C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

85 Torque Converter Recomendations?

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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 03:03 AM
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Default 85 Torque Converter Recomendations?

Hi Everybody,

I am just about to start pulling the tranny out of my 85 corvette to replace the torque converter because the lockout clutch decided to let go and its causing a horrible vibration. i am looking for a little better performance, however i dont do much racing so i dont think i need anything with a really high stall or specs for a lot of hard driving. the car is stock and i would like to keep the lockout feature. Any suggestions? Pricing? Thanks for all the help

Brian
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 08:41 AM
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Originally Posted by USR_BS
Hi Everybody,

I am just about to start pulling the tranny out of my 85 corvette to replace the torque converter because the lockout clutch decided to let go and its causing a horrible vibration. i am looking for a little better performance, however i dont do much racing so i dont think i need anything with a really high stall or specs for a lot of hard driving. the car is stock and i would like to keep the lockout feature. Any suggestions? Pricing? Thanks for all the help

Brian
I would recommend a 2500 stall.
I use a company that hand builds them for me. Outstanding quality, and priced right.
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 08:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Pete K
I would recommend a 2500 stall.
I use a company that hand builds them for me. Outstanding quality, and priced right.

Pete do they still have the TCC in em?
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 08:43 AM
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Originally Posted by BluRay
Pete do they still have the TCC in em?
Yup
They re-line the lock up plate with 500 hp rated raybestos friction material.
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 05:11 PM
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Thanks guys! Do you have any info about where I might be able to get more specs and pricing info? Sounds like he has a good product. Is there a website?

Thanks again

Brian
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 05:45 PM
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Not to disagree with Pete K, as he's the expert in trannys, but I wouldn't put such a high stall converter on a stock 85 for 2 reasons:

1) The motor might not be able to take such a shock from idle to 2500 on a regular basis, but I don't know the mileage so it may be okay by this standpoint.

2)The rear-end/tranny itself may fail due to the added stress of the higher stall, especially if it hooks hard.

I would suggest a 21-2200 stall converter if you want to maximize streetability but have a "step above" the rest of the stock crowd. There's no reason to go higher unless you plan a trip to the track, and the stock L98 cam is already in the powerband at the stock stall.
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 05:51 PM
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isn't the stock 1700-1900?
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 05:55 PM
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I believe stock for 85 is 1600.
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Master__Shake_
Not to disagree with Pete K, as he's the expert in trannys, but I wouldn't put such a high stall converter on a stock 85 for 2 reasons:

1) The motor might not be able to take such a shock from idle to 2500 on a regular basis, but I don't know the mileage so it may be okay by this standpoint.

2)The rear-end/tranny itself may fail due to the added stress of the higher stall, especially if it hooks hard.

I would suggest a 21-2200 stall converter if you want to maximize streetability but have a "step above" the rest of the stock crowd. There's no reason to go higher unless you plan a trip to the track, and the stock L98 cam is already in the powerband at the stock stall.
You certainly can disagree. Stall speed on a street car is very opinional.
85 and 86 were good years. GM experimented and put a 2000-2200 stall speed converter in these 2 years only. If you still have your oem converter, stepping it up to 2500 or so will give a nice seat of the pants acceleration, with minimal heat and drivability concerns.
I even have some friends that are running 3000 stall speeds in an L-98 combo. I would never go that high unless it was and LT1 or LS1 type combo.
I run a 2800 rpm stall in my super ram 383 combo, as I am pretty conservative. My car would likely et quickest with a 3400 stall, but again I am conservative.
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 07:16 PM
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Default Pete Kane TC

Pete recommended and I bought a 2600TC from him for my '90. It sits behind a pretty much stock ZZ4 crate motor and that TC is one of my favorite upgrades. Thank you Pete & Happy New Year To All.
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted by CJWC4AZ
Pete recommended and I bought a 2600TC from him for my '90. It sits behind a pretty much stock ZZ4 crate motor and that TC is one of my favorite upgrades. Thank you Pete & Happy New Year To All.
Thanks for the good word Chuck
Hope your holiday season is a good one
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Master__Shake_
I believe stock for 85 is 1600.
That is the number I have seen posted here several times. Would be interesting tohave the codes stamped in the TC to be sure.
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 09:04 PM
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thanks for the advise sounds like ill shoot for somewhere in the low 2000 range. Any recommendations on brands or where i can pick one up at? i was looking at summit and jegs and most of them were for race applications.

