how do i know what to pick with a converter

79transam · 04-10-2012, 08:56 PM

im going to buy a new bte converter. everyone i talked to says i need a 5500 stall. my trans guy is wanting me to get a 5000 stall. i run a 434 sbc in a 79 transam, i run a glide with a brake, shift at 6500 launch at 3500 i have a lunati solid roller cam the duration at 50 is 276/284 gross lift is 640/645 rpm range 4400-7800. ive never weighed the car but would guess around 3k. im lost with this. ive tried finding stuff on the net to read but its like a soup recipe everyone has a different opinion, if i go with the 5k what is the adverse affect of this? same with the larger stall. thanks for all your guys help i needed some expert advise so i came to the experts.

Phillip marvetz · 04-10-2012, 11:19 PM

I would ask the people at BTE.

rustbucket79 · 04-10-2012, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 79transam

im going to buy a new bte converter. everyone i talked to says i need a 5500 stall. my trans guy is wanting me to get a 5000 stall. i run a 434 sbc in a 79 transam, i run a glide with a brake, shift at 6500 launch at 3500 i have a lunati solid roller cam the duration at 50 is 276/284 gross lift is 640/645 rpm range 4400-7800. ive never weighed the car but would guess around 3k. im lost with this. ive tried finding stuff on the net to read but its like a soup recipe everyone has a different opinion, if i go with the 5k what is the adverse affect of this? same with the larger stall. thanks for all your guys help i needed some expert advise so i came to the experts.

I presume the 4400 to 7800 RPM range is in reference to the cam manufacturer's suggestion rather than your engine's actual powerband.

I've always had good results choosing a stall somewhere between 1500 and 2000 lower than peak engine RPM. Also, better to stay with a more efficient (tight) 8" converter that can be restalled higher if required rather than a loose 10" converter that's maxed out and has horrible slippage numbers down track.

Do you have a dyno sheet?

rallye bob · 04-11-2012, 05:05 AM

Shift at 6500, in a sbc?

Greg Hill · 04-11-2012, 06:52 AM

Call Charlie Plott at ATI. Your stall speed will depend on if you're going for maximum performance or something else.

Ed Wright · 04-11-2012, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg hill

call charlie plott at ati. Your stall speed will depend on if you're going for maximum performance or something else.

x200!!

Ron Middleton · 04-11-2012, 10:42 AM

Talk to Bubba Stanton at BTE and follow his recommendation. They've built many convertors for your type application and they do a real good job of it. I've sold quite a few of their converters and never a problem. JMT.

mannymen · 04-11-2012, 11:30 AM

You are best spending $400 for a half day on the dyno to determine the right converter for you engine. You will get it right the first time and it will save you a TON of money in the long run. Nothing like spending $900-$1200 on a converter and not having the right one, then having to spend another $1000 trying to figure it out.

1320racer · 04-11-2012, 11:48 AM

While I agree with those that advised speaking to Charlie Plott/ATI, the bottomline is without actual dyno info or at the very least good dyno simulation info, your sucess at getting the right converter is a matter of who guesses the best.

philbilly · 04-14-2012, 07:23 PM

I just got home from a couple days of Scottys school. It was free testing of converters, carbs, fuels, trannys,etc. Alot of good products I tested 5 different converters in the last 2 days. I was able to pick up my stocker 5 tenths in the quarter mile over the converter I started with. Money well spent. Alot of work but I didnt waste any money trying to find some e.t. Its not everyday I get to test products for free. You can also learn a bit why your there.

04-10-2012, 08:56 PM	#1
79transam Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 22 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	how do i know what to pick with a converter im going to buy a new bte converter. everyone i talked to says i need a 5500 stall. my trans guy is wanting me to get a 5000 stall. i run a 434 sbc in a 79 transam, i run a glide with a brake, shift at 6500 launch at 3500 i have a lunati solid roller cam the duration at 50 is 276/284 gross lift is 640/645 rpm range 4400-7800. ive never weighed the car but would guess around 3k. im lost with this. ive tried finding stuff on the net to read but its like a soup recipe everyone has a different opinion, if i go with the 5k what is the adverse affect of this? same with the larger stall. thanks for all your guys help i needed some expert advise so i came to the experts.

04-10-2012, 11:19 PM	#2
Phillip marvetz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lynden ,WA Posts: 820 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: how do i know what to pick with a converter I would ask the people at BTE. __________________ 2009 V/SA Record Holder

04-11-2012, 05:05 AM	#4
rallye bob Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Genoa, Illinois Posts: 488 Likes: 8 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: how do i know what to pick with a converter Shift at 6500, in a sbc?

04-11-2012, 06:52 AM	#5
Greg Hill VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Louisville , KY Posts: 1,994 Likes: 63 Liked 270 Times in 68 Posts	Re: how do i know what to pick with a converter Call Charlie Plott at ATI. Your stall speed will depend on if you're going for maximum performance or something else. __________________ Greg Hill 4171 STK

04-11-2012, 10:42 AM	#7
Ron Middleton Member Join Date: Jan 1970 Location: Jackson, Ms. Posts: 350 Likes: 183 Liked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Re: how do i know what to pick with a converter Talk to Bubba Stanton at BTE and follow his recommendation. They've built many convertors for your type application and they do a real good job of it. I've sold quite a few of their converters and never a problem. JMT. __________________ #4892 J/SA. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” - Aristotle

04-11-2012, 11:30 AM	#8
mannymen Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 728 Likes: 4 Liked 13 Times in 7 Posts	Re: how do i know what to pick with a converter You are best spending $400 for a half day on the dyno to determine the right converter for you engine. You will get it right the first time and it will save you a TON of money in the long run. Nothing like spending $900-$1200 on a converter and not having the right one, then having to spend another $1000 trying to figure it out. __________________ N/A

04-11-2012, 11:48 AM	#9
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,794 Likes: 74 Liked 424 Times in 204 Posts	Re: how do i know what to pick with a converter While I agree with those that advised speaking to Charlie Plott/ATI, the bottomline is without actual dyno info or at the very least good dyno simulation info, your sucess at getting the right converter is a matter of who guesses the best.

04-14-2012, 07:23 PM	#10
philbilly Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Demossville,KY Posts: 337 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: how do i know what to pick with a converter I just got home from a couple days of Scottys school. It was free testing of converters, carbs, fuels, trannys,etc. Alot of good products I tested 5 different converters in the last 2 days. I was able to pick up my stocker 5 tenths in the quarter mile over the converter I started with. Money well spent. Alot of work but I didnt waste any money trying to find some e.t. Its not everyday I get to test products for free. You can also learn a bit why your there.