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Budget TC Recomendation

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Old Oct 20, 2012 | 12:33 PM
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Default Budget TC Recomendation

Can anyone suggest a decent 2800ish Torque Converter for a 4l60e under or around $400. I have no plans on racing the car, so I don't feel like I need some bad *** TC. I just want something very street friendly but will help get a little more out of my upgrades.

I have been searching all over, made a few calls and everyone recommends a $800-$900 unit. Then I get on ebay and find "refurbished" ones for $260.

For every brand I find conflicting reviews. Currently I am considering these:
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Old Oct 20, 2012 | 12:36 PM
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Revmax
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Old Oct 20, 2012 | 01:10 PM
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FTI and many other site sponsors have some pretty good budget friendly converters. Take a look at all of them >>>>>

I have a revmax 4k 9.5" deal in my car and so far its been great. No track times or anything yet but for a budget deal its pretty good.
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Old Oct 20, 2012 | 01:13 PM
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FTI has a great "economy" and "street brawler" series of Converter, for cars under 450 hp.
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Old Oct 20, 2012 | 02:14 PM
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I saw those- But I also contacted FTI and he recomended I use thier higher model. My engine should be somehwere between 450-500 HP.

And it looks liek they no longer offer a 2600- only the 2400 and 3000 show up on Jegs. You think I'll be ok with those?

Last edited by jmespe1; Oct 20, 2012 at 02:26 PM.
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Old Oct 20, 2012 | 03:09 PM
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I was going to run a 4000 on my bolt-on car. I think a 3200-3600 is fine for even a stock car/bolt-on. He recommended the higher end model because of your power. Just watch for a used model here. I just sold my top of the line FTI for $450 shipped.
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Old Oct 20, 2012 | 04:17 PM
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unless theres something with good quality for that price i havent heard about i recommend against getting a lower end or brand TC.
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Old Oct 20, 2012 | 08:46 PM
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PTC hands down
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Old Oct 21, 2012 | 06:58 AM
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If this is a LS series motor, then go with a 278MM 11" HP 4L60E LS Style Torque Converter from Circle D. They go for apx. $400.00.
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Old Oct 21, 2012 | 02:45 PM
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Like PBA recommended, our 278mm might be a good choice. Can you send me an Ask Chris with your specs and I will let you know what I think...

Chris
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 09:15 AM
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Looks good to me. I had only ever seen the higher end circle D converters on here and figured they were over my budget. Lol I will send a spec sheet when I get on a computer (iPads aren't great for online forms) lol

Also I found a used vigilante 2600 for $300ish. Seller claims the engine had a bad bearing, used converters worth anything?
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 04:43 PM
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+1 for PTC. Great group of guys, they will hook you up. I say go for atleast a 3000 stall, you wont notice much difference in drivability from a lower stall, and you will get more performance when you put your foot down.
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 04:55 PM
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that Circle-D 278mm 11" is,per the website,available 2600-3200. Go with the 3000-3200 option of it. Anything below 3000,if you're typical of the f-bod LS gang,will be too disappointing. After putting that one in and getting some 'seat time' with it,you'll be wanting to go with the 3600-4000 range.

what rear gear are you currently running ? Is a rear gear ratio change in your long term plans ?
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 08:20 PM
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i say get the 5c and dont look back circle D gets my vote!
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 08:23 AM
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 06:25 PM
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PTC hands down also. Just swapped my circle-d 3200 out for a ptc 4000.... and damn. Can't beat it for the price
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Old Nov 1, 2012 | 08:03 PM
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Well I jumped on a "good deal" and bought a vigilante 2600 for $240. But it turns out "perfect condition" to the seller meant being filled with strawberry milkshake (coolant) so now I get to hope PayPal comes through and can get my money back so I can give it to PTC or Circle D. Lesson learned
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Old Nov 1, 2012 | 09:21 PM
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Ptc, period. 525$ shipped and it includes a trans cooler.

3200 or don't bother..
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Old Nov 1, 2012 | 10:20 PM
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Well the seller of the vigilante says that he cleaned it out in a parts washer because they wouldn't ship it unless all the fluid was out and that the pink fluid was likely what was left. Would parts cleaner solvent be harmful to the converter or can I possibly just rinse it 3-4 times with ATF?

I was really hoping to use this since it was 1/2 the cost of a new converter. Already over budget.
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Old Nov 1, 2012 | 11:25 PM
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I would have went budget elsewhere... the converter makes or breaks a stalled auto.
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