Gregg_98TA

iTrader: (5)

The titile pretty much says it all. One of my main goals is streetablity with my 2.73 gear. I plan on doing headers, exhaust, LS6 intake, FTRA and wisper lid. With the TC, I want to hit mid to high 12's in the 1/4 mile on street tires. If these mods don't get me there, then I will do head and cam. But in the end, I want good streetabilty since it is my daily driver in the non-winter months.

Should I pick up a lightly used Yank SS3600 (approx. 1200 miles) for $550 or a new TCI SSF3500? If I get the Yank, should I get it restalled to 3800?

Gregg_98TA

Jpr5690

iTrader: (13)

Tci Is A Better Onverter (imo) Yank Has Proven To Gernade Alot Of Peoples Trannys Some Say Their Slightly Better Peforming (if They Work) But Their Quality Sucks And There Seems To Be Alot Of Issues With Their Products As Tci Is Asome On Quality And Cust Service

JNorris

iTrader: (4)

Easy question…..I would go with a NEW TCI SSF3500 long before I would go with a used Yank SS3600 or any other used converter.
Now if I the converter was owned by a friend of mine and I knew for fact there was no problems with it and it was less than a new converter then I might go with the used converter.

John

TimZ28

Today I removed my TCI 3800 and installed a Yank SS3600. I had always used Yank in the past but decided to give TCI a shot... it was a mistake. My TCI 3800 vibrated the hell out of the center of the car in the 2000-3000 range. I rotated it and it made little difference in its behavior. The SS3600 is in and there is no vibration at all. You can't beat the solid billet back piece of the Yank. I didn't need any washers either with the Yank. The TCI converter had a welded on plate on the back side with no indication it was ever balanced. The welds looked like crap.

The Yank is a bit more expensive but it was worth every penny.

I'm not trying to bash TCI just stating my personal experience. I've have my LS1 for 6 years and it has seen multiple engine/tranny combos. The Yank converters never gave me a problem.

Tim

JNorris

iTrader: (4)

I take it from your bad experience with TCI that you would go with the used SS3600?

Did you call TCI about the problem? What was their response?

TimZ28

TCI (Kevin W.) is more than willing to take it back and check it. I plan on sending it in this week to have them look at it. R&R of the tranny is a real pain so I opted to go with what I've had good experience with (Yank). Yes... I would probably opt for a used SS3600 if i had to decide and it was not comming out of a slipping or grenaded tranny.

Tim

boomcase

I would not buy a used converter when there are so many good choices out there for a decent price. Kevin is a great guy and will stand behind his product.

Ragtop 99

iTrader: (7)

I've seen a number of people get excellent results buying a used converter. However, I would buy a used converter only from people you know yourself or who are known to have a good reputation. If the seller had any tranny problems, you will risk buying a converter infected with junk that shorten its life and possibily your tranny.

Colonel

"Yank Has Proven To Gernade Alot Of Peoples Trannys Some Say Their Slightly Better Peforming (if They Work) But Their Quality Sucks And There Seems To Be Alot Of Issues With Their Products"

I disagree. From my observations they have not been proven to grenade ANY trannys at all. I've seen them blamed for just a few tranny problems over the years here and there but I can't say that I've seen them actually proven (as stated) to have been the culprit in a single case....much less in "alot" of cases. Their converter quality is, IMO, excellent for the most part (no one is perfect.) Only a few would argue otherwise.

Most of the complaints I see of them are concerning customer service and difficulty in communication. However, the converters they build are widely considered to be among the best in the business.

Given the two choices I'd go with the new TCI unless I KNEW the history of the used converter. If a tranny has puked it's guts through it then you'de be better to steer clear.

Gregg_98TA

iTrader: (5)

Thanks for the input. I need to think about it a bit.

94form2000z

iTrader: (10)

Bought a used PT4000 from a guy I knew hammered it. Swapped it in for replacement of my SS3800. Haven't had any issues that are Converter related Locks up great.

2002 Trans Am

If it helps you at all I have a Yank SS3800 with 2.73 gears and it really does feel stock, cept of course when you hammer it

It still rolls when idle too.....Only thing I would advise to you is that you drive around in 3 all the time, then when you get on the highway and know you will be able to go above 40mph for a long time, let off the gas and pop it in 4 and drive like you would every other time.

My converter is prone to throwing a code when I keep slowing down and accerlerating between 30-50 mph......2002 PCM doesn't like the big converters, you may be alright with your 98 though

2002 Trans Am

Oh yeah and my car is a factory bitch, it ran 13.1 before the converter (headers which needed tuning badly, tb, and other minor bolt-ons)

I think your goal of mid to high 12s will be extremely easy, even on a street tire

CamaroCain

iTrader: (1)

I would have to agree with the majority of statements about new vs. used. But as far as your goal for track times I think I would invest in an extra cheap set of stock wheels to put some BFG DR's on or something before I would go spending thousands on a H/C package just to run 12's. You will have serious traction issues with street tires. I couldn't even hardly hook up at the track on radials when my car was stock, had to ease into it. Do you plan to stay with the 2.73 gears for a long while?

Gregg_98TA

iTrader: (5)

I have no plan of changing out the rear 2.73's since I do not want a track only car. I will have an extra set of stock wheels soon but I also do not want drag radials. When I go to the track, I like to see what it runs the way I drive it everyday.

I honestly don't think mid-12's will be too hard on street tires. Its a matter of learning how to drive the car.

94form2000z

iTrader: (10)

Actually with that view your better to go with something like the SY series. You'd be much happier with it. Launching on street tires with either one of the mentioned converters will be a joke.

Good Luck.

94form2000z

iTrader: (10)

Oh and I know this individual. http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread...hreadid=509079

That would be a good converter considering it is new!

F1_SS

Im with Lydia on the street tires thing, I couldnt hook on my 01 SS with street tires and all i had was lid and cut out. And please dont buy a H/C package just to run 12's, that would be sad, autos can run that with stall and bolt ons only, no cam and certanly no heads.