Torque Converter Preference

Discussion in 'The "Juice Box"' started by GRIMM, May 7, 2006.

?

What kind of Torque Converter do you prefer?

  1. Switch Pitch/Variable Pitch

    41.8%
  2. Fixed Stall

    58.2%
  1. GRIMM

    GRIMM Well-Known Member

    What kind of torque converters do you guys prefer? and why

    what are the advantages of a SP vs a fixed torue converter and vice versa?

    thanks
     
  2. copperheadgs1

    copperheadgs1 copperheadgs1

    I use a 2200 stal JW Winters on my turbo 400. Feels close to stock a little better performance, no slipping and no goofy switch.
     
  3. wildcat4

    wildcat4 Well-Known Member

    4500 TCI and love it. :TU:

    I never could find anybody to keep my switch pitch working.
    I get it fixed and would stop in about a month. No tranny shop around here seems to understand what they are supposed to do.
     
  4. NJBuickRacer

    NJBuickRacer I'd rather be racing...

    Precision and Pat's have been working well for me. I run a 3800 10" Pat's lockup in the GN, my 04 GTO had a 3800 Precision 10" lockup that I am installing in a friend's f-body.
     
  5. GRIMM

    GRIMM Well-Known Member

    switch pitch's arent durable?

    hearing your take, i already dont want one...



    anybody had any similiar experiences with switch pitches?

    thanks
     
  6. Stg'd 2Discover

    Stg'd 2Discover Lumpty, Lumpty, Lumpty

    In reference to your survey, on switch-pitch convertors (VP) I believe the convertors are durable and preferable for a street strip addict. You get the advantage of having a the best of both worlds. Low stall for economy and high stall for performance. I've had a PAE sp-4000 (High stall 4000 low stall somewhere at 1500) for 15 years without breakage behind mid 11 to mid 12's 3800# cars.



    Some advantages of VP convertors:

    Run wild cams normally considered unstreetable with fixed pitch setups. Reduced stop light creep.
    Great launch with no slipping cruising/street driving.
    No Dynaslo effect as with high stall converts when drivng up grades.
    The construction of the VP convertor body itself is super solid and does not need anti balloon plates.
    Less heat buildup than fixed pitch convertors.

    There are options to give you a race car type highstall of 2000 to 5000 with the everyday driveability of a 1200 to 1800 low stall, all depending on the unit combination & size.

    A lot of of around the corner tranny shops have problems with the overall setup because of lack of knowledge of setup and what to look for when the unit is appart. The solenoid on the front pump has been known to need replacement from guys that have overheated their gear boxes.
    The conversion itself requires an orifice for fluid restriciton at the 7 oclock position of the pump passage. It won't work right without this.
    Front pumps in good condition were difficult to find.

    I prefer to run mine off a Hurst Line lock switch on the shifter, and play around at the stops with a toggle on the dash for full time high stall. At the track I switch to my MSD signal for consistancy. A lot of users run it off the brake switch either with or without a time delay.

    GM used these setups in Buick Olds Caddy's and even Rolls Royce used them, but apparently were discontinued due to high production costs.


    Check with Jim Burek at PAE for more.
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2006
  7. DaWildcat

    DaWildcat Platinum Level Contributor

    I'm running a modified (by me) ST300 VP converter, same unit since the late '80's. I had the converter cut apart, replaced the thrust washers with Torrington bearings, spot welded the fins, machined the stator piston for more travel. I'm upgrading to a PAE 4000 in the future for a bit more stall. Trans is built with the good sprag, tight tolerances, higher pump pressure & full manual (no automatic) shifting.

    Devon
     
  8. GRIMM

    GRIMM Well-Known Member

    now im leaning back towards a SP :Do No:
     
  9. Stg'd 2Discover

    Stg'd 2Discover Lumpty, Lumpty, Lumpty

    Go for a ride in a car with 4000 high and 1500 low stall switch pitch. Its a fun street /strip combo.

    Tom
     
  10. GRIMM

    GRIMM Well-Known Member

    how does gas mileage compare on both?
     
