BlackTA

iTrader: (1)

Thinking about getting a converter in the very near future, and my understanding is that bigger is better, though you get a slightly loose feeling. I think I can deal with it, but I was wondering about you guys' opinions on how yours drives? or should I just settle for a 3800 or lower?

Gold Z

iTrader: (3)

My daily driver has a 4200 in it. It is very loose but you get used to that pretty quick. My car has a set of Lane's true duals which are LOUD. A loose convertor and a loud exhaust means you sound like you're trying to race somebody everytime you start off from a standstill. You will have to get used to your tach staying above 3000 rpm as you take off from stoplights. I've put about 8,000 miles on mine already.

Colonel

For a first time converter owner I'd go with a ~3500 stall. Or with a 21 blade stator (Yank's SS line) I'd go with a 3800. I'm running an SS4000 with 3.23 gears and almost stock weight in my daily driver. I really like it but I've done some PCM programming to dial it in nicely.

BlackTA

iTrader: (1)

I currently have the crappy gear package (2.73's), would 3.42 be the ideal gear for me? or maybe even 3.73's?
I'm not the slightest bit concerned with gas mileage, as I live less than a mile from where i work.

samz28

i live 2 miles from work. The problem is city is like 9mpg if you don't lockup (cam/boltons) with a proper warmup procedure. 3.42's are a good strength gear over 2.73. 3.73's start to approach 4.10's on ring/pinion size.

Compare a 2.73 to a 4.10 and you'll understand what breaks. Then choose your poison.

I went with 3.42 GM gears, non of that aftermarket b/s.

If you are really lucky you can find a GM rear end complete the same as your setup. Its usually cheaper if you can be assured its not been dogged, to swap the whole rear end. Good time to do struts/springs/bags/lca/phr too.

If i had a 3.42 TCS/ASR rear available i'd probably have done it, but i spent the $130 (ratech deluxe) $170 new GM gear from board member, $99 slp zexel, and $150 labour you can see where the 3.42 from a low mileage car might be cheaper. Sometimes $150 is considered cheap to gear swap.

I live 2 miles to work, and the mpg is starting to concern me.

JustAnotherSS

i got 20 mpg on my last fill up at the pump

half city/half highway

I would go with a TCI 3500/3800 or Yank SS3600/3800 if you want to spend almost twice the money.

samz28

i noticed today average RPM 2200 from a flat planed start, small peak to 2500 if i push it, once i hit 35mph the car drops to 1000rpm lockup (TCI SSF3500). Since you can program your lockup, this can save alot of gas. Of course the speed limit is 35mph then drops to 30mph, so i have to spend alot of time braking which unlocks the verter. The more time you spend locked up, the less looseness you will feel. A highway man could be totally content with a 4400 stall since he'll be locked up for most of the ride.

I should go take a video of my gauges while i drive to work, thats the easiest way to show a person who hasn't driven a "loose" verter, what loose really means. I can't think of any better way, cept for you to find a local buddy and drive one mate.

i lost a little mpg going to 3.42's from 2.73's on the freeway but its still pretty good mpg for a cam/bolton car. I didn't expect to keep it the same, the torque gains of course are all worth it when you nail the gas

theres no way my puny 3500 stall would work with street tires. Its quite dangerous in rain too.

BlackTA

iTrader: (1)

Hey, that would be a great idea. If you're able to, i'll give you my email address, or whatever.

BIGBOS

My car is a "daily driver" and I got a 4000 stall with a TH400.....

Getting the car off its feet is the only problem coming off a light, I can imagine it would be bad when the cutout is open considering each shift I'm making to get the car to 3rd gear is happening at 3000-3500......cops don't like all that noise.....

Jorday

I have a 4200 Pro thruster. it's pretty hardcore for daily driving but it can be done.

samz28

if i get around to it, i'll go do the video of the TCI SSF 3500 with 3.42's and my engine mods. It will tell a good story.. Likewise i think others should do the same with their bigger stalls.

As i said i see 2200 light throttle off the line, up to 2500. I might be doing 2000mph up a steep incline, and start losing mph due to slipping, so i'll have to tip in more. Likewise due to the STR , the more you tip in the more acceleration you get (less loose feeling).

Due to a bad cop in my area (nailed me twice) i drive very tame, and im trying to save on gas mpg. But those that romp the gas off the line more so than i can do (alot of traffic!) will not feel so loose since the car will scoot faster with more throttle tip in than with light pedal.

I drive light pedal since i can lay 10 feet of drag with the 555R's if i stomp it from a stop before the ASR kicks in. (25psi hot tire pressure even). The cops would throw you in jail for this. I got a wreckless for chirping tire on my 4 banger vw, reduced with a lawyer to no-lo laying drag. There was no tire marks, no smoke, just chirp chirp chirp from dropping it a little fast on an open-diff vw. That's what im worried about. I've already been dealt the no-lo laying drag, so i gotta watch my ****.

I spose without a camera i could do an EFILIVE6.3 log, you could watch the parameters but it just isn't as cool as in cabin camera. I've mastered driving a stick and holding the camera lol in my vw, so it should be e-z in my z28.

I'll try to get the camera this weekend (sony mini-dv) to make the vid.

i hope others will do the same. it would be cool to have an assortment of videos for each TC . Some days i wish i still had my stock verter, since i dont have the opportunity to use my powar on the street. I think when the tracks open i'll probably change my mind again.

WILWAXU

iTrader: (6)

Daily drove a SY-3500, TP-4400, UT-4600 and now a TP-4200.

The TP-4200 with 3.73's IMO, is a great driver setup. Is it for the faint at heart? No. But most good converters in the 3500-4000 range should give you the preformance your looking for and not kill your drivability.

nick y

iTrader: (1)

I Have O3 Vette with TCI 3800 AND B&B PRTS and I hated it. As soon as i slipped on the stock mufflers the converter suddenly didnt seem so bad! loud exhaustr is definately the worst part of a loose converter, btw qtp are on the way!!(electric cutouts)

samz28

you can't complain when a muscle car is loud, thats the point right? loud, loud, fast angry tire smoking fun.

Otherwise i'd drive the ole ladies 330ci bmw. Its fun and quiet as a mouse.

heh.

i spose if i could afford a porsche GTR then i wouldn't need so many cars to do my deeds.

94form2000z

iTrader: (10)

My PT4000 with a 2.7 STR creeps forward with my 3.73's while stopped. It is just as driveable as a stock setup to me.

FACE

I have a SS4000, heads and cam, headers, no cats, and PRT's. I get plenty of attention pulling away from a stoplight. I try to pull away from lights slow, and once I hit 20 or so, get up to speed, or pass everyone else. If I get on it at all out of the hole it's obnoxious. []