TCI SSF 3500 question
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,259
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From: Lexington, KY
TCI SSF 3500 question I just installed this converter in my car (99 Z28). My car has no motor mods other than a lid and muffler, and I have an hpp3 to firm up shifts and set shift points.
I have 2.73 gears, and planning on doing a gear swap next. For performance, this converter is great and I highly recommend it. I'm very impressed when I get on it hard. The only problem now is traction, and the tires aren't going to last very long. But for "normal" driving it's really loose. I'm sure I'll get used to that somewhat, but if I go to 3.42 or 3.73 gears, how much of an affect will this have on the overall "loose" feeling when driving around town in traffic?
Surely someone here has had a similar converter with 2.73's and done a gear swap. Any info appreciated.
I have 2.73 gears, and planning on doing a gear swap next. For performance, this converter is great and I highly recommend it. I'm very impressed when I get on it hard. The only problem now is traction, and the tires aren't going to last very long. But for "normal" driving it's really loose. I'm sure I'll get used to that somewhat, but if I go to 3.42 or 3.73 gears, how much of an affect will this have on the overall "loose" feeling when driving around town in traffic?
Surely someone here has had a similar converter with 2.73's and done a gear swap. Any info appreciated.
the gears will help alot. For you i wouldn't get 3.23 gears, it will be a waste for you and it wont really make it feal any tighter. You will want atleast 3.42 or 3.73. Though with any gear change you make, traction will be out the window unless you get a real slick but thats not good for the street.
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Lexington, KY
Thanks for the replies. I'm debating 3.42's and 3.73's, which was part of my original post 
. I wouldn't waste my time with 3.23's. I do need some stickier tires, and I'm really not worried about how long they will last. It's not my daily driver, but I do want to maintian the ability to drive it on road trips. For that I can throw on some streat tires though (all I need is 2 wheels). As it is I can't get any traction at all from a dead stop, but it sure is fun roasting the tires with the 2.37's for a block... Won't do much for track times or street races tho. I like the conveter, it made a HUGE difference in how the car drives and manages the power from the all mighty LS1.
. I wouldn't waste my time with 3.23's. I do need some stickier tires, and I'm really not worried about how long they will last. It's not my daily driver, but I do want to maintian the ability to drive it on road trips. For that I can throw on some streat tires though (all I need is 2 wheels). As it is I can't get any traction at all from a dead stop, but it sure is fun roasting the tires with the 2.37's for a block... Won't do much for track times or street races tho. I like the conveter, it made a HUGE difference in how the car drives and manages the power from the all mighty LS1. 
11 Second Club
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: The South
A good pair of drag radials should be all you need. Great for traction on the street and work perfectly fine for road trips and covering lots of miles too. I got 10,000 miles out of my last pair with a few burnouts and a couple trips to the track.
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
If you're broiling your tires now, just wait till you get gears ... IMO, 3.23's would not be a waste ... there's very little difference between 3.23's and 3.42's. 3.73's are going to run up the rpms on those road trips (2800@80mph). 3.42's are a great overall choice - I love mine.
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i went from 2.73 to 3.42's first it was ok but the seccond time arround i was sure i wanted to go 3.73+ im bout to drop a ssf3500 and as of now traction sucks with nittos ell if i was a bit more serious about all this and really was gonna do slicks go 4.11's but my 3.73's are great i would not hesitate to go 3.73 trust me i was in your exace same position 2 yrs ago and got talked into 3.42's for some reason i actually liked the 3.42to 3.73 jump more than the 2.73 to 3.42... but if you take anything from my rambling 3.73 is the way to go 100%
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From: In the big city of Houston and big state of Texas.
I have 3.42 (thats what my car came with) they feel great on the car. If I should pick different gears I would think that 3.73's will be good for the road. 4.10's will just be to much I would think?
