Tourque converter choice? - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

87Fbird · 01-25-2008, 10:09 PM

I'm swapping out the T-5 with a TH-350. I have a pretty much stock 305 and i don't know what the stall speed will work out to be. I was thinking of a Hole Shot or Tourqe Master with a 2000 stall speed, maybe 2400. I know if you get a tourqe converter with too high of a stall speed it'll lag on the top end. I just want to get decent launches with it. This isn't a daily driver, it's not even tagged up for the street. It's just for the track. Does anybody have any ideas? Oh yeah, I think the car weighs about 3000-3200 if that helps.

HardcoreZ28 · 01-26-2008, 10:10 AM

Call some of the manufacters and give them all of your specs and they will tell you what's right for your combination and goals.

87Fbird · 03-22-2008, 10:16 PM

Thank you.

JSPERFORMANCE · 03-23-2008, 07:52 AM

The torque converter is matched to the engine. If you are planning on only keeping the 305 in there short term then dont bother shelling out for a custom stall because it will do you no good with a different engine combo. Just pick up a cheapie maybe like a stock v6 converter. Then save your money for a good converter when your engine is done, a decent quality race converter can run $900-$1100 depending on what you need it to do.

Oh, and dont bother with the mail order big box companys when you start looking for a good converter, they only have garbage like B&M, boss hogg, and that stuff.

87Fbird · 03-23-2008, 09:28 PM

I still have the converter that came from the turbo 350 that I just rebuilt. It was attached to a 350 small block. When i rebuilt the tranny all the parts looked new when i cleaned them up. No signs of ware and abuse whatsoever. I'm thinking the original torque converter is in the same condition and it would be a slight upgrade since it was behind a 350 and i'm fitting it to a 305. But the only thing i have a question about is the difference in the motors. Can you use a torque converter that came from a two piece rear main seal motor and use it with a one piece rear main seal motor?

JSPERFORMANCE · 03-24-2008, 08:50 AM

yes as long as the bolt pattern for the converter is the same it will bolt right up.

87Fbird · 03-24-2008, 09:11 PM

Thanks alot. I have everything i need to put the turbo 350 in now.

HardcoreZ28 · 03-25-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSPERFORMANCE

Oh, and dont bother with the mail order big box companys when you start looking for a good converter, they only have garbage like B&M, boss hogg, and that stuff.

Josh what don't you like about the big name companies? I have limited experience with converters but installed a big name one in my car last spring....didn't drive it much last season though due to rocker stud failure.
Who do you like to use normally so I have knowledge going forward? Is Yank still in business?

JSPERFORMANCE · 03-25-2008, 02:26 PM

I was actually referring to places like jeg's, summit, etc. etc.

The "bargain" converters are usually made with substandard parts and their design is not very efficient. There is a difference between a loose converter and an inefficient one..
Yank actually makes a decent product and as far as I know they are still in business. My personal prefrence is to use Precision industries products. I have had very good luck with their converters and that is why I chose to become a dealer for them.