mpilarZ281992

Dont know if this is the right forum, but I was wondering which companies make durable torque converters. I am keeping the R700 transmission (no shift kit yet) and about to dyno tune my modified Z (ZZ4 cam, trickflow heads, headers, SLP runners, ported intake, ect....). On paper I looks like im pushing slightly over 400hp from the flywheel, so Im looking for a 2200-2500 converter. This is not a daily driver and dont need to pass a sniffer, so Im not sure if it needs additional intercooling. I visited summit and been looking at the B & M or hughes. What do you guys think???
I want to throw on the converter before I dyno tune it. thanks for any advice

Gtpguy

I'd go higher. 3k at least. As for brands, VIGILANTE!!! My bro swears by Performabuilt. My next stall will be one of theirs to give it a shot. He pulled me a bit more from a roll race with the exact same mods.

antoine

3k I think is to much for a stock like intake if he had a mini ram and 3.73 it would be ok I have a 10 inch continental 2400~2600 stall from pro built

mpilarZ281992

I was thinking the same, but thanks Gtpguy. I have kept the stock intake manifold and basic TPI setup, though it has been ported with the high flow runners. I have checked the vigilante but they are quite pricey (around $700), though I do not question their durability. I will look at the probuilt and get back to you. Thanks for the reply so far. I want to avoid burning out my transmission and not sure if a 3K converter would do that.

Gtpguy

I talked to my brother and he says that the performabuilt is almost just as expensive as a Vig. Try looking for a yank.

As for burning out a tranny, as long as you get a nice tranny cooler, you'll be fine.

mpilarZ281992

OK. Now I have been told that if I go with a torque converter upgrade I would definetely need to upgrade my 700R transmission. My mechanic told me he just recently had three customers that blew their stock tranmission with only a 2200 and 2500 TC. I believe that the stock 700R transmission can cope with low 400s in torque which Im probably running now (dont know exact numbers until I dyno it). Until now, I thought that the stock trans could handle a 2500 TC without too much of a problem as long as I install a tranny cooler. Am I mistaken??

Gtpguy

You will be fine. Another thing is you will want a shift kit, because a stall softens the shifts and makes them feel slower. Its not hurting anything at all, people just want firm shifts.

I've always heard the 700r4 can take over 500lbs. Its a pretty stout tranny. It has to take on TPi, and big old Chevy trucks that tow massive loads.

antoine

i had a stock 700r-4 transmission i put a transgo shift kit and a 2000 rpm corvette stall and it lasted two years and i was superchargered.

mpilarZ281992

Thats more reassuring. I think Im going to dyno as is right now and include faster shifts on the PCM. I think performabuilt makes a good 2500 vert for around $300; and prob get it in the next 6 months. However, I going to just install a tranny cooler now just because its cheap to do and want to help preserve the tranny.
I appreciate all the info. I have to concentrate on other aspects of the car (ex. dyno tune will cost $450 here in houston by ARD). Thanks to all.

AutoRoc

Precision Industries makes the Vigilante line of GM torque converters. Very well built and have never failed me. I've bought 2 so far. Both were used and have been great for me. One was a 4200 and this one now is a 4500. Even this high of a stall drives nice. I can get into flowing traffic without going over 2500rpm.

I reccomend a 2800-3000 rpm piece. Your will probably want to shift it around 5600-5800rpm with the long intake runner setup. No need to spin the crap out of it when it makes so much low end TQ. My paper says you're making about 350hp and a LOT more torque. 400+ TQ. Get some ET Street Drag Radials for the rear. This torque is useless if you spin through first gear.

TransGo makes a great shift kit. Use a good trans fluid. I run a large B&M Trans Cooler in front of my radiator. Plumbed in line with the stock radiator and it's internal cooler. I use all Pushlock fittings on the trans and cooler ports along with 3/8" rubber pushlock hose. Added cooling, increased fluid volume... all good things.

goodluck

mpilarZ281992

Thanks for the info. I am definetly going to instaff a trans cooler regardless of the converter size. I have already rebuilt the trans twice in the past. Prob. will look into the 2500-3000 range. Will get a custom dyno tune and expect between 350-385 hp, everything in the engine is new; including all the hoses, wires, sensors, and everything ported....so maybe more. Will post pics on youtube soon.