What stall TC?

[1973Swinger]

Ok guys, Im getting the last few things together to start putting my Swinger together and on the road this summer. One thing that I need a little help on is which torque converter to get. I have 90% of the engine parts together, which include all of the major parts and I have the rear end ready. What information do you guys need in order to suggest the correct converter? Let me know and Ill promptly post it. Thanx!

[dave571]

A few things to start...

engine
cam
heads
axle ratio
tire size

What are your goals for the car.
Street? strip? resto cruiser?

[1973Swinger]

Engine:
318
360 crank turned down
It comes out to 348ci
302 heads
Edelbrock performer intake
Holley 650 DP
Comp Cams 270/270 duration .470/.470 lift


Trans:
904 with B&M trans pack

Rearend:
8 1/4 with trac-loc
3.21 gears

Tires:
26inch M/T ET Streets

Its gonna be a street cruiser with some strip duty.

[dwc43]

Go to the TCI web site and send them that info and they will build a converter to match your combo. www.tciauto.com Can't go wrong there. We wont use anyone else.

[dave571]

I would think something in the 3K range would be good.

Higher may run too hot with the 321's.

Lower, and it might not respond as you'd like.

These guys are gettting some good talk on the boards lately...
http://www.ultimateconverter.com/

[pishta]

TC stall can be looked at in one simple idea. You want the stall to be a few hundred RPMs below where your torque starts to come on strong. If you could see a torque graph of a crate 360/375, you would see a textbook tabletop torque curve, lots of torque from lets say 2200 rpm through 5500. Ideally you would want a tc to "stall" at just under 2200 as anything under that would be absorbed by a 2200 stall convertor to a percentage, kinda like slipping a clutch until you get into your power band. So heads and tire size and even rear end does not play as important as cam timing and duration, and intake design to an extent but it all starts with cam specs.

[1973Swinger]

Thanks for the input guys! is there a particular size converter I need to use? like a 10 inch or 11 inch, etc.

[crisser]

Originally Posted by 1973Swinger

Thanks for the input guys! is there a particular size converter I need to use? like a 10 inch or 11 inch, etc.

It depends on who builds it. They could do a "loose" 11 inch or a "tight" 10.
Get one that flashes to around 2500-2800 and is well coupled after that for a good street converter.

[John Kunkel]

Originally Posted by dwc43

Go to the TCI web site and send them that info and they will build a converter to match your combo.

Not likely, they'll just recommend an off-the-shelf unit like all the other "dime store" vendors.

[1973Swinger]

Originally Posted by John Kunkel

Not likely, they'll just recommend an off-the-shelf unit like all the other "dime store" vendors.

Who do you usually use John? Is there any company in particular you would recommend? I dont really want to go with B&M or TCI, Id rather spend a bit more for a converter and not have to worry about it. Ive heard some horror stories about TCI and B&M.

[crisser]

Call Kris at Continental and see if he has what you want.

http://ctconverters.com/

[TK]

Yup, good suggestion.

Have you got the cam yet? If not, ditch it, and get a better one.

[1973Swinger]

Originally Posted by TK

Yup, good suggestion.

Have you got the cam yet? If not, ditch it, and get a better one.

Yes, I have the cam and I believe YOU were the one that suggested it!

[TK]

Yeah, I remember, thats because you wanted to go comp, oops, I forgot..........sorry.
The profile was the deal, its the brand.

[1973Swinger]

Gottcha. What TC would you recommend TK?

[John Kunkel]

Originally Posted by 1973Swinger

Who do you usually use John? Is there any company in particular you would recommend? I dont really want to go with B&M or TCI, Id rather spend a bit more for a converter and not have to worry about it. Ive heard some horror stories about TCI and B&M.

Any of these are worth a look:


http://www.dynamicconverters.com/
http://www.turboaction.com/frame.html
http://hughesperformance.com/
http://www.coperacingtrans.com/
http://racingconverters.com/chance-r...onverters.html
http://www.aandatrans.com/

[TK]

Contenental converter............

2500 stall.

[dave571]

Originally Posted by John Kunkel

Any of these are worth a look:


http://www.dynamicconverters.com/
http://www.turboaction.com/frame.html
http://hughesperformance.com/
http://www.coperacingtrans.com/
http://racingconverters.com/chance-r...onverters.html
http://www.aandatrans.com/

arguably, these are all respected vendors

I have a dynamic and like it, but had some issues with thier service.
Cope has a good rep for sure....
I just bought a valve body from A and A, and thier service is top knotch, and Randy is very knowledgable....

[1973Swinger]

Originally Posted by crisser

It depends on who builds it. They could do a "loose" 11 inch or a "tight" 10.
Get one that flashes to around 2500-2800 and is well coupled after that for a good street converter.

Well, I guess what Im really asking here is what is the difference in the different size converters other than the obvious?

[pishta]

Originally Posted by 1973Swinger

Well, I guess what Im really asking here is what is the difference in the different size converters other than the obvious?

I believe the mass of the smaller convertor 8 or 9 inch can spool faster and can be made to stall higher. The 10-11 have more mass, and are more of an OEM build, of course you can make almost any convertor stall at where you want it to.

[TK]

I was told, by the converter guru's here, that they have had good luck getting the stock /6 and 318 car converter into the 2500 range, just by bending the end of the fins. I guess there isn't a whole lot they can do to them, because they are factory furnace braised.
My new one, stalls at 2300, with a weak 318. (Done this way) and feels like a stock converter around town.

[dave571]

Originally Posted by 1973Swinger

Well, I guess what Im really asking here is what is the difference in the different size converters other than the obvious?

internal surface area. It affects a lot of things.

as a generalization, larger converters, stall lower, BUT dont get as hot.
Opposite for smaller ones.

Not on the topic of size, but just on converter construction, here is some cool stuff in a thread on moparts

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/...gonew=1#UNREAD

[djwhog]

Bottom line more torque= more stall with same size convertor. You really need to call TCI or Turbo Action. They can build exactly what you want. Also with the ratio you have in the rear and that engine combo you are gonna want to be in the 2500-2800 range is more than enough. And all that depends on how loose or tight the unit is made. More torque will flash higher. You should have around the amount of torque a stk 340 puts out - a little less on the low end. So use that as a guide line.

Good luck!

[valiant64]

Give Turbo Action a call. Very good customer service, & they know their stuff. Really, theres many good converter mfrs out there. Call them w/ your specs & more than likely you will be happy with the outcome.

[Dukes2fast]

I am very happy with my converter. They were also very friendly and helpful over the phone.
http://www.coanracing.com/