Need 454 Stall Converter Advice
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 680
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From: Denham Springs LA
Need 454 Stall Converter Advice
I am putting a 454 550hp in a 76 vette, no NOS. Rear end has 3.08 gears but I will be putting in 3.73. Cam pulls from 2500 to 6500 rpm. It will mostly be a street car, but will see the strip 5 or 6 times a year. Running TH350 transmission and street tires.
I am trying to decide which stall converter (rpm and brand) to use. Any recommendations. What brands should I stay away from?
Roger
I am trying to decide which stall converter (rpm and brand) to use. Any recommendations. What brands should I stay away from?
Roger
Last edited by roger3; Oct 26, 2010 at 08:56 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Others can advise you on today's best converter makers. But, once you select a manufacturer, CALL THAT COMPANY'S TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOLKS and tell them what you want to do with the car and the details of the engine and drive train. They will walk you through the decisions you need to make [and the trade-offs between best strip performance and daily driving inconveniences] and advise you of which model unit would be your best choice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
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From: Livonia MI
Others can advise you on today's best converter makers. But, once you select a manufacturer, CALL THAT COMPANY'S TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOLKS and tell them what you want to do with the car and the details of the engine and drive train. They will walk you through the decisions you need to make [and the trade-offs between best strip performance and daily driving inconveniences] and advise you of which model unit would be your best choice.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
I agree, and think this advise is very important, as I've run to high of stall on the street before, and couldn't stand the slushy non responsive feel. Also stall number's between different manufacturer's vary and depend on engine c.i., car weight and gearing. You might be fine with the sb stock stall converter on a bb, but probably wouldn't hold up under a lot of track use. Also if that's the stock 76' TH350, I'd have it looked at and mybe beefed up a little for what you're doing.
I'd worry as much about the trans as the converter. Unless it has been gone through/modded by somebody highly competent, that power level will test and possibly break it in a hurry. A TH400 would be a much safer choice. As for the converter, the brand in my sig was recommended by a buddy who was very involved in drag racing for many years (mostly 9 second cars). The rep in racing circles carries some weight to me for obvious reasons. There are a couple other brands that don't have the advertising budget of the big names like B&M but make top notch products. Unfortunately the names escape me right now. The smaller companies I'm thinking of will all custom build a converter to match your combo. I couldn't be happier with mine. Good luck. 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 680
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From: Denham Springs LA
Thanks guys,
I am planning to beef up the TH350. It is the stock 76 transmission with about 110,000 miles. It shifts and works very nice. I am taking it to a local shop that builds transmissions for strip cars.
I talked to B&M earliert today. They recommended the Holeshot 3000 torque converter. It has a stall range of 2800 to 3200rpm.
I filled out a application form for TCI where they will recommend a converter. Haven't heard back from them yet.
Thanks,
Roger
I am planning to beef up the TH350. It is the stock 76 transmission with about 110,000 miles. It shifts and works very nice. I am taking it to a local shop that builds transmissions for strip cars.
I talked to B&M earliert today. They recommended the Holeshot 3000 torque converter. It has a stall range of 2800 to 3200rpm.
I filled out a application form for TCI where they will recommend a converter. Haven't heard back from them yet.
Thanks,
Roger
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I know because I had a suck 3000 stall one in my hot rodded 440 charger R/TOnce I got smart I started buying these $800 - $1150 TC's and I install them in peoples hot rods down at the shop. If you buy quality high efficiency converters whether it is from Art Carr, ATI or Vigilanty they only have a few hundred rpm slip rate from a full lockup type. They also are TQ multipliers so it is hard to get traction with mid 500 hp motors with stalls of up around 3500 rpm
Check out and call each of these guys about 9.5 inch rated in 600 - 1000 hp for 350's and 400 trannies I've driven 9.5 inch 3800 stall in my vette and it was fine with @600 hp 427ci
http://www.artcarr.com/merchandise/details/15/655.acpp
Last edited by gkull; Oct 26, 2010 at 07:36 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Do not mess with TCI or B&M....both of them build junk.
You want a converter that is matched to your combo. A GOOD converter will drive tight around town, barely looser then stock, but then when you put your foot in it, it will flash hard. I would contact any of these guys for recommendations/quotes:
ATI, Ultimate Converters, PTC, COAN, and even the off the shelf Hughes 3500 converters are pretty good. You are gonna want something that "FLASHES" to around 4000-4200 depending on where your peak torque is at.
The torque converter is NOT where you want to cut corners. The converter will make or break you on the street/strip.
You want a converter that is matched to your combo. A GOOD converter will drive tight around town, barely looser then stock, but then when you put your foot in it, it will flash hard. I would contact any of these guys for recommendations/quotes:
ATI, Ultimate Converters, PTC, COAN, and even the off the shelf Hughes 3500 converters are pretty good. You are gonna want something that "FLASHES" to around 4000-4200 depending on where your peak torque is at.
The torque converter is NOT where you want to cut corners. The converter will make or break you on the street/strip.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 680
Likes: 5
From: Denham Springs LA
Gkull,
The sluggish converter is what I am trying to avoid, and tearing it up. I was just at a car show and heard a car with a hugh engine, blower, etc, take off. I thought we were going to have to give him a push. His engine revd to at least 4000 rpm before his car would move. Will call these guys, thanks.
Ajrothm,
You described the converter I'm looking for. Thanks for the advise, I will take it.
Before buying a torque converter i'm going to have my engine dyno'd. A local shop will dyno and set timing, adjust carb, etc for $450. Sounds like money well spent.
Roger
The sluggish converter is what I am trying to avoid, and tearing it up. I was just at a car show and heard a car with a hugh engine, blower, etc, take off. I thought we were going to have to give him a push. His engine revd to at least 4000 rpm before his car would move. Will call these guys, thanks.
Ajrothm,
You described the converter I'm looking for. Thanks for the advise, I will take it.
Before buying a torque converter i'm going to have my engine dyno'd. A local shop will dyno and set timing, adjust carb, etc for $450. Sounds like money well spent.
Roger
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
Gkull,
The sluggish converter is what I am trying to avoid, and tearing it up. I was just at a car show and heard a car with a hugh engine, blower, etc, take off. I thought we were going to have to give him a push. His engine revd to at least 4000 rpm before his car would move. Will call these guys, thanks.
Ajrothm,
You described the converter I'm looking for. Thanks for the advise, I will take it.
Before buying a torque converter i'm going to have my engine dyno'd. A local shop will dyno and set timing, adjust carb, etc for $450. Sounds like money well spent.
Roger
The sluggish converter is what I am trying to avoid, and tearing it up. I was just at a car show and heard a car with a hugh engine, blower, etc, take off. I thought we were going to have to give him a push. His engine revd to at least 4000 rpm before his car would move. Will call these guys, thanks.
Ajrothm,
You described the converter I'm looking for. Thanks for the advise, I will take it.
Before buying a torque converter i'm going to have my engine dyno'd. A local shop will dyno and set timing, adjust carb, etc for $450. Sounds like money well spent.
Roger
