I have been on the market for a converter for a while now. But being a poor college kid, I have had to wait for income taxes.
Now I have some options.
First of all let me state that I would have considered a Yank or Vigilante.
Although, they are out of my price range. (I need some extra for some needed 30lb/hr injectors).

I will say that with research I have found many happy Vigilante and Yank customers. I must say that I have seen VERY little negative opinions of the Vigilante's. Plus a free restall (very nice). Hats off to the guys at P.I. . Yank has proven themselves as well, with many people hooked on how they launch and how efficient they are on the top end.

Im sure Im not the only one in this boat that is unwilling, or unfinancially able to buy one of these units.
Edge and Fuddle seem to be well known around by now. So I sent them my information.

The Edge "Street Edge" runs $525
They have many of the goodies. 9.5" dia, enclosed bearings, chrome-moly hub, furnace brazed pump and turbine. They however do not mention of clutch information, do NOT have a billet front cover. Also I couldnt see anything on Ballooning plates?
Recommended :
"stall math set at 3600-3800 rpm, and STR set at, or near 2.4"
Many people are happy with their Edge verters I have seen little complaints. They carry a one-year warranty.

The Fuddle HP/Street converter is $595
its a 245mm verter with same features that the edge has except for a few things. It does have a billet front cover, 43sq/in clutch, and "hand brazed fins" They seem to be proud of their "unique clutch design" stating that it can hold lock-up at WOT.
Recommended:
3400/2.1 stall
Again, many people happy with their products, some say they are less efficient on the top end then other verters. I have read of some failures but with a two-year warranty (best out of the 3) the issues have been resolved.

Neal Chance Street Strip converter $699
(squeezing right in under my top dollar)
9.5" converter, everything that was included with the Edge, plus ballooning plates, and "a clutch that is twice the size of stock". which from what I understand is ~ 40 sq/in. This converter does NOT have a billet front cover. which is somewhat dissapointing considering that it is the most expensive of the three.
Recommended:
3400 flash on motor ~4500 on 150 shot. foot-brake to ~2800.
I talked to Marty Chance on the phone. Very nice to get a call instead of an e-mail. He said nothing of STR or K factor. When I asked what STR the verter would be he said that the only way to determine that would be to have it dyno'd. Also saying that if anyone starts talking of STR that I should ask them for proof.
I asked no other questions except asking about the front cover, in which he said a billet cover is not needed. He does however have a billet prototype he is running in a car of his (bolt together 700r4 verter) should be avalible soon, but is irrelavant to the subject inhand.
The only iffy part I see with the Neal Chance is that that they only have a 90 day warranty. On the otherhand I have never heard a bad word about their converters.

Anyone have any suggestions on which of these I should get?

 

Yank SS 3200-4000 converters are $675 and they have a sell going on LS1tech right now.
I would stay away from Fuddle, a warranty is only as good as the company giving it.

 

FUDDLE HP!!! They stand behind there products 100% When one failed (a rare story) and busted a guy's tranny they covered the cost of a new tranny, and gave him another stall. They didnt try and be slick, they owned up to a mistake in a prototype cover they used and paid for everything.

John is nothing but a stand up guy who believes in CamaroZ28.com and the product he produces. For that he earned my business this morning, and any future business I will have for him.

 

Fuddle, Edge, Yank are all very good companies and well liked on here. If you are looking for a majority vote to help you decide on which company to go with, maybe consider adding a poll option?

 

YANK!

Frank
CPT

 

Well I had my Fuddle HP3800 2.3 str. in for about 3 weeks now. took alittle getting use to on the street. but now I love it. I wouldn't go any other way..really woke up the car..

 

Chris I was just wondering if you also took the cost of a Transmission cooler, and all of the tranny fluid you will need. (12-14 quarts if you changing the entire system, 5-7 if you doing converter and cooler only - leaves you a litlle extra left over).

Just a thought sometimes people forget about the suporting mods, and repleishment stuff while budgeting.

 

I'd shoot for 4500rpm like Chance reccomended. That combo should peak TQ slightly above that, 1000rpm tighter makes sense if you plan on a 150 shot.

I've been happy with my Fuddle 5000 and a Vig 4200. Customer service is important to me and John at Fuddle has been quick and knowledgeable. He even promised a really quick re-stall that I'm looking to do this spring to get the nitrous stall just right.

Pick one and roll with it! Everyone you researched has a good name for a reason, if you like one over the other, see if they'll price match...