TransAm_VS_VR-4

I got a basic bolt on car, daily driver. Not gonna lie and say I'm planning on H/C/I or turbos soon. I'm looking for a good "bang for the buck" combo on a car that dynoed 339rwhp and 351 ft-lbs. I beat my car on the highway and sometimes do some spirited driving around town.

I'd be lying if I said I had plans to go to the track. I might do more bolt ons, but probably won't see 400rwhp until I get a house with a garage (12+ months from now).

My current 4L60E has 121k miles, factory original, and doesn't shift from 2-3 at WOT.

I have considered building my own trans and have an extra one, but think the best route is finding a builder. I don't want to buy the tools and a kit and mess anything up. I need to bolt in and go! Any suggestions as to builders and stalls? Everyone seems to like the Yank SS3600, which I would love, but it seems too much for a DD car. I've gone 6 years on stock, so a slight improvement would be great, nothing too extreme.

I know where the "search" button is, I'm looking for honest answers for an honest post. I see too many posts like "when I get the money I'll do an engine swap and supercharge it, so I need a 700hp capable trans now"

I'm looking for a Stage 2 or 3, money isn't the limiting factor, so if it's an extra $100-200 to bump a stage, I'm open to suggestions.

With stall, better than stock is better than stock. I do not want anything that's going to hinder my daily driving. I've heard that you plan your stall with your cam, so I guess I'd be on a stock or mild cam even in the future. If I come to a point where I need to support 600+ HP, I'm sure I'll have a limitless budget!

Thanks in advance, sorry this post was so long!

JRENIGAR

iTrader: (37)

Id say a nice 3200 stall from one of the sponsors would fit your driving needs and be bearable around town. Im dding the ss3600 in my sig but Its my 1st stalled car so I dont have anything to compare it to other than stock. Its fun to drive and definitely gets noticed around town. With 3.73's It would probably be perfect for a dd.

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

FLT, RPM, and Performabuilt all do a lot of the 4L60 series transmissions, as do others like Jake's and North Texas Converters, but they tend to specialize in the 4L80. Check out their websites for the various stages they offer. Also, there's a nice thread below from mrvedit on his visit to the FLT shop. Impressive.

For your application, I'd run the $400 11" 3000 stall that Circle D sells. Good price, will feel close to stock when daily driving, but will wake the car up at WOT.

mrvedit

Ditto to what RevGTO said. With your 3.23 rear I would also suggest a 2800-3000 stall.
Even with a stall of that size, an additional trans cooler should be considered a necessity.
Here is the thread on my visit to FLT:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...sions-flt.html

TransAm_VS_VR-4

Thanks for all the replies. After reading them and looking at the FLT visit, I'm planning on an FLT 4L60E.

For stall RPM, I think 2800ish will be fine. As for stall manufacturer, I'm not dead set on one yet.

Circle-D_Brian

The 278mm is a great choice for what you're trying to accomplish. I would suggest the 3000 stall version as you get the added performance for the same cost. Drivability difference between the 2600 and 3000 versions are negligible. Just putting this into the atmosphere; we are doing a free shipping special for October.

-Brian

ejbta2

I would do a 3500-3600. My son has ss3600 in his 99 stock conv. dd he loves it.

mrvedit

I have a SS3600 and did not find it pleasant in city driving with a 3.42 rear. Just changed to a 3.73 rear and it is now much better.
With a 3.23 rear and mostly DD, go with Brian's suggestion.
I have only read praise for Circle-D, never a complaint.

poltergeist 02

iTrader: (65)

It's hard to give advise on converter size for a dd application since everyone has a different level of tolerance for converter slip. With that said, I have had nothing but good experiences with Circle D. I really suggest talking to Chris over there and tell him what you are looking to get out of your car. Personally I would go no less than 3000 if you are going to even buy a converter and no more than a 3400 if you plan on it being a dd. I use to have a 4C 3600, even though it grew on me, I think it would have been too much for a dd.

Kingc8r

iTrader: (21)

I also agree with talking to Chris I'm glad I did.

If you're going to have 3.73s+ I wouldn't hesitate with a 3600+ stall. I DD my old SS3600 and 3.73s and it was very livable.

Chris25

iTrader: (1)

Circle d is definitely the way to go love my 3200 stall.

HomeSchool

If its your daily driver 3200 stall might be a little high for your taste. Dropping a stall that high also necessitates a tranny cooler. I think you might find your satisfied with a 2800 stall. Another thing, a high stall like that will up your gas consumption because your rpm will ride higher. HOWEVER if you want a definite change in the seat of your pants feel for power and torque, GET ONE. the amount of pull you'll feel from a 3200 is generous to say the least. at the end of the day its up too you and what you want from the vehicle.

RedFirehawk

iTrader: (5)

I have the 3,000 stall Circle D 278 mm Converter in my car and it works great! For what you are planning to do with your car, I would recommend one. I did put a trans cooler on just to be safe.

Kingc8r

iTrader: (21)

I'd try to drive a couple stalled auto LS cars that way you can see what you like. As I said I had a 3600 that is DD and I wanted to go bigger it all comes down to what matters more, performance, mpg or sacrifice a little of both to meet in the middle. I'd say a 3,000-3200 at the absolute minimum.