If you noticed my recent thread about my foobar converter, you'll know I'm now looking to buy a new one... I just called B&M for a recommendation and they say to get a Nitrous Holeshot 2400 for my setup:
TH400
3.08 Rearend
100-175HP shot n2o at the track
and the engine listed here: http://corvette.ficker.net/engine_spec.php

I wouldn't think too much about it, but these things cost more than I had imagined... They said if I wasn't going to run nitrous that the plain old Holeshot 2400 would do, but even still they run $250 or so from Summit... Any recommendations? Do you think this is a good choice? I've also sent email to TCI asking a couple of days ago, but have yet to see a reply... :rolleyes:

Also, for highway cruising, will something with a 2400 stall work out with a cruise speed of 55mph (2100RPM)? Probably I'll cruise at 65mph (2482RPM), but sometimes I like to go the limit :)

 

TTT - Anyone?

I'm now thinking that I don't mind the price tag, I just want to solve the problem. I'm looking at two converters and cannot decide which one:

TCI Breakaway with anti-ballooning plate 2400 flash stall (Summit Part TCI-241400) $269.95
B&M Nitrous Holeshot 2400 (Summit Part BMM-20480) $309.95

 

I have a TCI Breakaway stall and I love it.....I did switch the gears from a 3:08 to a 3:73 which matches my cam very well. It launches like a beast. By the way I boudht it used from Jvette73. It was on his car before mine!

 

Hmmm... So I'm wondering, the Breakaway says that the flash stall is 2400, but it is still good for cruising... They don't say anything more than that on their website though as far as I can tell. I'm thinking that it may be the better choice of the two because of this, but I do wish they had more information, including some estimate of HP/torque handling ability. It's possible that I may see 600HP with NOS... I think I'll phone up TCI and see what they say.

EDIT: P.S. Who's the woman on your car in the photos on your site? Not hard on the eyes to say the least :D


[Modified by dath, 2:31 PM 6/4/2003]

 

It is GREAT for cruising.....It is perfect for my car which is around 375hp.....

 

If yur on the juice and yur makin big time power you'll definatly want a higher end convertor. 2400 is a good stall speed for street strip action. When you hold the brake and then side step and slam the gas you get a higher stall speed. But on the street when you just ease the gas off a stop it delivers power long before 2400. Most aftermarket manufacturers make convertors with anti-balloning plates to help em hold up under the rigors of nitrous oxide usage.

 

The place that built my engine only use the B&M, they use to install both TCI and B&M but have less trouble with the B&M so thats all they use now.

 

Jvette73: Both converters I'm looking at have a stall of 2400. I understand it does deliver power long before 2400 if you just ease on, but nobody has been able to tell me when for a specific converter, not even TCI took a stab at that question when I called earlier today. I asked if it would be pretty much "locked up" (yeah, I know it isn't a lockup converter, but for lack of a better term) at say 2200 while cruising and the reply was that it wouldn't be slipping much. I don't really know what to think based on that conversation. TCI did however tell me that the only converter that would work for my setup (assuming I want to make a 200 mile one way trip at some point) would be the Breakaway 2400 with anti-balloon plate. If I changed my gears, I could get away with a higher stall, but then again, I am not just in this for a 1/4 mile time. I want a good all around street/strip car, so I may change to 3.55, but probably nothing steeper...

Next question is if I should use a transmission cooler. I asked the TCI guy and he said he would recommend it if I'm not driving in cold weather. I'm thinking that I probably can just get away with running the radiator cooler/wamer like it is now. What do y'all think?

EDIT: Oh yeah, almost forgot, TCI estimated flash around 2600 for my setup without NOS and around 3000 with NOS...


[Modified by dath, 5:03 PM 6/4/2003]

 

Can you quantify that statement? Or was that all they said? I don't want to have to explain to my wife too many times why I need to replace parts that I already replaced :blueangel:

 

I would definently run a cooler

 

I hate to say it, but ever converter reacts different to engine torque and hp. That may be why they are not being exact with you. I replace my 350TM with a 700R4 and upgraded to a 2000 - 2200 stall converter. I think it flashes at 2500rpm, which is great with the TPI. Any more and the converter would not match my torque range. Try the 2400 out and if it doesn't work, sell it and go a different direction. Also I changed gears to 3:55.

Run a cooler. I use a frame mounted cooler out of a late model Mini Van. Looks like it cost $100. and only set me back $7.00. :yesnod:

 

I do understand that the converters react differently to different engine torque and HP, but what I was trying to say is that while cruising I wanted to know what the slippage is like. I gave them the model of my transmission, my gear ratio, and my tire diameter, and estimated vehicle weight. With those pieces, they should know while cruising at say 2200 RPMs if the converter will be slipping and how much... I was quite happy with the answeres as to the flash stall ratings they gave me, I didn't want or expect anything much more specific...

Do you still run your trans lines to the radiator as well? Also, how do you know if the transmission is running cool enough? Should I try to install a temp sender in the trans pan or something crazy?

 

My recomendation would be the TCI Breakaway with anti balloning plate since yur running nitrous. Dont worry too much about the fine figures. you'll like the higher stall speed for hard launch and you'll hardly noitice any aditional slip on criusin, especially when you switch to 3.55's, since they will keep the rpm's up higher at lower speeds anyway. I would definatly recomend installing an aux cooler. Heat is a trannys worst enemy. Plumb the lines as follows; Out of the trans to the bottom of the rad, out the top of the rad and thru the aux cooler then back to the trans. If yur running a decent aux cooler I dont believe you really need a temp gauge.

Are you runnin a shift kit yet? If not you might consider slapin one in while yur at it. For the shift kit I would recomend the B&M shift improver kit. I had one of those on my TH400 along with the TCI 2400 that now make its home in Alwyns car. I never forget the first test drive I took after installing that convertor and shift kit. That was the first time the car ever barked the tires when shifting to 2nd. I was in a slight turn at the time and the azz kicked out a bit. I was grinnin from ear to ear. :D

 

I ran a seperately plumbed cooler and bypassed the radiator....Works great for me.

 

When I did my 700R4 transplant I had the choice of a 1800 or 2200 stall a couple of years ago. I chose the 1800 for the plain fact taht I have around 400 ft of torque at 2000 rpm's and figuring it would stall at a higher rate due to the torque numbers anyway. I have 3.55 rear gears and a 388cu in motor. With the low 1st gear in the 700R4 I beleive the rear tires are toast anyway. My frame off is coming to a close here now and soon I will know how my choice works out. I will run a aux. tranny cooler due to the low cost of them and the payback due to having one...Tranny heat is not good..
Neil in Tenn

 

So I was all ready to go with the TCI and then VETDRMS IMs me with yet another possibility that hadn't even hit my radar... Torco Converters: http://www.torcoconverters.com/

Anyone used their converters? From their website propaganda, they look to be a top quality unit and for only $210. Seems too good to be true, the TCI unit runs about $275... Opinions?