So I have called summit racing, TCI, boss hogs, and bad *** cars about what torque converter stall speed would best suit me. So with this many oppions on such a critical aspect of my car I need all of yalls help and experienced input on what stall would be best for me. I am decieding between two converters from summit racing for my 700r4. The first converter is an advertised stall speed of 2000 and the second one is 2600. Ill give all of my spec info on my car below.
1985 trans am
355 CI
Heads: 906 vortex 196:1.5 values
cam: comp xe262h
Trans: 700r4 shift kit
Compression: 10:1
Intake manifold: dual plain high rise air gapper
Carb: 1406 edelbrock
Tires/rims: 18x8 iroc-z rims 245-40???
rear end: Borg and Warner 9 bolt posi disc (sorry I don't know gears)
ANY INPUT WOULD BE GREAT!!!! HELP ME DECIDE BETWEEN THE 2000 AND 2600 STALL

 

2600 would be the minimum I would recommend going with for any car. It's just not worth it to go with less. Now with your 2.73 axle, most people would say to go with a lower stall. Because tall axles means you need more gas pedal to get going. This is why people with 4000 stalls say they're not bad with 3.73 gears, but hard to manage with 3.23 gears.

But a higher stall converter with the tall gears will remove the dead spots of the tall gearing while still allowing you to enjoy highway cruising. It will also make a world of difference for 0-60 and drag racing at the starting line. (The tall gears let you keep traction at the start line even though you have a higher stall converter)

Something to remember though is that with torque converters, you get what you pay for. A low dollar converter will drive you nuts with bad drivability and die an early death (taking out your transmission in the process). A high quality albeit more expensive converter will give you wonderful drivability, lots more enjoyment, and actually last a long time. No transmission repairs. No torque converter repairs. So the money you spend at the beginning saves more than itself later on.

Stay far far away from TCI. Here is why:
http://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic-...education.html

 

Well I'm planning on going with summit tracings brand of torque converter they are made by boss hogs ACC I WAS told they are a reputable company and quality

 

Ditto, lived that one; always have time to do it over but rarely the money goes something like that

A good converter will never be cheap period.
Bites spending the money but youll only have to do it once. Spent almost 3 times that on a good one and was pleased. Your call

 

I would recommend a Circle D, Vigilante, or Yank converter. You're going to be looking at about $800 for any of them. Expensive? Yes. But well built? They're the best of the best. I would rather keep the stock converter than go with a lesser brand's budget converter.

 

I would do no less than 2800... Stock LT1 cars work great with a 2800 Vigilante.

My stock camm'd 6 cylinder has about a 4000 stall.. It footbrakes to a little over 3000rpm.. Flashes a bit higher i'm sure once the boost ramps in. works very well and is plenty driveable. I've put thousands of miles on it after loosening it up(having it rebuilt basically).. It was around 2200rpm on the footbrake initially. It is a TCI converter. This engine makes peak HP at 6000rpm.

Goodluck! The "right" converter will murder the tires... Then you buy the stickiest tires you can afford/live with in reguards to wet weather traction/wear capabilities.. Then you have a car that hooks up and GOES when you stomp the throttle.

 

The Edge 9.5" lockup torque converter comes with a 2 year warranty and they go for $555.00 plus shipping. They have a good history, and are very popular with the Impala SS crowd. If money is not a problem, then the Vigilante comes with a 5 year warranty and a 2 year free stall change. They go for $799.00 plus shipping.

 

From the description of your car, I'd go with a Yank SS3200. If you had 3.42 or higher gear, I'd have said SS3600.
I've had Yank, Vig, Coan, Edge, in a variety of stalls in a variety of vehicles and liked them all. But the Yank SS series is the hands down winner for driveability versus a particular stall rating/performance level. They feel tighter with light throttle applications, but flash to the advertised rpm when you nail it.
I never ran the Edge (StreetEdge with non-billet front cover) for long enough behind a high-powered engine to run into any issues with the lockup clutch.