I finally got my torque converter installed. I got it from Midwest and it is a 2800-3000. I couldn't believe how smooth it shifts compared to what it was. The gas pedal has alot of play in it now. When sitting still it does not roll at all with foot off the brake. I didn't notice much more power when punching it at 30mph. But from a stand still it rosted the tires and started to turn sideways. Not a good thing for the tires for how expensive they are. Should be nice when I take it to the track with slicks. The RPM's run a lot higher at a higher speed which will probably hurt the gas millage but hopefully will not kill it. Also I did not get a trans cooler with it only being a 3000 stall. It started getting pretty hot too, it felt like I had heated seats and the middle console was real warm. Once I drove it the next day it didn't get as warm.

As for the SFC's, a little tigher on turns but I expected a bigger difference. Probably with other suspension mods I would.

What have most of you expierenced with the gas milage change from the torque converter install, and at what stall?

 

But, with a Vigilante 2800 stall, my SS gets:

Best case EVVAAARRR ! 24 MPG Highway

Usual highway - ~ 22 MPG

Mix of city/highway - as in my daily work commute - 16 - 19 , depending upon how hard it gets ran.


Worst case was like 12 - a solid 1/4 tank of off the line flogging !



The real trick is learning how to feather it off the line on the street to keep from peeling out - I let the T/C light be my guide.

Oh, tell me how your WOT 70 MPH downshifts feel now - mine have never really felt "crisp" - I attribute this to the stall.

Speaking of 70 MPH - you say your RPM's run higher - I am at about 2100 at that speed.

When I first drove mine, I hated the way the pedal felt sloppy - now, it feels normal, even when I jump from car to car.

It's all what you get used to. I do have to watch out on inclines, though - it'll roll back on me. Not many in the Houston area, though.

Later !

Britt

 

you definatly need a trans cooler. the reason for not moving forward at idle is the convertor is supplying very little press./fluid to the pump. which in turn supplies very little line press. to the clutch's/bands. so your basically sitting there slipping the clutches which creates ALOT more internal heat in the trans and fluid. if you dont put in a cooler your tranny will prolly not last very long. its worth the $40 or so it takes to buy one and is pretty simple to install. I dont see why you'd want to risk the extra heat.

chris

 

Is a trans cooler something I can install or do you have to take it somewhere. I didn't realize they were only $40. What about a shift kit is that necessary with a torque converter. Where would you recommend getting them from?

Thanks

 

basically what you want to look for in a cooler is the GVW rating. you want the biggest weight rateing you can fit in your space. I have the b&m supercooler in my 95, but it was kind of a pita to install cause its double thick. all you gotta do to install it is disconnect the trans line at the radiator (top or bottom), put a rubber house on teh end of that pipe that goes into the cooler, then connect a hose coming out of the other side of the cooler that goes back to the radiator. know what I mean? if you dont think you can handle it, any trans shop can do it for pretty cheap. it really is simple.
as for the shift kit question, you dont need a "shift kit" really, you can get one of those handheld tuners(predator, HPP3, and so on) that will allow you to adj. the shift rpm for each gear, as well as the shift firmness. much easier then a real "shift kit" and you can go back and change it as many times as you like till you have it how you want. but you dont HAVE to have it.

good luck and enjoy!
chris