Converter Choice
Converter Choice Today I dropped off my 4l80E trans at Joel's transmission in South Lyon MI for a rebuild and now it's time for me to look for a good converter. I'm looking at Coan, Yank. PTC, and Revmax. I really like the lower cost of the Revmax converters. The question is are they considered to be on the same playing field as the others mentioned? This will be going in a 1982 Monte Carlo with an 403 LQ9 and F1A Procharger pushing around 12-14 psi. I'm looking for a 3400-3600 stall and this is a 90% street car. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
One more question for anyone willing to answer it. Does the advertised stall speed come from the converter while its being foot/brake stalled or how high it wil flash to?
One more question for anyone willing to answer it. Does the advertised stall speed come from the converter while its being foot/brake stalled or how high it wil flash to?
Last edited by Monte4ever; Nov 6, 2012 at 12:21 AM.
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
Surprised no one has answered yet. Sometimes it just takes one reply to get things started, so here it goes...
I would call the converter sponsors here (Yank and Revmax?) as the owners are easy to reach and often even answer the phone. I've seen numerous good mentions of PTC here; Coan is new to me but I know -nothing- about converters.
I would call the converter sponsors here (Yank and Revmax?) as the owners are easy to reach and often even answer the phone. I've seen numerous good mentions of PTC here; Coan is new to me but I know -nothing- about converters.
The biggest thing is to be sure you are comparing apples to apples.
Most of the industry upgrades to a billet cover on a lockup style converter on anything more than mild combos.
These billet covers and the parts to build a converter are often from the same suppliers no matter who actually welds the converter together.
So when you buy a converter, you want to be sure you are getting the same level of build. Does it have a billet cover? Anti-ballooning plate? Furnace brazed and/or tig welded fins (you can't see this unless you cut it apart, and some companies claim it, but often don't provide it), does it have an aluminum, steel, or hand fabbed stator?,
Then,
The companies experience has a factor in how close they will nail it for your combo.
Bread and butter combo's are pretty easy. Forced induction combos or odd setups will do odd things with the converter and an experienced company will have a better idea what to do.
We've seen some interesting things with various brands of converters when we cut them open. There are some companies we no longer use or recommend.
PTC is an excellent company, Coan is as well. There are dozens of other good converter companies.
Most of the industry upgrades to a billet cover on a lockup style converter on anything more than mild combos.
These billet covers and the parts to build a converter are often from the same suppliers no matter who actually welds the converter together.
So when you buy a converter, you want to be sure you are getting the same level of build. Does it have a billet cover? Anti-ballooning plate? Furnace brazed and/or tig welded fins (you can't see this unless you cut it apart, and some companies claim it, but often don't provide it), does it have an aluminum, steel, or hand fabbed stator?,
Then,
The companies experience has a factor in how close they will nail it for your combo.
Bread and butter combo's are pretty easy. Forced induction combos or odd setups will do odd things with the converter and an experienced company will have a better idea what to do.
We've seen some interesting things with various brands of converters when we cut them open. There are some companies we no longer use or recommend.
PTC is an excellent company, Coan is as well. There are dozens of other good converter companies.
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FTI is a sponsor here as well and we do put inside the converter what is supposed to be there as well as we have 4 world champions alone just this year in NHRA and IHRA with our products. We are racers!!!! Building Race converters!!!!
Greg
Greg
__________________
FTI COMPETITION CONVERTERS AND TRANSMISSIONS
"IT'S NOT CHEATING, IT'S THE COMPETITIVE EDGE."
1-866-726-8358
info@ftiperformance.com
FTIPerformance.com
FTI Converter build sheet
FTI COMPETITION CONVERTERS AND TRANSMISSIONS
"IT'S NOT CHEATING, IT'S THE COMPETITIVE EDGE."
1-866-726-8358
info@ftiperformance.com
FTIPerformance.com
FTI Converter build sheet
Thanks for the input guys. I won't be needing a converter for at least 3-4 months because Joel's transmission (formerly Joel's on Joy) is very busy, so I have plenty of time to make a solid decision. I want to put both the trans and the converter in one time only.
i had almost the same engine build as you do, i had Greg @ FTI build one for my 4L80E (i built the trans myself) it was a great converter, i ran a bunch of 9 sec passes, but it was 99% street car, drove like a dream
i belive they are having a sale soon, dont skimp on a converter
im sure there are some good builders out there, but i liked the fact i could talk straight to Greg about my needs
i belive they are having a sale soon, dont skimp on a converter
im sure there are some good builders out there, but i liked the fact i could talk straight to Greg about my needs
Monte, these converters will live great behind 900 or less without a transbrake. If you are going to run a brake then you would need a different sprague.
Greg
Greg
__________________
FTI COMPETITION CONVERTERS AND TRANSMISSIONS
"IT'S NOT CHEATING, IT'S THE COMPETITIVE EDGE."
1-866-726-8358
info@ftiperformance.com
FTIPerformance.com
FTI Converter build sheet
FTI COMPETITION CONVERTERS AND TRANSMISSIONS
"IT'S NOT CHEATING, IT'S THE COMPETITIVE EDGE."
1-866-726-8358
info@ftiperformance.com
FTIPerformance.com
FTI Converter build sheet
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 308
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From: Cumming GA
We are also building a bullet converter with a one-year unlimited mile warranty. Just be sure to give us your full application. About 30% cheaper than the competition.
Thank You,
"Mad Dog" Lou
Mad Dog Transmissions
Phone 770-781-0949
Fax 770-781-0969
Web: www.maddogtransmissions.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/maddogtransmissions
Twitter: www.twitter.com/maddoglou
YouTube: www.youtube.com/maddogtransmissions
Thank You,
"Mad Dog" Lou
Mad Dog Transmissions
Phone 770-781-0949
Fax 770-781-0969
Web: www.maddogtransmissions.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/maddogtransmissions
Twitter: www.twitter.com/maddoglou
YouTube: www.youtube.com/maddogtransmissions
We are also building a bullet converter with a one-year unlimited mile warranty. Just be sure to give us your full application. About 30% cheaper than the competition.
Thank You,
"Mad Dog" Lou
Mad Dog Transmissions
Phone 770-781-0949
Fax 770-781-0969
Web: www.maddogtransmissions.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/maddogtransmissions
Twitter: www.twitter.com/maddoglou
YouTube: www.youtube.com/maddogtransmissions
Thank You,
"Mad Dog" Lou
Mad Dog Transmissions
Phone 770-781-0949
Fax 770-781-0969
Web: www.maddogtransmissions.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/maddogtransmissions
Twitter: www.twitter.com/maddoglou
YouTube: www.youtube.com/maddogtransmissions
Is this 900 RWHP? If so, I want to order one during your black Friday sale. Also, I am not running a transbrake.
[/IMG] I decided to run with FTI and ordered one of their SPM 10.5" billet converters. I won't be putting it to the test until next spring so I hope its worth the wait. Thanks to everyone who responded.