2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

I bought a ST3500 and had it in a 98Z for about a year. I had the chatter problem when locked up under light acceleration like many people have had with this converter. I removed it when I sold the Z and sent it back to Yank to have checked out and had it upgraded to a ST3800. I reinstalled it in a 99 SS and now it will only lock up at speeds between 40 and 50 mph. The chatter is still there under light acceleration and will unlock very easily if I give it the slightest throttle after the chatter starts. If I accererate to speeds over 50 mph without getting it locked up, it won't lock up at all. Of course, Mike said he found nothing wrong with it when he had it back for the upgrade.
I have a ST3500 that I bought used in a 00 SS that is perfect. No problems at all. Locks up perfect and does not chatter at all. The 98Z I had the converter in first was stock heads/cam/exhaust and the 99 SS I reinstalled it in is a heads/cam/headers car. Would this effect the lockup on the converter that much. The car feels really sluggish when shifting also, but I think I'm feeling the Torque Management more with the higher TQ/HP that the 99 has.

I'm going to pull the ST3800 and use it for a boat anchor. I'm buying a used PYE3600 that the seller says has given him no problems at all. My question is, how is this converter going to feel and perform compared to the ST3500 and ST3800. I know it's built for power adder cars, and I don't spray, I'm just tired of the ST converters and want to try something different.

gwj

Wow, sounds like you've had some problems. My ST3500 / 2.73 normally locks in OD around 50 mph at light throttle, then stays locked down to around 45 mph. Around town I usually just drive in 3rd. Never experienced any chatter that I'm aware of.

Ragtop 99

iTrader: (7)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 2xLS1:
<strong>
...I reinstalled it in a 99 SS and now it will only lock up at speeds between 40 and 50 mph. The chatter is still there under light acceleration and will unlock very easily if I give it the slightest throttle after the chatter starts. If I accererate to speeds over 50 mph without getting it locked up, it won't lock up at all...the 99 SS I reinstalled it in is a heads/cam/headers car. Would this effect the lockup on the converter that much...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I assume your fluid level is fine and you have kept your tranny temps under control, so this really sounds like a tuning issue. If you have not properly fixed your misfire detection test and codes with LS1 Edit, that is probably why lock-up is sporadic. There are plenty of topics on fixing this in the Computer forum.

The chatter could be a line pressure issue or the converter clutch has glazed. If your cruise LTRIMs are positive, get them negative. If you have a ported MAF, go back to stock if you have not corrected the MAF table using Edit. The more miles you put on a chattering clutch, the less chance you can solve the problem w/o having to resurface the clutch.


A PYE 3600 will lock-up easier and be more tolarant of low line pressure than a ST 3XXX because it is a larger diameter converter.

Good luck in getting this solved. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

PonchoFan

I'm another poor bastard with a chattering Super Thruster. It only happened twice before I returned to stock ends, added a B&M Shift+, done a PCM reset, and added 5 oz. of Lube Gard Friction Modifier and, although it is less severe, still occurrs. Now it fights engagement when under light load on a hill in OD. It's, quite frankly, a royal PITA because you can't tell when it's going to happen again and end up driving in 3 to avoid it. I've got an e-mail into Mike now about upgrading it but, after reading this, have serious doubts about pissing another grand down a rathole.

<small>[ July 16, 2002, 08:14 PM: Message edited by: PonchoFan ]</small>

Tim98TA

iTrader: (7)

Does the tranny also seem to slip bad when under WOT? In other words, does it feel like the tranny is slipping bad? Does the fluid smell burnt?

Tim

PonchoFan

No slippage/chatter under WOT. Pulls hard right through the 1-2/2-3 shift. Fluid color is fine; no evidence of burning. Converter only has 2k on it and the car has never been raced. In fact has never been floored from a dead stop until 2 weeks ago.
Supposedly, the clutch has been redesigned since I bought mine and the chatter has been attributed to running ported MAF ends which may lower the line pressure. However, a casual glance at signatures reveals a shitload of ported MAFs and converters out there and most don't have Edit. I posted on LS1.com if anybody else had chatter problems and nobody replied....
So I'm either getting this thing fixed or switching converter brands based on Yank's response.

