a stop. Not so much when cold, but horrible when hot. Almost won't go anywhere.

Tranny builder says it's still the VB. VB guy doesn't buy it - claims it's bad clutches. While they're pointing fingers at each other, I'm paying my trans guy to keep working on my trans that keeps failing as a result of no fault of mine.

I need someone to build me a valve body that actually works in a high performance application like mine. I tend to believe my trans builder - that the VB is the cullprit. He says we've eliminated all other possibilites.

I do not race this car. It's never seen WOT. I just have fun with it on the street, which means some spirited driving and the occasional burnout. No big deal, really.

I need to get hooked up with a true AOD guru who can get me on the road once and for all.

miketyler · « **Reply #1 on:** October, 07, 2010, 05:28:10 PM »

Whose constant pressure VB did you use? I was interested in going this route on my AOD conversion as well just to minimize low pressure damage from TV cable misadjustment. I was considering the TCI VB.

http://www.tciauto.com/Products/ValveBody/

DougG69 · « **Reply #2 on:** October, 11, 2010, 11:18:22 AM »

Might try Lentech or Silverfox Performance (who also has a message board). Both have good reps with AODs. I ended up going with a manual trans, but those two are who I was looking at if I went AOD.

miketyler · « **Reply #3 on:** October, 11, 2010, 12:27:29 PM »

I think Silverfox moderates www.clickclickracing.com, doesn't he? Lots of good info over there

PJ Moran · « **Reply #4 on:** October, 11, 2010, 04:46:10 PM »

Well...

Silver Fox is "VB man". I don't know how this will play out. I'm just looking ahead in case he gives up and sends me elsewhere. I was going to check out TCI, but I try to not get sucked in by brand names who are more about advertising than product quality. TCI might be great, but they also might be quite ordinary, but have done a great marketing job.

My engine builder recommends Performance Automatics for transmissions. I don't know about their valve bodies.

Jonk67 · « **Reply #5 on:** October, 14, 2010, 01:08:36 PM »

I'll be following this thread PJ as I'm in the same boat, have a PATC Dominator Jr. that I got off CL for 1/3 original price, uninstalled still in the wrapper. I have read a few reports on quality of the PATC builds and it has me a little worried. I also ordered the SPT-R model Dan @Silverfox builds with OD lockout button, was impressed with the price and fact that it had an adjustment I could change in a 800rpm range for WOT shifts in D. The TCI VB with similar features (OD lockout) was 2X the cost, as you mentioned I believe advertising/name is most of that cost.

I am trying to figure out how I could flush the trans through the inlet/outlet lines while it's out the car and while I have the VB off to make sure there are no 'particles' in any of the passages before i install it as it's never had fluid through it. I'd hate to clog Dan's new VB with trash from the PATC build if there is any.
Jon

PJ Moran · « **Reply #6 on:** October, 14, 2010, 06:45:49 PM »

Quote from: Jonk67 on October, 14, 2010, 01:08:36 PM

I'll be following this thread PJ as I'm in the same boat, have a PATC Dominator Jr. that I got off CL for 1/3 original price, uninstalled still in the wrapper. I have read a few reports on quality of the PATC builds and it has me a little worried. I also ordered the SPT-R model Dan @Silverfox builds with OD lockout button, was impressed with the price and fact that it had an adjustment I could change in a 800rpm range for WOT shifts in D. The TCI VB with similar features (OD lockout) was 2X the cost, as you mentioned I believe advertising/name is most of that cost.
Jon

I would try to find a buyer for that trans and go buy one from Performance Automatics or reputable builder of your choice. I wouldn't even attempt to run that thing.

My forward clutches are toast. Trans has to come out, again. Builder says it's the VB. He now has no faith in Silver Fox and ordered me a TCI constant pressure VB (after talking to them on the phone about my issues). He gets them much cheaper than you or I could and is not charging me any mark-up on it. He believes this TCI VB will be the end of the saga.

If all goes well, I'll be on my fifth trans by next weekend. :po