Ok , here's where i stand ,'00 Conv. A4 Stock converter, 3:15's Car came with OBX axle backs on it. Which I love the sound . Reason I bought the car . Since then I've had cam, 224/228/588, springs, Kooks LT's, X-pipe, CIA, LS6 intake and NGK's. Car made 368.8 / 345 tq . Im thinking of useing AI's 219 HC's machine work only , keeping stock valve sizes . Will I need to go with a stall converter and will these easily put me in the 400's ?? TIA....xzo

 

The cam is what determines when you will need a stall. So if you are fine now, you will be with the head work. But you would definitely benefit from one. Thats the texas speed 224/228R cam right? They recommend a converter starting with 228/228 and up. So you should be good for now.

 

I'm on a 228/232 cam and while it needs a stall, it's tolerable without one. It's not just the cam that dictates the need for a stall, though, it's the overall torque at the low loping RPM's. But honestly even with heads that match that setup, it shouldnt be so much that you must get a stall. I'm around 435 rwhp and it bucks, pulls, and idles around like I'm racing, but it's not to the point that I cant tolerate it til I put the 2500 stall I bought in there.

 

If you still have time, id suggest exchanging that converter for at least a 3200. At your cams operating range, and engine power, your going to want it. I am on the stock internals waiting to do my heads and cam and have been running around in my DD with a 3200 stall and 3.42's in preparation. Its hardly noticeable even with the stock cam! Let alone a cam like your's!
I just think.. all that work and you're likely not even going to notice a thing from it. That stall is still so low.. Just speaking from my current experience. Im even wishing I did a 3600 that way it feels now. After the cam, it will have been a way better choice. Plus, the higher the stall, the more the torque multiplication increases!

Also, not sure if you hit the strip, (seem to think we have discussed this stuff before), but flash stall, and brake stall are totally different. For drag, you need the brake stall to be high. So heres what Ive been dealing with: With my 3200, I can only brake stall to 2000-2200 rpm at the line. When your driving around and hit it, it does flash to 3200. The converters fine, its just the way they work. So obviously, a lot is being left on the table.

Ive been watching your build and progress for a while on here and would like to see you be successful and pleased with the time and effort spent. I seriously urge you to go with a larger converter! Even 3600 since your cam is significantly larger than what Im going with. Think about it. When you are trying to use the converter and launch, even with 3600, you are only going to be brake stalling up to around 2600 to 2800rpm. I confirmed this with Yank converters after I noticed what was going on. If I had known a 3200 would not brake stall to 3200, I would have gone much higher!

Ok, sorry for the rant. But when I saw 2500, I had to say my piece! Best of luck man!

 

hah, no worries man. im always wrenching on something - i think i have 6 cars right now? if 2500 isnt enough, ill step it up. working on them for me is part of the fun and challenge.

it's just meant to be a fun daily and occasional auto-x or if i want to wind it high as hell, track day car. if i can find a wrecked c5 part out or a manual tranny to swap to, i want to, but i intend to start building an SLC coupe in the next 2 years so making this car perfect isnt as important to me as it'd otherwise be.

and trust me, to say im not noticing anything from this is WAY off base! i wish you lived closer so you could see the difference in this and a base C5 but yea i really am looking forward to seeing what the torque convertor does for me. i would do that this weekend but my wife has made me swear on my life that we'll go to the beach

 

I gotcha. But I was saying, you might not notice the 2500 converter. Not saying anything you currently have... Not sure if something got confused there. But ya, if you can do the work yourself, you will be fine. Me, I dont have the time to keep swapping. Its currently my only vehicle.

 

OH, right, yea i thought you were saying "nevermind you added ~200hp, you arent noticing it without a 3000+ stall!" haha. I was thinking "this guy's cool but he's on crack.."

I see your point now. Yea that'd **** me off to do the labor and not get anything from it, but if it keeps its manners and simply becomes less "rabid dog" as my wife refers to it now, that'd be cool with me. I'll keep you posted

 

I see, well Im sure that the 2500 will make it less snappy all the time, so if thats what your going for, I think it will work fine. I guess I had it in my mind that you were going to be pounding the car down the strip a lot.