Gears and converter question
 

Building a 355 for my wife's 86 trans am that she blew up, the kit Im using is calling for a 3000 stall. Most converters I see are 3000-3500 stall speed, the rear has some pretty tall gears, I believe that they are 2:73. I plan on swapping the rear with a stock 10 bolt with 3:42 gears from a formula parts car that I have. What effect will either sets of gears have on the stall speed of the converter. What would happen if I just used the stock converter? I plan on t56 swapping it later on just want the car to run decent, not going to be raced much if at all.

If there's a larger cam, it may push with a stock converter.

Steeper gears will load the converter a lot more than proper gears would.

Whats your redline and where is peak HP predicted?

Motor is a 10:1 355 with an edelbrock top end kit max rpm is 6500 so im assuming that the peak would be close maybe 6000-6200. Im not looking for fastest times or anything just trying to make a decent driving car, it will hardly be raced. Dont want to swap the motor then have it be un-driveable because of the stock converter and gears.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/2098/10002/-1
Cam Spec
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performan.../7102/10002/-1

Honestly? Run a smaller cam. You'll be happier with the way it drives on the street. Consider a hydraulic roller if it's in the budget; less chances of issues with lobe wiping with the currently available engine oil.

Unless he owns it already, yeah. The Edelbrock grinds have been "old" for a while as well.

It came as a complete kit, it works. This motor is just to get the car running hold her over until I can tackle the ls1/t56 swap.

Its a weekend driver, just want it to be fun to hold her over. Ill run the proper oil needed for the flat tappet cam.

Amsoil Z-rod, after break in of course.

Any reason why you prefer that over VR1?

No real reason other than I know the amsoil is designed specifically for flat tappet street cars. although I am not sure racing specific oil had the right additive packs for a street car. I remember reading something a few years ago but I don't remember anymore. Plus VR1 is non-synth I think.

Here's the thing:

If he's stuck running the stock converter and gears with the motor as is, it'll drive like crap. Won't idle worth a damn, no vacuum for brakes, pushing at idle, etc.

If there's no budget for a converter and gear swap, a different cam is a cheaper alternative to keep the car driveable and fun.

Picked up a tci 3000-3500 stall with lockup. Only thing left is to swap the engine...