PRODUCTS & PRESS
SONNAX’S NEW
AODE, 4R70W
TRANSMISSION UPGRADE
JEGS AIRGAP INTAKE
MANIFOLD FOR SMALL
BLOCK CHEVY WITH 1996-
2002 VORTEC L31
■ This single four-barrel dual
plane intake manifold is designed
for 262-400 c.i.d. Chevy V8’s with
1996 -2002 Vortec (L31) cast iron or
Edelbrock E-Tec aluminum heads.
The AirGaps designed open air space
separates the runners to keep the hot
engine oil away resulting in a cooler,
denser charge for more performance.
• Port exit dimensions: 1.040 in.
x 2.030 in.
• Recommended Intake Gasket:
JEGS p/n 555-210003
• Estimated runner length - Shortest:
4 in.
• Estimated runner length - Longest:
6.500 in.
• Manifold height: (A) 4.200 in.,
(B) 5.250 in
• May also be used on Vortec or
1995-Earlier blocks with Vortec
pattern cylinder heads
• Accepts late model alternator,
water neck, AC, and HEI
• No provision for divorced or
heated choke
• No Heat Crossover
• Stock/stamped steel valve covers
may require 3/16 in. (or thicker)
valve cover gaskets. We recommend:
555-210076 for adequate
runner clearance.
MOROSO CAMARO/FIREBIRD
‘98-’02 GM LS SERIES
DRAG RACE OIL PAN
■ Confidently running big power
through Ford automatics is the new
reality for extreme racers on the
street and strip. The Smart-Tech®
direct clutch drum and shaft kit
introduced last year by Sonnax is
a critical upgrade for any driver
pushing the limits of stock AODE,
4R70W components. By popular
demand, this revolutionary kit is
now available in two gear ratios:
the original 2.84/1.55 and — new
for 2020 — the numerically lower-ratio
2.40/1.46 ideal for higher
power, dedicated racing vehicles.
While this family of transmissions
can handle big power, the
whole direct clutch area is major
weakness because its design long
ago fell behind advances in engine
output. Smoked clutches are chronic
due to insufficient torque capacity,
and the fragile intermediate stub
shaft is prone to shearing at the
worst times. Aside from knowing
that extra torque can quickly kill
their transmission, many drivers
never realize the exact nature of
this ticking time bomb until they
lose 3rd and 4th Gears. In the past,
they often learned even worse news:
there was no way to guarantee it
wouldn’t happen again. Builders
struggled for years chasing direct
drum failures because the right
components just weren’t available
to solve all of its design flaws.
Sonnax — the leader in transmission
innovation — dug into the
root cause of both intermediate
stub shaft and direct clutch problems
when developing the patented
Smart-Tech kit. Its foundation is a
unique, one-piece 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 significantly thicker
— two times stronger than the OE
— and works with a unique, heavyduty
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.
Two ratio options mean Sonnax
has every vehicle covered. Part
No. 76656-01K fits Ford 4R70E,
4R70W, 4R75E and 4R75W
transmissions with 2.84/1.55 gear
sets. The new kit, Part No. 76656-
02K, fits Ford AODE units with
2.40/1.46 gear sets. The lower ratio
helps keep performance engines
in the optimal power band while
allowing a longer pull in first and
second gears, improving consistency
and performance.
■ Moroso introduces Part No.
21149, a GM LS, Drag Race, 6”
deep, aluminum oil pan that fits
Camaro and Firebird ‘98-02 with
GM LS Engines, Camaro and Firebird
‘93-’02 with LS Swap. Features
a drag race proven trap door assembly
and anti-slosh baffle that
keeps oil contained in oil pump
pickup area. Oil pan has a thick
CNC machined aluminum rail and
clears 4.25” stroke with most steel
rods. The oil pan has 7 Quart Capacity
and is designed to move the
oil away from the rotating assembly
for oil control and horsepower
saving. Features a billet aluminum
adapter that has a 1/4” NPT sensor
port and allows a 22mm thread
Moroso No. 22463 or O.E.M. oil
filter to be mounted in the stock
location, no need to run a remote
oil filter.
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256.383.6868 PTCRACE.COM
58 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated.com Issue 156