[Ed Wright]

I played "the converter game" too. Like to have that money back also. I was originally told to call ATI, and buy whatever Charlie Plott recommended. Later blew money on two different "custom" converters that were supposed to be faster than the "just off-the-shelf " ATI. Both converters slowed the car at both ends of the track .

Next was step headers, then merge collectors. Depends on your combo, evidently some run faster with both. I found mine likes big, same sized primaries. It also likes big, straight collectors, over two different sets of merge collectors. Actually, one set did not slow the car, just ran the same. Talking to Jere Stahl, and after him seeing dyno sheets, time slips, and answering engine combo, converter and gear set questions, was told "That engine does not want small primaries or collectors". No sh* t. :-)
What he recommended was close to what I had settled on, except all 8 spark plugs come out, and my headers don't bang the ground if I have to lift during an excessive wheel stand. Also runs 5 Hun quicker, and almost 1 MPH faster. I think it was one of the last sets they built. Probably lucky Jere remembered my from way back.

Test & test, don't expect to get fast reading message boards. Get ready to spend time and money on track rentals, if you want to be somewhat fast.

What was said about trick rings also. I have some piston ring stories. LOL