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Update: Which Torque Converter?
#1427825
04/29/13 09:13 PM
04/29/13 09:13 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,938
Spokane Valley, WA
Big Bad Bee
OP
I Live Here
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OP
I Live Here
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,938
Spokane Valley, WA
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What stall should my torque converter be and what diameter? This is a street car. Any brand suggestions? 70 B body, 440 bored .040 over, closed chambered head with port and polish, big valves, compression in the high 9's, CompCams XE274H cam, 3.91 SG, 727TF. Comp Cams XE274H Cam Specs
Last edited by Big Bad Bee; 06/12/13 06:40 PM.
I’m listening.
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Re: Which Torque Converter?
[Re: Big Bad Bee]
#1427829
04/29/13 10:16 PM
04/29/13 10:16 PM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,377
Rancho Cordova, CA
Exit1965
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,377
Rancho Cordova, CA
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I ran a Hughes 11" 3000 stall for a while with a 440, 3.91 gears in a '67 Dart and eddy heads and headers, with a 245 @ .050 cam and then a 248/254 @ .050 cam. With the second cam, I got boost from going to a 3800 stall 10" converter. But it ran very well with the Hughes with the smaller cam. the Hughes uses a stock flexplate and 5/16" bolts. My new converter uses 7/16" bolts and I went with a B&M flexplate.
If you see more engine upgrades or a bigger cam in your future, you might want to get a 10" 3500 stall now. Otherwise a 3000 stall 10 or 11" should work well with your combo. With a good converter (or maybe it's modern methods that many are using which minimize heat/slippage with street driving), you wont notice a huge difference when you're just doing normal driving until you hammer it.
Hughes was about the cheapest known brand when I was originally shopping. I now have an Edge converter which I really like. Not much more slip than the Hughes in normal driving, but when you get on it, it flashes up around 3800 and you're on your way.
You might hit ebay and the classifieds here to see what people are getting rid of. The edge converter I got is about 650 new, I got it for 380 shipped (shipping is around $50 when I sold my old hughes for $250).
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Re: Which Torque Converter?
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#1427831
04/30/13 12:38 AM
04/30/13 12:38 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448
Phoenix, AZ
MoparBilly
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448
Phoenix, AZ
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With your combo, just about anything will work. The 3.91 gear and 727 3 speed are doing all the heavy lifting, and the cam is small enough that it really isn't giving much away at the bottom end.
So any of the tons of 11" HS types, typically in the 24-2800, or 28-3200 varieties would work. These typically come in the 200-400$ range.
You driving style, and performance goals also play into the decision. If you are married to the 3.91 gears, You can get away with a 10" or 9 1/2", and up the stall into the mid 3K range, but should you decide to throw in a set of 2.76's or 3.23's for a road trip, you may find the looser converter to be inefficient at least, or a heat building pig at worst!
Just a general tip here, but for Dual purpose cars, converters that are "Tight" for their size tend to work best. For instance a 10" 4500 stall is considered loose, while an 8" 4500 is considered tight.
"Livin' in a powder keg and givin' off sparks"
4 Street cars, 5 Race engines
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Re: Which Torque Converter?
[Re: MoparBilly]
#1427832
04/30/13 12:43 AM
04/30/13 12:43 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,667
Arizona
Chris'sBarracuda
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,667
Arizona
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Quote:
With your combo, just about anything will work. The 3.91 gear and 727 3 speed are doing all the heavy lifting, and the cam is small enough that it really isn't giving much away at the bottom end.
So any of the tons of 11" HS types, typically in the 24-2800, or 28-3200 varieties would work. These typically come in the 200-400$ range.
You driving style, and performance goals also play into the decision. If you are married to the 3.91 gears, You can get away with a 10" or 9 1/2", and up the stall into the mid 3K range, but should you decide to throw in a set of 2.76's or 3.23's for a road trip, you may find the looser converter to be inefficient at least, or a heat building pig at worst!
Just a general tip here, but for Dual purpose cars, converters that are "Tight" for their size tend to work best. For instance a 10" 4500 stall is considered loose, while an 8" 4500 is considered tight.
A very good informative post Billy.. 
Chris.. 
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Re: Which Torque Converter?
[Re: Ian]
#1427834
04/30/13 01:36 AM
04/30/13 01:36 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,732
Watertown, WI
MikeyT
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,732
Watertown, WI
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Three letters. PTC, I'd go with one of their 11" set at 3000 all for 275 plus shipping.. Good people too
Mike
1969 Dodge Dart Swinger
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Re: Which Torque Converter?
[Re: MikeyT]
#1427835
04/30/13 02:00 AM
04/30/13 02:00 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,938
Spokane Valley, WA
Big Bad Bee
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I Live Here
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OP
I Live Here
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,938
Spokane Valley, WA
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Wow! Great information. I love this forum. Keep the comments coming!
I'm not too sure how I will like the 3.91 gears (I'm sure I will love them at stoplights) I don't how much highway use this car will see, but I may get tired of the low cogs. I kinda wish they were 3.23 or 3.55. I've had passing thoughts about a Gear Vendors OD to fix that issue.
