Torque Converter & new 350 / 290 hp engine

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lilbowtie

Comic Book Super Hero
Jan 7, 2006
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Canton Mi
From the numbers you gave your rear end is around 2.4. Need to know how aggressive that cam is (specs). What carb and intake did you use. You are outside your torque curve and not making any power there for what you want. It's all about the complete combo - I'll bet it really wakes up around 2500 rpm.
 
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Oct 14, 2008
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The 2.41 sounds low, around 1400 rpm according to my accurate calculator. I know 2.56 gears came stock on my 88 with a factory 2004R, on the trunk lid, the 3.08 was optional. Even with a 2300 stall, locked up with 2.78 gears and 235/60R14 tires put me below 1800 rpm at 65 mph, checked with a GPS. So I still say he has around 3.08 gears, unless the lock up isn't working. But a 2200 to 2500 stall and 3.42 to 3.73 gears will annihilate the tires and be much more fun.
 

fleming442

Captain Tenneal
Dec 26, 2013
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Ima put my money on rear gears; 3.42 is a nice ratio for these cars, especially if your 4th gear is 1:1.
Rev that sumbich to 3000 and pop the clutch; you might get some rubber before the spider gears launch through the rear cover. :twisted:

My "87 El Camino came with a four speed auto trans from the factory.
D'oh! I'm a dumbass; missed that little keyword.

A quick search netted a 2.74 first gear in 200-4Rs; if that is correct, it should get out of the hole pretty good with a 3.42 or better gear. I'd go 3.73-4.11 since it has OD, though.
 
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lilbowtie

Comic Book Super Hero
Jan 7, 2006
3,460
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Canton Mi
The 2.41 sounds low, around 1400 rpm according to my accurate calculator. I know 2.56 gears came stock on my 88 with a factory 2004R, on the trunk lid, the 3.08 was optional. Even with a 2300 stall, locked up with 2.78 gears and 235/60R14 tires put me below 1800 rpm at 65 mph, checked with a GPS. So I still say he has around 3.08 gears, unless the lock up isn't working. But a 2200 to 2500 stall and 3.42 to 3.73 gears will annihilate the tires and be much more fun.


I forgot about the overdrive !! Ditto the 3.08 gears
 
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Clarkwb100

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Feb 7, 2019
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to respond to some thoughts,,,,
the exhaust was my first issue, used an Iceman crossover and 2-1/2 pipe with mufflers, this is still too loud for my taste but exhaust should not be the problem,
Carb is a Holley Avenger tuned by local carb wizard, Divinci, sitting on an Edelbrock manifold (suggested by Jegs. Most likely not the carb.

No idea what rear gears this car has. Is there a simple method to confirm? Then what?

Again, I don't know the power curve on this engine but it seems like it doesn't see enough RPM to light up the tires. "Aggressive cam" is mentioned in the start up & specifications. But I don't know if this engine has ever even seen 2500 RPM in first or second gear!

Because we disconnected the computer, a transmission lock-up kit was obtained from Jegs and installed when the engine went in. Maybe I am ignorant, but I thought a higher stall speed torque converter would allow the engine to rev to a higher rpm to attain horsepower. If my torque converter is locking up at a low 1300 or 1500 rpm, doesn't this engage the drive train to begin to move the car? Would a higher stall speed allow the engine to attain more horsepower and accelerate faster?

Maybe I just don't know..... Can you educate me?
 

Turbolq4

Royal Smart Person
Sep 25, 2017
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Nampa Idaho
The converter is stalling at those rpm (1300-1500) not locking up. Converter stall is when it actually produces forward motion. Lockup eliminates the slippage of the converter via a mechanical clutch creating a more efficient mode of power transfer. If it's actually locking the 'verter at those rpm in low gears it would be lurching and bucking all over.

Converters are witchcraft and voodoo. So many things change how they act and perform under specific conditions.
 
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pagrunt

Geezer
Sep 14, 2014
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Elderton, Pa
No idea what rear gears this car has. Is there a simple method to confirm?
Looks like you have 2.56 gears, standard on a 305/TH200 4R unless you the RPO G92 "performance ratio" it will be a 3.08. Look for the SPID tag inside the cab & it'll have it all the info needed on it.
 
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Oct 14, 2008
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He has the 3.08 gears, as long his tach is accurate. Not ideal but not 2.14's either. Yes, you need more stall and with the lock up, you will have minimal slippage on the highway. I went from a 2300 stall, rated at 2200 to 2500 with the slightly better 2004R first gear, same trans as yours to a stock 1600 stall TH350, both with 2.78 rear gears. I went from 1/4 block burn outs hitting the go pedal to barely being able to spin the tires, only on a perfect launch.
 

el camino ss 84

Master Mechanic
Oct 23, 2016
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In my El Camino I had 3.08 gears peg leg with a 2004r and was able to burn rubber with no issues with a 350 sbc. Now that I've changed to a 355 sbc, 3.42 posi and umi suspension I definitely know I can make a smoke show without even trying. I would say the highway gears and engine not aggressive enough is the reason your not able to do burnouts.
 
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