I have a buddy who has just bought a 98 Automatic.

converter and cooler
Ziptie mod
K&N stock replacement panel filter KN 33-2111
Hood seal mod
open up the Foglights
160 stat
TR55 Plug change
3.42 gears complete diff
Z06 Catback
Programming

So, the question is, with a 3.42 what are most folks using these days. I think the last time I asked this it was something like a SY3600. But, I was wondering if there was a converter of choice with a 3.42 as a daily driver....

 

The person he is talking about is me

I just bought a 99 Sebring Silver Vette (with 8K miles!)

The mods he listed are planned (car is currently BONE stock)

converter and cooler
Ziptie mod
K&N stock replacement panel filter KN 33-2111
Hood seal mod
open up the Foglights
160 stat
TR55 Plug change
Z06 Catback
Programming


I am thinking on just doing the converter and not the gears. The car is going to be a street car with maybe one trip to the track a month. I'll be on street tires full time. I was recommended a TCI 3000 with a 12 inch lockup clutch (10 inch converter, clutch is 12 inch)


My questions basically boil down to:

1) With 2.73's what converter would you recommend?

2) What programming changes do you recommend with the converter/160 stat?
I was thinking about the following, what else would you recommend? I'll also be doing WOT tuning as well.

Rev limit 6300rpm
Shift points: 6100rpm
raise TC lockup mph
FAN 1 ON/OFF: 187/178
FAN 2 ON/OFF: 197/188

Thanks for your help, I come from the F-body world so the vette stuff is brand new to me. (Just sold my 385ci 98 Formula running 11.0@127 mph NA through cats and sixspeed)



Chris

 

See my sig. If you're not going to track the car I'd consider a 3000 instead of the 3600. If I ever get the time to pull mine I might drop down to the 3000. THe SS3600 is certinly acceptable for a DD but sometimes when you're in traffic you wish it wasn't quit as loose - you can almost feel the car sucking up gas as you crawl along. BUT when you can hit it you know why you put it in.

 

Thanks for the input!

My 2.73s would make the SS3600 seem much looser in comparision to your 3.42's equipped car. I think I am staying 3000 stall.

 

That 3000 stall is going to make it feel loose with 2.73 in it too.

 

Use our wizard to get your choice at www.converter.cc
mike

 

I just installed a Vig 2800 in my DD and its pretty damn loose! If I did it again I would go with a 2400. I have a 98 and did the 3:42's first. There is a guy here running 2:73's with I think a 3k stall and minor mods and he runs 12.70's but I dont know if he runs street tires or DR's. My car stalls to 2800 on street tires and flashes up to 3500, just too loose for me on the street, my mph sucks in town now too. No traction whatsoever with the street tires. I ran 12.90's at 108 with the gears, home made fresh air intake and Corsa quite exhaust,13.30's with same mods and 2.73's. Going to the track tomorrow to see what I got from the converter. I have had a bunch of old muscle cars with big stalls and for some reason in the C5 this just feels looser. Let me know if you need any more info and good luck!
Matt

 

Nice Knives!

 

Any converter worth having will feel loose with 2.73 gears. If you are concerned about looseness the SS3200 and 3.42 gwears is a nice combo. Whether you intend to go to the track or not going to a numerically higher gear is recommended. They will not only help your cars performance but improve it's driveability. Having your part throttle shift points adjusted also helps driveability with a high stall converter.

 

Precisely why I chose a 2400 stall.

BTW, those wheels are beautiful. And your knives are works of art.

 

I have an old school (compared to the newer style SS Yanks) SY3500/3.42/FLP Level IV combo and really like it. It is a little loose, but I got use to it immediately, and really like it. The best way to describe it is to compare it to a good stick driver slowly/smoothly letting out the clutch.........that is, until you get on it, then it works Very well.

 

I thought a lot of folks recommended the 3500-3600 converters with a 3.42 as a good driver combo. What the recommendation for a 3.42 gear, and how is he milage affected?

 

Thanks for the kind words about my knives guys!
Matt

 

I've had 3 yanks: 3000, SY3500, SS3800.

The 3000 felt the best on the street with 42's, it still fried the tires.