Torque Converter Opinions

[Dukes2fast]

I sent my set up specs to Edge Racing Converters and Performance Torque Converters (PTC) to get a recommendation and quote. They are comparable in price and both recommended a custom built 9.5 inch converter. I was just curious if anyone has had much experience with either of these companies or for the money, maybe I should be looking at someone else all together ?

[fastback340]

Go with the PTC

[Kevin Garceau]

PTC is realy popular down south. I know alot of people that run them and really like them.

Never heard of the other company, but the convertor is no place to skimp. More improvement from convertor than anything else in my opinion.

[ShelbyZ-TII]

PTC built my 9.5 inch converter and had it on my doorstep in a week.

I haven't been able to run it down the strip yet, but it feels ok and I haven't had any problems with it so far. It's been in the car about 2 months.

[DartGT66]

I think considering hte price they are great. My 9.5" PTC was less expensive than the TCI 10" it replaced, the ET was 0.15 sec better, and slippage 15% less. It only lasted for two years though, but considering the price, that didn't surprise me at all. I felt in the beginning, that it could have used better parts for 700+ ft lb and 780 hp with 3.23 gears and had ordered a steel stator converter. Instead they sold me an aluminum stator one for half the price, feeling it would work OK. After two years, it was done; the stator was cracked and some other problems. Anyway, I just recently ordered a new converter from PTC, this time for a 1300 hp car weighing two tons.

[rumblefish360]

Originally Posted by Kevin Garceau

PTC is realy popular down south. I know alot of people that run them and really like them.

Never heard of the other company, but the convertor is no place to skimp. More improvement from convertor than anything else in my opinion.

I'm with that! That and a set of gears. Unless you allready have gears, then the converter is sure to make a marked improvment.

[bigiron]

I have an Edge converter behind my Hemi, works great in there... My brother also has one in his Coronet with a respectible 440, he loves his....

A good friend has one in his 1/8 mile car and hates it, and has had toooooooo much trouble with it for me to recomend them to anyone.... He has shelfed the thing and purchased a PTC if that holds any weight....

I am buying a PTC for my next converter also... they are just now starting to get a foothold around here... everyone I know that has one likes it...

[Dukes2fast]

Thanks for the input guys. Looks like I will go with PTC.

[GarceauRacing]

We are running a PTC in our car, and are very happy w/ it, 5500 stall 8". We recieved it w/ in 4 days of calling and ordering it.
Curtis

[Dukes2fast]

I checked with Hughes and Coan and they both suggest an 11" converter for the same set-up that the others (PTC and Edge Racing) recommended a 9.5" converter for. I understand the importance of matching the converter to my setup but I don't really understand whether or not these recommendations are consistent. Does a 9.5" PTC converter perform like an 11" Hughes? Maybe you guys have some ideas.
My car
1968 Plymouth Satellite probably at about 3600 lbs plus me at 200 lbs.
440 .040 rotating assembly balanced
measured 10.2-1 compression with stock 906 heads, new valve job
.509 MP P4120237 camshaft 292/292, 248/248 @ .050
1 7/8 headers, 3" pipes
8 3/4 sure-grip with 3.91 gear
rear tires will be 275/60 15inch Hoosier radial DOT drag
carb will be a Grant from FBO @ 4secondsflat.com ( I am guessing a 750 Speed Demon but will go with his recommendation)
Torker II single plane intake
power steering
power brakes
727 with Transgo TF-2 kit. Alto Red Eagle clutches
I want to do some bracket racing 8-12 times a year and still be able to drive to cruise night and maybe a couple of car shows
Any input is welcome. Thanks guys.

[Kevin Garceau]

dont get caught up in the diameter...its really not a factor.

The stator and fin angle get you the stall speed, a smaller diameter with less fin angle creates the same stall as a larger one with more fin angle....

Its give and take, the less fin angle the more efficient it will be.

They are all good convertor companies and Im sure they will all perform about the same, just getting there in a different direction.

[John Kunkel]

Originally Posted by Kevin Garceau

dont get caught up in the diameter...its really not a factor.

Not true, a smaller converter with the exact same fin angle as a larger converter will stall higher if all other variables are the same. That's why small converters are the norm in performance applications.

[Kevin Garceau]

Of course... thats what I said in my post...

My point was they are probably offering the same type of set up just going about getting it in a different way.

Small convertors are beginning to fall out of the norm in most big hp stuff. But thats an entirely different deal.

[fastback340]

Originally Posted by Kevin Garceau

Of course... thats what I said in my post...

My point was they are probably offering the same type of set up just going about getting it in a different way.

Small convertors are beginning to fall out of the norm in most big hp stuff. But thats an entirely different deal.

Thats due to the lack of 8" cores and the fact that people are building bigger motors that require larger converters.

The only company I know of that makes 100% new converters and doest start with a used core is ATI.

[Kevin Garceau]

BTE is making their own cores as well as alot of the innards to some of the other big name ones.

Its more the trend in going with 500 plus inch motors as well as advancement in the workings of the convertor.

[Dukes2fast]

So you guys agree about as much as the converter manufacturers do. I guess I am right back where I started.