That is the motor I have. Searched for dyno sheet, and can't find it. I do know I actually saw the dyno sheet, and it did show the the hp per rpm, or however it works.

Something worth mentioning: the 03 vette that I'm basing my car's speed against does have a 'performance gear', which I assumed was an option on all vets, but maybe it isn't. And I'm not sure if my expectations for the car was too high, and I didn't think as highly about it as I expected. The mechanic who put it in seemed pleased with the motor.

As far as the torque converter goes, as it was explained to me, it will essentially make me launch my car at each take off? If I'm wanting to just drive around and have fun, is this gonna be something that will get old quickly when I'm not wanting to run it hard?

 

A stall torque converter will not "get old" the longer you have it. As a matter of fact I'd bet you will like it more each day. They're not too terribly hard to understand.

If you were to look at a dyno chart you would see the horsepower of your engine at different RPM's. Just using some rough numbers, say your engine had 300 HP at 5500 RPM. That same engine may only have about 100 or so at 1500 RPM's. It might be 200 HP at 2500 RPM's and maybe 250 at 3500.

Your stock torque converter may "Grab" at 1600 RPM's or so. That means when you're trying to get moving you are only putting maybe 100 HP or so to the wheels.

Now say you've got a 3000 stall converter. When it "Grabs" your engine is making maybe 225 Horsepower or so. That's more than twice the power to the wheels and twice the acceleration off the line. That puts a smile on your face.

The downside is that your transmission may feel like it's "slipping" until your torque converter locks up. It's not your transmission, it's just that the torque converter hasn't grabbed yet. It's not a problem and most people actually like the feeling.

Once you're going 45 or so your torque converter will lock up and the 3000 RPM stall will behave exactly like your old converter. There will be very little mileage difference but a big ole' performance increase. It's a really good mod for you and I think somewhere around 2800 to 3000 would be best for your application.

The other thing is that some of the 3000 stall converters are a smaller diameter than your stock one. Stock may be 12" but the stall converter may be only 9 1/2 or so. It will be a lot lighter and when revving the engine it will rev faster and sound really mean. Kinda like going to an aluminum flywheel. I'm pretty sure you'll be happy.

 

well 2k won't get you a good quality torque converter and the gears,since you don't have the ability to do it yourself.

If you plan on driving on the highway any I would limit the gear to 3.55 ,and get a good quality converter like a vigilante in the 2,400-2,600 stall and you will be fine'

then go spank that 03 vette.

 

3:15 performance C5 gear. Bout the same as a 3.07

 

This car will pretty much never see the highway, unless I'm taking it to the track. So 3.55 to 3.73 how big of a difference will I see on highway vs in town.

Does anyone know the pricing for the gear, and having it installed?

 

None of you guys have confidence with this brand (TRISTAR), they seems to be low budget crate,fitted with entry level parts,they sell a 383 with carb for $3995,ready to go except for water pump and services...