How Do You Choose A Stall Converter?

[PLUM_72]

How do you choose a stall converter? I know the answer to the question is to call any one of the dozens of converter manufacturers. But before I make that call, I would like to somewhat educate myself. I have read some of the various articles on the web. Are there any untold tips, rules of thumb, or general guidelines to go by? There are a number of variations in cam profile, gear ratio, street vs strip, etc.

Basically Im looking for a good street converter, not a daily driver, for a SB Challenger with a 3.91 gear. The cam is still up in the air, but the duration at .050 will be in the neighborhood of 220-225. I dont believe that I need a custom $700 dollar converter. Based on the above specs, an off-the-shelf model should be more than adequate.

[451Mopar]

One variable is how the car is used.
A daily driver might use a tight converter to get better gas mialage, or with high gearing to minimize slippage.
A drag race car usually uses a pretty high stall converter to get alot of torque multiplication and to get the engine into the high RPM power band.
A street/strip car is more of a compromise where you want higher stall for good engine performance, but with a stall speed that does not create allot of slippage when driving on the highway.
With you 3.91:1 gears you could use a 2800-3200+ stall converter and not have too much slippage on the highway (I'm not sure what engine rpm because you did not say the tire size?).

Depending on how the engine is built (size, compression), with the mild 220-225 cam, you should be fine with a tighter converter (maybe 2400 stall) if you plan alot of street driving.

My vote is for a Dynamic converter, but you should call them to see if your better off with a tight smaller converter or a loose larger converter? Last time I looked, I think their 10" Street converter was less than $400?

[John Kunkel]

http://www.tciauto.com/tech_info/tor..._explained.htm

[6 packin]

Whatever you deside dont buy a new $150 converter and excpect much. It may stall and slip like they say, and it might slip all the time (not very effecient) Sound like you need about a 3000 stall converter.

[6 packin]

Whatever you deside dont buy a new $150 converter and excpect much. It may stall and slip like they say, and it might slip all the time (not very effecient) Sound like you need about a 3000 stall converter. A OK converter.......NOT A GREAT CONVERTER.......will cost you $300.

[Doug Wilson]

Dynamic - High Zoot, High Dollar. Tci - High value, plain jane.

[atoetly]

But Doug does that TCI Kiss on the first date?

[FASTDARTCHESTER]

ya gotta love the humor

[cuda66273]

Dynamic
XXXXXXXXX

[dkn1997]

I would try ProTorque, they are in bohemia, NY. I got a 2800 stahl conv for 250 and have had good luck with it. he builds them from mild to wild

[Doug Wilson]

I've heard that ProTorque puts out for everybody - but won't kiss at all.

[Kevin Garceau]

BTE without a doubt the best convertor company on the market right now. Some may know of Bill Taylor. He started another large convertor company and didnt like where it was going so he starter his own. Yes I know you can expect to pay over 700 bucks for a new one.......but......
Call them, send them your old one, they will refreshen it, with all new bearings. Then they will get all your specs and redo the fin angles in the thing to make it work the way YOU want it to, or your car needs it too.... guess how much it costs 180.00 plus shipping. I have had 2 of my convertors gone through like this and they work like a charm at least in race applications. Very Very consistent and very efficient. You cant buy a good convertor for 180 dollars and have it work they way they will make your old one. But your old one has to be somewhat close to what you need already, or your expecting too much. If you need a 10 inch convertor send them a ten inch.
So again BTE, for all your racers out there quit dinking around with second rate stuff and try their products. I am no way affiliated with them, I just know what my car did before and after I made the switch, so much more consistent it paid for itself in a weeks time. Look at all the big dogs that are are running them and they could get free convertors from anyone!!!!

[Marvin S]

So; How do I get ahold of BTE

[Kevin Garceau]

Sorry...

www.bteracing.com

they are also in most of the drag magazines. They are seriously taking the convertor and tranney business by storm. It will be along time before I run anything but theres. they have done convertors for my chevy and my mopars. My chevy weighed 2950lbs went 1.31 sixty foots on the back tires with no power adders. Unfortunately I dont have that much motor in my mopar.

[Doug Wilson]

But, at least it's a MOPAR.... with far more potential than a Ch... Ch... I can't say it.

[tim]

Hi Plum to let ya know i have 73 cuda 340 done mildy, I am using tci 3000 stall, on the strip with 430 geARS and hoosier slicks i,m consistently getting 1.8 sec 60 foot times , now on the street,lol get on the stall let er rip and whoa, almost go backwards, have to let off quickly or will blow the motor, on the highway though the stall is no problem at all, except for the fact the gears are to much, but I have put in my 3.91,s and have yet had the chance to try with all the crappy wheather around. But I,m sure it will be a lot better. In town also the 430 gears with the 3000 stall was no problem at all, the tci stall was 670 canadian, Tim