drivability with a converter
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
In stop and go traffic, there will be slippage up and down the rpm range, kinda like a manual trans car with a bad clutch. The higher the stall and the higher the rear end gears, the worse it will be. On the highway it will be like stock because it will lock up.
My 4200TCI and 4.10s are just fine. The only thing I hate is going 80mph+ on the highway. RPMs get up high, but that's because of the gears not the verter. It doesn't feel loose to me now that I got used to it. Initially it was really weird.
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I originally had a vig3200 very good converter then had some tranny problems and something went through the converter and it was way out of wack sent it back and decided to go to a smaller converter so I chose the 2800. This is alot better all around converter than the 3200. Plus they restalled and fixed it for free, great customer service!
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TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 315
Likes: 2
I have a SS3600 and 3.73 gears. The car feels weaker down low due to the sliuppage, but after lockup you could never tell the difference. punch it though and it raps up so fast you bump the rev limiter if you are not careful!
well, your driveability will, IMO, on your coverters str. The higher that number, teh tighter your converter will be; much like your stock converter. The lower the str, the looser....
basically, if your str is lower you'll have to give more gas to get it going which would kinda suck with MPG, for example.
im still getting used to my converter (ss3600) so im sure there is some else that might help...
good luck!!
basically, if your str is lower you'll have to give more gas to get it going which would kinda suck with MPG, for example.
im still getting used to my converter (ss3600) so im sure there is some else that might help...
good luck!!
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
Believe it or not your exhaust has an affect on looseness also. The louder the exhaust, the more loose it seems because the higher RPM's are more noticable until lockup. Lower gears will make a converter tighter though.
I have a 3500 with 3.23's and it's loose but not bothersome. I just make sure to ease off from the lights if a cop is beside me because my car is pretty loud and the higher RPM's definitely draws more attention I think. It's really no big deal. Basically the only thing you'll really notice is that your RPM's are higher than they used to be.
TECH Regular
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: Mission Tx
thanx for the replies i think i have an idea of what it might act like now... i'm in wash state and my car is in tex i won't be back south till nov. so i was just trying to figure out more or less how it might affect my driveability i kept thinking i should have gone with a 3200 but by what i've heard i guess i'll be alright cuz of my lower gears thanx again guys 
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: el taco, tx
Originally Posted by 4mula
most people who dont know about converters have no clue i have one.
serveral people have driven my car and like the converter i have.
its a tci streetfighter 3000
serveral people have driven my car and like the converter i have.
its a tci streetfighter 3000
i was recommended this exact TC by a shop (American Racing Tech) which i plan on doing my cam swap with later. i didn't really ask questions regarding the TC but will this affect my driveability and tranny life??
my car is more street than strip however considering the mods i am planning (cam only swap) this car will be seeing some strip as well. the near future might even call for this to be my daily driver again.
i do plan on adding a tranny cooler which has been recommended many times on this site.
i'm not too familiar so i'm not going to act like i know but my car is a A4, will i have to delete the torque management after the TC install?? i plan on doing the tune however i want to hold off on that till after the cam is in.
how much did your TC install run you??
anyhow, i appreciate any and all info you may have, thanks in advance!!
Originally Posted by Dom
My 4200TCI and 4.10s are just fine. The only thing I hate is going 80mph+ on the highway. RPMs get up high, but that's because of the gears not the verter. It doesn't feel loose to me now that I got used to it. Initially it was really weird.
Lynda
