I think I need a 9" torque converter with a "triple disc" lock-up that stalls around 3500rpm.
The Car:
I have a 1983 Malibu Wagon. It is stock weight or heavier, according to this website would put me around 3600-3800lb, over 4000lb with me and gas in it.
Engine:
It has a SBC with a blower that is at 400hp and climbing. The Cam is a Comp Cams 08-301-8 Nitrous HP roller cam. and the heads are blueprint H8002K heads with upgraded valve srpings. The dyno sheet below shows max torque at 460ft/lb on dang near a flat torque curve from 4200 to 4600rpm. Graph looks funny because I was in the middle of chickening out on the dyno with the fresh built engine at rpm. I know it makes power up to about 5400rpm.
The rearend:
ford 8.8 posi with 3.73 gear.
Tires:
Hoosier 26 x 9-15 drag slicks.
Transmission:
a rebuilt and beefed up 4L60 (non-E). Its got kevlar clutches and bands and a bunch of other stuff the trans guy told me he put in it. Running the converter lock-up is a B&M adjustable lock-up controller. However, it has the stock lock-up converter thats be "loosened up" by a converter shop to stall at 3000 with the old engine but now stalls around 3300-3400 with the current set up.
The problem:
When I'm cruising around town/on the highway I can get the converter to lock-up where I want, in any gear, with the B&M controller. But when I'm at the track, I can only feel the converter lock up if I set it too low a speed and it bogs the engine. Ironically the car ran it's best time when the converter locked up right after the 1-2 shift. However, if lock-up comes in on the big end the RPM doesn't drop at all. The light comes on the B&M box. I cross the traps at 72 mph and run high 14's with the engine screaming at 5200RPM. I'm pretty sure the converter isn't locking up because when I let off after the traps I don't get that engine braking feel like I would on the highway with the converter locked up.
A torque converter in not an insignificant amount of money. I just want to make sure I'm not wasting money. I would still like to be able to daily this thing, but please weigh in and tell me what you think or if I missed some bit of information I should be considering.
Thank you
The Car:
I have a 1983 Malibu Wagon. It is stock weight or heavier, according to this website would put me around 3600-3800lb, over 4000lb with me and gas in it.
Engine:
It has a SBC with a blower that is at 400hp and climbing. The Cam is a Comp Cams 08-301-8 Nitrous HP roller cam. and the heads are blueprint H8002K heads with upgraded valve srpings. The dyno sheet below shows max torque at 460ft/lb on dang near a flat torque curve from 4200 to 4600rpm. Graph looks funny because I was in the middle of chickening out on the dyno with the fresh built engine at rpm. I know it makes power up to about 5400rpm.
The rearend:
ford 8.8 posi with 3.73 gear.
Tires:
Hoosier 26 x 9-15 drag slicks.
Transmission:
a rebuilt and beefed up 4L60 (non-E). Its got kevlar clutches and bands and a bunch of other stuff the trans guy told me he put in it. Running the converter lock-up is a B&M adjustable lock-up controller. However, it has the stock lock-up converter thats be "loosened up" by a converter shop to stall at 3000 with the old engine but now stalls around 3300-3400 with the current set up.
The problem:
When I'm cruising around town/on the highway I can get the converter to lock-up where I want, in any gear, with the B&M controller. But when I'm at the track, I can only feel the converter lock up if I set it too low a speed and it bogs the engine. Ironically the car ran it's best time when the converter locked up right after the 1-2 shift. However, if lock-up comes in on the big end the RPM doesn't drop at all. The light comes on the B&M box. I cross the traps at 72 mph and run high 14's with the engine screaming at 5200RPM. I'm pretty sure the converter isn't locking up because when I let off after the traps I don't get that engine braking feel like I would on the highway with the converter locked up.
A torque converter in not an insignificant amount of money. I just want to make sure I'm not wasting money. I would still like to be able to daily this thing, but please weigh in and tell me what you think or if I missed some bit of information I should be considering.
Thank you