Some of my thoughts since these two converters are my two choices..........

The Yank will feel tighter for daily driving, due to the higher STR (what is the actual STR on the PI3200?) and I would think due to the lower STR he PI3200 would pull a bit harder once the car got moving, but you hear talk about Yank's "efficiency" and all that, so I don't know. I don't mind the extra looseness if the PI3200 will make it up once it gets moving. Would PI3200/2.73 be about the same as SY3500/3.23s or would the SY/3.23 be much looser than the 3200/2.73, just curious.

Am I correct in assuming these things (the ST3500 being tighter and the PI being better from a roll)? Also, I've noticed that both seem to give about the same gains in E.T. and both have similar 60' times. I'm really leaning towards the PI3200 because there is a free stall change if the 3200 is too much or two little for me, or for future upgrades, and also because there isn't a wait on these. Plus I've heard alot of SES codes from Yank and not many from PI. Thanks for any help on this choice.

 

Ill reply on both of your posts <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">

I have the ST-3500 and 2.73's, and just wanted to give some input. First of all dont be afraid of it being too loose with 2.73's, its quite nice.. wont roll back on hills unless its steep, idles forward, etc. But most importantly, NO SES ISSUES. Maybe i was lucky, but no problems with lockup/codes here. In OD converter locks up at 45, in D 40mph. Stays locked as it should. Shift extension is beeaauuttiiful <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0"> , my rpms never drop below 4500, on the upshift.

Dont take my word on this but i believe the str on the 3200's is 2.2 So not much of a difference from the ST-3500. From a roll my experience tells me the ST3500 will prevail. Thats just from me racing ppl withthat converter and same gearing/same mods.

You probably cant go wrong either way.. but I chose to be Yanked!

Good Luck
Sean <img src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

Most of the SES lights have come from 2001s.
I have never gotten one before. I also know many others who never had. My ST3500 dropped me .7.

 

Unless you have a 2001, the SES thing is not even an issue. That would be like me bagging on Vig for thier non locking up 3600's in the 98's.

Both of the companies have some issues.... with different years.

I back in 98/99 used the vig 2800. With no probs... but many buds who used the 3200 or the 3600 would have SERIOUS free way unlocking probs.

These are PCM problems... not converter problems in my opinion.

I have many buds who use the ST3500 and the PI3200. Other than one of the pi3200 users... they all either wish they had a yank. Used to have a vig and now have a yank. Or are happy with the Yank they have.

Every now and then, somebody will have a problem. Vig's vibrating, Yanks vibrating, SES codes. Harsh lock up clutches.

That effeciancy thing? LOTS of folks went from a 3600 vig to a 4400 yank and picked up MPH. Some? a very substantial amount of MPH.

Again, personally, if I had to choose between the two.. I would go with the Yank 3500.

 

From my experience w/ the Vig and from what I've read about the Yank, I think they are both pretty much equal in performance. Both are good street/strip converters. I have never heard of a reason that would justify the extra $$ and long wait for a Yank. Just me.

 

I have a ST-3500 in my 01 Formula and I haven't had any SES lights or other problems. Only a 1.67 60 Ft on Nittos <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">

 

The ST3500 should prevail from a roll over a vig3200. Vigs aren’t as efficient as Yanks. People don’t gain nearly as much HP when locking Yanks on the dyno as they do with vigs.

I like Yank. The ST3500 would be a great choice. And as was said above, the code issue is an ’01 and up thing, I don’t know anyone with code issues in pre ‘01s with ST3500s.

 

[quote]Originally posted by josh99ta:
<strong>Some of my thoughts since these two converters are my two choices..........

The Yank will feel tighter for daily driving, due to the higher STR (what is the actual STR on the PI3200?)
</strong><hr></blockquote>

The Yank will feel tighter off the line in first, but not necessarily around town. The PI's torque multiplication drops off sooner and that can make it feel tighter once rolling.

[quote]
and I would think due to the lower STR he PI3200 would pull a bit harder once the car got moving, but you hear talk about Yank's "efficiency" and all that, so I don't know.
<hr></blockquote>

No. Lower STR does not automatically mean higher efficency. For a given design, if you raise STR you will lower efficency. The Yank is a different design and maintains efficency and higer STR. It is very good from a roll.

[quote]
I don't mind the extra looseness if the PI3200 will make it up once it gets moving. Would PI3200/2.73 be about the same as SY3500/3.23s or would the SY/3.23 be much looser than the 3200/2.73, just curious.
<hr></blockquote>

About the same, PI3200/2.73 combo may be a bit looser.

[quote]
I'm really leaning towards the PI3200 because there is a free stall change if the 3200 is too much or two little for me, or for future upgrades, and also because there isn't a wait on these.
<hr></blockquote>

Free restall is nice if your car can be down for a week or so.

Yank received a shipment of approx 50 clutches this week. They will be clearing their backlog first. From talking with Mike, I would extimate the wait for new orders to be down to about 3, maybe 4 weeks. Not that long in the grand scheme of things.

[B] [quote]
Plus I've heard alot of SES codes from Yank and not many from PI. Thanks for any help on this choice. [/QB]<hr></blockquote>

Not with the '99s. Some of the 2001s have had issues.

