Ok, here's my current situation

Currently have: 1998 Coupe A4 w/2.73 gears, Borla "Stinger" Exhaust, brand new Goodyear run-craps, no other performance mods.

Near future upgrades: Blackwing intake, 3.42 gears, Hypertech Power Programmer III. Not interested in heads, cam, or other performance mods after these (famous last words).

Driving style: Everyday driver around town w/several 300 mile trips to the beach a year. Not interested in taking the car to the track, but enjoy a tight performance, feel for the street that will come alive when needed. My girlfriend also drives the car, so I don't want it to be uncomfortable to drive (however she used to have a Stang w/flowmasters, H-pipe, and five speed that see loved to drive). As of now the car is sluggish from a dead stop, and during rolling acceleration unless you mash it to the floor and have it downshift into what feels like 1st sometimes.

I made the decision to upgrade to 3.42 gears, but am confused on which stall speed converter to choose. I see that West Coast Corvettes sells a package with I believe a 2400RPM TC, and appears that they install quite a few with this set-up. I also see there are numerous forum members with the 3000, 3500 Yanks, and 3.42 gears. From looking at their mods it appears their cars are set up for the track. I am pretty positive if I decide to upgrade the TC at the same time as the gears, that I will choose from Pro-torque, or Yank products. There are just too many options. Does a TC just effect your launching, or will it change the RPM's in higher gears during cruising? Should I even change the converter for my style of driving, or leave it stock?

BTW, I have already did the search function thing, and read every available post so far.

Thanks in advance.


[Modified by wkasak_98Coupe, 5:04 PM 7/31/2002]


[Modified by wkasak_98Coupe, 5:05 PM 7/31/2002]


[Modified by wkasak_98Coupe, 5:06 PM 7/31/2002]

 

If you want your car to drive absolutely like stock at normal speeds the Pro Torque 2400 is an excellent choice. Especially if you are sure you will not be installing heads and cam in the futher. The PT2400 will give you really great low end grunt form a standing start, you can smoke your tires at will with this converter. If you want a bit better performance and you can tolerate a little bit of looseness the Yank 3000, PT2800 and the Vig. 2800 are also excellent choices. The higher stall converters will also work well if you decide to install heads and cam and you don't want to move up to a 3500+ stall converter.


98 A4
Powerloaded
Donaldson Blackwing
172 t.stat
Pro Torque 2400
3.42 gears


:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:


[Modified by Mitch C, 11:27 AM 7/31/2002]

 

SY3500! Mine will be in soon, Ill let you know how it goes. :D :cheers:

 

don't know much about the Protorque 2400 but the Yank 3000 I have used with 3:15 gears and really liked the results...very streetable and nice response for passing gear. I have several friends with the Vig. 2800 and 3:15s or 3:42s and they are also "happy" with their set-up. You might also want to consider a tranny cooler with the Vig or Yank. But I suspect you will happy with any of the three for your stated purpose.

 

SY3500 for SURE!

 

Buckmaster aka sy 3500. I'm sold. We need a topic that stays up top. With the answer to this question.

 

I was one of the 1st on this forum to get 3.42s and a SY 3500 and I say go for it.
I drive my car everyday, rain or shine, never take it to the track, and I love this converter!!!!

You will be sorry if you go for anything less. Next time around, I will even go more aggressive, that is how tame this converter really is.

 

I had the sy3500 and 3.42s in my coupe and I LOVED it! It is very streetable and I'll probably go with a sy4000 this time.

 

2000,
Sorry that I forgot you and Buck caused me to get one.

 

For those of you that recommend the SY3500...Does the stall speed of 3500 mean that when you accelerate from a dead stop the engine revs to 3500 RPM before putting power to the wheels? Or does this only happen when you stomp on it? Could you guys please give me a description of how the car accelerates from a dead stop during normal driving, and hard launches. At cruising speed my car is now in the 1500-2000 RPM range, will this change to 3500RPM? I guess the reason I'm having such a hard time choosing is because I don't understand completely how the different stall speeds affect the car.


[Modified by wkasak_98Coupe, 2:18 AM 8/1/2002]

 

As soon as you give the car gas it will move. If you stomp it from the get go it will flash up to a higher rpm and then take off (smoke your tires). The rpm range will move up from stock gears and converter. You will like the gears and converter, do it.

 

[QUOTE]For those of you that recommend the SY3500...Does the stall speed of 3500 mean that when you accelerate from a dead stop the engine revs to 3500 RPM before putting power to the wheels? Or does this only happen when you stomp on it? Could you guys please give me a description of how the car accelerates from a dead stop during normal driving, and hard launches. At cruising speed my car is now in the 1500-2000 RPM range, will this change to 3500RPM? I guess the reason I'm having such a hard time choosing is because I don't understand completely how the different stall speeds affect the car.


No, it won't rev to 3500 when you are driving normally. I don't even think mine did at full throttle. The neat thing about the sy3500 is the low str. This makes the car feel like it's getting shot out of a huge rubberband instead of just instantly planting all of the power and blowing up the tires. Don't let the high stall scare you, it's surprisingly tame. The best thing to do is find a couple of people in your area that have these things and go for a ride in their cars. It really makes a huge difference. I may do it before cold air on my new car. :D

 

There is more to this than just picking a number. A torque converter is selected to match your cam, that's all there is to it. Your stall will also change to a degree as you add modifications (more torque). From what you've said you should want to stay around a 2400-2600 stall. That with your 3:42's and you will be blowing your tires off at will. This range is completely tame and seems stock but, instead of dying when brake torquing at the stock rpm setting (about 1600), it overpowers the brakes, and launches you into that contagious disease some call, "Mod Fever!" Anything above 3000 is alittle too much whine for someone that doesn't have this contagious desease. But I'll get my popcorn and watch, you'll get a variety of opinions on this. Speak to a tuner, and goodluck :seeya

 

ttt

 

My 01' would smoke the tires with a stock converter just above 2000rpm. The sy 3500 is different because of the low str. From a roll you would be disappointed with less.

 

:lol: :lol: :lol: