D&S Performance Buick 455/462 V8

Discussion in 'V-8 Buick Powered Regals' started by STAGE-2 TORQUE, Sep 20, 2009.

  1. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021

  2. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021

  3. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021

  4. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021

  5. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021

  6. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021

  7. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    Chris, do you have plans to run your car at the drag track?
     
  8. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021

    ... yes-sir; when my transmission builder Tyrone goes. He told me last month that he/we're going, :In September when it's cooler out."

    :3gears:
     
  9. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021

  10. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021

  11. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021

    ... Tyrone just called me; he said it's the converter.


    He also fears that metal pieces may have done some damage (?) to the TH400 ... if the filter didn't catch them ... he will be able to check it out/repair the TH400 in 3 weeks from now --- which is perfect because I will have the $$$ then. :TU:

    Tyrone (I'm texting him my cam specs now) also mentioned a 11-inch torque converter from TCI ... instead of
    the current 10-inch converter my engine builder supplied with my 455 motor.


    I'm waiting to hear what my engine builder says.


    :Do No:
     
  12. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    Be sure to have the trans cooler and the trans flushed to get any metal shavings out of them after the torque converter failure.
     
  13. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    If it's a street fighter, Sat nite special or anything other than a custom TCI Converter it's JUNK. You'll want a 9.5in hardly anyone builds 10in or 11in stuff for mild setups anymore. Got a feeling your setting yourself up to be unhappy
     
  14. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021

    ... WOW; I appreciate that crucial INFO very, very much. :TU::TU:

    It shall be done ... and prior to the flushing out of the transmission cooler, I'm removing the factory A/C condenser from in front of the radiator and trash it. That's less weight, and better/more efficient engine coolant cooling.

    This video really shows my TH400 acting-up:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqarBtbGCDI


    I will keep you guys posted regarding what's "actually" wrong with my TH400 3-speed automatic transmission.
     
  15. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021


    It's a Street Fighter 3000-3500 stall by TCI and it's a 10-inch converter.

    My buddy Eric-The-Bold adamantly suggested nothing over a 3200-rpm stall converter ... I currently have a 10-inch 2800-rpm stall converter supplied 6-years ago by my engine builder. Also, his buddy builds torque converters. I get info regarding that in a few days.

    What converter do you suggest, hugger?

    :TU:
     
  16. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    A 9.5 from Greg at RandR Converter out of Asheville NC, he is actually supplying converters that are reboxed to SEVERAL big name converter builders one of which all but deals exclusively in Turbo Buicks, isn't a better converter available for the money anywhere. I've had CPT,Coan,ATI,Precision,BTE etc and his has always been spot on and left harder. Greg builds converters for Lonnie at Extreme Automatics if that says anything . A simple Street/strip 9.5in is around $375 from Greg tell him Ethan sent you from SC
     
  17. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021



    ... ADAMANTLY appreciated. :TU: :TU:

    I called Jim Weise of Tri-Shield Performance http://www.trishieldperformance.com/ earlier today regarding a GOOD torque converter for my combo. He suggested a custom 9-inch converter that stalls between 3000-3200 rpm.

    I gave him my cam and vehicle info prior to his suggesting this converter for my Buick 455 Regal.

    My current converter was supplied by my engine builder Dan Smith (who feels it's the TH400 with issues ... not the converter he got for me over 6 years ago), and it's a 10-inch with a stall of @ 2800-rpm.
     
  18. No Lift

    No Lift Platinum Level Contributor

    I'm going to offer up an opinion that you should contact Jim about the 9.5"(I believe that is what he has made.) and tell him to make it even lower stall if possible(<3000). You have a vacuum pump so power brakes aren't a problem when dropping it into gear.

    Here's where reality hits: You've had this car for how many years now? Has it ever hit a strip where a higher stall converter than you had would make a difference? Not kidding yourself, will it ever hit a dragstrip? So right now it is hundreds(thousands?) of street miles and 0(ZERO) dragstrip 1/4 miles. The difference in performance at the strip that 3200 would be worth over the 2800 stall would be tiny, assuming you hook up at all. Traction will be more important than a slight stall increase. However when pulling out on the street it will have a better feel and cruising down the parkways it will also feel better. If a particular converter is identical but has a lower stall speed it will pull out nicer and drive nicer down the road no matter how "tight" it is claimed to be. As it is Jim's 9.5" at 2800 (assuming he can do that)will have a better feel and probably flash stall higher than the 10" 2800 stall that you had allowing you to smoke up your tires just as good as before. At this point it has never hit the strip so why set it up like you're going to the drags 10 times a year looking for half a tenth. You only drive it on the street so set it up for the street.

    As it is I'd have the T400 thoroughly checked before installing a new converter no matter what stall you have.
     
  19. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021



    Hey, No-Lift :TU::TU:.

    Thanks for your reply. I hope you understand that I didn't choose to change my torque converter ... it failed according to my transmission builder.

