Actually Chris I've never rode in Tony's SC, just sat in it and heard the stereo. He did pull up next to me and lay rubber going into 2nd gear on the way home from the nationals though. It seemed like it was shifting very firm.
I'll have to catch a ride in it sometime. My only basis on a 4r70w is Dereks SC and my friends F150. Neither of which impressed me, but I guess I shouldn't call them junk.
I've owned an ridden in stock aod cars. I have a transgo in mine, and while better than stock I am still not satisfied with the way it shifts. I am going to upgrade to a lentech valve body, I like to have the control of the trans. I guess in that aspect the 4r70w is better because you can hold any gear you want.
I am definately trying to persuade my friend to bring his car down to STL in the spring and let brian mod his trans and burn him a chip. My only other pet peeve about the late model autos is the rear ends. At the track I coudn't get below a 2.4 60 ft. with Dereks SC no matter if I nailed it, stalled it up, heated 'em up, launched dry, lowered pressure, etc.... kept putting the tire up in smoke. I suppose if I found a good deal on a late model auto i'd consider it because it has potential.
The one thing I see a lot of in MM&FF is AOD's and C4's and C6's being built in the drag cars. Rarely do you see a 4r70w so I guess again I'm just going by what everyone else is using and stereotyping the late model auto trans. Sorry if I've offened anyone with my claims to the 4r70w as junk. Aod's aren't that great stock either.