Benefits of an aftermarket torque converter

[GreenTerror]

I've done some searching around and I can't seem to find the answer to my question. It looks like most drag racers are upgrading to a better torque converter. It looks like the biggest benefit is helping them launch better to improve ET's.

If you just have a street car at 405hp, mods listed below, is an after market torque converter a worthy upgrade? Does it effect daily spirited street driving characteristics? What are the pro's and con's to going with an aftermarket torque converter?

Thanks!

 

[Swarzkopf]

Pros:
- Dramatically better 60's, better ETs
- Can fully lock converter at WOT - this puts more power to the pavement - better ETs/trap speed
- When the converter comes out, it's easy to upgrade the weakest point of the trans (input shaft) too.

Cons:
- Higher stall converters tend to increase trans fluid heat (mine seems to run about 15* hotter with my 3200 converter)
- Can feel a little doggish at light throttle sometimes - not too bad with a reasonable stall speed converter
- Part throttle lockup with a multi disk converter like my PI is brutal feeling

It's a worthy upgrade. With that roots blower that you have, a little 2800-3000 stall would be great vs the stock 1500 unit. I'd get a multi disk converter from PI or Circle D.

 

[GreenTerror]

What do you mean by part throttle lockup is brutal feeling?

 

[Swarzkopf]

http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106431

I'm used to it already...not really that big of a deal to me, but it's something to be aware of.

 

[GreenTerror]

Great information, although I'm not sure if I want those characteristics for a car that's mostly a cruiser. I'm on the fence.

 

[beefcake]

imo, if you never see the drag strip, no point in a converter,

 

[CPRsm]

A converter lets the engine slip to a higher rpm where it makes more torque. It also multiplies torque output of the engine as well. Cars with stock stalls are boring down low. There's no lunge forward when you thump the gas. For someone like younit's beneficial because a stock converter isn't made to couple the amount of torque you're making. So it will slip more and waste engine rpm. W a power adder like yours you could add a 3k stall properly built, and not tell it's that high of a stall. It will need to lock up hard down low to check slip in check. This makes them nice and tight down low in normal driving somit drive damn near like stock. Either way I pit converters in everything. Just don't waste your time w a 2k converter

 

[crownaviation]

as mentioned above.. good time to upgrade the input shaft. With all the torque you make it will eventually fail if you drive it hard

once trans/converter is out the input shaft is easy and realatively cheap upgraede.. you just slide oem shaft out and slide new shaft in. viola your trans is mych stronger now. also a great time to consider the billet servos. tci makes a nice set and about the only thing i was everr happy with from tci.

all those things and with a good converter your trans will survive 600 with no problems. 700 for a while with a good tune

 

[GreenTerror]

Thanks everyone, I think I'm going to shelve this upgrade for now and just focus on suspension next.