Hey guys, which converter would you recommend for a 1970 Buick 350 in a 70 skylark? I have a 4bbl set up and I am pretty sure it has the 2.56 open rear as well. I am getting ready to pull the engine to take care of the rear main and was thinking I might as well get a new flywheel and converter. Was looking @ one from Jegs with a 2300 - 2700 rpm stall Would that be a nice improvement? I know there are custom made ones out there but if I can get some performance out of these im fine with that. Only future upgrade is possibly the TA 212 Cam and the Sniper EFI
I have a 68 350 Factory compression, Crower level3 cam, headers, 4bbl Qjet, Th350 and 3.42 rear. I had Jim Weiss (Trishieldperformance) recommend and send me a 9.5" converter for my combo. Absolutely love it.
If it is a stock engine, the best converter is the stock one. If you want to change the converter for more performance, I second Matt's recommendation to talk with Jim Weise. If he can build you a 9.5" converter for your application, you will get a performance boost from the weight difference alone. The 9.5" converter weighs 26-27 lbs. http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/tsp-9-5-street-strip-converters-lifetime-warrantee.147066/ Trying to choose an off the shelf converter from Jegs is a crap shoot. Your actual stall can vary from the specs, and if it is too loose, you will not like it one bit. Stall varies with car weight, gearing, and engine output along with other factors.
Between this thread and your other one about the rear main, it seems like we are doing the exact same thing this winter.. I went with the recommendation from pages of good reviews about Jim’s converters. I can’t review anything yet as the car is apart.. but it’s a good feeling to know I won’t have to R&R a part that didn’t meet expectations.
Thanks guys I will definitely be ordering a converter from Jim as well. I just need to find out what im going with in terms of the engine / trans build to make sure I match the converter . I might just create a small build thread to document any issue that might help people in the future. I leaning towards pulling the engine and making a few upgrades / gathering up parts since it will already be out. I will upgrading the suspension as well this winter. Little by little I want this one to come along. I plan on keeping this one for the Long haul.
