Another request for Torque converter reccomendation

[43tutor]

I'm in the process of finishing up my complete restoration of everything under the hood and would like some advice on a torque converter. The car is a 72 SSP, the engine work is currently underway at the machine shop and I'm in the process of a complete overhaul on the 727. The goal is restore the car back to original looking with a few upgrades. No racing only street driving to car shows and events, but I want to have fun with this thing. I want to be able to burn the rear tires off the car if so desired but I do want a streetable driving machine.

Engine will be a 451
440 Source stroker kit
10:1 or 9.5:1 (depending on the pistons I select)
452 heads (ported with 30 degee back-cut grind on valves)
Cam is Mopar performance .484 lift / 248 Duration / 114 Centerline
Flat tappets
Edlebrock dual plane intake
Thermoquad

727 Transmission with have a complete overhaul with a TransGo shift kit (looking at TF2)

Tire is stock 26" diameter
Car will have a 3.55 gear

When I purchased the car it had a 1976 440 cast crank motor (completely stock). The torque converter I pulled out is a TCI #141502. It has the external weights welded near the drain plug so I assume this is correct for the cast crank motor that was in the car. I've contacted TCI and they suggest that go with their Streetfighter series #142200 (3400 - 3600 stall) at a cost of $606. I was really hoping to spend a little less money on a converter. I'm open to suggestions.

I'm also wondering if the TCI converter that I pulled out was a source of a slight vibration that I would get will highway driving around 65-70 mph. No tire virbration, it was drive line related. No major issues inside the 727 after complete tear down. All looks good in the tranny so far.

Thanks in advance for the ideas...

 

[PDFROGMAN]

that's a lot of converter and not enough gear. I am not a fan of TCI converters I would give Turbo action or ATI a call
when you buy a converter you get what you pay for.

I have a 383 with similar cam 3.55's 28 tire running a custom converter Built by my converter supplier 2600 stall that flashes to 2800.
If you are interested drop me a line I can get you a price from my supplier, will be built for your car not off the shelf

 

[sleepar]

You're vibrations most likely you're drive shaft pinion angle... a soft mount ... find out what converter stall that old one has and if it's around 2400 use it... street cars use 2200 -2500 and strip above that you need a manual valve beyond 3500 to act as a clutch for line locks

 

[43tutor]

The TCI converter that I have is supposed to be 400 to 500 over stock stall. That is the only information I can find on it at present. I assume that I will need to remove the external weights on the converter and have it balanced since my motor will be internally balance steel crank motor?

I really questioned the 3400 to 3600 stall converter that TCI is recommending. Didn't sound correct to me.

 

[PDFROGMAN]

The TCI converter that I have is supposed to be 400 to 500 over stock stall. That is the only information I can find on it at present. I assume that I will need to remove the external weights on the converter and have it balanced since my motor will be internally balance steel crank motor?

I really questioned the 3400 to 3600 stall converter that TCI is recommending. Didn't sound correct to me.

all that 3400 stall converter will be is a heat pump for your set up. Like I have said I am not a fan of TCI converters. as mentioned in my earlier response I have a friend who builds converters we have opened up TCI converters.. some were bone stock and some the race for the torrington bearing was tigged in and you can see the heat discoloration on the race. We set up a dial indicator and the race was not flat.
There is more to building converters than bending the fins. I retired from the trans business 10 years ago, been doing units here and there for friends. The toughest sell ( thanks to companies like B&M, and TCI) how important converters are and why a real converter costs what it does.
there is no exact science to determining stall speed, a good builder knows wat combonations produce what stall, but a converter that stalls at 2800 in one car may stall at 3200 in another weight, HP and torque all play a part.

no matter who's converter you choose it is important to give the builder as much info you can about the set up
good luck

 

[Greg Ducato]

Your cam is not that radical, especially for a 451, and has a wide lobe separation which will smooth out the idle. I would suggest that 2500 stall will be all you will need with his set up. The converter you have now is a 12 inch converter and was a low stall model. The converter you want will be an 11 inch with wide ring gear, which means you will need to use the smaller diameter flexplate as well.

 

[Mr Belvedere 30144]

I have 355 gears and a 727 behind my 30 over 6 barrel 440. 2500 stall and it preforms very well