hi i'm not sure what stall converter i need, so i would like to know what stall speed converters everyone is using and how does it drive on the street? my set up is 455 with stock 73 heads, 9.25 to 1 compression gs113 cam, performer intake, 800 qjet th350 trans and 3.42posi,29.5"tall tire. thanks dave
Dave, A 3.42 gear with 29.5" tires will actually be a 3.08. You want the converter above stall speed when you are on the highway. So I would want a converter with no more that 2300 stall or so. Call TCI and ask them, or contact Meanbuicks on this BB. They won't steer you wrong.
Larry I"m make a buick story??????? He sould say? Larry I"m not as think as you stoned I"am........ :jd:
Torque converter. A B&M 2400 hole shot converter will do the job. I would not go anymore than that. :TU:
I was just gonna ask the same thing! My setup is amazingly similar, but I have 10:1 pistons (my actual CR is about 9.6:1) and a 3.31:1 rear with a TH350, but my rear tire is 28" if I recall. What about cam considerations? I am running a stock type cam right now, but have a new higher performance cam about to go in. What's the dynamics of cam vs. converter? Also, with a 2400 rpm stall converter, wouldn't that make it a bear to drive on the street? What's the stock stall for a '70 Skylark with a 350/TH350 and 2.56:1 rear gear? As a guess, I was going to say 1200 rpm for that converter. I was thinking 1500 rpm for a street car...
Anyone? This engine is going back in the car in a few days, I hope. I'd hate to waste the chance at the 'proper' torque converter. I'm putting in TA Stage 1 heads and a TA cam, I forget the code exactly. Will post when I'm back from wrenching the motor today
Chris, Gotta know which cam. You want the converter to stall beyond where the power range starts. That way, you're definitely "on the cam" as the car accelerates from a stop. Most stock converters stall between 1400-1600 RPM. That's OK for a cam with a power range of 1000-5500 RPM, like a stock Stage 1 cam for instance. For example, the TA 413 has a power range of 2000-6000 RPM, and they recommend a 2500-3000 stall converter. You also have to look at your rear gearing, and figure out what RPM you will have on the highway. You want the converter above stall speed, it generates the minumum amount of heat that way.
Thanks Larry. the camshaft is a TA 290-94H if I read this crumpled up receipt correctly :laugh: .476" .486" in./ex. w/stock rockers at 1.55:1, .491" .502" in./ex. w/ roller rockers at 1.6:1, 226 235 duration at .050, 290 294 advertised, 110* lobe center, 1500-5500 rpm range I don't have a tach, but I have a stock geared TH350 with a 3.31:1 rear, and my tire is 28" if I remember right So if I get the gist of things right, I want at least 1500 rpm stall, probably closer to 1800 for my daily driver? What converter brands are recommended? I know virtually nothing about them. I don't even know what the increments are, whether they go up by 100rpm, 200 rpm, or what. I mean, does an 1800 rpm stall converter even exist? A dumb question: are TH400 converters and TH350 converters interchangeable? Or are the splines different or something?
Chris, With 28" tires, your 3.31's will be like 3.08's, so figure your RPM at 60 MPH will be around 2100. Your power range starts at 1500 RPM, so a 2000 stall converter would be ideal. Most GM converters can be used with the 350 or 400 trans. The TCI Saturday Night Special converter has a stall speed around 2000. MeanBuicks moderates this forum, and works for TCI, I believe. Shoot him a pm , and see what he suggests. B&M also makes a Holeshot 2000 converter. Not sure if either of these converters are stout enough for life behind a BBB. BTW, there is no such thing as a set stall speed for any converter. All stall speeds are approximate. The more torque an engine makes, and a heavier vehicle will stall a converter higher, and visa-versa. The best way to pick the right converter for your vehicle, is to call a converter manufacturer, and provide them with as much information about your vehicle as possible.
Chris, I bet if you called TA Performance, they would recommend their TA TC20 converter, which is a 12"- 2000 stall converter. It's 350.00, but with torque converters, you get what you pay for.
Thanks again, Larry :TU: You ever get tired of answering all my questions? Sorry to hijack the thread Dave
Stay away from TCI or B&M. Their quality is mediocre. Call Coan. Best folks to deal with. They will build you a converter that is perfect for the application. And, the internals are heavy duty. For a BB, I suggest a 11" tight reverse vane model that stalls at 2400 RPM. It can maximize the BB torque!
another option Fellow board member Brian Earick builds converters custom to your combination.I have had 2 built for my cars & picked up .2-.3 over my TCI or B&M. Here is a link. http://wsx.net/ere/
Unfortunately, so is my budget. It was either one at the right price, or don't buy one and use the stock converter o No:
