Finnaly stepped up to the plate and ordered a higher stall converter, 3000 from Jegs. Question is, I really like barking the tires on the street with the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts at any rpm. I was told today that on the street under less than wot (MOST OF THE TIME!) I was told to expect softer dhifts due to the looseness of the converter, say it isn't so!! Scott
Stall Did you calculate what stall would work for your application or just order one from the book? This is a common mistake to make, I myself lost mucho money on converters untill an expert steered me onto the correct procedure of taking all pertinent info like cam, gear ratio, tire size, weight of car, carb and a lot of other bits of info, then letting the converter people calculate what stall would be best for the application. Stall is one of the most misunderstood and debatable subject there is. In your case you probably won't see much change in shift patterns as long as you are in the gas full bore at each launch from stop light to stop light. The real disadvantage is going to be some fuel mileage issues and heat build up in the trans. Also trying to ease away will sometimes be sluggish without getting up to stall speed, this also will depend on rear gear ratio you have. You may like what you have ordered and get some real squeaks from the tires, just watch out for the man with the little flashing lights on his lid.
Listen to Dave on this one. A true converter guy will 'interview' you and your car. A good builder typically knows a butt-load more about what's best for a car's performance than the buyer. I am fortunate enough to have a local guy who knows his shhhtuff about building the right converter. Because he is a local genious, I can take the converter back to him (5 miles away) and get a freebie modification also (if so desired). A lot of companies offer this, but you know how heavy a torque converter is and how much money and time it takes to ship it to them, let them put the verter in the que, re-adjust, and ship back. That's all hind-sight now I suppose, but you get the idea. It (3k stall) may work out very well for you, but like Dave illuded, it might be time to get a trans fluid cooler fan and temp gauge (you DO have an after-market cooler in front of the radiator.... don't you?) I rambled on without knowing if you'd gone through this already and it was determined the 3K was best for you. Good luck and keep us posted, Rick
I talked to several folks at TCI at great length about my set-up. And while I was thinking of a 2500 stall they all said with the cam, gears carb etc I really needed a 3000. With the lower torque of a small block and the light car I feel, and they confirmed, that this should be the right one. I agree though, having a local shop is a treat, one that I do not have! Yes, I do have a solid cooler in front. My concern was for the softer shifts at less than WOT. Old Guy, I know you do most of your driving with your right foot in the floorboard! I wish I could. I just want to keep the fun of the car on the street and occasionaly take it to the trach. I broke way too many parts in my youth to want to be at the trach more than that!!! Thanks for the input.. Scott
