twotone64

I'm looking at waking up my 5.3> conversion. I have the 2000 5.3 from a Tahoe with the 4L60 trans in my 64 Chevelle. It currently has 3.08 gear in an open carrier, but I have an Eaton posi carrier that will hold "all gear sets". I would like to also swap out the stock converter from the 4L60 keeping it a lockup style. Would JUST a converter swap do the job, or should I do both. This car is not a true daily driver, and not a trailer queen. It will see the track once a year, a get on it kind of car, driving around town, and highways driving.

I am currently @1800-2000RPM at 70mph and it is a D-O-G out of the hole, and is pretty tuff to break traction unless I power break. It also has a stock 5.3 cam and am looking to increase that at some time, without having to change out springs. I am running 235/60/15 tires which comes out to be about 26.1" tires. The car weights about 3200lbs.

Bob@BruteSpeed

iTrader: (16)

I'd go with a converter first and see if that is all you need to wake the car up. Bob

tording99Z28

iTrader: (3)

Converter will probably be best bang for your buck to help it get out of the whole and waken it up a little bit. Yank, Vig, or Circle D all make nice converters that could help you out I am sure.

FirstYrLS1Z

iTrader: (4)

That 'open' carrier is definitely gonna hurt your 'traction' once you get a convertor.
After a convertor,what gear is gonna be determined by how much rpm you're willing to tolerate at 70mph.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

You HAVE to change springs if you swap cams. The stock springs are crap.

I would suggest a 3.42 or 3.73 gear. Also, a 3200 converter would be a nice match to go with the gears.

Camaro Junky

Bob knows best.

twotone64

So far it sounds like a concensus on replacing the torque converter first. I had kind of thought that but wanted to get some other opinions about it due to the fact that I have a whole new animal in a fuel injected overdrive drive tain. I am thinking that the lock up converter with a high stall gives me a best of both worlds like the old days when you had a 3 speed auto and high gears, but now you have that overdrive that will go 0.7:1 all with higher gears than you would have had.

In all the posts Ive read, forgoing all the "Go big or go home" posts, Im thinking a set of 3.55 would be a good compromise. I will be doing some calling around today for pricing and such.

twotone64

Over the day during my research, I considered doing the trailblazer TC swap, but found a converter builder out of Commerce, CA that sells rebuilt converters to AAMCO and other shops. Got a 2500 stall for $127 shipped. good to go.

Bob@BruteSpeed

iTrader: (16)

lol, thanks!


That is a great price, hopefully it is a good converter. Bob

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Well for that price its obviously a stock converter that has been "tweaked". No more no less.

twotone64

Yep a stock converter that has been rebuilt with some upgraded parts, and obviously an increase in stall speed nothing wrong with it either. This definately isn't my first "rodeo" and it wont be the last, so its not like I'm going into this ignorant and blind no more no less. However the website is here: http://www.torqueconverter1.com

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

This is what you are buying:


Remanufacturing Process

Each part goes through 5-step quality inspections.
Each part is machined for smoothness & cleaness.
We tig many of our converters as a standard procedure.
All lockup surfaces are machined for smooth surface.
All of our converters are pressure tested to prevent leaks.
All of our converters are balanced for vibration.
All of our converters are checked for runout.
Finally, all of our converters are spin-checked using input shaft.

Upgraded parts? Did you just make that up?

O you must have meant this:

All parts in our torque converters are modified to exceed OEM standard!
Impeller Hubs, Turbine Hubs, O-Ring, Seals, Bearing, Races,
Thrust Washers, Stator Caps, Springs, Ring Gears, Lockup
Cluthes, Lockup Lining, Bushing, and Front Cover.

You HONESTLY don't think all this is being replaced with upgraded parts for $127 shipped do you. Hell I outta send my $700 Yank converter back. They ripped me off.

Please refer to my previous post, #10 in this thread, and realize that I was not and will not steer you wrong. I'm not the one promising miracles for nothing.

twotone64

Well I'm not going to get in a pissing match with anyone that I really don't know. But the website nor the tech that I spoke with made any promises. However the company has been around for over 25 years and sell to AAMCO. They never promised to be a $700 performance converter and I have no illusions that I will make more than 350HP so I am very fine with a $127 torque converter. I'll definately come back after I get it installed and let you know how it went. That way if anyone else is looking for a budget converter and not looking to win a 1/4 mile race they will have one more post to go from. Untill AFTER I get the converter in I'm not going to be back to this post. Thanks for your time and constructive criticism.