But, on the flip side:
The whole purpose of using an AOD is for mileage concerns. The OD drops rpm quite a bit. Use of a higher stall converter combined with running (normally) 1500 RPM on the freeway would create a lot of heat and converter "slippage" with a non lockup converter. Lets say your AOD normally runs 1500 at 60 mph. Add that 3500 converter without the lock up feature, you're going to increase that RPM to probably 1800-2000 RPM...and creating some more heat that needs to be dealt with. With the lockup feature, you can still keep your 1500 cruise speed, but also have your great launch.
But, the AOD's design doesn't really work that well with lots of torque and a lockup converter. That's where Lentech and a few other companies have redesigned an AOD valvebody that (in some cases) will allow you to use a electric solenoid to lock the converter at highway speed, yet still have a reasonably strong transmission. I recently took a ride with a buddy that had a '92 LX coupe with a 393 that I built for him. It also uses an AOD...with a Lentech VB. The first 3 gears are exactly like a c4/c6...then with a flip of a switch he locks the converter and puts 'er in OD with the shifter.....makes a GREAT cruiser, and a decent strip car.
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"it is better to appear ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"--Mark Twain
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: mavman on 2/20/06 12:13am ]</font>