Ok, i've got a really bad shutter around 3500rpm. I noticed it when I got on the highway heading for home (i'm back in dallas now - made it ok thankfully).

I was driving in [D], and put it into D.. when I hit 3500rpm a really bad shutter started shaking the car. I immediately called my builder and asked what the hell this could be (500miles on the engine). He told me to pull over and put it in park, rev it to 3500 and if it still did it it's either the engine or the torque converter. Well, you guessed it, it still shook and shuttered at 3500 in park. My builder said he guarantees it's not the engine as it was balanced perfectly up to 7k rpms by the race shop.

SO.. now I apparently need a new torque converter (should have put a new one on while the engine was out :( ). Does everyone agree that I need a new torque converter?

He said the sure thing way to see if it's the torque converter is to take the 3 torque converter bolts out .. slide the converter back and rev the engine to 3500rpm. If it's gone, then it's definitely the TC.

And there is NO WAY of changing out a torque converter without taking the transmission out, right??

BTW, i've noticed that the TC isn't stalling around 2k like it used to. It's stalling more like around 3k! I think it's definitely the TC.


[Modified by Glock'94, 9:08 PM 2/14/2002]

 

You shouldn't have to drop the tranny completely, just unbolt it and slide it backwards.

that car is out to get you! (or your wallet)

 

Well I don't know if it's your TC or not, but yeah you have to drop the tranny to get it out.

 

NO poopie man ... from now on, my car's name is LUCKY ... and it's being a biatch!!!

 

Well we posted at the same time, but when I had mine changed in my Z28 the tranny had to be dropped.

 

Your about as bad as Nathan if it isnt for bad luck you would have none at all! Sorry for your problems let me know what converter you go with I need one as well when I do my engine so might as well bolt one on when I have it out. :jester

 

So how long would you estimate it will last like this? I need to get back to school on sunday. Once it got locked up, i didn't see to have any troubles at all.


[Modified by Glock'94, 10:09 PM 2/14/2002]

 

Glock...are you saying the converter stalls at a higher speed than it USED to or than it was SUPPOSED to?

If the stall speed changed...it's broken.
Pulling the trans is DEFINITELY needed, more for inspection than for the lone sake of changing the converter. You may have to replace a LOT of trans parts, depending on how much junk the converter craped into the trans. At least pull the pan and filter and change the fluid.

 

Why go to school its why overrated!!!!!!!! :yesnod: :jester

 

Damn it . i just changed it a couple of months ago (not fun by the way). I guess I'll go check the tranny fluid and see what it looks like.

How is the TC connected to the tranny. I've always wondered this. I thought that it just sits there by itself on the input shaft (bolted of course) and bolts onto the flex plate.

 

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :p:

 

Welcome to the bad luck auto tranny club. Been there done that. Hope I'm done anyway. Non the less it does sound like your converter given the fact it did it with out the car moving. Have you checked to see if your converter bolts are all there? If one fell out then this would create a possible vib. Yes you should have replaced your conv. when you had the engine out. With the 383 torque and all. I also would not drive it. If the converter is unbalanced at this point due to something inside breaking then you are running that through your tranny. Which means it's dead, or will be soon. After a long research period I found my high dollar converter cluthes broke while getting on it one day and the tranny locked up in OD. The clutches could not handle it and broke. Thus running little metal pieces all through my tranny. I had a 1/16" deep pile of metal shavings on the bottom of my oil pan. Ouch.

Another thing to try is turning the converter. Meaning, take the bolts out turn it, so that the bolts are now one over from where they where. Sorry couldn't think of a better way to say. Sometimes a converter can cause balance problems and you have to just turn them and try it. Keep an eye on your tranny fluid. Look for metal flakes.

If new tranny and converter are needed, then think about a 6 speed. I wish I had. I'm on my 3rd tranny, and 2nd converter in two years and only traveled 3000 miles thus far. O and I'm out about $5000. Point is you can convert for less once things reach a given point. Of course how do yo know it's going to reach that point until it happens? Goo dluck man. I feel know your pain.

 

It is stalling higher than it used to (like as in yesterday). It's a stock converter, which I believe is around 1800-2000 rpm. It's stalling around 2500-3000. Now, I could be wrong, and this could be the bands inside the tranny slipping... I don't know how to tell the difference.


[Modified by Glock'94, 11:15 PM 2/14/2002]

 

not hardly. he switched from a stock LT1 to a 383 stroker, the stall speed is going to change with the change in engine torque. if you put one converter on 3 different size engines, your gonna have 3 different stall speeds. so depending on how much of a torque increase you made with your stroker, the converter may be stalling at the right speed, you just may have an out of balanced one

 

So any of you Dallas guys that are experienced with auto trannies want to come over and help me figure out what it is? I'm going to call Blue Seal tranny on Ave. K tomorrow to see what they say.

Think I can drive it 200 miles back to norman?? It acted completely fine on the way over here. The only thing I noticed was the different stall when I got into town and hit stop/go traffic. I can have my engine builder do the entire job including parts, labor, shift kit, and high stall converter for only $750. If I have it done here tomorrow/sat .. then it's going to cost about $1500 minimum! (stock stall and no shift kit). But of course I wouldn't want to rip up the tranny or my car if the torque converter is going to fly off or something when it finally bites the dust!


[Modified by Glock'94, 11:39 PM 2/14/2002]


[Modified by Glock'94, 11:39 PM 2/14/2002]

 

Can anyone advise if it is safe for to drive the car? I've seen what standard tranny clutches can do when they come apart. Is there any danger if the torque converter bites it at 70mph?


[Modified by R94 LT 1, 11:43 PM 2/14/2002]

 

Yeah .. :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: if it's not a danger, I will try and drive it back to norman on sat or sunday and take the car back to my builder on monday


[Modified by Glock'94, 11:48 PM 2/14/2002]


[Modified by Glock'94, 12:19 AM 2/15/2002]

 

personally i wouldnt

 

lowest price rebuild i've seen around here is $1400 though ... in norman i can have it done for $750.

when i was on the highway tonight it was fine when the converter was locked up 45+mph

 

Mechanicieze for Re-clocking the converter. Glock Trailer it dont take the chance. :(