2200-2400 converter for stockish 350?

Discussion in 'The "Juice Box"' started by Skippy597, Jan 16, 2018.

  1. Skippy597

    Skippy597 Silver Level contributor

    Hey I recently did some simple mods such as 4barrel intake (with dividers cut), headers, performance ignition and 3.08 gears and was thinking about adding a stall converter to help it off the line. Im currently looking at https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g2700-1

    What do you guys think or would it be a waste of money. I am planning a performance rebuild down the road but a couple hundred bucks in the mean time to make it funner would be worth it to me.
    Thanks,
    Ryan
     
  2. techg8

    techg8 The BS GS

    I'll recommend the TCI Saturday night special .

    It works great behind 350 or 455 w/ stock or mild cam and 3.08-3.23 gears
     
  3. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

  4. Skippy597

    Skippy597 Silver Level contributor

  5. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    It might be fine, or it might not. Buying an off the shelf converter is always at least a bit of a gamble. Get your mechanical timing in by 2500 RPM and see if that wakes it up.
     
    BrianinStLouis likes this.
  6. Skippy597

    Skippy597 Silver Level contributor

    Already done! And I hear what your saying on it being a gamble with the stall rating but I'm guessing that it's got to be at least better than a tight stock one.
     
  7. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member


    If it is too loose, it will get old really fast.:)
     
    techg8 likes this.
  8. Skippy597

    Skippy597 Silver Level contributor

    Yeah, that's more what i was asking was what do you think of the stall rating? Assuming that it is correct or at least ballpark when on the car.
     
  9. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    It's kinda impossible to predict. Stall rating depends on a very large degree on engine torque and car weight. Since Sumitt has no idea of either, how can they build a converter that will be it's best in every combination? Converter stall and converter efficiency are very important with the latter determining how the car feels in everyday traffic. The best converters feel like stockers for the most part until you lay into the gas. I hope it works out for you. If it was me, I'd spend the cash on the TSP converter. It is a 9.5" and only 27 lbs. You are going to gain performance from that alone. Give Jim a call and ask him about it.
     
  10. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    A set of 373's would wake up your city streets driving. E-way driving will wind more r's though.

    At least you probably won't be changing gears again like the convertor you're looking to buy!
     
  11. Skippy597

    Skippy597 Silver Level contributor

    Well yeah, that's why I swapped in the 3.08s it had 2.56s in it originally. I do drive on the highway so I didn't want to go too deep and couldn't find a used set of 3.40ish gears that I wanted so settled with a nice used set of 3.08s and it did in fact wake it up quite a bit.

    And honestly swapping converters is easier to me than setting up new gears.

    So I'm guessing that everyone else who gets a off the shelf converter is just completely unhappy? I get that it's impossible to say what it's exactly gonna stall at that why they give a range 2000-2400 and even if it's off a little I don't think it's gonna stall at 4000. Plus the summit one is a 10" so the weight savings will help also. I'm not arguing against the TSP 9.5", they look to be great and would like one but at half the cost it's much easier to sell to my wife. Plus I'm gonna want a higher stall when I build the engine so I'd be looking at a new one anyways.
     
  12. techg8

    techg8 The BS GS

    I've used the TCI Sat night special off the shelf and the TCI breakaway off the shelf, and I'll tell you I vastly prefer the Saturday night special for street manners and driveability with 3.08-3.23 gears, while adding some launch at the strip.

    The breakaway combines well with 3.73 gearing, and if you want to flash the engine up to maybe 2500 under heavy throttle. It feels a little slippy to me down low in truth but that's the price you pay off the shelf.

    Larry said it right about too much slip. You'll hate it really quick.

    Just my .02c on off the shelf converters. I've had some good results.
     
    Skippy597 likes this.
  13. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    No, not everyone will be unhappy with an off the shelf converter. You may in fact be perfectly happy with it. When you get a custom built converter though, I bet you notice a difference. All the best custom built converters come with a free re-stall if it is off for any reason. Another bonus you get when you get the custom built unit.
     
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  14. Skippy597

    Skippy597 Silver Level contributor

    I
    I understand that, and all things being equal I would already have a TSP 9.5" in the car but I'm working on a tight budget right now. As it sits I have $3000 in my car including the cost of the car! I reused alot of items I had laying around and have bought a lot of good used stuff from here and so far I'm really happy with how it's going. I'm kinda having fun staying on a budget because when people ask about the car and I tell them what I have into it they're always shocked. So $230 for a converter is justifiable, and if it turns out I hate it then I'll switch back to stock. Overall in the current build $250ish dollars extra is a big difference.

    Heck, if I hate it and pull it out I'll sell it to one of my buddies for a good price to recoup some money.
     
    techg8 likes this.
  15. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Sounds like a plan to me. I didn't mean to rain on your parade, just offer an opinion:). Let us know how it works out.
     
  16. Skippy597

    Skippy597 Silver Level contributor

    Lol, no and I was not trying to be hostile in anyway. If I didn't want opinions I wouldn't have posted a thread. Just think it might be worth a try.
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2018
  17. Skippy597

    Skippy597 Silver Level contributor

    Am I right to think that I can use a Chevy th350 torque converter on my BOP th350 trans? I've seen a couple converters marked for bop applications.
     
  18. Skippy597

    Skippy597 Silver Level contributor

    Also I had to make a correction to my previous post as I originally had forgotten a few words that made it sound the opposite of what I meant. I apologise for any confusion.
     
  19. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    The bolt patterns of GM converters are the same. There are big and small bolt patterns but most flex plates are drilled for both. Just make sure you check converter to flex plate clearance and shim if necessary, but I am sure you know that. I think the BOP converters have taller mounts to avoid any interference with the flex plate weights.
     
  20. Skippy597

    Skippy597 Silver Level contributor

    Ok cool just checking. Yeah I've swapped converters before and have had to shim before so no big deal there but thanks.
     

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