Torque Converter Help

[jacobdavis1979]

Hey guys whats up? I'm about ready to drop in my 5.3 into my Bu and converter is really the only thing holding me up. Il try to make a long story short but Ive called around a few local shops, TCI, and B&M about recommending a few converters for my setup. The main things they wanted to know was compression ratio, cam duration, so on and so forth. My cam card said 300 advertised duration so i told them that and about 9.5 compression ratio give or take a few points and my trans th350 etc. Basically the answer i got was anywhere from 2700- 3100 flash stall speed so i know what to get. My problem is they really stressed to me for it to be a proper setup was to run a 3.55 to 4.10 rear gear which i don't have im still doomed to the stock 2.28 which i didn't really think about until one of them brought it up. And im no trans expert but if im pulling 1900 rpm at 60 on the highway in a non lock up trans with a 3000 converter wouldn't that generate a ton of heat and burn up my trans?? Im gonna change the rear gear when i can but is it safe to drive until then cuz i really don't know when i can change the gears. Should i run some big A** cooler??

Also this is the first time ive ever used anything but a stock converter so if there is anything i need to know any help is appreciated

 

[lilbowtie]

You need to take a look at what your final combo is going to be - a proper set up needs to have the carb, intake, heads, cam, converter, and rear end all working together. With 300 duration you must have a pretty healthy cam. I think I would be more worried trying to run that cam with a 2.28 rear.

 

[jacobdavis1979]

Well like I said the rear gear is temporary I just don't know for how long lol

 

[DoubleV]

Yes get a good trans cooler.

 

[jacobdavis1979]

Yes get a good trans cooler.

And I should be good until I change the ring and pinion that way right? Cuz it might be like next year until I get it done

 

[jacobdavis1979]

I just ordered a trans cooler.

Now i got a dumb question will this ring and pinion set fit my 7.5 rear on a 79? I dont see Malibu on the compatibility chart

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performance- ... ProductId=

 

[crotchss]

Yep that gear will work in your 7.5". It may be worth looking into to just swap in a 8.8" rear end since a lot of them came with 3.73's, 4.10's and a posi too.

 

[jacobdavis1979]

Id like to do that too. I just dont like the idea of pulling 3000 rpm on the freeway but I guess il do what I gotta do until I get an overdrive trans

An 8.8 is a bolt in swap right?

 

[crotchss]

Not a direct bolt in. There are a few changes that need to be made, such as shorten drive shaft a little, aftermarket trailing arms, re-drill wheel stud bolt pattern, etc., but it is definitely stronger than the 7.5 rear. We just did this swap on my buddy's S-10, it has leaf springs so he didn't have to buy trailing arms, but $250 for the Explorer rearend, $30 for another passenger side axle shaft, and $15 for the hybrid U-joint. So for $300 all said and done. I cut down the driver side axle tube 3" then re-welded it and stuck in the other passenger side axle because the Explorer rear is 5" wider, now it's only 2" wider and I chopped down the drive shaft 1 1/2" and welded for him. Then using one of his old drums we drilled the axles to 5x4.75 bolt pattern and installed new studs. If you do a search on the net for 8.8 Gbody swap you will find plenty of links on how to do it. Also people on this forum have done the same and can help you.

 

[jacobdavis1979]

Chris you have once again been a huge help thank you.

Im gonna look into that in the near future. Im gonna try and get this motor swap out of the way first though. And maybe just temporarily change the gear in my 7.5 untill i collect a rear end and some parts.