torque converter size
Full throttle for 11 seconds is a lot different than 20 minute sessions on the track. Hopefully someone on here has done it before and can point you in the right direction if it's possible.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 593
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From: Pinetop, AZ
I had a bbc in a 67 camaro with a th400 trans pushing 700hp. I had a devil of a time making it through a 20 minute session without the trans getting to 260 or so, even with a big trans cooler. We ended up putting 2 of the biggest we could find and it never got over 220.
Unless you are pushing over 600 hp I think you would get by with one, but get the biggest and best you can to keep from cooking your trans. I had a 9.5 inch 3500 stall convertor from coan and it worked great at the drag strip, road course and on the street. It was pricey (about $950 8 years ago) but it was very efficient and when I sent it back after 5 years to check it they said it looked like new. You'll also want a shift kit in your trans and bump up the line pressure if you do a dyno tune (highly recommended) along with a 160tstat and programming the fans to come on sooner.
You will find as has been said-an 11 second pass is nowhere near as hard on your car as a 20 minute road race session. Many will tell you to learn your car 1st and get seat time (which is true) but you better make the necessary precautions for cooling the engine (good oil and a cooler) and trans, and at least upgraded brake pads. You will be surprised at about the 2nd lap what stock brakes can do to your bung hole when nothing happens. Good luck!
Unless you are pushing over 600 hp I think you would get by with one, but get the biggest and best you can to keep from cooking your trans. I had a 9.5 inch 3500 stall convertor from coan and it worked great at the drag strip, road course and on the street. It was pricey (about $950 8 years ago) but it was very efficient and when I sent it back after 5 years to check it they said it looked like new. You'll also want a shift kit in your trans and bump up the line pressure if you do a dyno tune (highly recommended) along with a 160tstat and programming the fans to come on sooner.
You will find as has been said-an 11 second pass is nowhere near as hard on your car as a 20 minute road race session. Many will tell you to learn your car 1st and get seat time (which is true) but you better make the necessary precautions for cooling the engine (good oil and a cooler) and trans, and at least upgraded brake pads. You will be surprised at about the 2nd lap what stock brakes can do to your bung hole when nothing happens. Good luck!
