Hey there Guys, Is there any Good info out there for getting the right converter for our combo??? just that being in Kiwi Land resources and getting the right part is a challenge...
We run a A1 5000 stall now, but she has had 15yrs abuse lololol so any help will be great...
Selecting an Converter
Moderator: John_Heard
Selecting an Converter
Work is a necessery evil, I,d rather be racing!
351 Motorsport
Glide
8.8s 175Nos
Street Legal
Lack of funds :)
351 Motorsport
Glide
8.8s 175Nos
Street Legal
Lack of funds :)
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jones_performance
- Posts: 184
- Joined: Thu Jun 30, 2005 3:38 pm
- Location: upland, ca
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Wayne Carroll
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:09 am
Converter choice
Converter stall should be at the max torgue rpm of the motor with a trans brake car.
If you have a SBC then it should come in at around 5600 or 5800, maybe 6000 if you have a strong 600 plus hp in the little block and some camshaft specs are a must to help in the decision. Duration and lobe centers with lift and rocker arm ratios are of great interest to get the best result from yourl converter.
I assume you have a Powerglide. If you have a light car (under 2,600# and about 500 to 600 horsepower with the SBC) you have the best transmission for the race car with an 8" converter as a combination. If it is a BBC, you're definitely OK with all that torque and only using 18 horsepower to drive the tranny - it's perfect.
Find out as many specs you can about the motor. It will be set up to stall by some of the following: Weight, camshaft specifications (duration, lift, lobe center, etc.).Also, you must tell the converter technician if the car has a trans brake or foot brake, leaves on a sportsman or pro light. Also, tell them the rpm through the lights and tire size so it can come close to minimum slippage through the traps and if you should change torque multiples and gear ratios. They will probably ask you what your 60' times are, mph and other performance levels. It is all important for picking the best combination.
Sorry, but it is all very scientific, so don't guess. Get all of the information you can.
Better yet, be exact and dyno the motor, get your spec card for the camshaft from the manufacturer. You just need the number (it's on the front bearing face of the cam) and give then tell the converter guy all the information they need.that the cam grinder can tell you. If he doesn't ask for most, if not all of this information, don't use him.
He should ask you to FAX the information on a spec sheet that they send you and you can then fill it all out and FAX it back. You can get spec sheets from anyone here in the States if you want to get an idea of what is necessary to make the right choice.
A-1, JW, TSR, TCI, Hughes, Continental Converters are all excellent - call them, e-mail them or FAX them for their forms. Collectively, you will see what they would all need and then pick some talent in your local area to analyze the specifications you need. Your car is light (from the photo) so an 8" race converter is in order. The car is best with a trans brake and a 2 step (MSD or other device). This way you can jockey the stall RPM for a greater torque multiple and tailor it for consistency without strain and heat in to the converter. (It goes up 10 degrees for every second you lean on the converter at stall speed).
By the way, the 8" converter, PG science and the trans brake was invented by Marv Ripes at A-1 Transmissions. He is the grandfather of all the modern science in Powerglides. He is located in Canoga Park, CA. Give him or Dominic Camera a call for excellent advice. They are great guys, too. Depending on horsepower and torque, with some exact camshaft specs, either him or "Dom" should make you go very fast. You guys in New Zealand are really famous in the states for making great strides in the sport, Pro Mod for one and plenty of our Nitro Coupes, so there is plenty of very talented people who could give you some expert help right were you live.
Good Luck! Keep The Shiny Side UP!!!
If you have a SBC then it should come in at around 5600 or 5800, maybe 6000 if you have a strong 600 plus hp in the little block and some camshaft specs are a must to help in the decision. Duration and lobe centers with lift and rocker arm ratios are of great interest to get the best result from yourl converter.
I assume you have a Powerglide. If you have a light car (under 2,600# and about 500 to 600 horsepower with the SBC) you have the best transmission for the race car with an 8" converter as a combination. If it is a BBC, you're definitely OK with all that torque and only using 18 horsepower to drive the tranny - it's perfect.
Find out as many specs you can about the motor. It will be set up to stall by some of the following: Weight, camshaft specifications (duration, lift, lobe center, etc.).Also, you must tell the converter technician if the car has a trans brake or foot brake, leaves on a sportsman or pro light. Also, tell them the rpm through the lights and tire size so it can come close to minimum slippage through the traps and if you should change torque multiples and gear ratios. They will probably ask you what your 60' times are, mph and other performance levels. It is all important for picking the best combination.
Sorry, but it is all very scientific, so don't guess. Get all of the information you can.
Better yet, be exact and dyno the motor, get your spec card for the camshaft from the manufacturer. You just need the number (it's on the front bearing face of the cam) and give then tell the converter guy all the information they need.that the cam grinder can tell you. If he doesn't ask for most, if not all of this information, don't use him.
He should ask you to FAX the information on a spec sheet that they send you and you can then fill it all out and FAX it back. You can get spec sheets from anyone here in the States if you want to get an idea of what is necessary to make the right choice.
A-1, JW, TSR, TCI, Hughes, Continental Converters are all excellent - call them, e-mail them or FAX them for their forms. Collectively, you will see what they would all need and then pick some talent in your local area to analyze the specifications you need. Your car is light (from the photo) so an 8" race converter is in order. The car is best with a trans brake and a 2 step (MSD or other device). This way you can jockey the stall RPM for a greater torque multiple and tailor it for consistency without strain and heat in to the converter. (It goes up 10 degrees for every second you lean on the converter at stall speed).
By the way, the 8" converter, PG science and the trans brake was invented by Marv Ripes at A-1 Transmissions. He is the grandfather of all the modern science in Powerglides. He is located in Canoga Park, CA. Give him or Dominic Camera a call for excellent advice. They are great guys, too. Depending on horsepower and torque, with some exact camshaft specs, either him or "Dom" should make you go very fast. You guys in New Zealand are really famous in the states for making great strides in the sport, Pro Mod for one and plenty of our Nitro Coupes, so there is plenty of very talented people who could give you some expert help right were you live.
Good Luck! Keep The Shiny Side UP!!!
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John_Heard
- Site Admin
- Posts: 5734
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Hmm, I was told that Stephen Griner was the inventor of the transbrake. NHRA banned it the first year Griner introduced it, when A1? came out with their copy the following year it was magically legal. It would be real interesting to get Griner on here and have him tell the story. I don't know if we have enough hate smileys here for him though...
My vote is for Neal Chance Racing Converters if this is for a shoot out type of car - http://www.racingconverters.com
My vote is for Neal Chance Racing Converters if this is for a shoot out type of car - http://www.racingconverters.com
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