I’m listening.
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Re: Which Torque Converter?
[Re: Big Bad Bee]
#1427836
04/30/13 02:48 AM
04/30/13 02:48 AM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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Quote:
Wow! Great information. I love this forum. Keep the comments coming!
I'm not too sure how I will like the 3.91 gears (I'm sure I will love them at stoplights) I don't how much highway use this car will see, but I may get tired of the low cogs. I kinda wish they were 3.23 or 3.55. I've had passing thoughts about a Gear Vendors OD to fix that issue.
A GV is a way to go but if you go with any higher stall
type of conv and in OD you CAN run into a heat condition
since its not locked up.... and a GV cost $3000
for the unit... just some thoughts
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Re: Which Torque Converter?
[Re: 451Mopar]
#1427838
06/12/13 06:39 PM
06/12/13 06:39 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,938
Spokane Valley, WA
Big Bad Bee
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I Live Here
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OP
I Live Here
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,938
Spokane Valley, WA
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Ok, I've done some digging. I contacted Freak Show, PTC, Hughes and TCI for recommendations. Keep in mind that I told all of them that I was interested in street cruising, that I like to boil the tires on occasion and maybe take a RARE blast down the quarter just to see what it will do.
Recommendations I got:
Freak Show - 10" 3000 stall
PTC - 9.5" 2800-3200 stall
Hughes - 11" 2500 stall
TCI - 10" 3200 stall or 11" 2400 stall depending on what I intend to do with it...
Lane at PTC made the most sense to me. He said this TC would work well at highway speed, around town and really give me punch when I get on it. He is also Jiving with what Billy said earlier about tight for their size torque converters. He actually asked me what intake and carb I was using, which none of the others did.
But contrast that with Hughes, who recommended the 11" 2500 stall. Did this guy compromise on the high end performance to get me street manners?
The weird ball one was TCI. The dude gave me 10" 3200 stall Street Fighter as an answer. When I asked about the street manners of this TC he instantly said, "if you don't want one that loose, the next step down was a 11" 2400 stall Break Away model. It seems like a drastic drop, although after rereading Billy's post, maybe not.
Overall I am leaning toward the PTC but it's more pricy. I wish I could feel what the performance felt like before I buy. The terrifying thing is that I get such varied opinions. I talked to a guy trying to sell his 3000 stall unit. Had it behind a .500 mechanical cammed hemi and it was way too harsh for him. Talked to another old guy who builds race motors and he said anything higher than 2400 is nuts for my combo and I will be unhappy at 3000 stall for the poor street manners and the trans will toast because on the highway I will have to be going 60 mph to get a full lock.
Thanks for bearing with me. More thoughts? I also need a trans master rebuild kit if you guys have suggestions.
Thanks - Lindy
I’m listening.
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Re: Which Torque Converter?
[Re: Triple Threat]
#1427840
06/12/13 07:10 PM
06/12/13 07:10 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,225
Charleston
sixpackgut
Drag Week Mod Champion
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Drag Week Mod Champion
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,225
Charleston
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if it was me, it would be something in the 4000 range 9.5 converter
I'm a huge fan of Lenny @ Ultimate
I put over 400 miles a day on a 5300 stall 9" so don't listen to the old guy
Gen 3 power 6.22@110, 9.85@135
Follow @g3hemiswap on instagram
performance only racing, CRT, ultimate converter, superior design concepts, ThumperCarbs
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Re: Which Torque Converter?
[Re: Big Bad Bee]
#1427843
06/12/13 10:44 PM
06/12/13 10:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,591
Canton, Ohio
Sport440
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,591
Canton, Ohio
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BBB, Out of the 4 converters you listed, I would go with the PTC. IMO, you are over thinking this abit. Splitting hairs by a couple hundred stall rpm,s or so. I did the same myself years ago, but with todays modern verts its different. They arent as loose as they used to be. Meaning, that they dont rev up to stall before the car moves. If I were you , I would jump right up to a Dynamic 3800 to 4200 stall 9.5" or something similer. They will do everything you are asking and more. Skip the baby steps, IMO
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Re: Which Torque Converter?
[Re: Sport440]
#1427844
06/12/13 11:32 PM
06/12/13 11:32 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,225
Charleston
sixpackgut
Drag Week Mod Champion
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Drag Week Mod Champion
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,225
Charleston
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Quote:
BBB, Out of the 4 converters you listed, I would go with the PTC. IMO, you are over thinking this abit. Splitting hairs by a couple hundred stall rpm,s or so.
I did the same myself years ago, but with todays modern verts its different. They arent as loose as they used to be.
Meaning, that they dont rev up to stall before the car moves.
If I were you , I would jump right up to a Dynamic 3800 to 4200 stall 9.5" or something similer. They will do everything you are asking and more. Skip the baby steps, IMO
 listen to the man
Gen 3 power 6.22@110, 9.85@135
Follow @g3hemiswap on instagram
performance only racing, CRT, ultimate converter, superior design concepts, ThumperCarbs
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Buy the best one you can now so you won't be sorry later 
