RahuL

iTrader: (10)

I have a 98 TA with 3.23s...

Mods are:

1) SLP LID
2) GMMG Exhaust

I *might* do LTs and LS6 Intake, down the road.. not too sure though..

My questions:

1) Which brand to go with ? TCI/Yank/Vigilante/Midwest ...

2) What stall and STR ? 3000/3200/3500/3800 with 2.6/2.8 STR...?

3) If I get the TCI, should I go with the SS or SSF ?

The TA is my daily driver and will see a few strip runs... that's it So, for the most part, a street car..

I already have a 24k B&M Tranny Cooler on the car..

I'm really confused/lost as to which TC to choose.. please help out!!

Thanks!!.. as always

2MuchRiceMakesMeSick

It really depends on what you plan on doing with the car. In my experience, most people start out with a 3.XXX stall and usually wind up going bigger.

heyitsTaJay

VIG3200 2.5STR
TCI SSF3500

with a little bit of SEARCHING you could find endless amounts of info/feedback on every possible converter known to man. both converters i have suggested are very streetable and you will love either one.


J

RahuL

iTrader: (10)

appreciate the info J... I would do a search, however my new business keeps me away from the internet most of the time which, in some ways, is a good thing for me lol..

So, I'm just going to base my decision on everyone's response here... I trust ya'll

Thanks and keep it coming!!

Onebadwedge

iTrader: (1)

I just got a TCI SSF 3500 installed 1 week ago.
So I don't have a lot of time with this converter, keep that in mind.

I was debating over the SF3000 or SSF3500.
I went with the rule of get 1 bigger than you thought.
I'm conservative anyways.
I was looking for "like" stock
driving. I was scared of looseness because I do
some 35-45 driving most of the time.

I watched the video that "samz28" made and I thought
that was "too loose".
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic-transmission/179872-tci-ssf-3500-40-meg-video-city-driving-promised.html


The first day, I thought it was too loose.
Before I got it, I drove the stock TC around at 2000-2500
and really liked it. I would easily pull from traffic, but
I wouldn't say I was driving "spirited", just using my car.
I wasn't weaving in and out of traffic or anything like that.
I think I will start to get used to it, but right now
since this is a daily driver and never see the track
I'm thinking I should have stayed with the 3000 stall.
In my opinion a 3000 stall is what you want if
you only want to put up with minimal slipping.
You will not be close to stock characteristics, but
I think it would suit you with the 3.23.

Now with the TCI, I drive 2000-2200 and traffic pulls
away from me. I have loud exhaust and want to
"try" and get some good MPG, so I am going to stay driving
the same way, 2000-2200. Even if I go to 2500-2800
I just keep up with traffic, but my car is LOUD anyways
so I try to keep a low profile. I'm a little nervous whenever
a cop is around at 2000-2200.


My best suggestion is to see if you can drive someone's
car that has a stall. I wish I would have asked around
some before purchasing mine.

I "feel" like this converter is less efficient than
the stock one above 3500. I have no proof, only the
butt-o-meter. The stock converter, in a stock car, seemed
to have a second burst of energy at 4000RPM when WOT.
This may have just been the characteristics of the motor
though, I'm not sure.
The SSF3500 does not. It just pulls the same "strength"
the whole time from 3500 +.
From a dead stop I have to ease into WOT.
When I am driving at a 20MPH constant speed, I can not
just floor it, I have to ease into it quickly and still leave
a 20ft patch of rubber. If I floor it, I would probably
just spin out. From 30MPH, I can floor it
and only leave about 5feet of rubber. From a 40MPH
I can floor it and dead hook. All on Pirelli Pzeros, they
are stickier than stock but not as sticky as a drag radial.


I recommend the SF3000 for street. Or any other 3000 stall.
I've only had mine a week, but for a street, daily driver
I would recommend the 3000 stall.

Try this test.
At a stop, put your tranny in 2.
This is second gear start mode in GM trany. The tranny
will start in 2nd gear. This is to simulate a higher
stall. I did this and my SSF3500 slips MORE than
the 2nd gear start. I'm GUESSING the 2nd gear
start would be closer to a 3000 stall, but not the same.
A 3000 stall will slip more than the 2nd gear start.

To keep the car streetable EVEN with your future mods
that you suggested, the 3000 is the way to go.

Good luck.

RahuL

iTrader: (10)

wow.. what an awesome personal review Thanks a ton for that!!

