Please help pick a converter
12-21-2013, 05:24 PM
#1
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Please help pick a converter We just picked up a 2000 Camaro SS with H/C/I and a re-stalled Vigilante converter and 3.73 gears. The stall was originally a 4,400 and was re-stalled to a 4,000. It is flashing to 5,250 at full throttle. The seller ran an 11.6 at 119 with only a 1.8 60 ft. time due to the inability to hook.
Our other car is a GTA with a very similar build. The main differences are,
1. The GTA has a Torquer 2 cam on a 114 +3, compared to the SS having a TSP 233/239 on a 112.
2. The GTA has an Edge 3,200 stall that was hitting dead on 3,200 before the upgrade to a Fast 92 intake and PTM 92mm t/b. It now hits around 3,420 rpm off of the line.
The Camaro MUST get a new converter because the Vig is just way too loose. I mean it's just stupid. It gets away from lights ok at part throttle, but anything over maybe 20 percent throttle and the slip is irritating. It makes the GTA's Edge converter feel stock. That I could live with BUT, at a 65 mph kickdown it is night and day. I would have expected the SS with its big Vig to walk the GTA but it's not even close. The GTA instantaniously kicks down and literally jumps 3 or 4 car lengths to where it slaps 3rd gear at just under 80 mph.
Flooring the SS at 65 mph results in a shift down to 2nd gear and a whole bunch of noise but not much else until after it hits 3rd. Even then it just feels like it's pushing through the converter, all the way to redline. It's like being in a stick car and keeping the clutch pushed in far enough to waste about 1/3 of the power or more.
The solution for me seemed obvious; Get an Edge stall for the SS also. I figured since the SS is 200 lbs heavier, maybe step it up to a 3,600.
But now I'm wondering what you all think because some guy,
Frank Cahall of CPT Performance in Delaware, says on LSX parts for Sale, that Edge Converters are complete crap and usually don't last 2 months before tearing up the transmission.
Who knows what's up with that?
Anyway, we want a converter that is a good dd, but can get great numbers at the track. I know that's what everyone wants.
I have been eyeing Circle d for a while now, maybe a 5c if it would be tight enough on the street.
The GTA makes 445 rwhp (open cutouts), runs 11.20 at 120 in a 20 mph headwind and 150 da and with a 1.61 60 ft (that pass), and gets around 19 mpg when we drive like very old men for most of the tank.
The SS mad 428 rwhp (no cutouts), runs 11.6 at 119 in 2,770 da, on a 1.8 60 ft, and gets 15 mph.
I know this is a lot of to answer but please just address what you can.
What converter would you go with? It doesn't have to be one I listed. Please explain why. I just need some others' personal experience here, as I have very little in this department. I only want to change this converter once. lol
Our other car is a GTA with a very similar build. The main differences are,
1. The GTA has a Torquer 2 cam on a 114 +3, compared to the SS having a TSP 233/239 on a 112.
2. The GTA has an Edge 3,200 stall that was hitting dead on 3,200 before the upgrade to a Fast 92 intake and PTM 92mm t/b. It now hits around 3,420 rpm off of the line.
The Camaro MUST get a new converter because the Vig is just way too loose. I mean it's just stupid. It gets away from lights ok at part throttle, but anything over maybe 20 percent throttle and the slip is irritating. It makes the GTA's Edge converter feel stock. That I could live with BUT, at a 65 mph kickdown it is night and day. I would have expected the SS with its big Vig to walk the GTA but it's not even close. The GTA instantaniously kicks down and literally jumps 3 or 4 car lengths to where it slaps 3rd gear at just under 80 mph.
Flooring the SS at 65 mph results in a shift down to 2nd gear and a whole bunch of noise but not much else until after it hits 3rd. Even then it just feels like it's pushing through the converter, all the way to redline. It's like being in a stick car and keeping the clutch pushed in far enough to waste about 1/3 of the power or more.
The solution for me seemed obvious; Get an Edge stall for the SS also. I figured since the SS is 200 lbs heavier, maybe step it up to a 3,600.
But now I'm wondering what you all think because some guy,
Frank Cahall of CPT Performance in Delaware, says on LSX parts for Sale, that Edge Converters are complete crap and usually don't last 2 months before tearing up the transmission.Who knows what's up with that?
Anyway, we want a converter that is a good dd, but can get great numbers at the track. I know that's what everyone wants.
I have been eyeing Circle d for a while now, maybe a 5c if it would be tight enough on the street.
The GTA makes 445 rwhp (open cutouts), runs 11.20 at 120 in a 20 mph headwind and 150 da and with a 1.61 60 ft (that pass), and gets around 19 mpg when we drive like very old men for most of the tank.
The SS mad 428 rwhp (no cutouts), runs 11.6 at 119 in 2,770 da, on a 1.8 60 ft, and gets 15 mph.
I know this is a lot of to answer but please just address what you can.
What converter would you go with? It doesn't have to be one I listed. Please explain why. I just need some others' personal experience here, as I have very little in this department. I only want to change this converter once. lol
12-21-2013, 06:42 PM
#2
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I will not and do not recommend Edge. I don't bash either. PM if you want to hear my story.
I'd look very closely at a PTC 3600 or an SS3600. Those have proven records. I talked my buddy into a PTC3600 (based on Lemons suggestion) and then tuned the car and I was impressed with it overall. PTC has a stellar record of happy customers. Otherwise, I have no doubt Circle D or FTI could build you what you want also.
I'd look very closely at a PTC 3600 or an SS3600. Those have proven records. I talked my buddy into a PTC3600 (based on Lemons suggestion) and then tuned the car and I was impressed with it overall. PTC has a stellar record of happy customers. Otherwise, I have no doubt Circle D or FTI could build you what you want also.
12-21-2013, 09:06 PM
#5
Revmax is a good company with a great converter. They are not Chinese junk, like I first assumed when I saw them advertise on Flebay for 300 bucks. They are American made and they claim tolerances that are right in line with the best. They also tailor the stall to your setup. They offer bargain basement stuff for people wanting to cheap out, but they can set you up with a top line piece for a competitive price. They give you a lot of options when you step up to a billet case and offer it at a fair savings. 700 bucks will get you a serious converter, in line with an 800-900 dollar converter from a company that dumps a fair amount into advertising. From what I understand, that's the place they cut corners, advertising, and rely more on word of mouth to sell there stuff.
That being said, Chris at Circle-D makes a fantastic converter and will restall free if you miss on the first try. I know a few guys that say Chris s converter MADE their car. Just don't cheap out with a 400 dollar mud bucket and know what you want before you drop the funds and you will be happy. Good Luck!
That being said, Chris at Circle-D makes a fantastic converter and will restall free if you miss on the first try. I know a few guys that say Chris s converter MADE their car. Just don't cheap out with a 400 dollar mud bucket and know what you want before you drop the funds and you will be happy. Good Luck!
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12-31-2013, 09:41 AM
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I say call up Revmax. I have had there converter in the past and loved it, and everything I have seen on here has been positive for them.
Last edited by 1998silverbird; 12-31-2013 at 11:04 AM.
01-02-2014, 12:32 PM
#10
I would recommend a Circle D Specialties 245mm 2E 4000 stall. Your ETs will improve quite a bit over your current converter and will drive nice on the street with your 3.73s. The 5C will work well also if you have enough tire to make it stick. The 3.73s out back will make both feel good for street use.
