Torque Converter education
 

(copy and pasted)

Hi folks...

I am constantly running into people that are buying cheap shit "JUNK" converters and end up disappointed in the long run. I was hoping I could provide a little bit of information so that people could be a little more educated when they buy a converter. Here goes...

Picture #1. This is a STOCK GM 4 cylinder converter out of a Chevy Cavalier.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC01328.jpg




Picture #2. I have gone through the trouble of cutting it open so you can see inside. On the left you see the front cover. It is the cover that actually bolts up to the motor. It has a smooth surface on the inside for the lockup clutch to ride on. If you notice, the lockup clutch is actually rather small. It is about 3/4' wide with a small overall diameter.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC01329.jpg




Picture #3. This is a picture of a TCI cheap converter. This is the type of converter people keep using because of their low price, yet later end up paying quite a bit more because the converter takes a dump and takes out the transmission. That was the case with this particular converter.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC01330.jpg



Picture #4. From this angle you can get a better look. The converter is actually a stock GM converter with an ADAPTER RING welded on the front. This ring is so that a 4 cylinder converter is able to bolt up to an 8 cylinder engine. They also replace the pilot and the hub to match the needs op the 8 cylinder engine. This adapter ring is the very first indication that you have bought a junk converter.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC01331.jpg


Picture #5. I went ahead and cut this converter open as well. As you can see, it WAS the same lockup clutch that you find on the GM stock 4 cylinder converter. This lockup clutch works great in a 120hp Cavalier or Pontiac Sunbird that weighs 2500lbs. It just doesn't hold up well in 400+ horsepower GTO's, Corvettes, and F-bodies that weigh considerably more. Notice how the lockup clutch is destroyed. It has also wiped out the surface on the front cover where the lockup clutch applies. Guess where the lockup clutch is? You guessed it... In the transmission, clogging up the filter and causing transmission failure. (Which is exactly what happened to the poor guy that owned this converter.)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC01332.jpg



Picture #6. A closer look at the destroyed lockup clutch.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC01333.jpg


Picture 7. A closer look at the destroyed converter cover and lockup surface.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC01334.jpg



Picture #8. Now a look at a little bit pricier converter. This one is a Precision Industries Vigilante converter. (That's obvious just by the color.) Notice that there is no adapter ring on the front cover. The front cover is machined from a solid piece of billet. It is thicker and stronger than the stock cover and will not flex.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC01335.jpg



Picture #9. Now let's look inside... First, notice the cover on the left. The billet cover has a nice WIDE area for the lockup clutch to ride. Not that thin area provided by the stock converter. The part in the middle is the lockup clutch. See the difference? MUCH bigger. It is bigger in diameter and it is bigger in width. The amount of surface area is enormous compared to the TCI. This lockup clutch can take a TON of abuse unlike the 4 cylinder ones. And, if by chance you like to lock up your converter on wide open throttle runs, Precision Industries supplies multi disc clutches for even more holding potential.


http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC01336.jpg



Picture #10. This is a picture of the TCI lockup clutch next to the Vigilante clutch. Which one do you prefer?


http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC01337.jpg




In this post I have not mentioned Stall, or STR's or anything else. Can a cheap TCI converter get you a good 60 foot? Absolutely. It's not just about track times, it's about longevity. I just wanted people to see visually what they are buying. I hate to see the sad look in the faces of some of my customers when they are towed in because of some cheap converter they bought.



So, when you think you're saving money by buying a $400 converter. Think again. You will cost yourself much more in the long run. If you can't afford a better part. Wait... Save up for a couple more months. Buy the good part and you'll be happier in the end. Nothing is more disappointing than breaking down.

By the way... I'm not just picking on TCI. I was using them as an example because I had one of their converters sitting in the shop. ANY converter with an adapter welded on the front will provide the same results.

I hope this post helps someone out there. It took a while to prepare, I hope someone benefits from it.
__________________

WERD....i learned the hardway and cost me double in the end by buying a "budget" converter.....but got me a new vig now and my 3rd tranny....lol


on the other hand i would like to see the inside of a yank to comapare to my vig.

Here are a few more pics of some billet pieces, They are custom made by in house at Circle D. Just wanted to let everyone know that vig and yank are not the only billet ones around. Enjoy.

Here is where the term "Billet" actually comes fom. A 110 Pound piece of Alloy Steel.

http://www.circledspecialties.com/im...k_Circle_D.jpg

Here is the finished billet front - Engine Side. I add the 3 spokes for extra strength against ballooning.

http://www.circledspecialties.com/im...e_Circle_D.jpg

Here is the Transmission side, I use a 3 piece bearing to set up proper clutch clearance and added the 3 groves for fluid flow.

http://www.circledspecialties.com/im...e_Circle_D.jpg

This is our billet piston, with a high carbon lining.

http://www.circledspecialties.com/im...1_Circle_D.jpg

The other side of the piston, keep weight down and still maintain strength with the spokes.

http://www.circledspecialties.com/im...2_Circle_D.jpg

Here is a pic of the turbine where the piston and bearing ride.

http://www.circledspecialties.com/im...e_Circle_D.jpg

Chris

^^^ These guys do great work as many can testify to. They helped me out when I broke my tail housing and I couldn't be more satisfied with their service.

Wow. Educational indeed. I think my TCI clutch has held up because the Transgo shift kit eliminates PWM.

