Torque converter
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 988
Likes: 183
From: South Carolina
Torque converter
I have the engine out,replaced stock cam with Comp Cam xe268,and I have th350,and I know they said for this cam,I could use this stock converter,not sure what it might be probably 1650 maybe,but,thinking it might be a good time to upgrade my torque converter,but also in the next two years,plan on swapping the th350 out,and swap to a 200-4R tranny,I’m assuming if I do get a new torque converter it would also work when I swap tranny’s.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
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From: Hermosa
I have the engine out,replaced stock cam with Comp Cam xe268,and I have th350,and I know they said for this cam,I could use this stock converter,not sure what it might be probably 1650 maybe,but,thinking it might be a good time to upgrade my torque converter,but also in the next two years,plan on swapping the th350 out,and swap to a 200-4R tranny,I’m assuming if I do get a new torque converter it would also work when I swap tranny’s.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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I run the same Cam in my 77, with a manual gearbox. In the beginning I had a lot of trouble getting my tune right. Seems that Cam likes compression. Once I got my compression up to 10-1. It dialed right in.
Not certain what heads you are running, or compression ratio. But once dialed in it should pull hard from 2K up. And be fairly smooth below 2K.
I'm thinking your stock converter if at 1,600 would be just a bit light.
But I am certainly no automatic expert.
Not certain what heads you are running, or compression ratio. But once dialed in it should pull hard from 2K up. And be fairly smooth below 2K.
I'm thinking your stock converter if at 1,600 would be just a bit light.
But I am certainly no automatic expert.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 505
Likes: 230
TH350 is non lockup and the 2004r is a lockup convertor, so they won't interchange. The XE268 cam will work with the stock convertor, but probably would feel better with a 2200 RPM or so stall. I ran a 268HE with a stock convertor and 3.08 gears, it was ok but a little soggy below 2,500k. I think a stall would have helped, but the real solution was lower gears.
Living the Vette life....
Joined: Mar 2018
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Golferdad, if I remember correctly your car is a 1981 correct? If that is the case your car, if it still has the original transmission, does have a lockup converter. Earlier T350's did not have lockup. It was controlled by the computer (CCC). which also controlled the carb and distributor. If you have done away with all of that including the computer, then it will no longer lock up the converter. Not really a big deal but can be made to work if you really wanted it to.
I agree with those who said to wait on the converter if you are going to do a trans swap later. When you do decide to do the swap, get with a good converter manufacturer and they will set you up with what will work best on your car based on rear end gearing, cam selection, etc. Your rear gearing may hurt performance some too if it is still is the stock 2.87 ratio.
I agree with those who said to wait on the converter if you are going to do a trans swap later. When you do decide to do the swap, get with a good converter manufacturer and they will set you up with what will work best on your car based on rear end gearing, cam selection, etc. Your rear gearing may hurt performance some too if it is still is the stock 2.87 ratio.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,511
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The torque converter is the answer, like mentioned the Cam is a dog until 2500 rpm, sure a lower gear ratio gets you through the "dog part" quicker at the sacrifice of cruise rpm , but a Torque converter puts the engine in the "happy spot" as soon as you hit the gas regardless of ratio is the real answer, get the proper stall speed first and then evaluate the rear gears last
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2019
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Last edited by Eric P; Dec 14, 2022 at 01:10 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Youngstown Ohio
Not really. If you start off at slow speed, you'll barely notice any difference from a stock converter. But if you stomp it, it quickly goes up to rated stall speed, locks (kind of), and you're instantly flying down the road. Think "holeshot".
