What would be the best TC for my car. http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog...id=296&pcid=73 Thunder racing has some awesome prices. Keep in mind I wont be at the track 24/7.

 

I'd say a 3k, but you should look into the Vigs, they have free 're-stall' which means if you buy a 3k, get a cam that would be bomb with a 3200, then you send it back and they change it for free....plus their stalls are just bitchin so.....

 

What about TCI? Im looking for something decently priced not a house payment lol

 

Lol yea...I understand. I don't have any experience with TCI converters but I haven't heard anything bad about them. I had the Vig 2800 on my LT1 Z and I just LOVED it. If you don't want to spend too much green, go with the TCI, it wont make ya slower so go for it!!!

 

Vigilante 2,800 stall. They are good, I sure like mine.

You get what you pay for.

LWM

 

Arent the vigilante's underated though? Like a the 2800 is really something like a 3200?

 

TCI SSF3500 would be an excellent choice for your car. Check out the automatic section at ls1tech.com and you'll see they have been raving about that converter for months. Just make sure you get a tranny cooler and get TM deleted.

 

Yes they are.

Vig2800 stalls at 3200.

Vig3200 stalls at 3600.

Vig3600 stalls at 4000.

Give or take.

 

Im not up to date on my lingo, whats TM? I found a B&M tranny cooler for 55 bucks at thunder racing. I heard that a 3500 would suck for everyday driving. I drive like a granny alot and give it hell everynow and then. The way some people ive heard talk about the 3500 its sounding like the car really wont start moving till 3500 RPMs. Someone please clear this up for me?

 

If you are worried about $, dont forget the "free" restall of the vig doesn't include the removal and reinstall in the car. Just my .02

 

Well I payed about 1,400 (Thats install and all) for my gears and loudmouth. Im not looking for those kinda prices.

 

TM = Torque Management

Torque Management is a way to manage torque by reducing ignition timing. Basically it restricts the amount of power during the shifts which puts less stress on your transmission thus prolonging it's life. For stock cars it's a great feature to have unless you like rebuilding trannys prematurely.

The problem with torque management and a 3500 stall torque converter is they tend to cause 01 & 02 model cars to hit the rev limiter when racing. Usually people will delete TM and raise the shift points to avoid this problem. Of course this also causes more stress on the transmission which is why a lot of folks recommend a shift kit. With a 3500 stall, transgo shift kit and 19k or better tranny cooler you would have one mean running car.

Now a 3500 stall is very streetable. The LS1 makes it's peak power at higher rpm's so they respond better to higher stalls. It does NOT take 3500 rpm's to get moving. The 3500 is basically your flash stall. In other words when you launch your car you'll flash to 3500 rpm's where you are making boat loads of power. The stock converter is about 1900 and we are weak in power down that low. Now with a TCI SSF3500 you can give it a little gas and you will move, you'll just feel a little sluggish on part throttle. Also you will have to get used to higher rpm's at lower speeds. You'll be around 2500 rpms just cruising 30-35 mph around town. With a loudmouth catback that might get a bit annoying. Quieter catbacks like the Hooker are a better mix with high stall torque converters. But then again some of us like loud cars all the time. Once you hit about 40-45 mph the conveter locks and your rpm's drop down to normal range (1500-2000) so your highway travels will be unaffected by the torque converter.

You could get a TCI 3000 stall and that would be a huge improvement over stock too. The only problem is you'll be used to it in a month and wishing you had gotten the 3500. It's been a common saying to pick the stall you want and then order one size higher. The TCI SSF3500 is being used by a ton of daily driver cars. The street manners is fine and in a few weeks it'll feel stock to you. The only reason I would even consider anything less then a 3500 is because of your loudmouth. Unfortunately 2500 rpm's is in the drone range.

I would get the 3500 stall. If you go to the track at all you'll be wishing you had if you get less. But if your overly concerned about drivability then get the TCI streetfighter 3000. It's not in writing but Kevin @ TCI has been known to give a free restall within a year if you ask him nicely

Good Luck

 

Another vote for a Vigilante...had mine since 1996 9.5" 3600 stall with lock up...just sent it back to get freshened because I was having the trans rebuilt...After 8 years and 35,000 miles most of which was a 1/4 mile at a time I decided to send it back soley because I was having the trans rebuilt and wanted everything fresh. I have never owned a converter like this one...Its great for daily driving, gave me 5 solid tenths in the quarter (even over an LPE converter that came with my 383 package), and you can daily drive it like a stocker...I didn't need the 2 year unconditional warranty, nor the free stall upgrade, but it was nice to have them...imho you definitely get what you pay for...$700 over 8 years aint too shabby...
--Alan

 

What did the 3600 drive like for daily driving? Isnt that supposed to be kinda rough?

 

The Vig is so efficient that it drives like a stocker until you nail it...I drive the car to work occasionally (100 miles round trip), drove it to florida from PA, and to Ocean City, MD 180 miles each way for the Cruisin OC thing every May and October...Its nothing like the old race style converters that revved the motor before you actually moved...Hope I explained this OK....The damn thing is just awesome
--Alan