Street driven with Stall converter?

[mobileaudio25]

Ive just installed a new top end kit and a gnational 373 rear end on my setup and b&m said that i needed a bigger stall around a 3200.
Im looking at the jegs 3100-3500 stall converter (supposed to be made by tci or b&m). I've read that the cheaper stall converters bring on more heat but i already have a 20,000 gvw transmission cooler running after my radiator trans cooler.
Will I be able to drive somewhat ok with this converter on the street? the car will only see about 2k miles a year. Also will I be able to drive on the freeway? the longest trip would be 15 miles.

Thanks, kyle

 

[DoubleV]

3200 stall is OK for the street as long as you have a QUALITY converter. B&M and TCI converters are NOT quality converters. Do yourself a favor and spend a little more and get a good one or you will probably regret it.

 

[dogsht]

fwiw There is no Grand National rear but there is the 8.5 that GM put in the Buick Grand National and Olds 442. Buick used a 3.42 gear and Olds ran a 3.73. I used a cheap 3,000 stall that put no heat in the transmission/cooling system and you could not tell you had a stall as it drove like a normal car until you stick it then bang it jumps out of the hole like a high stall should. But the reason for that was that it was a lock up converter. I had it with an 200-4R overdrive transmission but some th350s had the capability of running a lock up converter.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

TCI converters are NOT quality converters.

:? Why do you say that? I have always been told that TCI sells great stuff. Even the guy that built my dad's TH400 put a TCI stall converter (cant remember stall) in it and its been street driven with occasional thrashing for about 8 years now with no issues at all. His setup is a 600hp 461 Olds, TH400, and 3.90 12 bolt.

 

[DoubleV]

TCI converters are NOT quality converters.

:? Why do you say that?

Because they aren't. Just like Flowtech isn't a quality header.

I have always been told that TCI sells great stuff.

And now you're being told that they don't. :wink: 🙂 Seriously, if you compare a TCI converter to a better one, you would be able to tell the difference. Mind you I didn't say TCI was junk, but it's simply not a top quality product.

Even the guy that built my dad's TH400 put a TCI stall converter (cant remember stall) in it and its been street driven with occasional thrashing for about 8 years now with no issues at all. His setup is a 600hp 461 Olds, TH400, and 3.90 12 bolt.

Of course a TCI converter will do it's job. No ones saying it can't, but a better converter will simply do a better job. It will feel less sluggish below it's stall speed, be more durable, and will be more efficient up top. That means better street manners and better performance at the track. Win win.

P.S. I hear TCI is better than B&M.

 

[JBreu]

You might want to check out ptcrace.com they make great converters and they back them up as well. I'm running a 3200 converter from them and couldn't be happier. You should be ok with the minimal driving that you do.....The rear end gears will make you rev a good amount though. I had 3.73 gears and a th400 transmission for a while and didn't like the rpm's the motor was doing on my way to the track....I now have 4.10 gears with a 700r4 transmission and man I love the O/D. Good luck 🙂

 

[online170]

Im using a TCI 3500 in my car with 3.41 gears. Its a QUALITY piece.

If i didnt take the engine out I would not have known it was a stall, its very good performance street or strip. Feels tight on the street, and flashes really good at the strip. On the highway, I can pass cars, and not feel like im fighting stall to get the power down.

I really like it.

 

[JRG53]

DoubleV, you've said to send the money for a quality converter, but you haven't said which you prefer. Only that you don't like b&m and tci.

 

[79GP6.6L]

These are awesome. http://www.converter.com/ I ran a 9.5" Vigilante for a while. Best converter I've ever had.

I have a TCI converter in my GP. It is not a bad converter, but I'm inclined to agree with Double V. There is a difference between the more expensive converters and the stuff from TCI or B&M. If I didn't have experience with the Precision Industries converter, I might not think so, but I do. Although I'm not sure how much it matters on a car that only sees occasional use... which is why I have a TCI in my GP.