converter size
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TECH Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Murica
converter size Stock motor lt1 with longtubes, dumped exhaust, 58mm tb, 1.6 rockers. Th400 with 12 bolt and 4.11s in rear. Fti sells a decent priced converter but not sure on size. Was debating on 3400-3600 or 3800 sized one. Which would work good you think? Car is mainly gonna be cruised around and occasional strip use. Already have good trans cooler also.
Th400 is not a "daily driver" trans. It has no overdrive. The fuel economy will be terrible no matter what converter you choose.
That said, sizing it is no longer limited to economy. So you choose the best fit to match the engine performance/gear, no compromises for economy here. Its a stock engine you say? Hmm thats not very high performance. Kinda makes me wonder why you have an auto TH400 on a stock engine, but ok I will bite. Mostly stock engines makes lots of low end torque but you have plenty of gear so, I would shoot for 2800~ with 3200 being the highest. Since you have so much gear, the engine is going to wind up fast regardless of what stall you choose, and using a tighter stall (no more loose than necessary) on a mostly stock engine will help harness every last ounce of torque. Letting a mostly stock engine stall high and sit on a deep gear will just hold it at a high RPM constantly, the opposite of what you want with a mostly stock engine.
I think you will improve performance by using the correct diameter exhaust (perhaps 2" or 2.25" per side dual with an X pipe) some 3.73 or 3.5X gearing and an built overdrive transmission behind that mostly stock engine would give you better performance, and economy. Dropping the throttle body size (around OEM) will improve throttle response and help with drivability/economy as well.
That said, sizing it is no longer limited to economy. So you choose the best fit to match the engine performance/gear, no compromises for economy here. Its a stock engine you say? Hmm thats not very high performance. Kinda makes me wonder why you have an auto TH400 on a stock engine, but ok I will bite. Mostly stock engines makes lots of low end torque but you have plenty of gear so, I would shoot for 2800~ with 3200 being the highest. Since you have so much gear, the engine is going to wind up fast regardless of what stall you choose, and using a tighter stall (no more loose than necessary) on a mostly stock engine will help harness every last ounce of torque. Letting a mostly stock engine stall high and sit on a deep gear will just hold it at a high RPM constantly, the opposite of what you want with a mostly stock engine.
I think you will improve performance by using the correct diameter exhaust (perhaps 2" or 2.25" per side dual with an X pipe) some 3.73 or 3.5X gearing and an built overdrive transmission behind that mostly stock engine would give you better performance, and economy. Dropping the throttle body size (around OEM) will improve throttle response and help with drivability/economy as well.
But.....if you are looking at this as a dedicated racer, go with the 3600 to 4000 stall TC.....and to hell with 'fuel economy' and 'daily driver' considerations.
IMHO, of course....
KW
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TECH Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Murica
Id say its like a weekend warrior, went through 3 "built" 4l60es, so ive had a th400 in it for about 2 coming on 3 years. Not worried on fuel economy. Ive put a hold on my other motor and and putting this stock bolton motor in so i can enjoy the car for summer, my other converter is way to huge for this motor.
Thread Starter
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From: Murica
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If fuel economy is of no concern, pick the highest stall you want. 3800 should do the trick.
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I find my car a crap ton of fun with boltons and 4.10s with a stock converter, minus any freeway driving. I'm going to be switching back to my "built" trans with the 3000 converter eventually but it's not a priority. With that said, I daily drove my car with a 3000 converter for a while and I honestly got really tired of it when city driving. I would not since your going to swap this whole thing out eventually like you said, I wouldn't go super high stall since you said you have one for another motor. 2800-3000 would be my recommendation.
Just ask Greg at FTI. He will ask a few questions about your combo and expectations to get you in the ball park.
He will point you in the right direction, and if you send them your time slip they will restall it within a year to dial it in.
He will point you in the right direction, and if you send them your time slip they will restall it within a year to dial it in.