One more Converter Question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: Rochester Hills Mich
One more Converter Question
Ok I need a new torque converter for my 95 vet. I had the LT4 Hot cam installed and it idles like poopie. The thing shakes and hardly stays running at a light and god forbid I turn the air on. Ok so it have the cam, Tpis long tube headers, Trick Flow heads, and walker dyno max cat backs all onto a new stock lower end. Plus a 3.07 in the rear that will be going to a 3.54 this spring. So what I need to know is what size converter to get. I have the option to buy a Vigilante 4200 for a real good price just think it may be too big and suck to drive around all the time. Below is a link to a scan of my dyno run when it was tuned. Thanks for your time.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: One more Converter Question (95Purple)
Opinions are like ### holes. Everybody has one. In MY opinion, 4200 is too high for your moderate set up. It might be OK if it is a 1/4 mile car. I think something in the 3000-3500 rpm range would be more streetable. If you're serious about the 1/4, you might go 36-3800. Precision Industries (Vigilanti) offers a free stall adjustment for the first two years to the origional owner. I am sure this wouldn't apply to the bargain, but if it were me, I'd call them for a stall recommendation and ask the price to adjust the stall. If the price of the used converter is really that good, and the adjustment isn't all that prohibitive, this may be a good buy. If so, try 4200 and be prepaired to have it changed. Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
PS. I think that idle problem may be helped by some tuning. Has that been attempted? If that converter is coming from where I think it might be, he does chips, too. Does a '95 use a chip?
[Modified by CFI-EFI, 11:05 AM 12/31/2003]
RACE ON!!!
PS. I think that idle problem may be helped by some tuning. Has that been attempted? If that converter is coming from where I think it might be, he does chips, too. Does a '95 use a chip?
[Modified by CFI-EFI, 11:05 AM 12/31/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 1
From: Lake Ozark MO
Re: One more Converter Question (95Purple)
First question I have to ask is if you've raised the idle since the Hotcam install.
It will not idle at the original 550-600rpm that your auto LT1 prescribes as stock. It'll have to be bumped up to at least 850rpm.
It will not idle at the original 550-600rpm that your auto LT1 prescribes as stock. It'll have to be bumped up to at least 850rpm.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,094
Likes: 282
From: Phila., PA burbs
Re: One more Converter Question (95Purple)
I'd say, looking at your dyno numbers, you are in desperate need of tuning. I'm not sure what kind of hp/tq numbers cars with the the hotcam are putting down, but I have to assume you should be making more power than that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,926
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Re: One more Converter Question (TA)
I think the Vigilante 2800 is a very good converter. With the 3.07 you will slip more than the 3.5? I have heard that anything above 3000 rpm in 94-96 the transmission electronics had issues. I have a 93, so it doesnt have all of the electronics in the tranny you have. But with the Hot Cam and 3.75 (gears I HIGHLY recommend) and my 2800rpm Vigilante, I have a very driveable combo. Not too much slippage but the tranny runs a little hotter.
PS, get http://www.pcmforless.com/ to tune your car, you will be extremely happy. They are not expensive and will keep tuning till your happy.
[Modified by steve40th, 5:37 PM 12/31/2003]
PS, get http://www.pcmforless.com/ to tune your car, you will be extremely happy. They are not expensive and will keep tuning till your happy.
[Modified by steve40th, 5:37 PM 12/31/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 2
From: Albuquerque NM
Re: One more Converter Question (95Purple)
Go custom and give the guys at edge a call. I think that the Vigi folk are recommed about 1000 RPM higher than what it should be, which is about 3500 to 3600 for ya. Either way, since you have the lock up, a high stall won't be as noticible.
Also, for your idle you can raise the idle timing a few degrees, but you have to reprogram the chip to lower your max timing everywhere else. What really did the trick for me was to modify the stall saver RPM settings in the program as well.
Also, for your idle you can raise the idle timing a few degrees, but you have to reprogram the chip to lower your max timing everywhere else. What really did the trick for me was to modify the stall saver RPM settings in the program as well.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Re: One more Converter Question (CFI-EFI)
Opinions are like ### holes. Everybody has one. In MY opinion, 4200 is too high for your moderate set up. It might be OK if it is a 1/4 mile car. I think something in the 3000-3500 rpm range would be more streetable. If you're serious about the 1/4, you might go 36-3800. Precision Industries (Vigilanti) offers a free stall adjustment for the first two years to the origional owner. I am sure this wouldn't apply to the bargain, but if it were me, I'd call them for a stall recommendation and ask the price to adjust the stall. If the price of the used converter is really that good, and the adjustment isn't all that prohibitive, this may be a good buy. If so, try 4200 and be prepaired to have it changed. Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
PS. I think that idle problem may be helped by some tuning. Has that been attempted? If that converter is coming from where I think it might be, he does chips, too. Does a '95 use a chip?