Good luck in your choice.

 

[quote]Originally posted by Matt98SS:
<strong>I would compare an ST3800 to a Vig3200 that is more fair.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I was just about to say that! The Vig "3200" is really a 3800. Compare those two and the ST3800 kicks the Vig's tail in every way.

 

IMPORTANT POST, NEED ADVICE ONCE AND FOR ALL GUYS

I appreciate all the input guys, and would really like to go with a Yank, but I was under the impression that codes would come, and if I do get the converter, I won't be able to afford Autotap for a while, so I will have no way of clearing any codes. I don't have a laptop so I'd have to buy one, and then I'd have to buy the Autotap software too. Even if I can't get autotap, should I still get a converter and if I ever have any problems, just get one of the guys in the car club to clear it ASAP? Thanks for any help.

 

You have a ’99. I don’t think that ANYONE has ever had code issues with a ’99. You guys agree?

Get the Yank. There is no looking back... <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">

 

I've run a PI32000, PYE3400, and ST3800. The PI3200 and ST3800 feel about the same, but the ST gives better track times and a slightly tighter feel on the street vs the PI3200.

 

Nobody can say you'll never get codes. 99s had few problems with the ST 3500.

I think the most trouble free converters have been the lower stall and larger diameter converters from Yank such as the TT3000, SY3500 & Y3000; and the PI 2800.

 

I would compare an ST3800 to a Vig3200 that is more fair.

 

I think you'll be happy with either converter. There is a member here that just tried both those converters (I won't mention his name, hopefully he'll chime in) and can give ya his input. He has a 2001 but its kinda interesting on the comparison of the two as far as driveability goes.

 

[quote]Originally posted by 99BlueZ28:
<strong>I think you'll be happy with either converter. There is a member here that just tried both those converters (I won't mention his name, hopefully he'll chime in) and can give ya his input. He has a 2001 but its kinda interesting on the comparison of the two as far as driveability goes.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Would ya mind e-mailing him this thread? <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0"> I'd love to hear his thoughts, and I'd really like to know if he has track results from each converter.

 

Ok, I'm chiming!
I have had both the ST3500 and the Vig3200 in my '01 SS.

Not much time for a detailed post right now, check the link in my sig for the basics of what I went thru:

 

OK, now I have more time. Remeber, all my thoughts are based on my experiences with the different converters in my '01 car. I don't recall anyone with a '98 or '99 that had any of the problems I went thru with the Yank.

Also, I'm really not bashing Yank (except for that "customer service" debacle), so save your hate e-mail for something else. You know who you are.

My best track results so far, from our slippery tracks here in CA:

Stock Converter & Nitto DR's:
60' - 2.06
ET - 13.21

ST3500 & BFG DR's:
60' - 1.81
ET - 12.75

Vig3200 & BFG DR's:
60' - 1.83
ET - 12.73

I don't know about the shift extension off hand, I'll keep an eye on it tomorrow at the track.

I received the Yank in 7 weeks, the Vig arrived in 4 days.

At very low (parking lot) speeds/RPM's, the two converters felt identical.

I have not had any problems with either converters lockup. The Vig seems to not like being too cool (I have a B&M 24K GVW cooler, may seem like a little too much, but my temps in the staging lane on a hot day never went over 190) and that will delay the lockup for a minute or two until the trans oil gets warmed up.

EXCEPTION TO THE ABOVE:
Neither converter seemed to like being driven in hilly terrain. BOTH converters would not want to lockup after I drove thru some hills in my area. The Vig would return to normal on its own after a few minutes/miles, but the Yank would throw the P0757 SES code and never return to normal until I ATap'd it back into submission.

Both converters idle forward and hold on a shallow upgrade. As the grade got steeper, both converters would let the car roll backward.

To me, the Vig feels tighter during daily driving.

From a roll the two feel about the same, but it is hard to tell for certain.

I hated having to do the 3-4 shift all the time to try to avoid the SES codes with the ST3500, which would occasionally pop up anyway. I have left my shifter on OD since the day I had the Vig installed and it's been just fine, no SES lights at all. Nothing.

The Yank had an annoying vibration at ~2000 thru ~2400 RPM. These RPMs just happen to be in my highway cruising MPH (70-75) and it was VERY annoying. This vibration was something that showed up after a couple of thousand miles, not right away. This MAY have been cleared up if I had rotated the converter 120 degrees, but I didn't have time to do it before I installed the Vig. When the Vig was installed - the vibration disappeared.

Did I leave anything out?

 

Thanks for chiming in TR. <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0"> Didn't want to speak for ya but I praise ya for taking the time to elaborate on your situation.

 

Yeah TR, remember I emailed you. But you have an 01 and I have a 99, so if I can get away with it, I'd like to go Yank for the tighter feel. Also, did you sell your Yank to anyone, and if so did they have problems with it? It might have just been your car, or maybe you just got a bad unit. Seems like both converters are very equal to each other in just about every catagory the way I see it. It'll probably come down to how long I'd have to wait for the Yank.