How much do you think it'd be to make the converter from 2800 now to say 3000-3100? It's all coming apart anyway,and I'd like better than a 1.700 60'(That sucks for my combo IMHO). Hopefully it'll only be a few hundred.

With the added looseness, I am aware it'll add heat. JP or Mackey, which tranny cooler should I put in there? I have a HUGE stock one...but I think I'll need additional cooling for safety's sake.

Thank you.

 

Jay

Do you have an external Tranny cooler along with the Tranny cooler in the Radiator ?

Also, even with a 2800 rpm convertor, I feel you should be able to pull 1.60 60' times with the 383 motor. You should have tons of low end torque.

Is your Tranny getting rebuilt ?

Vic

 

Hey Vic,

Not too sure about the 1.60 on the current set-up. I appreciate the confidence. It's a pretty good comparison..look at Beach Bum's combo. He uses a 3000 and RIPS those 60' times with 200 RPM more stall. I think it makes a difference and now seems to be the time to do so.

Answering your question, no I am not using a cooler other than what is there. My tranny repair Guy feels the 3000 is the right idea and the additional cooler is a great idea. We'll see how things are once it's apart. It goes in tomorrow. I'll keep you updated.

 

Jay

You know my setup and I have ripped a 1.76 60' with my 12" convertor.
I also have several other 1.77 - 1.79 60's. You have 150 more HP than me.

There is no reason why you can't go 1.60 60' times.

Vic

 

If I'm not mistaken, won't a bigger TC be cooler than a smaller diameter one?

 

Once the smoke clears and the problem gets diagnosed/fixed, I'll see if the convertor will be loosened. My tranny Guy obviously agreed one run isn't enough to tell whether or not I need more stall speed;but said loosening it to 3000 wouldn't hurt. I'm going to wait to hear from Him as to what's wrong then decide from there.

I swear that Car has a mind of it's own. It drove to the trans shop PERFECTLY . Maybe I ought to switch Cars with John P for a week :lol: ;)

 

Hey JD,
Finally I can post again!!
Thats how it always happens...when you bring it to get it checked out, it acts like everythings fine.
Cant tell you anything about the converters, thats a gray area for me.

Btw, I think it was Mr Mojo who said something about the cooling issue...I was told that if you loosen the converter, it generates more heat due to more rpms.
Anybody know if this is true?
:)

 

JD

I have a 2800 Vig, & had a brand name trans cooler about 6"x 16" (app) and had it mounted in front of my power steering cooler, & in traffic on a hot day, my trans would still go to 230+ (usually 30mph up hills)

When I hit the brick on the Tappan Zee Bridge, Ralph & I got home at 5pm & went to CarQuest (only place open Fri night) & I bought their brand, its 8"x12" & only 1/2 thick, rated for 28,000 towing...

The difference is NIGHT & DAY... now in this cold weather my trans never goes over 150, no matter how hard I beat in it..

In the summer it might go to 185-190 at the track it always under 150..

If you want I'll go & get you the part # it cost only about $50 but it was the best 50 I've spent.. Now I never worry about my trans temp...

For being a Carquest brand, & not one of the BIG racing names, I'm more than happy with it!!

Also Mackey has a 3000 & 4.09 rear, & he is 60' in 1.60, He also expects more...Ralph is 1.64.. I am consistent 1.69-1.72 (depending on which tires I'm using..

60' time aside, I suggest a cooler no matter what.. remember I don't think your car has a trans temp gauge & you dont know how HOT it really is...!!! I have a temp gauge & always watch it.. You know heat kills trans.. so go with a good cooler, especially if you cant see how hot it is running..

 

Thanks John,

Please research the p.n. and luckily I have a car-quest locally. I'll grab it,and maybe the tranny guy can pop it in while it's apart.

Thanks again!

 

JD,

I pretty much agree with everybody in this thread. You have the exact same converter as Ralph (2800 Pro-Torque) and your power to weight ratio is also probably very similar to Ralphs.... thus I think you should be able to run at the very least low 1.6's as you sit, but I don't think you've raced enough to really determine where you should be at.... but I think your motor has the horsepower and torque to easily pull 1.5's.

As a note... the cost should be free, if I'm not mistaken, Joe at Pro-Torque will give 1 free adjustment to a torque converter. If he says no... remind him that Precision Industries offers this....that should push him over the edge.

I run a loose 3000 rpm converter that flashes right up to around 3400-3600 rpm.... and will average a 1.56-1.60 on a good track.... with a best of multiple 1.55's.... I think with a 3000-3200 converter you could run even quicker... however you probably don't want to go any higher than that with your SR 383 motor.... you'll be flashing to 500 rpm or so from your torque peak.... going much over that won't help us nearly as much as the LT-1's and MR equiped motors.

Any tranny cooler will work, pick-up any Jegs or Summit and pick one ... they're cheap and easy to install.

btw, just get a good tranny builder and have them build 100% GM stock....it seems everytime people start getting fancy with the tranny build-ups... the tranny last 2 trips to the track. :( Keep in mind, my current bone stock 90 core 700R4 has literally lasted 500 11 second 1/4 mile passes in the heat.... and still shifts very firm today. I think there are a couple of mild modifications you can do to the 700R4 that will help longetivity just a bit.... but don't remember what they are.... you might want to email forum member LT401vette.... he's experimented with what works or what doesn't in his 10 second C4 and seems to have a grasp on the subject. I think he's getting a year or two of life between rebuilds nowadays, which is very impressive considering he has close to 600hp and spins his tranny to 7000 rpm on a regular basis.

good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Beach Bum

 

One more note.... Ralph told me a couple of weeks ago that he too wants to send his converter back to Pro-torque for an adjustment of a couple more hundred rpm out of it... might be easier for Pro-Torque if you both do it at the same time.... or cheaper if he's charging... dunno.

Beach

 

I just got off the phone w/Ralph, & if all goes well we're taking his car to LI a week from this Fri. to have his converter done.

 

I appreciate your comments Beach...It will take a few runs to see if I can rip out of the hole like you do(Similar or close 60' times). I'll also experiment with launch techniques(Punching it off the line versus powerbraking a little) and tire pressure. JP,and Mackey feel March to April are the best times (airwise) to go..so hopefully I can get situated and plan on a mid 11. I'll take your advice and try it the way it is now until I gain nothing more, then maybe I'll loosen it up and start fresh. Makes sense.

JP, send me the p.n. through e mail on the tranny cooler. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it's something minor and am going to call later today.

Thanks for the feedback Guys.

 

I've heard very bad things when you combine an aftermarket tranny cooler with the stock on still in place. You should only use one, and I would pick an aftermarket one over the stock one.