Converter's in...

RE: Converter's in...

Its all in the tune...........so basically you're saying I'll need to dyno tune it when I change my gears, or will they have to set up the trans. computer when I change to a higher stall convertor? My car is all stock, so I'll have to get a chip at the same time as I upgrade to gears and a stall t/c? I was thinking I would just have the speedo calibrated and be done with it.:eek:

Also, I have access to high quality stall converters for about $550, is that a good price? Its through the company that my shop uses for all our customers transmissions. (I work for a tranny shop:D ) We've never, and I mean NEVER had any problems with bad t/c's from this shop and they build some sick cars and put their own stall t/c's in them so I trust them.
 
RE: Converter's in...

JP...that's what I have been telling folks for 2 years(about tapping the brake pedal to un-lock the TC). In stock form, the TC will lock up at 37 mph. This is WAY too low mph for a stock-geared car, with a wide-ratio trans. it feels like shifting into 5th gear in a stick shift car, causing the rpms to drop below the torque range, making the car a pooch around town with the stock TC locked.

After talking to Alan at ABC converters, amoung other specialists, it has been determined the optimal mph for TC lock up is between 50 and 55 mph.

all of the chips I had Torrie burn at FPN came with a 52mph TC lock-up schedule...guess what? makes a stock mark feel like it has a higher-stall TC(not by much, but obvious difference/improvement). You can walk into the throttle around town, and your powerband is there... no need to 'kick it down' to accelerate.

I suggest when you get your chip re-burned, or get a tune, have that 3500 stay unlocked until at least 55 mph. this is done through the TCC solenoid.

One of these days I'll find a job closer to home, where I can slap some 4.10's in, with a 3500 Triple disk TC.


[a
Club 16 President/Founder
94 Black/Black M8
97 Toreador red/Lt. graphite LSC M8
V.P. GGM8​
 
RE: Converter's in...

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
...One of these days I'll find a job closer to home, where I can slap some 4.10's in, with a 3500 Triple disk TC.[/div]

Craig, I don't know if your commute is city or highway, but FWIW I have noticed my highway mileage is up and the mixed/city is about the same before/after the converter.

Jesse, get the gears of your choice with some type of posi or traction lock and then select the proper speedo gear for the Vehicle Speed Sensor in the tranny. You'll need a chip to remove the speed limiter with higher gears. A Metal Matrix alloy driveshaft may or may not be required. Then a Jmod or shift kit. A performance chip helps out a lot with the tranny as well. A search should turn up a lot of reading on this topic. As for the torque converter, I'm sold it's one of the best places to spend your money. And in my research, $550 is a good price for a good high stall converter. Your experience with them will mean a lot.
 
RE: Converter's in...

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
Craig, I don't know if your commute is city or highway, but FWIW I have noticed my highway mileage is up and the mixed/city is about the same before/after the converter.
[/div]

The losses are offset by the fact that your engine doesn't work as hard idling with a higher stall converter. You use less gas at the red lights.
 
RE: Converter's in...

One more MUST is a trans cooler. That's a given anyway, but for those who didnt think of this, dont even consider adding a high-stall TC without at least a 24k cooler.

JP...100 miles a day, mostly freeway, 65-75(in case the CHP is reading this), constant, low-rpm cruising.

I know a TC will help with the mileage. It's the gears I am holding off, as I will definately need the MMX shaft, and the chip.

I am able to get 480+ miles per tank(closer to 500) with stock, sleeper-gears...I am pretty sure that wont get better with gears...but *nice try*


[a
Club 16 President/Founder
94 Black/Black M8
97 Toreador red/Lt. graphite LSC M8
V.P. GGM8​
 
RE: Converter's in...

A convertor is about like a prostitute. THey both come in two versions: Cheap and Expensive. Both will get you to where you want to go, but in the end the expensive one will be the better bargin.

I am an avid bargin hunter myself, but would not buy anything other than a tripple disk PI. THis is not an area to skimp on. Buy a quality piece the first time and you will be happy. Buy a medicre or sub par econo version and you will never know what you are missing and will most likely get something you didn't bargin for.

If you do not have the money for the better convertor, WAIT to buy until you can. JP is having a good experience because his convertor is top notch.

These are my words of wisdom from dealing with these cars for over 7 years now.
 
RE: Converter's in...

i have a single disc 3200 stall PI and it's holding up pretty well. But if it ever comes out it's going back and getting a triple disc clutch and a higher stall.
 
RE: Converter's in...

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
A convertor is about like a prostitute. THey both come in two versions: Cheap and Expensive. Both will get you to where you want to go, but in the end the expensive one will be the better bargin.I am an avid bargin hunter myself, but would not buy anything other than a tripple disk PI. THis is not an area to skimp on. Buy a quality piece the first time and you will be happy. Buy a medicre or sub par econo version and you will never know what you are missing and will most likely get something you didn't bargin for.If you do not have the money for the better convertor, WAIT to buy until you can. JP is having a good experience because his convertor is top notch.These are my words of wisdom from dealing with these cars for over 7 years now.
[/div]

Just an FYI...Art Carr claims to build converters using the exact same parts as PI, but for $200 less because they don't charge a premium like PI. Assuming they are telling the truth, there's no reason not to go this route.
 
RE: Converter's in...

The converter built by D&P is also a triple disk, and when hes using them in 8 and 9 second "boats" like his 67 Malibu and 75? El Camino, I'd trust them in my 14 sec. stock Mark Viii:D
 
RE: Converter's in...

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
JP...that's what I have been telling folks for 2 years(about tapping the brake pedal to un-lock the TC). In stock form, the TC will lock up at 37 mph. This is WAY too low mph for a stock-geared car, with a wide-ratio trans. it feels like shifting into 5th gear in a stick shift car, causing the rpms to drop below the torque range, making the car a pooch around town with the stock TC locked.After talking to Alan at ABC converters, amoung other specialists, it has been determined the optimal mph for TC lock up is between 50 and 55 mph.all of the chips I had Torrie burn at FPN came with a 52mph TC lock-up schedule...guess what? makes a stock mark feel like it has a higher-stall TC(not by much, but obvious difference/improvement). You can walk into the throttle around town, and your powerband is there... no need to 'kick it down' to accelerate.I suggest when you get your chip re-burned, or get a tune, have that 3500 stay unlocked until at least 55 mph. this is done through the TCC solenoid.One of these days I'll find a job closer to home, where I can slap some 4.10's in, with a 3500 Triple disk TC[/div]

just do what i did and put a manual vb and then you can control tcc lockup, od, electronic reverse, and no computer control. when i drove it the first time after i put new trans in i locked up the converter at 40mph and it shudders until 50 and then it goes away. engine is going to slow for the converter to lockup.

95 mark 8 current mods:
-3.73 track lok rear -pullies -pa trans with manual vb and transbrake -pi 3000 stall -msd wires -cobra intake with imrc deletes -white face gauges -255 walboro fuel pump -lt headers -y2k cobra r 17 with nitto 555s -coil spring conversion
 
RE: Converter's in...

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
I'll eventually get a dynotune, but right now I'm going with a switch chip from Lonnie @ Blue Oval Chips.
[/div]

With the SCT switch chip from Lonnie @ Blue Oval Chips back and installed, all's well! :D

AND it looks like I may have a dynotune oppurtunity available to me next month. :eek:
 
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