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

I put 12K miles on the 98Z with the chattering ST3500. When I sent it in for the upgrade to a ST3800, Mike called me and said everything looked fine inside the converter. No glazing or burning of the lock up clutch. The Z had stock MAF ends. In fact, it only had a lid, FTRA, 3.73's , stock exhaust w/ cats, a Dual Dua,l and some suspension mods. The converter performed great at WOT. The car went 12.41. It started chattering when locked the day it was installed. I have installed all of my converters ,and several others for friends. I always use a new O-ring on the input shaft, install a new filter, and only use GM Dextron III. I have coresponded with 8-10 people over the last year with the same problem with their ST3500's. Most ended up removing them and going with another brand. When I bought the used one for my 00 SS, the seller assured me that he had no problems with it when it was in his car. Like I said, it is trouble free in my 00 SS. The ST3800 has been in my 99 for about 200 miles so far, and it also has stock MAF ends. You shouldn't have to have custom tuning to make a converter work. One person I talked to sent his ECM to Ed Wright 3 times to get the line pressure raised each time and it never did solve his problem. In the Z, the only problem was the chattering. It would always lock up at any speed over 40. If it would unlock when giving it throttle, it would always return to lock up after easing back on the throttle. Since the upgrade, it won't lock up at all over 50 mph, and will fight to lock up between 40 and 50 mph. I called Yank one week ago to talk to Mike about this and was told he was in Las Vegas. The lady took my number and assured me Mike would call me back. So far, I have not heard from him. Anyone want to buy a ST3800 with 200 miles on it since being upgraded and checked out by Yank??? Maybe it will work OK in another car. I'm through messing with it.

Superman

Sounds like a bum converter plain and simple.. Sorry to hear about your problems, I can understand your flustrations. I `d ask for your $$ back, but I doubt you`ll see a pennie.

Ragtop 99

iTrader: (7)

2X:

Mike is due back in the office today.

No lock-up over 50 mph could be a misfire issue. I've seen Yank & vig converters have unlocking problems on cam cars.

FWIW, When I had a bad cylinder, one of the side effects was misfires at highway speed. My converter would unlock and stay unlocked for several miles before locking up. to get it to relock, I frequently had to play with throttle input to get it to catch.

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

When I had the initial problem with the 98Z, I talked to Mike and of course he blamed my transmission. I'm sure that's the same answer I'll get now, even though it's in a different car. Maybe there is nothing physically or mechanically wrong with these ST converters that are having these problems. But that doesn't mean there isn't a problem with the design or the engineering of them. Maybe they are not engineered to work with the line pressure that these transmissions have, or it is marginal, explaining why some work and some don't. There are too many people that have problems with them. Now the problem is MAF ends, or misfires. If I was getting enough misfires to keep a converter from locking, I would think I would get a SES light. I'm not. I'm almost tempted to take the working converter out of my 00 and put it in the 99. That would be a lot of work, but would prove if it's the converter or tranny. But, I've bought a used PYE3600 and that's what I'll try. And Ragtop, If I sell this converter, will Yank stand behind it if it gives the new owner problems??? (since the problem is my car, not the converter)

Kristi

All I can say is GOOD LUCK. You can probably search this forum and find the thread about my saga with Mike and Yank converters after getting lockup chatter in my ST3500. I received about 20 e-mails from other faulty ST3500 owners who were either fed up with trying to find help/advice on the message boards or scared to even try because of Yank's "buddies" who will insult you, question your integrity (not to mention your intelligence), or in some other way blame you for the fact that your converter is a piece of crap and the so-called warranty on it is NULL AND VOID so long as Mike comes up with 1 of 1000 excuses as to why YOU caused HIS converter to go bad. He even tried to tell me my cat-back exhaust caused the problem <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> He was SO KIND to inform me that I could send it back on my own dime and he would "check it out" to see if he "could" repair it under warranty... I don't think so. We ended up having a friend of ours cut it open. The converter clutch lining had come completely apart. I ended up having to rebuild my transmission (new pump and all) due to the damage caused by the clutch material.
Anyway, I ended up going with a TCI 3500 converter and have had ZERO problems out of it. It hits a little softer than the Yank did (when it worked) but at $200 cheaper than Yank and a warranty they'll actually stand behind, I'm OK with that.

What's funny is that all of a sudden Yank is boasting an all new converter clutch lining of carbon fiber... well let's see... if nothing was wrong with the converter clutches they WERE using and all the problems are the customers' faults, why on earth would they NEED to use a different (more expensive to them) clutch lining?? <img border="0" alt="[angel]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_angel.gif" />

<small>[ July 17, 2002, 02:12 PM: Message edited by: Kristi ]</small>

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

As for resetting the computer, the battery was out of the car for 5 days while I did the heads, cam, headers, and converter install durring the 4th of July week. That should have reset the computer. They are Lingenfelter S2 heads and a pretty mild Comp Cam 216/220 525/532 114 and Hooker Long Tubes. The lockup problem was immediate. It has occasionally locked up over 50 mph in the 200 miles I have put on the car since installing it, but only if I got it to lock before reaching that speed. When it unlocked while going over 50, I could never get it to relock. With the cruise control engaged, the slight amount of throttle to maintain speed would cause the chatter, then it would unlock, and not relock.

Yank's web site states that the warranty is transferable if the converter is sent to them for check-out. Well I did send it to them, along with $125 for the upgrade and shipping. Like I said, I have only put 200 miles on it. I paid $750 shipped for the ST3500, so I have $875 invested in this converter. Pretty expensive boat anchor, if you ask me. I don't think my conscience would allow me to sell it to anyone. I think Yank should buy it back. I wouldn't expect to receive a full refund, but I feel a partial refund would be in order.