LMAO.

My TCI lasted 5 weeks before the clutches exploded and destroyed the trans.


Vigilante FTMFW.

Well said and great info. I missed most of the short racing season last year due to budget converters and transmissions. I had 3 transmissions in my car last summer and 4 torque converters. all purchased from price leader sponsors on this board. Yes they warrantied their crappy products but I missed almost the entire season not to mention the time spent in the garage under my car instead of with my family. I currently have a trans and verter that I have no faith in whatsoever even after spending all the money. If I could do it again I would go with FLT and Vig. when this tranny craps out I will go with FLT even though it is under warranty with the vendor. This is one area you definitely get what you pay for. Circle D that is a beautiful verter. I cant imagine how much extra it costs to machine all that compared to the POS 4 cyl units that the bargain vendors on this site are using.

New to LS1Tech, about 9 months I think. We have been in the transmission/converter business for 30+ years. Houston based, just trying grow some.

We have been doing the billet converter for about 2 years now, and thanks for the compliments. It takes quite a bit more machine time, but worth it. We are also developing a multi disk unit. We are using a square tab design on the clutches to eliminate rattle. We are also using a Water-Jet to cut them with, to eliminate any warpage. Billet piston of course.

Here is a pic of what the clutches will look like, this is a 5 disk setup.

http://www.circledspecialties.com/im...e_D_5_Disk.JPG

Warranty is 2 years with one complimentary stall change.

Chris

I also wanted to say more about converters in general. No to put down any competitors product, just more info for the consumer.

I would consider 2 things when you talk about a converter, Durability and performance.

The performance aspect is achieved by shrinking diameter to the common 245 mm FWD converters. They have multiple options for pumps and stators for numerous combinations of stall, str, and efficiency. They are the pictures you see posted at the beginning of the thread by Sicko. Picking the right combination of parts for your car is a science, and you can make the car really shine. But even picking a combination that is just OK will still improve your times because the factory converter is huge 12" behemoth that is totally wrong for the LS1 Cars.

The second part is durability, which is why this tread was started. A durable converter will use a billet front cover. It prevents flexing and allows a larger clutch area. A larger piston, I use a billet one. Furnace brazed pump and turbine. Turbine Hub and Hub made from a high grade steel. Torrington bearings on both sides of stator and I prefer to use a 3rd bearing between the turbine and front cover.

The combination of these two ideas will get you a converter that will drastically improve your times and last you for years. That is why everyone is a big fan of PI and Yanks, they build a very nice converter, and I think Circle D does a pretty good job to.


price:

Single Disk $750

Multi Disk - 3 Clutches - $900 - not ready yet, about 2 more months.

Chris

I think I am competitive with Vig/Yank pricing, $750 with free shipping.

I will look into the flywheel idea, but how do you get SFI approved?

1. The springs you see in the Vig are called a damper, just like in a standard clutch. They help keep engine vibration from resonating throughout the driveline and soften lock up apply. In theory this is fine for a stock car, but I have seen the springs break and tear up quite a bit, so I chose to go without. It makes the lock up a bit firmer when it applies, which is a good thing in performance, and I have never had a complaint about vibration.

2. Maximun Runout for our performance converter is 0.006

3. Yes, every converter that I build is balanced. OEM, HD or Performance. I am not sure what specs you are looking for on the balancer, but it is a TCRS Torque Converter Balancer.

Don't hesitate to give me a call or shoot me a pm, I love talking about converters. 713-895-8834

Chris

If you want to see Yank's product please look at our features and Note the billet part finish and double blade turbines for max stiffness and life.

http://www.converter.cc/why_1/large/turbine%20hub.jpg


http://www.converter.cc/why_1/large/...%20turbine.jpg

http://www.converter.cc/why_1/large/...nt%20cover.jpg

More pictures at:

http://www.converter.cc/why_1/why_1_main.htm

Thanks for the chance to show our converters
YANK

Nice lookin verters guys. Wonder if the bargain brands are gonna step up and show theirs.
good to see quality products still made in USA by SKILLED machinists who take pride in their work. I got a couple burned up bargain ones in my garage if anyone would like to see the insides of a low cost sponsors product. Can I just cut it open with a die grinder ??? The post would probly be pulled for sponsor bashing like the last ones anyway.

Ive ran TCI converters in several different vehicles and never had a problem.
Ive also owned one yank and it was nice but for the price difference I wasnt impressed.

I have pruned and linked this into the FAQ sticky with links. Please keep this focused on tech content related to converter construction. Don't turn this into a who's best thread and please PM sponsors questions about prices etc.

+1 there! I killed a 3 month old FLT tranny with a budget converter that had nothing but problems with clutch chatter. Expensive lesson to learn.

awesome thread as im ready to switch from 6spd to an auto!

How much better are these multi clutch torque converters by precision industries and do they eliminate ineficiency in high str converters? How much gain can you get from a converter like this?

Bringing it back in hopes of seeing these pictures, or any cutopens would be nice but would really like to see a yank cutopen.

So are you saying that if it has a ring on the bottom where it mounts up that it is junk?

The reason I ask is that I just purchased one of these from ACE. I didn't think it made a difference but was wondering based on that comment or if that was just an over generalization.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ace+converters

https://i220.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC03538.jpg