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Top Ten Questions List of CategoriesThe AOD was a good transmission in it's day, but the newer AODE and 4R70W have many improvements. The AODE has a thicker, simpler, and much more reliable valve body that is much less likely to warp than the thinner more complex AOD valve body. The AODEs also all came with the 2 inch wide overdrive band and an A (largest Diameter) Overdrive servo. The input shaft is also much stronger on the AODE than the AOD. Lastly, the AODE has a lockup converter clutch rather than a mechanical, gear dependent lockup. What this means is that with the AODE you can have 2nd, 3rd, or 4th gear locked or unlocked. No longer do you have to decide between streetability and performance. You can have your lockup for efficiency, and unlock the converter for better acceleration.
The 4R70W offers all of the above benefits with the addition of a lower first and second gear ratio to help initial acceleration. Beginning in 1998, the 4R70W also has the Mechanical Diode intermediate one way clutch, and an even better direct input shaft. Certain models also have hardened gears, such as the 1998 and later 5.4 trucks.
The Baumannator TCS is a stand-alone controller, and was originally intended for retrofit applications. It can be used on originally equipped vehicles, but steps must be taken to insure the engine continues to operate properly. Ford uses one PCM (Powertrain Control Module; a. k. a. processor, computer, etc.) to run both the engine and the transmission. To install the Baumannator TCS, the wires that went to the Ford EEC PCM for the transmission functions must be cut. Without the input from and output to the transmission, the EEC PCM may run the engine using “failure mode” strategies, causing driveablity problems.
Some ways to overcome this include using an aftermarket “chip” to ensure that the engine continues to run normally, or if available, switching to an EEC PCM for the same model car with a manual transmission. Swapping PCMs, however, is not simple on all cars because of the PATS (Passive Anti-Theft System) now being used by Ford, which requires that the EEC PCM must match the key for the engine to start. The anti-theft system can be reprogrammed by the dealer, but you may want to call ahead and be sure that your local dealer has the necessary equipment. Also, some models (e.g. Crown Victoria) never had a manual transmission option, making the processor swap less feasible.
We are also developing new solutions that employ additional circuitry to “fake out” the original EEC PCM, allowing it to operate normally, despite the missing signals. We will provide this additional circuitry in a special, application-specific TCS unit. Another advantage will be the ability to quickly bypass the Baumannator TCS and run with the stock electronics for testing. This can be beneficial in some circumstances for troubleshooting and comparison testing.
Once this solution is available, we will post installation diagrams on our web site. Since each application is a little different, we will release these systems as they are developed and tested, starting with the 1994-1995 V8 Mustang application.
Baumann Electronic Controls, LLC
207 Mistr Lane
Pickens, SC 29671
Phone: 864-335-9365
Fax: 864-335-9055
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Last updated on January 5th, 2008