All,

Recently I made a switch to one of the continental 10" converters and I'm not so happy (I may have had too much PY Kool-Aide). Maybe it's my combo but changing from a generic 13" 2000-2200 stall, I feel like I've lost a lot of mid-range and top end pull. Basically if I punch it from say 30-40 mph it feels like I'm towing a boat, I think it's slipping but not really sure since I'm no converter expert. New stall is supposed to be 2800-3000. Only positive is that the launch is much better. At this point I'm a bit disappointed as I gave a VERY detailed explanation to the well-known Continental re-seller as to my combo and goals and made it very clear I was not going racing with my car. Only reason I considered the change is that my launches were very Jekyll and Hyde, sometime great, sometimes not so great. Comp recommends 2220 stall, so I will start there. Any recommendations? Thanks!

Combo
400 stroked to 428 (PPR kit)
Comp cams XR276HR 224/230 502/510 110LSA
butler ported 96 heads
stock intake ported by SD perf
Q-jet built by Cliff
RA exhaust manifolds
Turbo 350 trans & 3.08 rear

Are you below your supposed stall speed at your cruising MPH when you do romp on it?

My assumption is that as bigchief mention is that when you are at the cruising MPH that you mention, you are below the stall speed. The converter needs to "spool up" before you get the full engagment. IMHO, that stall is too high to run with a 3.08 rear end. If you had steeper gears, then you are at higher RPMs for the same given speed, and that's where the higher stall converter comes into play.

I'm guessing you are cruising at about 1500 - 1800 rpm while at 35 - 40 mph?

Thats quite a bit below your stall on a 10" continental. I probably bought my 11" continental from the same re-seller. I like mine...or liked it, when the tranny was working.

That being said, the Continentals are supposed to be tight for normal driving, and flash to stall speed when you stick it. Thats what mine does. Still, I think that is too lose a convertor for your rear end and cam.

My engine builder's shop was next door to a tranny place. In addition, the tranny guy used to race a '68 FB RA II and a GTO so he was pretty familar with Pontiacs. The two of them got together to determine what new converter would be good for my combo:

490 HP 455 (punched to 462), E-heads and intake, roller cam, Doug's headers, 2.5 inch Pypes exhaust, TH 400 tranny, 3.55 posi rear.

The answer was a custom made 2800 stall converter. I agree that 2800 is too high for your combo.

All of you are spot on in regards to the RPM, heck even at 65MPH I'm only 2700RPM. I wanted to keep the 3.08's for the type of driving I do, as most of it is on the back roads top down cruising 60-70 mph. If my old converter was more consistent with the occasional burnout, I would have kept it. My gut told me to go with the continental 13" with a lower stall, I was talked out of it.

I did try calling the re-seller. If you know who I'm talking about he can be a challenge to get a hold of.

So any recommendations on what Stall/brand to go with?

If you still have your old 13 inch converter, I'm sure there is a good shop that can rebuild it to give you another 400 rpm stall over stock.

What your describing just doesn't sound right for the continental converter. When you punch it it should jump to 2800 instantly and throw you back in your seat. It should have no effect on top end pull. Even below that RPM with light throttle it should couple up pretty tight.

I run the 13" in my car and my brother has the 10" in his GTO. I bought mine from Cliff Ruggles and he strongly recommended that I put new clutch pacs in my th400 with 4L80E clutch pacs. I really didn't want to spend the money but was glad I did as the tranny shop found that my tranny was really shot. I'm sure it had mostly to do with the TCI street fighter converter that I ran in a very heavy 77 GP.

So this goes back to what was/is the condition of the tranny before you installed the new Torq converter?

FWIW I run the stump puller in a 455 and still plan to move to 3:08 gears (currenty 3:36 gears) and SD performance recomended the 13" and Cliff was really pushing that I go with the 10". Since I had a 2800 stall before I really miss it when I launch. I did notice with the 13" converter over the TCI that there was a 200 to 300 rpm difference.

Anyway I would be more inclined to think that the tranny may need freshened up. The cheapest and first step I would take is changing the tranny filter. I know personly that I clogged mine before the 4L80E clutch pacs in the old build in a very short amount of time when it was in my GP.

Correction: I run the Continental 13". 400(468), TH400, 3:55 Auburn rear, 230/236/110 roller

Thanks for the reply's guys

Trans is about 5 years old, maybe 7,000 miles on it. Never been into it, but I guess a fluid and filter change can't hurt.

I was surprised too that stomping it at 30-40 did not flash to 2800 and take off, at least that's what I was hoping for.

I guess I could put the old one back in for the summer and rethink things. I think a 13" with a lower stall might be what I need. Would like some suggestions with the stall though.

Thanks!

I think you should give continental a call or maybe the person that sold you the converter. Makes me wonder if you didn't get the right part.

I would really like to see you get the issues worked out. If your not flashing to 2800 when you stomp it then something seem wrong to me.

I did a mild build 428 a couple years ago. Started with a stock 350 converter. Had some spark knock that I could not get rid of. Went with a 3000 TCI and it ran great but it lost all of its torque. On the dyno it showed it was locking up at 3600 rpm's. Thank you TCI! Gave Coan converters all my info. and they suggested a 11" 2800 stall. Just getting on the road with the Coan and I would say it is pulling a lot harder. Third time is a charm, good luck.

No kickdown?

kick down is ok.

Rohrt, you may be onto something. Maybe I did get the wrong one as it was delivered with a turbo 400 bolt pattern and I know that I originally told Cliff I have a turbo 350. I left Cliff a message yesterday, I let you all know how it goes.