Colonel

Well, I got the new SS4000 in yesterday and I've put about 125 miles on it so far. Here's a rundown of what I've noticed...

I was expecting a very noticable increase in looseness and I have been hoping that it wouldn't be too much for my tastes. I REALLY loved the drivability of the TCI 3500. I thought that it hit the sweetspot dead on for me. This is my everyday driver so I don't want a weekend only type converter or gearing (it has 3.23s and they're staying there.) Originally I was going to get the SS3600 but I kept reading how streetable the SS3800 is so I changed my mind to it. When I called Mike to order it he talked me into the SS4000. I was very hesitant but he assured me that there wouldn't be much tradeoff in drivability compared to my 3500. A 4000 driving like a 3500? Sounds too good to be true but I've learned to trust Mike Senia. He's yet to steer me wrong in converter selection.

Well, lemme tell you I'm VERY glad I didn't go with the 3800 or especially the 3600. I think the SS3800 would have been as tight as my TCI 3500 because this 4000 is REALLY close to being as tight as it.

When pulling a grade at slow speed (like pulling into a steep driveway), it's somewhat looser than the 3500. This is the only circumstance in which I really notice that I'm driving a looser converter than what I had. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing, just a little different.

On flat ground it feels a little less responsive when just starting to move at light to moderate throttle under 3000 rpm.

From 3000 up to about about 4000, it feels the same as the 3500. I can't tell a difference and this is where I spend most of my around town acceleration.

From 4000 on up, it actually feels a little tighter than the 3500.

Under WOT it pulls harder at higher RPMs than the 3500. As well as this engine pulled at high RPMs before, it pulls noticably better now. I predict an increase in trap speed by 1.5-2 MPH (it was 117 MPH before.)

The converter is very smooth. There is no vibration at all.

Clutch lockup is very nice. It locks up a little quicker than the TCI 3500. Not a huge difference but it is noticable. Mike says this clutch can easily handle the abuse of locking at WOT.

Who would have ever thought a 4000 stall could be this streetable with 3.23 gears and a full weight car? I sure wouldn't have but I'm a believer now! Yank's exclusive 21 blade stator sure does a great job of taming a high stalling converter.

I did a visual check of the shift extension on the 2-3 shift (I need to Autotap to be sure) and it appears to be about 5350-5400. My TCI 3500 gave me 5000-5050 on the 2-3. This was a large part of my decision to change converters. The dyno graph on this engine told me that I really needed at least 5300 and it looks like I got what I was shooting for.

Track times to come.

Graphite_WS6

iTrader: (1)

I have the SS3600 and it's very close to stock for me. Most people probably wouldn't be able to tell I have a TC until you floor it. It drives very tight and I have 2.73's in the car now. Next time I change converters I think I'll go for the SS4000.

Dom

iTrader: (2)

So if that 21 blade stator is so good will it make it's way to the Pro Thruster and make it even better?

Colonel

No, the 21 blade stator gives a lower shift extension. The PT stator gives it excellent shift extension (which gives higher trap speeds and makes it a better "from a roll" converter) at the expense of drivability. The PT line of converters is for those who want ultimate track times and trap speeds but who don't care much about drivability.

Patrick G

iTrader: (14)

Great report. Super info. Hope it shines at the track for you.

FEAR THE LS1

iTrader: (1)

I ran my SS4000E on the streets every day for 6 months with 3.73 gears. I loved it. I even drove 65 miles on the highway with my TH400 to the track every other weekend to race.

That was a great converter! I have my SS4000 is my garage right now as I am testing out a TCI 8" race converter in my car right now. I am definately keeping my SS4000, I would never sell it.

Lee

Whitey

I've been debating changing my Sy-3500 for something a little more track oriented. How would you compare the SS-4000 to the Sy-3500 in driveability and at the track. With heads/cam I'm running pretty consistent 1.65 (60ft) and 11.70 quarters.

Thanks,
Norm

darrensls1formula

Great review colonel. Sounds like a winner. But just when you get me sold on a TCI 3500 now I'm thinking about Yank again. Hmm, how do you think the SS4000 would do on a 125 wetshot of N20?