thanks
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Old Dec 31, 2008 | 01:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Pete K
You certainly can disagree. Stall speed on a street car is very opinional.
85 and 86 were good years. GM experimented and put a 2000-2200 stall speed converter in these 2 years only. If you still have your oem converter, stepping it up to 2500 or so will give a nice seat of the pants acceleration, with minimal heat and drivability concerns.
So it was 85 and 86 that had the 2k stall, not 86 and 87? I was always debating with myself about that, and figured that the newer year would get the better upgrade.


That gets me wondering, since I have an 86, why is it that I can only stall to ~1800 with my stock converter? I'm 90% sure it is stock as the previous owner made no modifications, with the exception of a rear spoiler, and there is no reason he would back-off the stall speed.

My only guess is that I've taken enough weight off of the car that the stall speed isn't matching what it was as stock.
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Old Dec 31, 2008 | 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Master__Shake_
So it was 85 and 86 that had the 2k stall, not 86 and 87? I was always debating with myself about that, and figured that the newer year would get the better upgrade.


That gets me wondering, since I have an 86, why is it that I can only stall to ~1800 with my stock converter? I'm 90% sure it is stock as the previous owner made no modifications, with the exception of a rear spoiler, and there is no reason he would back-off the stall speed.

My only guess is that I've taken enough weight off of the car that the stall speed isn't matching what it was as stock.
If you can foot brake it 1800, it likely flashes to 2200 when you smack the throttle from idle. Stall is typically referenced as the rpm it will flash to.
Most trans overhauls involve swapping out the converter through a rebuilder. They normally pull a 1 size fits all (1600 or so) stall converter off the shelf and toss it in. Many 85-86 cars have lost their correct, desirable converter when a shop swapped it during a rebuild.
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Old Dec 31, 2008 | 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by USR_BS
thanks for the advise sounds like ill shoot for somewhere in the low 2000 range. Any recommendations on brands or where i can pick one up at? i was looking at summit and jegs and most of them were for race applications.

thanks
If I am correct, and you have the factory converter in your car, you already have what you are seeking. A local converter rebuilder can remanufacture yours for $150 or so. I would rather see you go this route because to me it makes good sense.
If you are looking for a replacement converter, I can have my guy build you one, and ship it through me. They are more money, but build a superior product.
They do not deal with the public though, only through dealers
Whatever you do, please , please do not use a b&m or TCI. Their horrible quality is the reason I became educated in trans issues.
They cost me alot of money over the years.
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Old Jan 3, 2009 | 02:47 PM
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Pete,
Don't the 85's and 86's have a different number of splines on the input shaft, compared to later year 700R4's, thereby making them not usable w/a newer trans?

rk
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To 85 Torque Converter Recomendations?

Old Jan 3, 2009 | 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by thirdtimevetteowner
Pete,
Don't the 85's and 86's have a different number of splines on the input shaft, compared to later year 700R4's, thereby making them not usable w/a newer trans?

rk
The transition from 27 spline to 30 spline input shafts occurred sometime late in the 1984 model year. Although I have been inside more than 30 (just a guess) 1984 units, I have yet to run across any 30 spline input shafts in the 1984 model year. All 85 and later used a 30 spline.
The common reason for reference to the 1987 model year transmission is because alot of changes occurred that year. One of them was the addition of an aux valve body.
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Old Jan 4, 2009 | 11:54 PM
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Thanks for clearing that up for me Pete.

rk
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Old Jan 8, 2009 | 02:28 PM
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Hi All,

I have been looking for a local Converter rebuilder in the California Bay Area and connot find any that others have ahd good experience with. I have found some online but that would mean shipping it out and possible getting one in exchange that will not have my originall stall from the 85 (2000-2200?). Also i figure that since the tranny is out i might as well have that looked at as well. Does anybody have any advise for a good shop in the Bay?

I also found this site, has anybody ever used these guys? Punnisher? Here is the link to the 700R4 with a 2300-2500 stall. Seems to be resonably priced, let me know what your experiences were.

http://racetransmissions.com/store/p...products_id/47

Thanks All!!

Brian
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