  11. DaWildcat

    DaWildcat Platinum Level Contributor

    Cruising the VP at low stall should always beat the fixed high stall in MPG.

    Devon
     
  12. GRIMM

    GRIMM Well-Known Member

    thats what i figured.

    im thinking ill probably end up with a SP anyway.

    unless someone else talks me out of it :Smarty:
     
  13. Running

    Running Midwest Buick Mafia

    Try the TCI or Art CARR

    Not sure if this helps or not ... I don't know anyone that runs the SP style ...
     
  14. LARRY70GS

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

    Really? You don't know anyone that runs a Switch Pitch? Best Street/Strip trans IMHO The SP converter is heavier, and the switch from high to low stall is kind of time inconsistent. For a full Race setup, the correct fixed pitch converter will be better, but for the street, a SP is the way to go.
     
  15. Stg'd 2Discover

    Stg'd 2Discover Lumpty, Lumpty, Lumpty

    I agree with Larry and after having driven both. If you want the absolute best time on a car that sees strip only, a well built fixed pitch is for you.

    But if you do everday driving and mostly street, I'd lean toward the Variable pitch.

    Tom
     
  16. Kelly Eber

    Kelly Eber I'd rather be racing

    I have no experience with switch pitch converters.

    I do have experience with cheap vs. quality fixed converters. This is one case where you get what you pay for. I used a 10" TCI converter for years, and it worked ok. Then I bought a 9" Coan converter for more than twice what I paid for the TCI. I would not even put the two converters in the same catagory. The Coan worked so much better at the track (.2 in the 1/4 and 2 MPH faster) and also on the street. The Coan converter would stall at 4400 RPM and would still cruise around on the street at 1800 RPM. The TCI on the other hand would not move untill you hit 3000 RPM no matter what. We used to call it the 4 speed converter because it was so lose. If you go with a fixed converter, don't waste your time and money on a cheap converter.
     
  17. Nicholas Sloop

    Nicholas Sloop '08 GS Nats BSA runner up

    I previously had a "2200 stall" converter from a Buick vendor in my car. When John Osborne was tuning my rebuilt carb he commented that my converter seemed kinda tight. He speculated that it was simply a stock TH 350 converter. I wasn't too disappionted, because I only paid about $120 for it, and I have learned from this board that converters are the ultimate "you get what you pay for" item. I've got a Coan (borrowed) in my car now. First trip to the track I could not hook to save my life. Not sure how much of that was advanced cam, bad track surface, or better converter. We will find out next week. Hoping to better my 1.89 best 60 ft.
    Not in any way trying to talk you out of a switch pitch (I'd have one with unlimited funds) but my buddy Don did great with his first one, but never got another one that performed as well.
     
  18. GRIMM

    GRIMM Well-Known Member

    just for a back up plan:

    ive read that Coan makes really good converters?

    so which category of theirs would i choose mine from for my application?

    Street Performance
    Pro Street
    Competition Series
    High Performance
    Maximum Performance
    Maximum Performance Steel Stator

    High Performance, by there description, sound the best to me.

    but an opinion is always good.

    thanks :TU:
     
  19. quickstage1

    quickstage1 Well-Known Member

    I like the switch pitch converters. My dad's '64 Riviera has a PAE 4000 stall s/p converter, has been running 100 shot of nitrous right off the line for years. It's a full weight car, runs 1.65 short times lifting the front tire about 4 inches in the air and Friday night ran a best of 12.69 at 105. My '70 Skylark has a PAE 5000 converter runs 1.63 short times and so far has ran 11.28 at 120.11 mph and I have driven it to work, 16 miles each way with some highway driving, with no problems at all. I'm sure my car would be quicker with a good fixed stall converter but I just don't like the way a high stall conveter feels on the street.

    Ken
     
  20. Nicholas Sloop

    Nicholas Sloop '08 GS Nats BSA runner up

    Call them and tell them your planned combination, and they will send you on the right path. Much better than picking from a catalog.
     

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