[Modified by CFI-EFI, 11:05 AM 12/31/2003]
RACE ON!!!
PS. I think that idle problem may be helped by some tuning. Has that been attempted? If that converter is coming from where I think it might be, he does chips, too. Does a '95 use a chip?
[Modified by CFI-EFI, 11:05 AM 12/31/2003]
The Hot cam, while it has a catchy name, is infact a relatively mild camshaft and should idle well at 800/850 rpm. 218 @ .050 shouldn't be doing what yours is, so something isn't right.
My first thought is PROM programming too.
If their is a really noticable difference of idle quality with the trans in neutral Vs when it's in gear, then the converter is pulling the engine down. But even so a 218 shouldn't be acting that way unless the idle speed is much too low and/or you have a vacuum leak.
Your engine should be putting out over 300 HP at the rear wheels considering the parts you're using.
If you want to see the power difference a Vigilante 2800 makes with a Hot cammed 350, check of this site: http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~davis/z28/winter01/dyno/
Just my thoughts.
Jake
[Modified by JAKE, 2:00 AM 1/1/2004]
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 1
From: Lake Ozark MO
Re: One more Converter Question (ZD1)
Go custom and give the guys at edge a call
... After destroying my Edge converter, my local tranny guys voiced a low opinion of its quality.
I have to admit, my local boys built me a converter that has a noticeable difference from the "Edge".. My current one delivers much more power and is still efficient on top.
Andre at Edge Racing Converters is a very nice guy.. but the cast stators from 4 cylinder foreign autos and crummy tolerances won't hold up to anything over stock horsepower.
I'm sorry to have to ditch http://www.edgeracingconverters.com .. but the $450 I spent with them cost me about $1200 in rebuild costs.
As consolation to Andre.. my boys were able to salvage the front half of the converter... it was the only part within tolerance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Re: One more Converter Question (Dan Parker '96)
That's one of the things I noticed on the dyno trace with the 2800 Vigilante converter over a loosened stocker.
The Vigilante caused the loss of power at high RPMs, probably due to the slipage.
It gave a sizable power increase down low, but gave up some up top.
Jake
The Vigilante caused the loss of power at high RPMs, probably due to the slipage.
It gave a sizable power increase down low, but gave up some up top.
Jake
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,247
Likes: 2
From: Parker, Colorado, USofA
Re: One more Converter Question (95Purple)
I'm running a TCS 9/11 converter with a 2800 stall in my 383 and so far, I'm lovin every minute of it.
It's got a 9 inch impeller section for little to no slippage around town and it's mated to a billet housing for an 11 inch lockup clutch.
It's also delivering 1.9 sec 60 foot times on street tires. :smash:
It's got a 9 inch impeller section for little to no slippage around town and it's mated to a billet housing for an 11 inch lockup clutch.
It's also delivering 1.9 sec 60 foot times on street tires. :smash:
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: Rochester Hills Mich
Re: One more Converter Question (CFI-EFI)
I think that idle problem may be helped by some tuning. Has that been attempted? If that converter is coming from where I think it might be, he does chips, too. Does a '95 use a chip?]
I'd say, looking at your dyno numbers, you are in desperate need of tuning. I'm not sure what kind of hp/tq numbers cars with the the hotcam are putting down, but I have to assume you should be making more power than that.
Yes I felt the same when I was shown what it pulled on the dyno. I was not real sure what it should get but did kind of hope for more. I at least wanted to hit 300 HP.
So Steve40th you have a Vigilante 2800 and HIGHLY recommend the 3.75. I may look into that. Well thanks for all the info just have to pick where Im going to get it from. Maybe after I get this done and the gear it will go in for e retune.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,926
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Re: One more Converter Question (95Purple)
I had Ikerds in Indiana do my rearend. I went ahead and did a Dana 44 instal. He did a Dana 36 for me also. He is the guy that does all of Mid AMericas rearends. I dont have his number or address, but a search on Google will find him. Steve
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
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From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25