Under the index for under a grand!

[Billy Nees]

Just a quick update, I hung the trans and converter in the car yesterday mainly to get it off of the floor and out of my way. Have you ever heard the old saying "some times it's chicken and sometimes it's feathers"? Well since I got back from the points meet, I've been busy trying to get some "buddy stuff" done and I don't see me being able to get back to the motor until I get back from the Gators.
Sorry Larry, looks like the popcorn is gonna get cold.

[Bob Don]

I'll pop a fresh batch.

[Joe Toller]

Any updates?

[jcw31]

Hey Billy
Have not not seen any posts on this from you in a while. Hows the engine coming ?
I am sure there are some of us still very interested in your project. And awaiting your posts.

Joe

[jmantle]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Well, the engine is on hold till I get back from Fla.. It seems that I may have had an attack of CRS and can't remember which cams went where! At any rate, I'll be sending an old cam core out to be re-ground when I get back(dime rocket tip of the week!).
So, let's talk torque converters today. First, a little bit of personal commentary, beyond the motor, there is more to be gained(IMHO) in the correct torque converter than anything else in the car(assuming the car is right). Now I already know that this car is going to want a tight 8" converter but it isn't in my budget(maybe later).
Back in the 70s the hot lick for going fast cheap was to go and get a "Vega" or "Pinto" converter. They were very inefficient and fragile but they were fairly fast and easy to find. Not so in the 21st century so I actually had a converter made, cheap. I already know that my combo makes very good torque for a small motor as I ran my GP with the race motor and a stock converter for a couple of weeks before getting a good one. My car actually ran a tenth under with the stock one but it's got a bit more motor in it. Through a friend in the transmission business, I contacted a (stock) converter rebuilder and asked him what my options were. He looked up my stock converter and found it to have a 1600(that's right) RPM stall and figured that by mixing and matching some stock parts and assembling it with the widest tolorances he could get me about 2800-3000 RPM. Price? $80, for that I'll give it a try.
Now I want to be perfectly clear here, my car picked up a half of a second by putting the correct race converter in the car so the money spent is well worth it but this is being done on a strict budget and if it doesn't work, shame on me.
I'll be back in a week!

Billy, cheap convertor for a 200, get one from a 76 Chevette. They came with a 200 and use an 8" convertor. You will need to do a little adapting on the front end but nothing serious.

Jim Mantle V/SA 6632

[Billy Nees]

Thanks Jim, I think that you'll find that the 76 Chevette was the first car to actually have a 200 turbo in it. Hopefully, I'll be getting back to the motor this coming week.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by jmantle

Billy, cheap convertor for a 200, get one from a 76 Chevette. They came with a 200 and use an 8" convertor. You will need to do a little adapting on the front end but nothing serious.

Jim Mantle V/SA 6632

Good idea, Jim.
Those converters were basically the Opel design and size...They had funky stators in them .but you could always upgrade it later.
You would need to make a pilot adapter with a 1.702 O.D. and whatever ID that thing has on it now. You should be able to weld that on without opening the converter.
Then make some tabs to adapt to the small GM pattern flex plate, and weld them on too.
Just make sure the overall height is the same as a V 8 converter...This just might work...for now.

[ss wannabee]

Originally Posted by jmantle

Billy, cheap convertor for a 200, get one from a 76 Chevette. They came with a 200 and use an 8" convertor. You will need to do a little adapting on the front end but nothing serious.

Jim Mantle V/SA 6632

Thought that Chevette's came with the French-built TH-180? Can those conv. be used in a TH-200?

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by ss wannabee

Thought that Chevette's came with the French-built TH-180? Can those conv. be used in a TH-200?

Not sure about all of them.
The Strasboug 180 is listed in the Chevette for 78-87.
The TH 200 can out in 76 ,and so did the Chevette.
Maybe we can get Billy to crawl under a few...if he can find any in Pa.
At any rate ,the 180 converter is listed as a 27 spline input, matching the 200.
I'm sure they've all got the standard GM 27 spline stator support.
As long as it's got the metric style 1 3/4 hub, which I 'm pretty sure it does, you should be good with the mods discussed in my previous post.
I know the Chevette got the 245 mm (9") lock up with the metric hub in about '81.

[Joe Toller]

There are 3 in the wrecking yard here in Montana, I can look today and see...