Need torque converter and gear help
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: WInnipeg Mb
Need torque converter and gear help
I'm getting the engine rebuilt with an xe262 cam, and weiand dual plane action plus intake... tranny rebuilt and was wondering what kind of stall converter i should get if any and if i should get gears or stick with the stock ones?!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 354
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From: Prineville Oregon
Re: Need torque converter and gear help (Justin79-L-82)
The xe262 sounds pretty mild...I'd step up to the next size...xe268. For converter run the TCI "Break-A-Way" or something similar (around $210. mail order). From my own experiance and what I've seen in other posts, a 3.55 gear is real close to all around best compromise for a non-overdrive automatic. For a stick (non-overdrive) 3.73's make a good choice. Just my $.02
Deen
Deen
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,653
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From: North Royalton, OH
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Re: Need torque converter and gear help (Justin79-L-82)
In all the posts I've read over the past several months on this (as I need to make the same decisions you are), it seems that the consensus on gears is just what Wightnite said - 3.55's for the automatic. If you step up to the 268 cam, most suggestions leans towards a 2400 stall converter. Good luck on the rebuild!
[Modified by BSiegPaint, 7:25 AM 7/1/2002]
[Modified by BSiegPaint, 7:25 AM 7/1/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: Need torque converter and gear help (DeenHylton)
The xe262 sounds pretty mild...I'd step up to the next size...xe268. For converter run the TCI "Break-A-Way" or something similar (around $210. mail order). From my own experiance and what I've seen in other posts, a 3.55 gear is real close to all around best compromise for a non-overdrive automatic. For a stick (non-overdrive) 3.73's make a good choice. Just my $.02
Deen
Deen
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From: WInnipeg Mb
Re: Need torque converter and gear help (Alwyn678)
Isn't the xe262 the step up from the 268.. as i remember the 262 powerband is from 1500 - 5600 (mostly for auto's) and the 268 is from 1600 - 6000 (more for standards) Apparently the 262 gives you better torque response
[Modified by Justin79-L-82, 8:08 PM 7/1/2002]
[Modified by Justin79-L-82, 8:08 PM 7/1/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 752
Likes: 1
From: Springfield Oregon
Re: Need torque converter and gear help (Justin79-L-82)
XE262 is a step "up" from the 268H, but one step "down" from the XE268. XE262 will probably have better throttle response for you if you are staying with stock heads.
DUH-just read your sig. port/pollish heads may change things. What gears do you have?
[Modified by ORVette, 12:12 PM 7/1/2002]
DUH-just read your sig. port/pollish heads may change things. What gears do you have?
[Modified by ORVette, 12:12 PM 7/1/2002]
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,908
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From: Manassas, VA, USA
Re: Need torque converter and gear help (ORVette)
They're neither a step up or a step down - they're different cams for different purposes.
The XE262 will give you better torque at low rpm, and a pretty flat torque curve up to about 5,000 rpm.
The XE268 will make more power at higher rpm, but won't give you as much grunt to start with at lower rpm.
In short, if you're building a street car, and you're not going to spend much time in the upper rpm range, the 262 is a great cam. If you're going to do some racing, and are willing to take it up to higher rpm for launch, then the 268 is a great cam.
Both have their uses.
The XE262 will give you better torque at low rpm, and a pretty flat torque curve up to about 5,000 rpm.
The XE268 will make more power at higher rpm, but won't give you as much grunt to start with at lower rpm.
In short, if you're building a street car, and you're not going to spend much time in the upper rpm range, the 262 is a great cam. If you're going to do some racing, and are willing to take it up to higher rpm for launch, then the 268 is a great cam.
Both have their uses.
Thread Starter
Pro
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From: WInnipeg Mb
Re: Need torque converter and gear help (lyonsh)
Alright i was looking at some different choices for converters and gears and i think i'm going to get the Torque Master 2400 and 3.55 gears with a street/strip shift kit for my th350. ALso a new tranny cooler .. how does that sound :yesnod: ANy suggestions
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 752
Likes: 1
From: Springfield Oregon
Re: Need torque converter and gear help (Justin79-L-82)
I installed a TQMaster2400 a couple months ago to go with my 3.70's, and I'm very happy with it so far. Really helped wake things up out of the hole, even over and above the swap from 3.08's to .70's. Mine stalls around 22-2300 with my combo. I have an aux. trans cooler and a B&M transpak installed at stage 2. Works for me.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,607
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From: Clarksville,Tn,USA TN
Re: Need torque converter and gear help (ORVette)
I've see a bunch of combos like you want and everyone seems to be happy with whatever setup they went with. really depends on what you want to accomplish. I went with the 1800 stall and the comp 268H cam, not the Ex- series cams. I have 3.55 gears but also installed a built 700R4 overdrive in mine to go along with the 388cu motor. Mine should do well in the street with all the torque and power to make me happy.. :yesnod:
Neil in Tenn
Neil in Tenn
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From: WInnipeg Mb
Re: Need torque converter and gear help (Nomad78SA)
I'm kind of running low on funds and i still want to get the torque converter, gears, shift kit, and the rebuild. Which one should i get first? I guess it would be the best idea to get the gears first, then get the converter, rebuild and shift kit next because it can all be done at once. Now when you change gears, do you have to get a new carrier for it? What company is the best to get gears from?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
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From: Thomson Georgia
Re: Need torque converter and gear help (Justin79-L-82)
Which one should i get first? I guess it would be the best idea to get the gears first, then get the converter, rebuild and shift kit next because it can all be done at once. Now when you change gears, do you have to get a new carrier for it? What company is the best to get gears from?
:cheers:
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 354
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From: Prineville Oregon
Re: Need torque converter and gear help (Justin79-L-82)
Justin, before you spend the bucks for new gears you need to double check what you have...my owners manual said my 1977 L82 came stock with 3.55's and that's what they were when I checked. The L48's came with 3.08's (automatic equiped cars). Not sure if this carrys over to the 1979 models...Deen