I'm told [and read] that a new convertor will feel quite different after a few days/miles of driving.. kinda like a "break-in" period..

z2beat

Atleast 3200, You'll end up wanting more! I Started out with a Yank 3200stl. It was nice & tight, But if I was doing it again I would of went right to Yank SS3600/3800,TCI3500, Vig 3200. You can't go wrong with any of them.

franny40

ssf 3500.

CaptUSA

iTrader: (5)

MOST EXCELLANT WRITE UP!! Thank you for that. What you've just said have been my fears to the letter. I'm still planning on stalling my car, but intend to start out w/ the 2800 type. If I end up going bigger, and kicking myself later, then so-be-it. Sometimes better to error on the side of caution. The video that you refered to in your post.... was that one more or less loose than yours? I've asked about that video a lot of times, and everybody always says that was a rare thing. And thanks again for the first person account of your new TC.

Onebadwedge

iTrader: (1)

Mine drives about the same as the video. MAYBE
a little tighter.
I have almost the same mods as the guy in the video.
Our cams make less torque down low than a stock cam, keep
that in mind.

If you do most of your driving at 45+ then you will
be able to get your TC to "lockup" and your MPG
will be about the same as stock. If you do 35 or less
you will never lock up and be driving around at 2000
RPM all the time, eating gas.

It's all a personal preference on the TC in my opinion.
The thing I wish I would have done is driven someones
car that has one BEFORE making my decision. I read
a lot on here, saw the video, researched. I think
it's a "little" too loose right now, but I've only had it
a week. In a month from now my opinion might be different,
I hope so.

Any other questions, just let me know.
Someone on this board sent me a lot of information
and I want to "pay it forward" as the movie says.

thanks

4mula

i just had my tci3000 installed last week and i love it.
its very tight. my best friend drove the car around and said he would think it was stock if i had not told him about the verter.
in traffic all T/Cs linger in gear.
the same friend and i also raced. he has a C-5 and would inch me out in the 1/4.
not anymore. i took him by alittle more than 2 cars.

94form2000z

iTrader: (10)

That was somewhat of a descent write up. But I find this paragraph to be totally misleading. We have lockup converters and once you reach that point it is no different that a stock TC with no acceleration. It will cruise no different. It will raise the RPM's a bit on take off. But once you get going it is not much different. and um yeah you need a descent tire with a stall or learn how to peddle through.

Surely you have people around you that can give you a ride in a car or let you drive a car that has descent size stall in it. I'd suggest doing so before wasting a bunch of money. I've had Vig2800. VIg3600, SS3800 and now the PT4000. The PT is just as streetable as any I mentioned. And alot more enjoyable to drive everyday.

CaptUSA

iTrader: (5)

Yes, there are people here in SD, it's just a matter of finding the time for anything else in life right now. I'm going to do my damndest to make it to a meet they're having on the 9th. Hopefully I'll be able to experiance some of the aftermarket stalls then. My biggest hang-up w/ the higher stall TC's, is that I want to keep street tires on my car, and I don't want to have to worry about my wife ending up in a ditch somewhere's because she was in my car. I understand what the stall rating is, but STR has me a little thrown. Is the higher STR a tighter TC? Or is it the other way around?
As to the write up..... If his is the same as the guy in the movie, then it's too loose for me. Hands down, I know that would bug me to death. And on the flip side of that coin, he's the only guy I've heard say he wasn't too impressed with the aftermarket stall. And he went low (compaired to what is generally recomended). .....
I dunno. I'm moving this weekend, and starting school in 2 weeks, so maybe I'll think about this some other time. For now it's sleepy time though.

RahuL

iTrader: (10)

great posts!!

Anyone heard of, or running, these convertors ?



If yes, how do you like it, if u do...

SmokingWS6

iTrader: (1)

Another vote for the vig 3200

RahuL

iTrader: (10)

whats the Stall Torque Ratio on this ??

Also, what kinda city/hwy mileage are you getting now ?

Thanks!!

94form2000z

iTrader: (10)

The higher the STR the tighter the torque converter.

CaptUSA

iTrader: (5)

/\ Thanks.

C_B64

iTrader: (7)

TCI SSF 3500 and 3.42 gears.............

Ragtop 99

iTrader: (7)

My guess is that you are not looking to take much risk. A Vig 2800, Yank SS3600 (both behave like 3200s) or TCI 3300 should accomplish your goal. Less than a 3000 stall from most companies will result in a waste of money.