Okay, I have a 350 with a mild cam (218/224 @.050) and 3.23 rear gears with realtively small tires (235/60/R14's which I plan to step up to 255/50/R15's) and currently a stock torque converter. I heard that the torque converter for a corvette stalls at 2100 vs the normal 1600, and was wondering if I would feel this difference or if this is most cost effective. The converter only runs 140 bucks. I know someone has looked into doing this or has done this. Am I wise to do this or would I be better off going elsewhere with my current combo?

 

With that engine, you will be producing plenty of bottom end torque. The stock converter will be fine. You may be a little quicker off the line with the vette converter--if it's worth the money is up to you. 255/50R15's are slightly shorter than your current 235/60R14's--I don't think I've seen 255/50R15 before. If you find that size it will need an 8 inch wide wheel to fit. Consider going up to 16x8's if possible.

 

I already bought the 15's though. they were a good deal. 80 bucks for 4 Z-28 wheels in excellent shape. Do they make a 55 series if you know? What size tires/type would you guys recommend? I found 60 series but they are way too tall. Im looking for something in the 25-25.5" height.

 

On a 15x7 wheel on a thirdgen, 235/60 is the only way to go. Any fatter and you just get a nasty sidewall bulge, and irregular tread wear from trying to put too much tire on the rim. Yeah it's a 26" tire, but unless you lower your car, anything shorter just gives you that ***** / welfare lowrider look.

As for the converter, the vette or S10 piece is the only way to go for a budget converter. Cheap converters from companies liek BM, TCI, etc are just that, cheap and usually don;t work too well. And they're more than the genuine GM pieces anyway. If you're not going all out on a nice vigilante or yank, you might as well go with the vette or S10 piece. As for gains, yeah you should see a pretty big difference off the line, easily could be worth a few tenths. A decent torque converter is better than gears in a lot of cases.

 

My only worry with larger tires is getting slowed down and having an innacurate speedometer. Now it read slightly under, and Im enjoying the effect of "fake" 3.73's via the 235/60R14's on it now and dont want to lose acceleration.

Im thinking of the corvette converter....where does it stall around, is it like 2100 rpm or so?

 

Using 235/60R14's instead of 235/60R15's is more like having 3.35 gears--not 3.73's. You don't have many choices for a short and wide 15 inch tire for a 7 inch wide wheel. You can fit a 245/50R15. IMO, if you have to go with 15x7's, 235/60's are the way to go.

 

http://www.theherd.com/articles/torque.html read

 

That article talks of a different coverter for 84 and 84 1/2 and up. How do I tell what my car is. I know its an 84, but thats it. Will a post 84 1/2 one still fit the car? I just dont want to get the converter, crawl under there, swear for 2 hours only to find out I did it for nothing and have to reinstall it and swear for another couple of hours.

 

Look for the the four digit code stamped on the converter body.Than look at the web site again it will tell you what the code means.

 

I can get a good deal on Genuine GM Converter. Its out of the 86 vette. I will be putting it into a 85 IROC with stock IROC rims, and 3.42 gears. How do u think this Converter will work ourt for me.

Thanks

 

I forgot its for a 305 TPI engine.

 

Sorry its actually a 1988 Corvette Converter that was used in the L98 Corvettes. Sorry about the mix up.

 

I have this converter in my L98 IROC w/3.27 gears. I decided on it when I had my trans rebuilt last month. It replaced one that was supposedly 2200 stall, of unknown manufacturer.

It’s a significant upgrade over stock, you will feel it. It’s a good compromise between an expensive race grade converter and stock, and your mileage will suffer little, if any. I recommend it. I don’t think you’ll find a better price/performance deal out there.

 

Sounds good. Does the car still feel the same as it did with the stock conveter. Also have u tested the converter at the track.

Thanks again