My PYE3600 is on it's way from a seller who says it was trouble free in his car.

Scott

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Kristi:
<strong>All I can say is GOOD LUCK. You can probably search thos forum and find the thread about my saga with Mike and Yank converters after getting lockup chatter in my ST3500. I received about 20 e-mails from other faulty ST3500 owners who were either fed up with trying to find help on the message boards or scared to even try because of Yank's "buddies" who will insult you, question your integrity (not to mention your intelligence), or in some other way blame you for the fact that your converter is a piece of crap and the so-called warranty on it is NULL AND VOID so long as Mike comes up with 1 of 1000 excuses as to why YOU caused HIS converter to go bad. He even tried to tell me my cat-back exhaust caused the problem <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> He was SO KIND to inform me that I could send it back on my own dime and he would "check it out" to see if he "could" repair it under warranty... I don't think so. We ended up having a friend of ours cut it open. The converter clutch lining had come completely apart. I ended up having to rebuild my transmission (new pump and all) due to the damage caused by the clutch material.
Anyway, I ended up going with a TCI 3500 converter and have had ZERO problems out of it. It hits a little softer than the Yank did (when it worked) but at $200 cheaper than Yank and a warranty they'll actually stand behind, I'm OK with that.

What's funny is that all of a sudden Yank is boasting an all new converter clutch lining of carbon fiber... well let's see... if nothing was wrong with the converter clutches they WERE using and all the problems are the customers' faults, why on earth would they NEED to use a different (more expensive to them) clutch lining?? <img border="0" alt="[angel]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_angel.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Interesting reading.... personally I have not been impressed with the customer service from Yank and I see I'm not alone.

PonchoFan

I'll fill you in on the response from Yank if it ever comes. Thank you guys for the input. It sure looks like a different converter brand is in my future unless Yank stands behind their product.

SOMZ28

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Kristi:
<strong>All I can say is GOOD LUCK. You can probably search this forum and find the thread about my saga with Mike and Yank converters after getting lockup chatter in my ST3500. I received about 20 e-mails from other faulty ST3500 owners who were either fed up with trying to find help/advice on the message boards or scared to even try because of Yank's "buddies" who will insult you, question your integrity (not to mention your intelligence), or in some other way blame you for the fact that your converter is a piece of crap and the so-called warranty on it is NULL AND VOID so long as Mike comes up with 1 of 1000 excuses as to why YOU caused HIS converter to go bad. He even tried to tell me my cat-back exhaust caused the problem <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> He was SO KIND to inform me that I could send it back on my own dime and he would "check it out" to see if he "could" repair it under warranty... I don't think so. We ended up having a friend of ours cut it open. The converter clutch lining had come completely apart. I ended up having to rebuild my transmission (new pump and all) due to the damage caused by the clutch material.
Anyway, I ended up going with a TCI 3500 converter and have had ZERO problems out of it. It hits a little softer than the Yank did (when it worked) but at $200 cheaper than Yank and a warranty they'll actually stand behind, I'm OK with that.

What's funny is that all of a sudden Yank is boasting an all new converter clutch lining of carbon fiber... well let's see... if nothing was wrong with the converter clutches they WERE using and all the problems are the customers' faults, why on earth would they NEED to use a different (more expensive to them) clutch lining?? <img border="0" alt="[angel]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_angel.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Damn..........my ST3500 just blew up on me yesterday. Driving along at 55 and wahmo. Dead converter out of no where. Car has only been to the strip once since I put the converter in. Anyway, just heard from my tranny guy and it looks like I will be rebuilding my tranny from the pump back too. By the looks of ya'lls posts, getting Yank to fix the verter may be easier said than done. Oh well, I will find out when I call Yank tomorrow.

Evo98z

Man that sucks i was planning to get a ST3500, but now i might wanna look at a different brand. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

cobrakillerta

iTrader: (4)

Fuuuuuuuug that!
My car is a daily-driver...guess i'll be going w/ a VIG3200

<img border="0" alt="[Firebird]" title="" src="graemlins/formula.gif" />

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

I can't say enough good things about the WOT performance of the Yanks. And I believe they are way more efficient on the top end than the PI's. It's just so disapointing that the lock up problems can't be solved by Mike with all his experience. You'll notice, I'm sticking with Yank, just not the ST series.

MYBLKSS

iTrader: (1)

Hey guys, just wondering when you purchased your convertors. I just bought an st3500 around the end of may before i heard about all these problems. I will be installing it in the next week, but i am now kind of worried. I was ensured by yank that all past problems were fixed with this convertor when i bought. I was hoping that you guys could let me know when you purchased your convertors to give me some kind of confidence in my convertor before I install it. I really don't feel like blowing my tranny.

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

My problem ST3500 was built in Jan. or Feb. of 01. It was upgraded to a ST3800 in Dec. 01. (it sat in the box until I installed it last week) The ST 3500 that is trouble free was bought used in Nov. 01 so I don't know when it was built.