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Topic: Torque Converter Change?

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components

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Torque Converter Change? (1/8)
12/7/05 4:27pm

silverbullett
Former Member
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Colorado Springs, CO - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary Edition Paint, L-48, Matching numbers, 350 c.i, 625cfm Demon Carb, Weiand Stealth intake, 268 Custom Ground Cam, 10:1 heads, Jet Hot Hooker Headers, 3:73 rear end.

Joined: 9/11/2004
Posts: 67

Should I replace my torque converter? I pulled the motor last week, its at the machine-shop and will return this Fri. The only real change to the motor will be new pistons and bored .030 over. The tranny is a turbo 350. My question is the motor is putting 350-370hp. Should I replace the converter with one that can handle that or should I stop where I'm at. The tranny has been fine up to now but I wouldn't mind a little more performance. Is changing the converter gonna make that much difference? And what would you put into a daily driver?

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Torque Converter Change? (2/8)
12/7/05 6:00pm

Sarge81

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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.

Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

Is the transmission stock? High or low miles on it? How are you going to be driving your car? Hard, medium, lightly. City or highway driving?

Give some details about the engine. Example, cam specs, type of heads.....etc.

With more specifics, we can better help you with a good decision. I hate to see somebody spend the time and money on a build and not get the results they are looking for.

Sarge

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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

3.54 Dana 44

'69 "N11" Sidepipes
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Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975

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Torque Converter Change? (3/8)
12/7/05 8:04pm

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20203

There are a few HP converters for stock, 350 transmissions, from GM(Dacco). I wouldn't get too crazy with the stall speed, for a "driver". Stay close to stock, or just above stock. Anything else, for a driver, will aggrevate the h@*l out of you!
Dacco(OEM supplier) has one for the 350, around 1800-2200 rpm stall. This is the one I use for 90% of my "hot-rod" "stockers", and it seems to work well. About $100, I think.

Like Sarge says, more info is needed to fully understand your application. What gears, tires, etc.

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
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Torque Converter Change? (4/8)
12/7/05 9:30pm

The transmission is stock, more than 100,000 miles. I drive it like I stole it. Mostly city and open it up on the highway once a week.

The cam is a 268 grind, I dont have the card here but i think it has a 220 intake and 220 exhaust, I dont remember the overlap.

Weiand Stealth intake with 625 Road Demon jetted 64 in front 74 in back. Dart iron heads 194/150 stainless valves ported/pocket ported prviding 10:1 compression. The new pistons are dish pistons. Hooker headers with a 2.5 exhaust.

3:73 gears with GrandAms. I haven't made a final decision on tires.

I appreciate any input as i know very little about automatic transmissions. I was always taught that automatics were to be replaced with a good manual. But with this car I wanted to see what I could do with the turbo 350.

Torque Converter Change? (5/8)
12/7/05 10:19pm

Adams' Apple

With over 100,ooo on the trans, it would be wise to have it "freshened up", while the engine is out. Nothing special, just a normal build, with some mods to make it shift better. I'd still go with a 1800-2000rpm stall converter. The HD one I mentioned above has furnace-brazed fins, and bearings, instead of washers. I don't have the pt.# here, but I can post it tommorow eve., when I get home, if you like. You can order it from almost any trans shop, or I could get one for you, from a supplier in your area.

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Torque Converter Change? (6/8)
12/7/05 10:41pm

That torque converter sounds perfect for my application. If you can get the part # to me i can get it ordered and have it here in time to put everything together. As far as freshening up the tranny with a normal build, what does that entail. Like I said earlier I've never worked on an automatic before. What parts will I need,where do I get them and where do I get a manual?

Torque Converter Change? (7/8)
12/8/05 7:48pm

Adams' Apple

Don't know of any commercially available trans books, but I'm sure Mitchell/Chiltons has them. The fact. service manuals have rebuild sections in them that are pretty good. To tell the truth, you could probably get a shop to build it for $200 or less.

I've found a couple of converters that you might like.
Dacco/Performance Plus #PP-3410 1800-2200 stall(approx)
Dacco # HP-350-12 1800-2200 stall(approx)
Recon(Axiom) #GM350HP-12 1800-2200 stall(approx)[same TC as above, just renumbered for Axiom]
Any of these would be OK for your application.
Hope this info gives you some ideas to work with.

If you want, pm me with your zip code, and I can hook you up with a shop, or supplier in your area.

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Torque Converter Change? (8/8)
12/8/05 8:17pm

Thank you both for the help. This site is a greatest resource we have for our cars. Whenever I've had an issue with our cars I can come here and find an answer. And it's nice to know I am not the only obsessed with his car.

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