Converter help

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JES
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Converter help

#1 Post by JES » Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:09 pm

Looking for some help , and your thoughts. torque converter v/s cam. My combo; 11.5 to 1 383 sbc 220 int, runners aluminum RHS heads ported weiand air strike/1in spacer, 850 hp 1.75 long tube/3in all the way out the back,248@.050/254@.050 ls110,cl104. mech roller. Street/strip car.3000 stall converter, best 60 1.703,1/8th7.503 3350lb Nova with 4.11&28in m/t,sr. New cam to be 254@.050/260@.050 ls108,cl104.Now for the question,will a converter rated at 3500/3800 be a good choice,or should I go with 3800/4100 and if the higher stall choice would build too much heat for 150 mile trips ? I do have a large plate type cooler on it now and have had no trouble with the 3000 stall on trips, looking to 60 better and 1/8 as well thanks John.

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jmarkaudio
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Re: Converter help

#2 Post by jmarkaudio » Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:54 pm

My suggestion would be a tight 9", more like 4500 stall for best ET. Something that locks well after the stall. Why take it on 150 mile trips? Thats a lot of cam and tight LSA to run that far...
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JES
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Re: Converter help

#3 Post by JES » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:39 am

So of the two choices you would go with the higher stall ? The 150 mile trips are very rare, like once a year, could cut them out if this cam/converter combo was too much. Still drive the car approx 50 miles a week and drag as often as we can. Tanks, John.

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wikd69
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Re: Converter help

#4 Post by wikd69 » Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:04 am

johneric wrote:So of the two choices you would go with the higher stall ? The 150 mile trips are very rare, like once a year, could cut them out if this cam/converter combo was too much. Still drive the car approx 50 miles a week and drag as often as we can. Tanks, John.
I'm running a single pattern roller - 252@.050, .612 lift, 110 LSA turning 1.58 / 60' on the track. I've been running a 3000 stall on the street and strip and I'm moving up to a 3600 stall, with the intention of dropping my 60's and getting further into boost on launch (and, I'm also changing the drive ratio on the blower from 9% underdriven to 1-to-1, so that'll help too). My thought is that using a 3600 stall converter won't be too much more than the 3000 I've been using on the street. I put a lot of street miles on my ride as well, easily 50 miles some nights out cruising around, and I'm hoping I won't have issues with heat. I using a Derale trans-cooler with a fan, and that seems to do a good job cooling things. I'm crossing my fingers and will let you know what my experience is with this converter change.
1969 ProStreet Camaro RS Best 9.75@139 1.46 60'
Blown 427 BBC, TH400 w/Brake, Back-Half Ladderbar
Narrowed 12-Bolt, 4.10 Gears, Spool, Moser 33 Spline

http://www.marsh-racing.com/harrys_camaro-1.htm

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jmarkaudio
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Re: Converter help

#5 Post by jmarkaudio » Thu Jun 25, 2009 4:41 pm

The closer you can get to around 200-300 RPM over peak torque on yours the better it will ET. It could even stand more than 4500 with the combo you have, you have to decide how much you want to live with on the street. Using the smallest core to get in the range you want will help with slippage, a 10" in the range your looking in (3500-3800) would work, not sure if a 9" could be made that tight. That's a Marty question, give him some time to jump on here.
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JES
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Re: Converter help

#6 Post by JES » Thu Jun 25, 2009 11:32 pm

Thanks Wikd69 and jmark. I ordered cam,(bullit) springs, ty retaineers and spring cups today. I already have the new 3500/3800 converter so.... I think I'll give it a try. I would love to have a custom converter, but is not in the budget at this time. BTW would I be better off with trans cooler at the back of the car with a fan or keep it in the front with regular air flow? Running a deep pan and synthetic oil,also will be installing a temp gauge. May move to a higher stall later as $ start to stack up,LOL. Thanks guys, look forword to here back with more info. John Eric.

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wikd69
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Re: Converter help

#7 Post by wikd69 » Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:08 am

johneric wrote:Thanks Wikd69 and jmark. I ordered cam,(bullit) springs, ty retaineers and spring cups today. I already have the new 3500/3800 converter so.... I think I'll give it a try. I would love to have a custom converter, but is not in the budget at this time. BTW would I be better off with trans cooler at the back of the car with a fan or keep it in the front with regular air flow? Running a deep pan and synthetic oil,also will be installing a temp gauge. May move to a higher stall later as $ start to stack up,LOL. Thanks guys, look forword to here back with more info. John Eric.
I mounted my trans cooler w/ fan ahead of the radiator, behind the grill - lots of room, it gets good airflow at speed and it looks cool from the front :smt003
1969 ProStreet Camaro RS Best 9.75@139 1.46 60'
Blown 427 BBC, TH400 w/Brake, Back-Half Ladderbar
Narrowed 12-Bolt, 4.10 Gears, Spool, Moser 33 Spline

http://www.marsh-racing.com/harrys_camaro-1.htm

Marty Chance
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Re: Converter help

#8 Post by Marty Chance » Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:29 am

If your converter man has all the specs on your car and the details of how you are going to run it he should be able to design a high flash stall 9" that will still have enough lock up that you can take long drives. You should install trans temp sensor for the long drives to make sure the cooling system can handle the heat . Front mount trans cooler will work better for cooling the fluid , the only advantage of rear mount cooler is - less likely to get in your own oil should you blow a line. Be sure to use a deep pan and the biggest cooler you can fit in the car , because the more fluid you have the harder it is to over heat it.
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JES
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Re: Converter help

#9 Post by JES » Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:57 pm

Thanks for jioning in Marty. The cooler I have now is about 10 by 12 plate type, may look for a double row cooler or just find place for a second cooler in line. In about a week or two I will be installing the new cam,etc. Also have a temp gauge to be installed, what can the max temp be for trans fluid, before there is a problem? I would like to have a costom biult conv. but can't do it at this time. jmark and others have also said 9inch would be best, but because of funds and time constriants will/must go with jegs EXD 3800 for now,..... who knows how long this little 8.2 ten bolt will will go, along with it's stock axles and sixcylinder drive line......any bets? will defantly keepall informed. BTW John Heard,the aluminum links between the hyme joints on my tracktion bars have,so far worked out good. thank to all. John

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Re: Converter help

#10 Post by Marty Chance » Wed Jul 01, 2009 6:53 am

Q-max temp? Depends where you put the sensor. Sensor in the pan- you are measuring how well your cooling system works not how hot you got the fluid in the converter , so you want this temp to stay under 185 degrees when cruising long distance. Sensor in bottom cooler line , this measures how hot you got the fluid in the converter and this is good info to have along with the pan sensor.
Neal Chance Racing Converters
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JES
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Joined: Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:29 pm

Re: Converter help

#11 Post by JES » Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:05 pm

I like the idea of the temp gauge in line, had not thought of that but makes very good sence. Thanks John

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wikd69
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Re: Converter help

#12 Post by wikd69 » Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:12 pm

Thats where I installed my temp sensor, on the line coming out of the trans to the cooler. It made sense to know what sort of heat I was generating so I could address it then. Doing the pan sensor would have introduced a delay in recognizing heat issues.
1969 ProStreet Camaro RS Best 9.75@139 1.46 60'
Blown 427 BBC, TH400 w/Brake, Back-Half Ladderbar
Narrowed 12-Bolt, 4.10 Gears, Spool, Moser 33 Spline

http://www.marsh-racing.com/harrys_camaro-1.htm

JES
Posts: 84
Joined: Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:29 pm

Re: Converter help

#13 Post by JES » Tue Jan 05, 2010 10:51 pm

Hi everyone. Last race of the year in Sept, 09, I had sold my 3800 stall and put in a 4100,in line temp and made a few other adjustments. This seemed to help my reaction numbers, and best of all my 60's 1.55 and a 7.21 1/8th! MADE MY DAY! Looks like with some work it will run teens maybe 00? Thanks for all the ideas. ps previous best was a 7.50

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