Dragaholic

iTrader: (180)

Is there any difference in streetability/driveability between the PS4000 and the SS4000? If they both have the 21 blade stator, then how would they be different? Which one has a higher shift extension? Why does the 21 blade stator lower the shift extension? Your shift extension sounds pretty good...would it be the range that Im looking for with 3.42s, 224/.581/112 cam, and no gas? If you ever get the chance, could you record/calculate what kind of gas mileage it gets? What made you choose the SS4000 over the PS4000? Thanks and good review by the way! P.S. Congrats!

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

Sounds interesting col, I'm always interesting in hearing how streetable stuff is with the stock 3.23's in an A4.

How about from a dig, does it feel pretty strong?

DrkPhx

iTrader: (15)

Glad to hear it's streetable. Are you going to autotap to confirm the shift extensions? Also, what in the world are you doing driving around between 3000-4000 rpms? Do you drive in 3rd all of time?

Colonel

I had an SY3500 with 3.73s once. I think drivability was very similar with that setup as with this one. It's been a long time ago but it seems to me that with the same gearing, this converter would actually be a little tighter than the SY3500 under most circumstances. If you can pull mid 1.6s with that converter, you should be able to pull low 1.5s with this one. Heck, you might even sneak into the 1.4s if you have the traction.

Colonel

I think this converter would do GREAT with a 125 shot! I normally wouldn't suggest a 4000 converter for nitrous but this converter will have plenty of holding power (because of it's 21 blade stator) for a small to moderate shot of the giggly gas.

You can't go wrong with either the TCI 3500 nor the SS4000.

Colonel

Oh Question King...wherever do I start? Ok...

The PS line uses a different pump which makes it hit harder and have a higher shift extension but it also makes it looser. See, how loose a converter feels has to do with the pump, the stator, and the size of the converter.

I'm only theorizing here because I honestly don't know but, more blades have more grip, so to speak, on the fluid than fewer blades. This gives it a lower shift extension. Think of a prop with more blades. It's going to grab the air more than a prop with less blades...thus, for a given power applied, it will turn a slower RPM while moving the same amount of air. Maybe Patrick G, our resident converter guru, can expound upon this a little more.

"Your shift extension sounds pretty good...would it be the range that Im looking for with 3.42s, 224/.581/112 cam, and no gas?"

My shift extension is actually low for a 4000 stall but I am quite sure it is enough for my needs. It would be perfectly fine for you combo too. In fact, it would match your combo even better than mine since you have a tiny bit more gear and a cam that should be slightly more biased towards the midrange (because of your 112 LSA compared to my 116.) It'll even work fine with some gas added should you ever trek down that perilous path to prodigious power. Lord help the N2O section if you do!

The gas mileage with this converter will be the same on the highway (23 MPG at 75-80 MPH on the interstate) and very close around town (I don't know but I will take note of it next time I run a tank through around town.)

I chose the SS over the PS because I don't need the extra hit off the line (I only run drag radials on this car) and because I didn't want a converter that was much looser than my TCI 3500. I made a wise decision. This converter is exactly what I was hoping for.

Colonel

Well of course I'll Autotap it. I'm an Autotap freak! I have two laptops...one for inside the house and one that stays in my car. This one only knows two programs, Autoap and LS1Edit.

I meant that when accelerating around town I'm usually between 3000-4000. I'm a pretty aggressive driver. Around town I do usually leave it in 3rd. I usually only put it in 4th when I'm above about 50 MPH. With 3.23 gears there's just no reason to have it in 4th until then.

Ragtop 99

iTrader: (7)

Damn. When go over 3000 rpm with my YTP 4200, I pretty much pull clean away from traffic. 4000 rpm is serious performance for me. I gues my shift points and gears overcome the extra weight of my boat.

Z-Rated

Colonel, great to hear you got the converter. How do you feel it would perform with a higher shot of gas? 150 or even 200? I cant wait till I finally order mine!

onebadz

Good report Colonel, sounds like you like the verter very well.

PunkNPonys

iTrader: (2)

Nice report colonel. If you dont mine me asking what else do you have done to your transmission. Or is it stock? What would you recommend to use to beef it up. My tranny went out with 33,000 miles and i dont even have a TC.

Colonel

I think this converter will perform great with a 150-200 shot though with the 200 shot I might consider going with the E version for a little added strength and precision at those high TQ levels.

My tranny has a TCI shift kit and a tranny cooler. That's all. it has about 26,000 miles and shifts perfectly. I use F-type fluid. I have a bunch of goodies from TCI waiting on the tranny to fail me but so far they're just collecting dust.