I'm trying to decide whether to spend the $$$ on a new intake and runners or a good higher stall convertor. With the mods below I also have since ported the plenum and run drag radials.
I'm looking to run consistent mid to high 13's until I can do a cam and head swap (which is quite a ways off).
Which will benefit me more?

Bob

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350 TPI, 700R4(rebuilt), K&N's, MSD 6AL, Headers, Flowmaster, 160* stat, airfoil, MAF screens cut out. 13.88 @ 101.18 mph

 

I think the converter will give you greater gains. You already have the drag radials so you can take advantage of a higher stall converter. Plus when you do the head and cam later, you're gonna need to swap out to a higher stall converter anyway to maximize your combo.

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1989 IROC-Z, ZZ3 shortblock with some bolt-ons.
13.20 @ 108.69, 2.2 60'

 

Get a convertor for a 95 s-10 4.3 vortec v6 for around $100 and a used edelbrock intake for $250-300 or some as&m runners. The convertor will stall around 2500rpm, still lock up, and should do fine behind your motor.



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87 IROC-Z, 5.7, auto, 3.27, leather, !cat, Holley fpr, K&N'S, SLP 1-3/4" Jet-Hot coated headers, SLP .218/.224 .495/.502 cam, Comp 1.5 roller tip rockers, $uperPITAram, Edelbrock lower intake, Holley 52mm tb, Dynomax\Flowmaster catback. Coming Soon(?)- Fasttrack/Accell DFI

1989 Pontiac 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am - 161,000 miles, !cat, 9" K&N

 

Here is my take on it...

The converter will probably give you more of an ET reduction than the intake pieces will.

BUT, won't you only notice the converter in first gear? The intake pieces will be felt in all gears in the upper RPM range, right?

Just depends on what you do with the car. If its a strip only vehicle then by all means get the converter; If you drive everyday and do your share of street races, then the intake pieces might be the better choice...

 

Most of my driving is done on the street, however I like to hit the track about 4 or 5 times a year.
Maybe I'll just get it all over with and buy both the intake and convertor.
I would be sure to drop a few tenths with both of those??
What do you think?

Bob

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350 TPI, 700R4(rebuilt), K&N's, MSD 6AL, Headers, Flowmaster, 160* stat, airfoil, MAF screens cut out. 13.88 @ 101.18 mph

 

I'm using a Turbine Technologies torque converter. I like the fact that I reduced my E/T by four tenths with it, saw a higher MPH, and still took home 21MPG at the Camaroz28.com's M5 event in October.

$150 price tag, plus shipping. It'll be good for 300 to 350 HP.

I'd recommend it. No perceiveable loss of driveability around town, either.


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Daniel Burk
http://www.isthq.com/~dan/fcar.html
'84 Trans Am WS6/L69
KB SFC, Moser axles, Torsen Diff. PST suspension, Braided stainless brake lines, Koni struts, 11-inch rear disks,Spohn Adj. torque arm,
Ported 305 heads w/1.94"intake valves, Comp Cams XE262H, Griffen alum. radiator,
Turbine Technologies 2500 stall converter, underdrive pulleys, Crane Hi-6 & more.
1.05g skidpad verified.
New best E/T! 14.039 at 100.82 MPH in 41 degree air at Stanton, Michigan.

 

Dan,

How did you here of Turbine Tech? Do you know anyone else who has one installed? How is there customer service?
Everyone says go with Pro Torque or Prec. Ind.
Just trying to do all my homework before I lay out the cash!
Thanks

Bob

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350 TPI, 700R4(rebuilt), K&N's, MSD 6AL, Headers, Flowmaster, 160* stat, airfoil, MAF screens cut out. 13.88 @ 101.18 mph

 

If you do go the conveter route, you might also consider adding a shift kit and trans cooler as well. Also make sure your trans is in good shape; You wouldn't want to fork over $600 for a Vigilante converter and a week later your trans goes out and takes the converter with it.

Let us know what you decide...Nice times by the way

 

I heard about them through an internet friend in California. He runs a parts store, and had dealt with Turbine Technologies before. They build industrial turbines for the aerospace industry, and do converters on the side, since they are a bunch of self-described "car guys".

If you want more info, contact Tom McCabe at this email address: mailto:transstuff@aol.com and tell him I referred you. Tom assured me that they have cut open hundreds of converters and discovered that their quality is just as good as anything you'll find for less than $500. I replaced a $300 converter that was manufactured by TCI. I have it for sale if you want it by the way, for only $65! It's about an 1800 RPM stall, I'd guess.



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Daniel Burk
http://www.isthq.com/~dan/fcar.html
'84 Trans Am WS6/L69
KB SFC, Moser axles, Torsen Diff. PST suspension, Braided stainless brake lines, Koni struts, 11-inch rear disks,Spohn Adj. torque arm,
Ported 305 heads w/1.94"intake valves, Comp Cams XE262H, Griffen alum. radiator,
Turbine Technologies 2500 stall converter, underdrive pulleys, Crane Hi-6 & more.
1.05g skidpad verified.
New best E/T! 14.039 at 100.82 MPH in 41 degree air at Stanton, Michigan.

 

Jeff,
Thanks! I had my tranny rebuilt about 1 year ago with a shift kit and a vette servo installed so it is still pretty fresh. I will however add a cooler if I get the convertor.

Dan,
I will keep them in mind during my search for the convertor. Thanks again.

Bob

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350 TPI, 700R4(rebuilt), K&N's, MSD 6AL, Headers, Flowmaster, 160* stat, airfoil, MAF screens cut out. 13.88 @ 101.18 mph

 

Whats the stock stall speed?

 

SlowIROC:

See:
https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/...ML/000892.html