First post here (looking for advice and input)

[88mustang]

(This turned out longer than I expected)

I've been working on this car for a few years now and it has gone through a few changes in that time.

The first mod was from 5 speed to AOD, I was paralyzed in a military parachuting accident and could no longer drive a stick, but I could not bring myself to sell her. I've been through 2 transmissions (one rebuilt 3 times) and I'm still not sure its right.

After I could drive it again I upgraded the chassis with the usual mods so it could handle the power I hoped it would have. Lowering springs, better shocks, poly bushings, subframe connectors, strut tower brace, headers, bassini exhaust, 3.73 gears, MSD 6...

Then I went to work on the engine. I had the stock block rebuilt with better internals and kept the compression low for a kenne bell SC. I also put in a better cam, twisted wedge heads, 42lbs injectors, 75 mm TB and converted it to mass air.(never could get it to run right or stop eating belts so off came the SC, but I still have it). With the AOD I didn't like the 3.73 so I stepped down to 3.27's which I thought would be good with my next combo.

For simplicity I decided to stay NA for now, but went with big CI. I ordered a 426 stroker from speed'o'motive, upgraded the entire fuel system (stayed with fuel injection), trickflow R intake, roller rockers, custom cam, a bevy of new parts for the 302 to 351 conversion and added a twEECer to get all these new parts working together. (I'm sure I am leaving something out)

I have only run this latest combo on the track twice the first run was 13.16@109 and 12.92@108. FARRRR from what I expected. It still needs to be tuned some for idle and crusing but WOT is running good with A/F ratio right around 12:1. Part is me the amature driver and I think the transmission is shifting too early around 5200 RPM, but still I expected low to mid 11's atleast.

So what do you all think? ALL input is welcome.

BTW I'm from Tyler, TX any local boys speak up!

[dodgestang]

1. Did you have Speedo recommend the cam? If you did, get a difference cam. I have had a couple 'bad' expereinces with speedomotive one was the cam..I had them recommend a cam for my 408...they made a recommendation "400 at the wheels..no problem with this cam and your combo"...6 dyno pulls later I was still just under 300 RWHP.

2. You are shifting well below your peak power.

Lets talk about the trans...where did it come from (pulled from junkyard or bought from a manu), what has been done to it? I run a transgo shiftkit in my AOD and it will let me hold any RPM I want in any gear. If you have a good quality shift kit, are you shifting it manually or are you letting it shift itself? Shifting an AOD that has not been upgraded to a Lentech valve body is funky....you start it in 1 or L (depends on your shifter labeling, but in the all the way back posistion) and then to get it and hold second, you have to upshift (push up) and IMMEDIATELY pull back down into the way low indent. This puts you in second and then when you need 3rd you click up once again.

[88mustang]

Hey Nick,


Thanks for the reply.

The cam was recommended and ground by comp. It was ground for NO2, but that will come later.

The specs are

lift .577 int .609 exh
duration 250/262

As for the transmission I had it built and installed by phoenix transmission in Weatherford, TX and the converter came from art carr. I chose this shop after my TCI trans burnt up 3 times. They were recommended by a friend with a 1985 monty carlo that runs low 12's heavy ass car lots of horsepower I figured it was a safe bet. I'm not sure what is in it?

Unfortunately I have to let the trans shift itself. One hand on the hand controls (gas and brake) and the other on the steering wheel. Kinda sucks but its better than not driving at all.

I know its shifting too early, but I do not know the adjustment needed to delay it. I was hoping someone here could point me in the right direction. I've thought about bringing it back to phoenix but the car has not been running too long and they are 170 miles away.

Tim

[my95GTHO]

as long as the transmission has some type of kick down linkage you should be able to adjust the kick down so that it downshifts quicker....which will cause the transmission to shift later also

[dodgestang]

When I got my first AOD build done I was told that the fastest you get an AOD to shift auto under WOT was 5400-5600 RPM and then the governor or the valve body would enforce the shift so that if I wanted to go past that I would need to manually shift it.

[fast88]

the a/f is part of your problem......12:1 is pig fat for runnin n/a........you can go up in 14:1 and still be safe......12:1 is a good a/f for power adder cars...not all motor machines.

welcome to the site

rich

[88mustang]

I am working on the A/F ratio. I've got a twEECer (which is an awsome tool) but the learning curve is pretty steep. I have made some good adjustments since the track and things are staying close to 14:1.

[ct_mustangboy]

You and me have allot in common, were both paraplegic, 35 and race AOD mustangs!! It sounds like you have a great mustang just need to fine-tune it. I highly recommend the purchase of a lentech valvebody to get the most out of your high horsepower pony. This way you have total control over your shift points. The lentech is fully automatic but when your racing it can be shifted manually. I know you are worried about shifting the tranny manually but it's not that bad. I drive with hand controls and shift the tranny myself with no problems. Try it out with the tranny setup you have now then go out and buy a lentech, you won't be disappointed.

[stang5093]

ct mustangboy when in ct are you from?

[ct_mustangboy]

Hey stang5093 how's it going? Nice ride you got there. I bet you scare the shit out of your friends with that LX. I live in Monroe CT which is next to shelton, trumbull and newtown. Are you part of any local mustang/car clubs ? Look forward to your reply, later.
:)

[stang5093]

I dont belong to any clubs of of yet but I am a forum member of the late model mustang club of ct. Are you in any clubs and do you have any pics of your car? glad to see another Ct person on the board. :D

[BlueDevil]

hey hey. :!: