Best way to Launch AOD ??
 

I am wondering about the best way to launch an Automatic Overdrive car.

Do you put it in low gear and hold the brake down to rev up, take off and then up shift as you approach redline?

Or do you just brake with car in drive and take off?

Should the overdirve be off for best results?

Seems like it is hard to get very high RPM with car in drive. Just don't know how most people do this.

I found it works best to put it in drive and bring it to the stall and let her rip.

You won't be able to launch hard with the stock converter.:(

get a manual:o

Bring it up to against the brake in low, then do the AOD shuffle.

I can run a tenth quicker in BigCountryGT's car doing the shuffle, even with a passenger. So that would have been 2-2.5 tenths quicker if I was alone.

-Josh, aka the tireburner

Don't really need the AOD shuffle for a 2003 auto. :)

I'd brake up to the stall and launch in 1st and work your way through the gears. Turn the OD off, as you should cross the line in third. To do it well in an auto, you need a looser torque converter and a good shift kit or custom valve body.

--nathan

Hold the brake down as hard as you can with the overdrive OFF. Give it as much gas as you can untill you think the tires are gonna break. Do a few practice launches in a parking lot to get a reference as to what rpm your brakes give and the car moves.

Find the rpm that the brakes give and remember it. Go to the track or the street race and keep the revs 200 rmp lower than the break point and launch from there continuing with the AOD shuffle.

Its hard on your brakes and your drivetrain but if you want the best results thats what your gonna have to do. BTW AOD's suck.:p

I'm new but I had not heard of a shift kit for an AOD. Can you point me to place I can look at one? Also what is a custom valve body?

I really appreciate all the advice. I have been praticing a little and I think this is harder than launching a 5 speed. I understand a clutch!!!!

bauman indudsties, can not remember the web site though

definately keep overdrive off.
Ryan

Baumann or Transgo both make decent shift kits for AOD's and AODE's. They recalibrate how fluid flows through the valve body (the brain of your transmission). They will allow firmer, faster shifts and improve your times at the track. They're relatively cheap ($90-$110) and fairly simple, if tedious, to install.

As for a custom valve body, it's really the best way to go for an AOD or AODE car. Lentech makes one of the best out there (www.lentechautomatics.com). They're more expensive ($379+), but they are also more comprehensive in the changes they make, and they're fairly straight forward to install. For an AOD car, the only other mod that matches it for performance and fun factor gain is the torque converter. I'm not familiar with their performance on the new automatic transmissions, however. They've got a good rep and lots of big names in the auto world use their product.

--nathan