To fuddle or not to fuddle
10-06-2009, 08:11 PM
#1
To fuddle or not to fuddle looking at a used (low Mile) 3k Fuddle stall for a good price, 11" 3000 rpm. Anyone suggest not getting it, I have read all of the negatives but I know there has to be SOME good. LOL, I am just trying to talk myself out of buying it I guess
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10-08-2009, 07:27 AM
#8
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Running a used converter is indeed a big gamble that could potentially cost you a transmission. Personally I have read too many bad things on here about Fuddle to even consider running brand new one if I were in the market. Circle D has some of the BEST customer service in the bussiness and the performance speaks for itself. I have run multiple converters over the years from other sponsers here that worked well. To date nothing has matched the performance or the customer service provided by Circle D.
10-08-2009, 07:43 AM
#9
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ditched my fuddle in favor of a yank ss3600 and never looked back. Save for a little while longer and get the yank new, not used. Never know if that converter was involved in a tranny failure that sent junk into the converter that will eventually will cause it to fail. Don't buy it especially if they told you it has been "flushed". I think Fuddle is now defunct. Customer service was absolutely horrible!!!!!
Don't do it man!!!!!
Don't do it man!!!!!
10-08-2009, 11:04 AM
#11
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I would not go used. My Fuddle (HP/Street, not the
low-end model) has been fine and it's the setup I
was looking for (not duplicated / available elsewhere).
But running a used one, I'd have to know the car and
the guy who pulled / installed real well, have a look
at what was in the pan, etc.
Personally I'd wait on the dough to do one you really
believe is the specs you want.
3000 is not too tight for a daily, low mods, conservative
driver. Track, slicks, yeah, go bigger. My spec'ing was
aimed at keeping the low-cruise feel of the previous
3000, but get multiplication across a wider band than
the 2.5 original STR was giving (launch hard and roll
off too soon). Pretty much hit that mark. Still spinning
well into second even with the lower (2.0) STR and 3.42s.
Spend some more time at figuring out what's going to
make you happy, the way -you- plan to drive and the
motor as it'll be over the next couple of years, unless
you want to make a habit of converter swaps. I don't,
which is also why I went for up-rated TCC and so on.
Converters didn't use to be a frequent replacement
item and I want to keep it that way. But that wants
planning (including motor mod timeline) and care in
the particulars, especially abuse / wear tolerance. A
"race" converter may, or may not, be entirely lined
up with that (especially as you go below 10", forget
any great capacity in the lockup clutch unless you
go multi-disc and maybe assisted (aka "posi lockup")).
Whether you plan to lock under WOT is something
you also need to get your mind right about, and go
over details with the builder. Which in Fuddle's case,
was kind of a secondhand deal that I worked through
and came out OK, after a review of asked, proposed,
revised "values". But guys who took a blind swing,
got what they got, there. Like forgetting to hammer
on the efficiency point (I kept after them on that and
feel I got a reasonable result) could give you a build
that meets the two main numbers, but was sloppy /
lossy. That's the downside of getting what you spec -
you have to be clear, thorough and more than a bit
lucky.
All of which is a total crap-shoot buying used, and
unwarrantied to boot.
low-end model) has been fine and it's the setup I
was looking for (not duplicated / available elsewhere).
But running a used one, I'd have to know the car and
the guy who pulled / installed real well, have a look
at what was in the pan, etc.
Personally I'd wait on the dough to do one you really
believe is the specs you want.
3000 is not too tight for a daily, low mods, conservative
driver. Track, slicks, yeah, go bigger. My spec'ing was
aimed at keeping the low-cruise feel of the previous
3000, but get multiplication across a wider band than
the 2.5 original STR was giving (launch hard and roll
off too soon). Pretty much hit that mark. Still spinning
well into second even with the lower (2.0) STR and 3.42s.
Spend some more time at figuring out what's going to
make you happy, the way -you- plan to drive and the
motor as it'll be over the next couple of years, unless
you want to make a habit of converter swaps. I don't,
which is also why I went for up-rated TCC and so on.
Converters didn't use to be a frequent replacement
item and I want to keep it that way. But that wants
planning (including motor mod timeline) and care in
the particulars, especially abuse / wear tolerance. A
"race" converter may, or may not, be entirely lined
up with that (especially as you go below 10", forget
any great capacity in the lockup clutch unless you
go multi-disc and maybe assisted (aka "posi lockup")).
Whether you plan to lock under WOT is something
you also need to get your mind right about, and go
over details with the builder. Which in Fuddle's case,
was kind of a secondhand deal that I worked through
and came out OK, after a review of asked, proposed,
revised "values". But guys who took a blind swing,
got what they got, there. Like forgetting to hammer
on the efficiency point (I kept after them on that and
feel I got a reasonable result) could give you a build
that meets the two main numbers, but was sloppy /
lossy. That's the downside of getting what you spec -
you have to be clear, thorough and more than a bit
lucky.
All of which is a total crap-shoot buying used, and
unwarrantied to boot.
10-08-2009, 11:08 AM
#12
Thanks everyone, I knew better to buy it but really wanting a converter for the car. Either way I am going to wait until I can get a new one, and one thing to add is I have never bought anything from circle d but they do seem to help anytime I have a question. They will be at the top of the list when it's Time to go shopping!
10-11-2009, 07:54 AM
#13
Thanks everyone, I knew better to buy it but really wanting a converter for the car. Either way I am going to wait until I can get a new one, and one thing to add is I have never bought anything from circle d but they do seem to help anytime I have a question. They will be at the top of the list when it's Time to go shopping!
10-11-2009, 09:23 AM
#15
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I probably wouldn't go with a used one, much less a used fuddle. I had a fuddle it went out in my tranny. Metal all through the transmission. So I would not get one. I have a PI Vig now.
