Choosing a torque converter?

[Syco67]

Since my brothers tranny is most likely toast(dropping pan on saturday), I think I have talked him into getting a TCI streetfighter from Summitt.  The TCI unit is ony $80 more than an auto parts store reman.  The only thing is I dont think the TCI comes with a converter.  Could we use an oem style converter or would it be better to get something with a stall.  All my vehicles are or have been converted to standard so I'm no good at putting auto combo's together.  The motor is a rebuilt stock(we think) 1971 383 with just an edelbrock intake/carb.  It will see 99% street use with an occasional 1/4 mile run.  Not sure what rear gears it has but will find out on saturday.

[guzzimike]

This is a tough one, because we don't have enough info to go by...(cam, heads, gear ratio, intake, carb, tire size)

But just as WAG (Wild Educated Guess) based on the stats you provided so far, I would recommend that you get a TC with a stall RPM of somewhere between 2200 - 2500 RPM. I would suggest no more than 2800.

Just my opinion.

[flyboy01]

Buy a dynamic, and ask them for a recco. You cant spend too much money on a TQ converter.

[thecarfarmer]

Originally HP engine (roadrunner cam) or standard?

And what gears?

-bill

[codfish]

Buy a dynamic, and ask them for a recco. You cant spend too much money on a TQ converter.

I agree.

And shop around a little before you buy a TCI anything.  They're customer service sucks.  And the convertor I bought there is junk.  Stall was way off from advertised, and balance was out of wack.  They admitted that it was their mistake, andtold me to ship it back to them, at MY expense, and they would give me a great deal on fixing it??  WTF??  It was brand new.  This was three years ago.  It is still serving me well though, as a door stop!!!

Call John Cope at CRT.

codfish

[satellite65]

I had a B&M holeshot converter a long time ago. What a P.O.S.

[Syco67]

The only thing we know about the motor is that it's a 1971 383 that has an edelbrock performer intake and a 1406 600cfm carb.  It's in a 1940 dodge truck.  I will get the gear ratio and tire size tomorrow.  I was looking at the B&M Tork Master, it sounded good, but then said it wasn't meant for big blocks.  

[dart4406]

Dynamic Is A Very Good Unit!

[ksdartguy]

PTC is a good source. Thats where Cope racing get alot of theirs.

[Syco67]

Cool, we'll look them up and check there stuff out.

[my64dart]

Hi,
   Buy a Dynamic or PTC.  Thats money well spent.
      Jim

[illfish]

I had a TCI convertor once that had a gob of weld INSIDE the collar.  Couldn't even put the thing on the trans.

[thecarfarmer]

Since the motor is stock, why not just use a stock high stall small bowl unit (such as '68 Dart 340 GTS torque convertor)?

Just for damn sure, RUN, don't walk away from anything G.E.R. sells!

-bill

[tony GTS]

I think that I'm the only TCI fan on this board...

[383man]

Dynamic convertor.   I use them in my 63 and my sons Dart.  Both are street cars and the convertors work great.      Ron

[Syco67]

Sorry I took so long, I got sick last week and didn't get to work on the truck.  We pulled the tranny pan today and it was full of grey sludge and a lot of metal flakes.  We are going to check several avenues for rebuilding or replacing the tranny, but he still wants to replace the torque converter just to be safe.  I also found out the truck has rear gears in the neighborhood of 4:10.  We did the lift and spin test, we got just a hair shy of 2 full driveshaft rotations for one wheel rotation.  He is also running 235/75R15 rear tires.  It's still a one tire frier though.   Going to start calling and getting some prices on stuff this week, I'll probably be checking out most of the name brands mentioned so far.

[dusterdarryl]

have you not got a trans shop nearby?  try getting a quote from them on a rebuild and split the converter open for inspection, if your dealing with a near stock engine then you dont need an overboard 727 or mad lose converter,
just one question though, did you have the kickdown linkage working correctly?  if not then this would cause the malfuntion in the first place & will do it again even with a new trans

[Syco67]

We'll be checking some local shops, just not sure if they will be willing to install a shift kit.  The kickdown linkage was on and working before we pulled the engine.  When we put the motor back in, the linkage wouldn't fit with the carb spacer we installed so we removed it.  The truck was only driven 3 times without it, totaling less than an hour of drive time.  Two of the trips were just around the block, the 3rd trip was about 20 miles altogether.  I've always had problems with the kickdowns on other autos and always removed them before without any problems.  We could make it work if we had to, but I really didn't think we needed it. 

[rcomet75]

I have a torque converter form a 1968 383 HP motor. PM me if your interested.