Why I haven't commented earlier in this thread is because the converter police always shows up and demands that everyone buy a $1000 converter for whatever they are working on or whatever they are trying to do. On a budget its perfectly fine to use an off the shelf converter, they do stall higher than a stocker and will be more fun to launch the car with(its a hobby car after all, not so much a daily driver IIRC). On the down side it may make the engine run more RPM than what it should run when just cruising around. If the person buying the converter isn't worried about the extra RPM when cruising around then no big deal.(just make sure to install a trans cooler because the higher stall will run hotter, don't want to burn up the trans because of the converter) With the one he is looking at only being a 2000 to 2400 RPM range I don't think the extra cruise RPM would be that much more. IIRC the Grand National converters stall around 1,800 from the factory so a couple hundred more RPM than a factory built unit. If it RPMs to much, change the cam to something bigger. I have an off the shelf TCI 3000 stall behind a 700R4 that is WAY loose, not a big deal to me because it is a lockup converter so when I'm cruising the freeway I lock the converter and its direct drive. I realize the th350 converters aren't offered in a performance lockup style but with conservative 3.08 gears that little bit of extra RPM wouldn't be all that bad on the freeway anyway. You should have some more driving fun with the one Ken recommended, the TCI converters aren't all that bad for an off the shelf converter to have a little more driving fun with. When you're ready to step up to a better one, keep the one Larry recommended in mind.
I prefer the converters with the weld nut on the converter for mounting, as opposed to the flange with bolt and nut. Does anyone know, is this a BOP thing, or just depends on manufacturer? At any rate I always look for the weld nuts on the converter. Its just easier.
Converter Police, LOL, I like that. The only reason I might seem so adamant is because the converter is such a big part of the way a car feels on the street. Pretty sure the D5 GN converters ar 2200 stall?
What do you guys think of this one? http://www.tciauto.com/tc/10-inch-fastlap-torque-convertertm-for-gm-th350-transmissionshtml/ It's almost a stock rating but with it's a 10" that only weighs 24lbs. What is stock on these cars 1600?
I get it and you're right when the good converter is in the budget when someone is building a car. When the budget is WAY less and someone just wants to have some fun with there car for less $$ the entry level converters deliver that. They may not deliver what the high end converters do, high stall @ WOT and drives like a stocker when cruising but they do deliver the high stall part for funner launches and downshifts. I think we were both right, 1,800 to 2,200 from the GN converter, the same one the Corvette had when those had the 200R4 IIRC?
At the risk of beating a dead horse I would appreciate some input on this one https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fti-esr3380 I have a $50 off coupon right now so the price is pretty reasonable and I am also swapping in some 4.10 gears and a posi soon and was thinking the extra stall would make it pretty great off the line. As always any input is welcomed
The 4.10 gears will make it stall lower, whatever that is. It's a 9.5", so it should be light. Not sure about the mounting tabs interfering with the flex plate weight. Kind of hard to predict anything else about it.
That's why I want to go with a higher stall rating since I've decided to go with such a low gear. I didn't think twice about the mounting tabs interference but wouldn't think it to be a problem. I do plan on going with a 200-4r eventually but it will be a bit before I can either buy and a rebuild one or just buy a rebuilt one. I did find a built one with zero miles for $900 from a member on turbo buick which I feel is a good price but the wife wasn't having it. So smaller pills like this are easier to swallow... Or hide.
Now you're talking with the 410's. I had 308's stock and they sucked for street playing. Overdrive trans with 410's will make you very happy! Don't buy things twice!
I have a 9.5" converter from Jim Weise that I will be installing as soon as I get some lift time, and the weather becomes more Spring like. It was built for my engine. Jim knows my engine, he built it, so I know what I expect. It's perfect when you don't know you have a converter until you lean on it. The mounting tabs for the converter are curved, not flat like the Sumitt picture shows. That would be my only concern. It might turn out to be a non issue. Not knowing anything else about your car also makes it harder to predict. More engine power makes the converter stall higher, so does more car weight, and lower numerical gears. A cam might decrease low end torque, making it stall lower. That's why I prefer to pay more and have one built for my exact combination. I don't want to be the "Converter Police" though.
Lol, it's almost like I've heard this before... I get it Jim makes some incredible converters and if I had the money I would already have one, along with a stroked and blown big block but that's not my situation. Car is 71 Skylark 350, stock engine internally, quadrajet power stage 2 carb, cut out the front-to-rear dividers on intake, used headers and straight dual 2.5" exhaust with glass packs and no crossover, recurved distributor per your instructions (hugely helpful btw). Really just trying to make a few passes towars the end of the season and was thinking that with the addition of 4.10 gears that I would really like a higher stall. I have never looked at a Buick flywheel as this is my first so that's a good tip on the mounting ears.
Well, I guess you'll find out what it's like when you install it. There is no way to predict what it will be like IMO. Not sure you need a converter with the 4.10's and a stock engine. The 2 reviews look good.
Larry, I am very interested to hear your thoughts on your new converter once you have it installed. Thanks Cliff
Ok I guess I'll call down and just do one thing at a time and stick with the stocker for now. It's easy for me to get carried away.
I'm looking forward to installing it. Just have to wait for some lift time. I'm getting too old to do this on my back. My current 10" converter is 37 lbs. empty. This one is 25. Have a few club members with these installed, all very impressed with them.
Added one of Jim’s converters to my refreshed yet otherwise stock 350. Can let you know how it goes if I ever get off my butt and finish putting it all back together.
