PRODUCTS & PRESS
INTRODUCING
AEROMOTIVE’S ADJUSTABLE
UNIVERSAL IN-TANK
BRUSHLESS FUEL PUMPS
SONNAX ANNOUNCES
INNOVATIVE NEW
SMART-TECH® DIRECT
CLUTCH DRUM & SHAFT KIT
■ Imagine racing a Ford with an
automatic that can go head-to-head
with the durability of a Powerglide,
400 or 4L80. Confidently running
big power through AODE, 4R70W
series transmissions is now a real-
ity. Sonnax — the most trusted
name in transmission innovation
— is proud to announce the in-
novative new Smart-Tech® direct
clutch drum and shaft kit. Proven
to handle even the most extreme
torque and horsepower, it is the first
and only upgrade to eliminate the
direct clutch as the Achilles heel of
this transmission family.
While AODE, 4R70W units can
handle big power, the whole direct
clutch area is major obstacle because
its design long ago fell behind ad-
vances in engine output. Smoked
clutches are chronic due to insuffi-
cient torque capacity, and the frag-
ile stub shaft is prone to shearing at
the worst times. Aside from know-
ing that extra torque can quickly
kill their transmission, many driv-
ers never realized the exact nature
of this ticking time bomb until they
lose 3rd and 4th gears. Worse, they
then learned there was no way to
guarantee it wouldn’t happen again.
Builders struggled for years chas-
ing direct drum failures because the
right components just weren’t avail-
able to solve all of its design flaws.
Sonnax dug into the root cause
68 | D r a g
of both shaft and clutch prob-
lems to develop the patented
Smart-Tech kit. The foundation
is a revolutionary one-piece drum
and shaft design that eliminates
the weak connection point where
drum splines strip and shafts
break. Even other aftermarket
upgrades that rely on a heavy-duty
stub shaft will sheer in this area
under extreme conditions. The
Smart-Tech shaft itself is signifi-
cantly thicker — two times stron-
ger than the OE — and works with
a unique, heavy-duty sun gear that
installs over the top. To optimize
protection against clutch burn-up,
the custom drum and piston hold
one extra friction for 17% more
clutch capacity.
This Smart-Tech kit is an ideal, all-
in-one upgrade for any vehicle push-
ing the limits of stock components.
It installs easily into all Ford AODE,
4R70E/W and 4R75E/W transmis-
sions with 2.84/1.55 gear sets. A late
AODE sun gear can be used in place
of the Sonnax gear with 2.40/1.46
gear sets. For details on this product
(Sonnax Part No. 76656-01K) and
related upgrades, visit www.son-
nax.com/ford_direct_drum. Son-
nax transmission components are
available from performance parts
distributors and are the trusted
choice of top performance special-
ists worldwide.
I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com
■ Adjustability is the name of the
game for Aeromotive’s latest addi-
tions to its popular Brushless Fuel
Pump Series.
Based on customer feedback
from the 2018 PRI Show, the fuel
delivery experts at Aeromotive
Inc. went to work creating all-new,
adjustable-height, in-tank configu-
rations of the company’s Brushless
Fuel Pump Series.
The Brushless A1000 (#18368),
Brushless Eliminator (#18369),
Brushless 3.5 GPM (#18374) and
Brushless 5.0 GPM (#18375) pumps
are now offered in new, adjustable
configurations that make installation
of these in-tank pumps possible in
almost any application.
“Our customers told us that ad-
justability was an issue,” said Steve
Matusek of Aeromotive. “Our new
Adjustable Universal In-Tank Brush-
less Fuel Pumps offer a more univer-
sal fit for a wider variety of fuel cells
from 10-16 inches in depth.”
The new Adjustable Universal In-
Tank Brushless Fuel Pumps offer the
power and versatility demanded of
fuel delivery systems in the high-per-
formance market – from dedicated
track cars to radical street machines.
STRANGE AXLES OFFER OVER
$75,000 IN CONTINGENCY
■ Strange Engineering has always
looked for ways to reward its loyal
customers by putting money back
in the hands of the racers. NHRA
racers will have an opportunity to
claim over $75,000 in posted con-
tingency for the 2018 race season
for Strange Axles at all National
events. Unlike other companies,
Strange only requires the decal and
parts be on the car for verification.
No receipts and no product expira-
tion dates to contend with. Strange
prides itself on paying out contin-
gency quickly as well. Strange is
standing by with the check book
open and pen in hand. Remem-
ber… Don’t just race, Race Strange!
Issue 144