What's the best bang for the buck converter out there and where can I buy it?

Im not crazy about spening $700 bucks on a torque converter for a car that is street driven, that wont have over 25 1/4 mile passes in a year.

Somthing around 2800-3000 rpm's, lock up prefered, and can handle at least 450fwhp.

Let me know, Im open for ideas and suggestions. Just dont try talking me into the Precission or Yank, I dont think it will work. My wallet cant hack it.

Mike

 

you get what you pay for, if a cheap convertor fails it could cost you a tranny......

VIGILANTE

jesse

 

This man speaks the truth. You get what you pay for.

YANK 3400

 

I made 447 RWHP and 470 RWTQ with a Midwest 3,200 stall. Paid around $550.00 and they give you one free stall change. I also pulled a best 60ft time of 1.54 without any problems at all with it.

I am happy with it


Sean

 

Everybody's right when they say you get what you pay for. I posted a thread a couple days ago explaining how my B&M crapped out on me this past weekend. If I saved some more dough I wouldn't be in the situation that I'm in. And yes sometimes a TC will take the tranny with it. Play it safe and save a little more money. It'll be to your advantage in the long run. FWIW, I'm ordering a Vigilante 2800 today and hopefully my tranny is still intact. Good luck.

 

Money should not be a main issue when selecting a converter. as stated earlier, when a converter goes, it'll take the transmission with it.

Personally, I like ProTorque (PTC) converters. I've had 2 of theirs...A 3200 stall 10.5", and a 3800 stall 9.5". Definately not cheap at $700 a peice, but my car pulls 1.67 60 ft. times with a stock suspension with the 9.5". The 10.5" was good for 1.73's with the stock motor/exhaust manifolds.

If you are really on a budget, my suggestion would be to check the "for sale" section on this site. Even if you buy a used one, I'd suggest sending it back to the manufacturer BEFORE putting it in! Most good manufacturers will charge a "Clean Out and inspect" fee, which is much less than the cost of a new converter. Say you find a used converter for $200-$300, then you pay a manufacturer $200 to clean it and inspect it. You've still got $400-$500 in a good converter...That's better than $700 for a PTC or Vigilante, new. PTC, Precision Ind. (Vigilante) and Yank all do this.

I'd advise against the Yank, though...I've seen many of them fail. I've seen many people use the Midwest converter. I can't say one way or another, because I have no personal experience with them. I've seen the Yanks cut apart though...Definately NOT worth $900 that they charge. Sometimes you DON'T "always get what you pay for." I've seen converter for half that price built better, work better, and last longer.

Before I start getting replies from those that have Yanks, This isn't an opinion thing. I was even thinking about buying a Yank at one time until I started researching it more, and seeing the problems with them, first hand.

Frank
All-Trans Transmissions

 

Don't skimp on the converter!! Get a Vigilante.... Also get the 3200 stall. IMO that Vig3200 is the best all around converter for our cars... I had a Vig3200 & it was great for the street & track. Now I have the Vig3600 but am thinking about going back down to a 3200....

 

Hey Smokn' 94 Z, did you have any problems w/ the pcm handling a stall that high? I've heard that the OBD1 cars have problems with stalls higher than 3000. I'm gonna buy a Vigilante but I'm not sure if I should go with a 2800 or higher.

 

Yes I did. Actually it was hit or miss. My first 6 passes on the converter netted my my best times. Then the next time out at the track it wouldn't shift & went into limp mode... I had Bryan from www.pcmforless.com fix the problem & have not had a problem since.

Now I am in a Vig3600 with the FLP Level 4 Vacuum Modulated trans.....

If I were you I'd go with theh Vig3200 on your new converter & if the problem occurs then have a tuner try to fix it & if it still doesn't work then you atleast have 1 free re-stall waiting for you to go back to a 2800 stall from PI. JMO...

 

If you really don,t want to spend the money on those over the top converters then I suggest a TCI, I have one of their breakaway converters in my Z and it has been tip top so far.
Yes, in most cases you get what you pay for but if your not going too wild with the motor then I can,t justify the steep prices of the vigi or the yank.

 

ty for all your help folks. You give some great information.

You have to see it from my point. Im building this setup for my daily driver, mainly just to have fun on the street once in a while. And maybe run a few passes down the strip. I dont bracket race, or plan on runing the car at test n tunes a lot. So it kind of bugs me to spend so much for a converter on a car that wont be making more then 360rwhp, and wont be beaten on. But ill look around for some good prices on the Vigilaties, and other converters. If you personally know who sells them for a great price, please link me. Or personal message me with a link.

An other question I had was. Do I have to install a shift kit at the same time of the converter?

Thanks again,
Mike

 

you NEED to install a shift kit at the same time or your shift will be sluggish.
you also NEED a good tranny cooler

jesse

 

You can h ave someone local build you a custom stall converter, or whatever you want... Its a few hundred cheaper and people are telling me to go this route.

 

aintno6 IMO you might not want to get a converter for your car.

I have a few reasons for this!

1 it will kill gas milage big time
2 it will kill street traction big time and make your car "Slower" on street tires.
3 the money will be usefull on other mods to give a better gain.

I could come up with some more like having to install a tranny cooler. etc.. the work of installing the coverter. Is your trans stock or has it ever been rebuilt?

I am not saying you shouldn't get one you just might want to make it a last mod so to speak.

Sean

 

I will need to install some sort of a converter, because I will be runing the CC306 cam.