I run Coan convertors. I have an 8-inch (that's in the car right now) that stalls to 5600 on the trans brake and I run through the traps anywhere from 148 to 152mph at around 7200rpm. My spare is a 9-inch that stalls to 5500 and goes through about the same rpm and mph as the one in the car now. If you call Coan they'll fax you a sheet to fill out with all your info on the car, engine specs, and anything else you could think of. Then they build you a convertor that suits your application. They aren't cheap, but nothing worthwhile ever is. Coan's top of the line convertor might cost you $1100, but it'll work the way you want it to.
dont they also give you one free "change" if the converter isn't right on ... and also modify it later for a resonable fee if your needs change ??
There are some folks making some serious power with the Stage 1's, as evidenced in this thread. Is anyone making more power with a Stage 2 (no power adders)?
I honestly don't remember. I did have to send one of them back one time, but I don't remember if it was free or not. I think it might have been.
Mike Tomaszewski makes over 900. Paul Pirnat makes almost 900. Dave Mongeon's gotta be up there as well, but he runs alcohol (injected, I think). Does that count as a power adder?
I don't know what size rear tire you are running, but something is way wrong!!! With a 30 inch rear tire, you should be going 130 mph at 6200 in high gear with 3.73 gears!!!o No: If the torque converters you tried were good, your trans is slipping. You need to remove it and have it checked ASAP!! I run a 10 inch converter in my car and it stalls to 4000 on the trans brake. Do you have any idea when your motor makes peak torque or HP? It looks like you have Stage 2 heads so my guess is you want a 9 inch with a stall of 4800 RPM range. I would use Coan or ATI for a converter. Good luck and let us know what you find.
Warren Heaps made over 900HP w/ stage4's.I think it was 925 +/- more specifically. Early shakedown passes were in the 9.20's at 147 or so in a 3400-3500lb car.
Bob, They are Stage2 tall ports (TE's) with modifications to run bigger valves(Stage3 spread valve center lines) and Stage4's have the intake pushrod moved to widen the intake runner. Stage3 and 4 heads have 58cc chambers)
Thanks Doug and Rob, really appreciate. Rear tire size is 28.5X11X15 MTs brand new. My dentist, of all people, recommended that I install a gage on the trans pump and see what pressure I'm building. He sorta thinks something's up with the trans. And since I've tried two different TQ, both by major performance companies, one might think that it's not there. I dunno...it's been a real pain over the last several years to get the bugs worked out of this thing. When they closed LACR recently, now I've got to drive around 100 miles one way to a track only to see a zillion others who drove the same distance. I'ts a John Z built motor so we know what's up there. I believe John said, while he never had it dyno'd, he thought it was making 700 plus. The car flat leaves like it's on a rail, leaves very hard. I'm not using a trans brake so wheel lift is not very much but there. Also Dave K. is working on the problem but he's on vacation right now so thought I'd get a head start. So, should I move this thread to some place else where It may get more exposure. Thanks again ya'll. Len
How much Vavle Spring Pressure Do you run open and Closed ? How big is the Cam Spec's. Do you have a Preoiler on your Motor?. What do you use for a oil Pump?
Rob, Thanks for the info on the exhaust flow and the distributor.:TU: I have 2 more questions did you knife edge your crank or lighten it in anyway. And no 2 what size connecting rod did you use 6.8 or 7.1? Im in the process of bulding a 482 and wanted to ask what rod length piston combo would you recommend.
My crankshaft is not nife edged or lightened in any way! Its only nitrided to strengthen and internal balanced. I have a pre-oiler and recomend it to all Buick guys with roller cams and alot of spring pressure. I also hit it on the shutdown after a run because with a vacume pump oil presure drops alot then!!ou: I am using a 6.8 GRP Aluminum rod. I use an external mount Morosso oil pump and a Stefs oil pan.
Well Chris, we dyno raced 'em last week....and then we drag raced 'em on the weekend! :TU: We don't waste a lot of time! Oh, and there was plenty of time for pouring a few as well! :beer
Rob is your converter that tight. compared to Doug 4000 is pretty low. How does your car 60 ft. and can you explain why you set it up tyhat way?
Yes it is that tight. My converter is from my original steel Stage 1 head combo! With the steel heads the torque curve was lower then this engine. This engine would like a looser converter, and I have an 8 inch that would work, 4500 stall. The problem is I don't think I would be able to hook the car with more stall in the converter. You have to remember, my car is still a full frame skylark with just mini tubs!!ou: I have the stock rear suspension any GS has with only a few tricks and solid bushings on the control arms. This car needs to be back halfed, and have a 4-linc suspension installed. This is what I plan on doing this winter>ray: I Just have not got around to it yet!! I can tell you if the track is sticky I can pull consistent 1.28 60 foot times. But when the track goes away, 60 foots drop off to 1.40 some runs!!ou: The other reason my converter is so tight is because I am using a turbo 400 trans. It has 3 gears to Doug's powerglide that has only 2!! If I switch to a powerglide trans I would go to 5000 stall converter. Rob
Yeah, once again...comparing our cars is like apples to oranges. Mine is a full tube frame, 4-link deal with 33x14.5 Goodyears on it. I joke all the time with my buddies about the fact that "My car hooks on marbles!" or the other thing I say a lot is "If I ain't hookin' today, NOBODY is!". It's not that I'm bragging, it's just an indication of how rare it is that my cars loses traction, and how "on the edge" a car like Rob's is. If the bite's there, his Turbo 400 launches him almost as good as my car leaves. If it's not, he goes sideways! Whenever any of the guys come up to me at the track and ask "how's the track hookin' ?" , I always tell them you can't go by my results, but if I spin, the rest of those guys are probably done! As far as convertors go, when I ran a Turbo 400 I used a 4500 stall with my Stage1 motor and went to a 5000 stall when I started running the Stage2. Since I went to the 'glide I've used the 9-inch 5500 and the 8-inch 5600 that I mentioned earlier.
A FEW tricks? Now Rob, THAT'S funny! :laugh: Adjustable aftermarket upper and lower arms with a welded-in cross bar (think H-R bar, but it goes above the rear). I think you may be understating it just a tad. Next your gonna tell these guys that you drive it to the supermarket for eggs and milk. :laugh:
