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Original Message
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| The Lentech AOD for the FE, a report. |
| By WEM - 08/01/2001 6:17:20 PM; IP 198.245.206.217 |
I ordered, received and installed a Lentech AOD for a FE. The trans came with a 10” stall converter of my choice and I chose a 2400 stall. The following is report for those whom are interested.
PRICE: $3000, shipping included, delivery time was 3 weeks. The trans arrived in 2x4 framed box and looked great.
ADD ONS: Shifter cable (fabricate brackets), throttle cable (fabricate brackets), trans air cooler
MODS: dip stick tube (bend a little), cooler lines (used fittings out of C-6, bend and cut), The yoke needs to be changed – the Lentech uses a 5.0 yoke for a manual trans – not AOD.
NOTABLE: The x-member on my 68’ torino fit perfect. The D/S needs to be lengthed about ½ “ I just left mine for now.
DISLIKED: The trans requires spacers to be placed between the flexplate and the torque converter. To do this Lentech supplies bolts to fasten to the flexplate and not studs. I couldn’t think of how to hold the spacer (with out glueing) and put in the bolts so I opted for hardened studs that I had to cut from threaded rod. Maybe I just missed something?
LIKED: The Lentech AOD has transformed my mild mannered 390 (I couldn’t even break the tires loose with an open rearend) in to a tire screeching muscle car - the way it should be. The motor revs now - the 10 inch converter really lightens things up! The car burns the tires all the way thru first with a good second gear chirp. Then I get on the freeway doing 75 mph and tack 2400 rpm w/ a 3:25 gear. Crisp, firm shifts give the car a racey feel and the OD increases drivability by eliminating excessive engine noise. Top down cruises to the beach just got better.
SUGGESTIONS: I think Lentech should include some options that are actually required for the install. (However, until more folks decide to by the trans its difficult to do)· A tv cable assembly from Lokar.· A cable assembly from B&M with bracket for hooking the shifter up.· Someway to calibrate the dip stick fluid level by measuring the dip stick (I’m going to get the info. by comparing my father in law’s 5.0.That’s all I can think of to make the job flow better (without sit and think sessions followed by parts runs……)
TUNING: The TV cable tells the trans when to shifts happen (it’s a combination of the modulator and kickdown linkage in function), any binding in the cable will screw it up and the rate and starting point at which the cable is pulled is important to achieve the shift you like. I spend about 2 days working with mine (1 hour in time) and I’m happy.
MILEAGE: I working on that, the base line mileage was 12 mpg (390 – c6 – 2:75’s) so well see. The biggest reason I can’t quote the new mileage is that the car now burns rubber so I’m kinda flooring it a lot and screwing up the numbers ;) I should calm down in a month or so. Another interesting aspect of the mileage will be the gas save by not spending the money on hipo parts! LOL
FINAL THOUGHTS: I’m happy with the trans and with Lentech’s 3 year warrantee I feel confident its money well spent (I also spoke with Len of Lentech 2 out of 3 times when I called the tech line and got good answers). The main reason for getting the trans was to enjoy the added performance of lower gears (I know 3:25’s aren’t that low, but 4:1’s are definitely streetable with a AOD) and the ability to cruise the highway at a low rpm – I accomplished all my goals. Too bad it wasn’t cheaper, but I’d do it again. My next drive train project will be a fuel injection conversion of some sorts…..
Later, Bill the Ginnepig...
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