    Everyone knows that the issues I've had over the past 6-years I started this project ... has prevented me from driving my Buick 455 Regal to ANY track and racing it. And Tyrone and I initially made plans in August for "September 2016" Englishtown.

    About two weeks ago, all I needed to do was get a wheel alignment for $88 at Pep Boys near me, put the drag radials on ... and go race it ... BUT this guy on a Buick Facebook Page explained to me how he's seen so many cars burn to the ground from having a mechanical & electric fuel pump combo like ME. I immediately made plans to delete the mechanical FP.

    I ordered what I needed from TA Performance, Summit Racing Equipment and RobbMc. The TA Performance mechanical fuel pump block off plate kit took it's time getting here ... which was about 5-days.

    My plan was to drive to Tyrone's shop, use his lift (remember I had a disc fusion about 1 year ago with complications), install the mechanical fuel pump block off plate and the new fuel pressure regulator bracket with the connecting braided stainless steel hoses and fittings ... to have my regulator moved from behind my alternator in the path of the hot air from the the electric fans ... AND remove the factory A/C condenser on my Regal. After that was going to be a wheel alignment ... then ENGLISHTOWN. :TU:

    NONE of that happened
    , because my transmission/torque converter created issues, so I called Mr. Jim Wiese to ask him what does he feel I need to do; that's the unfortunate "reason" for the torque converter change.

    Believe me; WHY would I want to just blow hundreds of dollars that I do not have AT ALL on a higher stall torque converter just out of the blue ... that has a higher stall of ONLY "400-RPM"?

    I spoke with Mr. Wiese on 2 separate days, with 2 separate phone conversations ... and HE suggested the 3000-3200 stall 9.5 inch converter in both of our phone conversations. I know nothing about torque converters ... as I stated to Mr. Weise and the world before this issue. LOL

    I also mentioned this on this thread a couple of days or so ago;

    "Tyrone (I'm texting him my cam specs now) also mentioned a 11-inch torque converter from TCI ... instead of the current 10-inch converter my engine builder supplied with my 455 motor." What are your feelings on that, please? :Do No:

    All I'm saying is that ... I ONLY posted this issue on V8buick for expert advice to resolve this "converter issue," not to just say that I'm getting a 3000-3200 stall converter from where-ever. I just want it fixed so that I can drive it to the track in October of this year. :TU:

    Geeez, No_Lift; you sound waaaay more frustrated regarding my Buick than "me" the "victim" LOL :TU::TU: I'm certain I'm not the 1st guy to go through issue with his project car for around 6-years for what-ever the reason, and I feel that I am also not the last. LOL

    When I read this part of your reply, "At this point it has never hit the strip so why set it up like you're going to the drags 10 times a year looking for half a tenth ... " ... I started laughing because I'm not trying to spend one more dime on my Buick until AFTER I race it at Englishtown or where ever and get a time slip or two.

    Before this "alleged" converter issue, I posted on Facebook that, "After my Buick does track duty ... THEN it gets painted, and after the paint-job, the ONLY thing I'm spending money on my Buick is for FUEL, engine and transmission oil, and anti-freeze (when my Regal gets sideways/fishtails/throws me around LOL)."


    In closing, I cannot afford a new damn converter ... never thought this would happen :grin:. I will call Mr. Wiese for a 3rd time on Monday to "triple-check" his recommendation of a 3000-3200 stall 9.5" converter for my TH400 ... and ask if he feels a 2800-RPM stall would be best for my combo.

    As soon as my tranny is rebuilt and the new converter is in ... I'm heading straight to Pep-Boy for the $88 wheel alignment and hope that Tyrone or anyone I know is ready to go to Englishtown, God's Will.

    I'm just "thankful to God" the tranny issue happened when, where, and how it did.


    I like the unforeseen/UNFORTUNATE fact that; "My Buick 455 engine's TORQUE broke the TORQUE CONVERTER."


    It's good to be able to LAUGH :laugh: :Dou::laugh: instead of crying behind what my Buick has put me through over the past 6-years and 3 invasive back surgeries ... in the same spot.


    :laugh:


    Let's Go! :3gears:
     
  20. No Lift

    No Lift Platinum Level Contributor

    I fully understand that you are not changing the converter just because you want to. What I'm pointing out is even when you finally take your car to the strip your car would still be a STREET/strip car with a very big emphasis on street. You've probably driven your car more street miles than a lot of the cars on here claiming to be street cars. That is why I'd suggest the tighter version of the converter if possible. If you had run the now bad 2800 stall at the strip and the car was a slug off the line I would wholeheartedly advise more stall. As I said even Jim's converter set at 2800 stall will probably still work better than your current bad converter at 2800(even when it was good).

    I'm assuming you post because you want advice/opinions on what you're doing and so I have offered some of mine. It is up to you to make the final decision on what you do to your car. There's more than one guy that has been on here and because they can't get a particular car to run the way they want it to they immediately start to talk LS motor or other such swap even though half the problems they are having have nothing to do with the actual engine. As that goes I applaud your resolve to get everything straightened out and stick with the 455.
     

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