I am considering a BTE torque converter but I don't really know anyone who runs one. I like to here feedback before I shell out the cash.

 

although i distribute my own line of torque converters,i have use the bte pieces from time to time and they make a pretty decent converter for street applications.

 

BTE is Bill Taylor Engineering.

Bill Taylor is the guy that started up TCI some decades ago. He sold it (TCI) in the early 90s. TCI isn't near what it used to be.

There are very few people in the world that know more about how to make a converter work, than him.

 

There are 2 convertors you will find in most of the winning car out there BTE and ATI. I'm baised to BTE since I'm very good freinds with the dealer, I have more buddies than not running BTE convertors. They are top notch, great customer service, and consistent, repeatable convertors!!! You will not go wrong using BTE.

I'm using a left over TCI out of the truck I run becasue it saved me $840 at time of build, but once I put new motor in, a BTE will be installed prior.

 

IHI, I am just about convinced that I'll be using a BTE or Precision Industries. They are both in the Memphis area and I go there quite often. You're right about the customer service with BTE. I have been talking to them and they have been very helpful. I have a car that runs 6.90's with a Neal Chance converter. I am switching from a 700r4 to a th350 and will need a different converter. Will having a higher first gear kill my 60' times a little? Right now my best with the 700r4 is 1.62. I run 3.73's in the rear. I am hoping to use about a 2800 to 3000 in the th350 and get my 60' time down in the 1.5's.

Also, has anyone done any back to back tests to see if their car picked up any time and mph by going to a th350?

 

Back when I ran my 700r4 it was freshen up with a Trans-go kit and upgraded parts, and used a Coan 2800 stall (found on e-bay for couple hundred bucks)

Later that year switched to TH350 with TCI 3500 stall. Same motor, same 3.42 gears, just different trannies/stall speeds.

Everything on the timeslip was identical, that went for finish line rpm as well.

I cant remember the incementals since it was 4 yrs ago and many experiments ago too but what really stuck in my head was I saw no gains anywhere making the swap, aside from the fact the new tranny is alot smaller and lighter to haul up into place, alot stronger as well, plus CHEAP to rebuild bullet proof....try saying any of those things about a 700r4

So by uping the stall speed on your convertor, you can easily match what your doing with your 700r4, so I would'nt even sweat that aspect of the swap. One thing I did before I installed the TH350, I cut the ears off the bellhousing-the outter most ears that the dust cover bolted to. I've never run a dust sheild and it greatly opened up clearances under the car in that area.

Aside from losing the OD funtion, it'll be the best thing for you for piece of mind not wondering if it's gonna be this pass the 700 lets go LOL! Your best advise would be to talk to the tech department and go through and answer all of their many questions honestly and to the best of your ability so they can help you pick the best convertor for your needs, kinda like picking a cam. We can recommend all kinds of things, but most of these companies talk to their dealers about what combo did this or that so they have more real life data available to help make a concious descion to help us all out when it comes time to fork over the cash.

 

Thanks IHI for the input. I love to hear experiences before I do something. I do have a question about the ears. Did you cut them off so that air could get to the converter and aid in cooling? I never run a dust shield either. I would like to see a picture of what you mean. Does cutting this weaken the bell housing? I definitely will call BTE tomorrow and discuss needing a higher stall than the 700r4 to have comparable times.

 

I cut the ears off to gain clearance between the bellhousing and the floor pan. The ears serve no structural purpose what so ever, they are there so the outter most portions of the dust cover had something to bolt into. I ran that tranney for 2 yrs no problem like that, I went through a stint bck in HS years ago where I replaced 4 trannies in a month (junk yard specials that went from bone yard to car that were all junk) and I wacked the ears off all those to, just makes fitting a whole lot easier.

Sorry I dont have any pcitures, but imagine looking head long at your tranny so your staring at the mounted convertor. On the lower ends of the bellhousing (part that give it the "bell" name is what I cutt off. I just used a sawsall and cut stright down to get the tabs off. If you had it infront of you it'd make more sense and you will probably see right away what I'm talking about, especailly once you go to mount it up into the car.

 

It just dawned on me what you're talking about! I know the ears you mentioned. I'll probably do the same thing.