AOD "budget mods"

[JoeDirt88]

Hey guys- back after about 1 yearlong absence, and my post count is gone! Love the new additions to the site!

Anyway, I've changed a few things in my car, I now have an AOD with a mild shift kit installed, B&M 2400-stall converter, Dodge Ram HD Hemi Tranny cooler, (see- they're good for something!) and overall, I'm happy with the performance. Love to eat and drink in the car now!!!

I am looking to make a few upgrades to my car this spring, mainly a manual valve body, and a new auto shifter and 4:10 gears. (I'm running 3.73's right now) for some more push out of the hole. I have shaved P-heads, and a ported out Cobra lower, stock Cobra upper, and the car bogs out of the hole, then takes off.

I am on a budget, so a Lentech valve body is out of the question, I'm thinking about a TCI Street Fighter Manual Valve body, and a B&M P/N 81002 Mustang AOD-specific hammer shifter, probably also a B&M P/N 40263 Stage 2 Street & Strip shift kit.

Thoughts? Is there anything else I should consider? I need to keep it under $500, and I can get this stuff total for $425 from Summit. I need to have my 4:10's installed yet, and get some other miscellaneous non-car-related things, so I need to keep it down.

***Also- how much hassle is it to change the speedo gear to a 23 tooth? I think when we installed the AOD, we just stuffed the t-5 gear in the tailshaft, and knowing it'll self-destruct sooner or later, it's still going a year later... (???)

Thanks!