Hey everyone, This winter I will be upgrading my trans including a TCI shift kit, and 2/4 Servo upgrade. I also need to upgrade my Torque converter. My question is, who makes the best budget minded converter? I have been doing some reading, and there seems to be a lot of concerns regarding budget converters just being 4cyl car converters modified to fit on V8s and V6s. The problem is in the lock up clutch size/durability. The solution would be a billet unit, but those are far above my price range.

I have read reviews on

PTC
ACC Boss Hogg
TCI
Summit
Jegs
B&M
Hughes
Vigilante
Yank
Circle D

It seems Yank and Vigilante are the overall winners by opinion, but the prices are too high for me at this point.

I'm looking for something in the 2800rpm stall range for the 700r4 trans with lockup. I don't want to spend much more than $500.00

Any suggestions/experiences would be great!

 

With converters, you do get what you pay for. An inexpensive converter is cheap for a reason.

 

Buying a converter isn't like buying cylinder heads as far as ease in getting a good chunk of money back if you screw up. He's not joking when he said you get what you pay for with converters. I paid $800 for mine from Chris @ Circle D. Sounds like a lot until you actually see what it is you're getting.. and I really don't make very much money at all, truthfully. I had two brand new converters.. the 2500 from Hughes ($340), and the 4200 from Circle D ($800). The Hughes converter wasn't a bad piece, but it was laughable in comparison to the Circle D converter. Buying a good converter has huge benefits over a cheap converter... here's why:

- a cheap converter will not be nearly as responsive.
- a cheap converter will cause much more drivability issues at less stall and slip more.
- a cheap converter is vastly inefficient.
- a cheap converter is heavier (thus taking more to turn it accordingly).
- a cheap converter is not built specifically for your car.
- a cheap converter often times isn't reinforced.. for obvious reasons.
- a cheap converter won't ever have billet externals or internals
- a cheap converter will not have the same guarantees/restalls the aftermarket ones do

I'm holding onto my Hughes just incase something happens and I need it to limp by if I send my Circle D converter back in. By all means - do not buy a cheap converter. I don't care if you're a racer or not; just don't even go there. You don't need a "race car" to take advantage of a GOOD quality converter.

 

Any recommendations on a Torque Converter that offers the best bang for the bucks?

 

Your application will narrow down your selection for you.

Do you need lockup?

If so, do you need a heavy clutch pack setup (some guys like to force lockup at the high end)?

Do you need anti-ballooning plates (used for nitrous and other high HP apps)?

Are you looking at doing a setup change or cam swap down the road? Some companies offer a 2nd change to your converter in the first 2 or 3 years. That way if you're not happy with the stall speed or your setup changes you normally just have to pay for shipping to get it updated.

Are you planning on big HP? Smaller converters are normally more efficient and less stress on the transmission.

What's your budget? I wouldn't consider $600-$800 bad for a converter but other people may want to spend a lot less.

 

As others have said you get what you pay for in a torque converter. I've dealt with several different companies over the years. Best bang for buck was Edge. Best overall was Ultimate Converter Concepts.

Edge Racing Converters offers a good bang for your buck converter. I ran one of their pro-series torque converters in my old SBC combo for years with no issues. There are probably better converters for an all out race car but for a mild/mid range performance they are hard to beat.
http://www.edgeracingconverters.com/...ex&cPath=12_17

I've also used Circle D, good converter but was way loose for my combination. They missed it by a long shot and didn't seem to know what to do. Most have good luck with them and the customer service was good they just couldn't seem to get the converter right for my combo.

Ultimate converter concepts is awesome, they have been the best I have used so far. UCC nailed the stall speed perfect the first try. UCC is more race oriented and probably way overkill for your needs, but it wouldn't hurt to give them a call to see what they recommend.
http://www.ultimateconverter.com/

I've also had a Coan Converter, it was good quality and I had no issues with it. Their customer service is lacking though, I wouldn't buy anything from them for that reason(disappointing especially since they are local for me.)

Hope that info helps!

 

Jbenge, what converter/what stall did you select from Circle D, and what car was it going in? I'm just curious.

 

It was a 230mm torque converter for the carbed 408LS combo in my 84 Camaro. It was supposed to be a 5000 stall speed but was actually around 6200 and had 17% slippage at the top end of the 1/4 mile. Not meant to be a bash against circle D, they just didn't seem to be able to get my converter right. I actually think they are a pretty good company. They overnight shipped the correct torque converter bolts when I found that the originals that they sent with the converter were the wrong length...I was impressed by that.

 

I filled out the tech sheet for Hughes, and they emailed me back with a quote of $510 for a "custom set up torque converter specific to your unique application". I also got a quote from PTC converters at close to $500 as well. I'm leaning towards the PTC, only becuase they are familiar with the needs of the turbo 3.8l. I still want to do more reading though.

 

That's $500. You're still not REALLY getting a high quality piece for the money spent.. call any of the high end converter companies and ask what makes them so different and they'll tell you; and not from a marketing "salesman" standpoint, either. Think of it this way - you're over half way there to getting something nice. As soon as you buy that converter you're sunk, and you probably won't get much out of it when you decide to change things up. $250 if you're lucky.

I know what you're thinking because I originally started there when I changed my build (Hughes quoted me at $630 or something like that comparatively). I'm warning you again - don't be a cheap *** because you're only hurting yourself. You have $500 now, and once it's spent... it's gone. I am working on a college budget (which is next to nothing) and I still just saved up for the better piece.

I don't always advocate having "the best of the best parts" but now is not the time to start cutting your funds. Just buy the RIGHT part the first time and be done with it.

 

PTC is what I'd buy for a turbo application

 

Do you have any experience with the PTC converters? They seem to have a lot of recemmendations from the turbo buick guys, and if they are happy with them, and the price is right, it seems like that's where I'll be heading.