Update: Which Torque Converter?

Posted By: Big Bad Bee

Update: Which Torque Converter? - 04/30/13 01:13 AM

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

Posted By: Eric

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 04/30/13 01:23 AM

Lenny at Ultimate will set you up with what you need

Posted By: Big Bad Bee

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 04/30/13 01:31 AM

Quote:

Lenny at Ultimate will set you up with what you need

Is he overkill with a street motor?

Posted By: Eric

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 04/30/13 01:36 AM

Might be...there may be a good off the self unit for you...

Posted By: Exit1965

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 04/30/13 02:16 AM

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).

Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 04/30/13 04:00 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Lenny at Ultimate will set you up with what you need

Is he overkill with a street motor?

Converters are like brain surgeon, don't buy or pay for the cheapest ones

Buy the best one you can now so you won't be sorry later

Been there, done that

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 04/30/13 04:38 AM

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.

Posted By: Chris'sBarracuda

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 04/30/13 04:43 AM

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..

Posted By: Ian

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 04/30/13 05:07 AM

try mike from freakshow converters that what i run best price great converter ,tell him ian from oz sent you

Posted By: MikeyT

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 04/30/13 05:36 AM

Three letters. PTC, I'd go with one of their 11" set at 3000 all for 275 plus shipping.. Good people too

Mike

Posted By: Big Bad Bee

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 04/30/13 06:00 AM

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.

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 04/30/13 06:48 AM

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

Posted By: 451Mopar

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 04/30/13 09:23 AM

I think a 2,800-3,200 stall 10" would work good?
Best bet is to just call the converter manufacturers and ask them what they recommend.

Posted By: Big Bad Bee

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 06/12/13 10:39 PM

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

Posted By: Triple Threat

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 06/12/13 10:56 PM

Quote:

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

Get the PTC, you'll be happiest.

This old guy you speak of is a moron. I put thousands and thousands of street miles on a converter that stalled at 4800 rpm. These converters only stall to the rated rpm at full throttle, if you're part throttle cruising around, you'll be totally fine.

Posted By: sixpackgut

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 06/12/13 11:10 PM

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

Posted By: Chris2581

Re: Update: Which Torque Converter? - 06/13/13 12:26 AM

Look at Turbo Action. We've used them for over 35 years,and they have a excellent product.

www.turboaction.com

Posted By: Leigh

Re: Update: Which Torque Converter? - 06/13/13 01:50 AM

A 9.5" Dynamic is tough to improve on. The hemi CAR I built a trans for, has less torque than you, and was pretty seamless, as far as driveability.

Posted By: Sport440

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 06/13/13 02:44 AM

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

Posted By: sixpackgut

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 06/13/13 03:32 AM

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

Posted By: Big Bad Bee

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 06/13/13 05:54 AM

Great suggestions and testimonials, guys. I really DON'T want to over-think this, but my finances are forcing me to get this right the first time! That and dropping and swapping is a bee-otch. You gave me exactly what I needed. Definitive, real world results, not the BS bench racing crap. I gotta admit though, talk of daily driving a 4000 to 5000 stall converter on the street successfully is mind blowing for sure. Especially with all the VERY cautious informational ramblings the manufacturers put out there in the web. I'll check out the others mentioned here but I will likely go with the PTC 9.5. I'll let you guys know what I ended up with and hopefully, by the end of July I will have some results to report.

Thanks again!

Lindy

Posted By: Mr.Yuck

Re: Update: Which Torque Converter? - 06/13/13 01:49 PM

Quote:

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

I'm running a Turbo Action 3800 (flashes around 4k) runs and drives good on the street not loosey goosey like the old converts. Not sure how much slip as I haven't paid attention to my trap rpm, but I'm running a mild 440 w/ 3.91's as well. Is it the best? probably not but it wasn't very expensive either.

Posted By: mopar dave

Re: Update: Which Torque Converter? - 06/13/13 02:08 PM

PTC will give you what you need and they will still talk to you after the sale. good to deal with.

Posted By: 383man

Re: Update: Which Torque Converter? - 06/13/13 03:05 PM

There are alot of good converter compamy's out there today that work good as was stated. That said I have only ever used two different one which are Dynamic and Turbo Action and both work great for me. My son and I both run the 9.5 Dynamic street/strip converters that flashes about 4200. They drive very good on the street and work good at the track.
I used a 10" Turbo Action in my old 383 Dart and it also drove and raced real good. I was actually going to go with Turbo Action for my 63 but then after I noticed the Dynamic was a tad cheaper and Dynamic's shop is only 1 hr from my house I decided to give Dynamic a try since I heard alot of good about them. And Turbo Action is in Florida which is about 28 hrs from my house.

I have been very happy with both brands as they have woked just as I asked. Turbo Action has been doing Mopar converters for a long time and Mr Luppo of Dynamic has also been doing converters for a long time.
There is probably around 10 very good converter company's out there. You have to decide which you feel has the best positives about them and then give that company a call. Good luck , Ron

Posted By: jim sciortino

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 06/13/13 04:03 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Lenny at Ultimate will set you up with what you need

Is he overkill with a street motor?

Absolutely not....

Posted By: 1234567890

Re: Update: Which Torque Converter? - 12/31/13 07:27 PM

I have an original 426 hemi converter core 24 spline high stall 7/16 fine thread bolt factory unit available (large thick wide long pad) if anyone is interested. Probably usable as is but would suggest a refresh if I was going to use it. Call Robert @ 706-216-6569

Posted By: actionange

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 12/31/13 07:46 PM

Quote:

Lenny at Ultimate will set you up with what you need

Posted By: Spaceman Spiff

Re: Which Torque Converter? - 12/31/13 10:20 PM

How much does an ultimate converter normally go for? $600? $800?
depends on application?