Torque Converter Suggestions 4 AWD SS

[tBSSOldblue]

Anybody have any suggestions as far as a torque converter for AWD SS. Need to be able to still tow two jet skis, 2 place snowmobile trailer, nothing over 4000lbs. Suggestions on brand and how high of a stall... Let me know i gotta make this thing faster ASAP...

[1BADSS]

As far as I know if you want to tow use the one out of the 6 cyl. trailblazer.someguy on here is running a 13.1 with it.And his is AWD

[BLUBYU]

In my experience the LS1/6/2 motor like high stalls!! I ran a 4400 stall in my 02 TA. The 60' dropped crazy but with the truck as heavy as it is I didn't want to go that crazy!! I love my 3600 in my SS but I'm 2wd!! Good Luck

[Red SS]

I'm ordering a Yank SS 3600 tommorrow for ym AWD truck, I understand it'll be pretty useless for towing after its done, but that's okay, I got a replacement towing duty vehicle now.

Hey, does my Vector tune need to be redone if I get a new torque convertor?

[ttdolson]

Anybody have any suggestions as far as a torque converter for AWD SS. Need to be able to still tow two jet skis, 2 place snowmobile trailer, nothing over 4000lbs. Suggestions on brand and how high of a stall... Let me know i gotta make this thing faster ASAP...

If you want to tow then you'll need to go with the Standard Trailblazer I-6 GM converter. It stalls out @ about 2900-3000.

I personally really like it and my 60' times are near the 1.90 range.

And, I also have the Standard Vector tune in my truck and have had Zero issues. If anything I'd say that the tune made the converter feel better...

[TBSS]

It seems to me that having a stall in the 3600-4000 range would pretty much eliminate the 'Utility' out of "Sport Utility Vehicle', wouldn't it?

Hey ttdolson, how's the driveability of that I-6 converter? I hear it's pretty tight (like stock) around town.

[TBSSTony]

If you want to tow then you'll need to go with the Standard Trailblazer I-6 GM converter. It stalls out @ about 2900-3000.

I personally really like it and my 60' times are near the 1.90 range.

And, I also have the Standard Vector tune in my truck and have had Zero issues. If anything I'd say that the tune made the converter feel better...

Is your I6 TC off the shelf? Or did you get it reinforced, fins brazed etc? Wasn't Vector going to offer something like that?

[ttdolson]

Hey ttdolson, how's the driveability of that I-6 converter? I hear it's pretty tight (like stock) around town.

The drivability is very "stock like"...You only really notice the stall when you jump on it or do a brake torque launch....But it will throw you back in the seat thats for sure...

I had myself, GTPprix, T3husted (3 people) in the truck the other night and we were doing some 60' launchs with my truck...(In the rain with 3/4 tank of gas and the V-box was saying that the 60' was 1.92

I cannot wait for my CAI and no passangers/sparetire for a launch @ the track...

Is your I6 TC off the shelf? Or did you get it reinforced, fins brazed etc? Wasn't Vector going to offer something like that?

I personally used a I-6 w/brazed internals ($400.00..) But the guys over @ W2W Powertrain use the bone stock I-6 converter ($200.00) for up to 800hp applications.

(In their words)-- "The stock I-6 converter will out last and has out lasted most of the aftermarket coverters that they have tried for AWD"...

[BLUBYU]

It seems to me that having a stall in the 3600-4000 range would pretty much eliminate the 'Utility' out of "Sport Utility Vehicle', wouldn't it?

Guess it's all how you look at it. The SS is a 400hp suv I can't see people buy them for the suv part of it if its just for towing.

[TBSS]

Guess it's all how you look at it. The SS is a 400hp suv I can't see people buy them for the suv part of it if its just for towing.
You certainly can't take the converter out every time you do want to tow, or have a normal drive around town. Well, I guess you could, but that would get expensive and time consuming. ;)

I see what you're saying, I don't use the TBSS as a tow vehicle either. The only real reason I got the TBSS is because GM doesn't have the LS2 in a 4-door sedan....like Dodge/Chrysler has the SRT-8 in the 300C, Magnum, and Charger.

You paying attention GM? What the @#$% is wrong with you guys!!! :duh:

[tBSSOldblue]

I definately didnt get this truck for just towing. Trying to get the best of both worlds. There is just to much of a gap between running a 12.6 to a 13.1. The difference in 60' times. 1.69 v 1.9. With the Yank torque converters I was told the rpms wont drop as much between shifts compared to the I6 or stock converter... Deciding between either a 3000 or 3200.

[ttdolson]

If I could go back and do it all over again, I'd go with the 3200-3400 stall...

I really don't tow very much if ever. I think that Kirk from Vector has a bigger stall in the SS shop truck, you might want to ask him or Chris what his results are.

[BLUBYU]

You certainly can't take the converter out every time you do want to tow, or have a normal drive around town. Well, I guess you could, but that would get expensive and time consuming. ;)

I hear you not to realistic too do but the normal drive isn't a deal only towing and a mpg loss.

If I could go back and do it all over again, I'd go with the 3200-3400 stall...

I really don't tow very much if ever. I think that Kirk from Vector has a bigger stall in the SS shop truck, you might want to ask him or Chris what his results are.

I'd of like to try a SS3400 but the SS3600 seem to be right in the power ban maybe a little high but it feels great:D

[1BADSS]

I hear you not to realistic too do but the normal drive isn't a deal only towing and a mpg loss.

You got your "too" and "to" in the wrong places.:rotfl:

[ttdolson]

OH No the "Grammer Police" are here......Everybody scatter...:rotfl:

[1BADSS]

OH No the "Grammer Police" are here......Everybody scatter...:rotfl:
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[LSs1Power]

I'd of like to try a SS3400 but the SS3600 seem to be right in the power ban maybe a little high but it feels great:D

You can always fix the powerband by running a larger cam :D

[TBSS]

You can always fix the powerband by running a larger cam :D
Agreed - anything larger than a 2600 stall should be accompanied by a larger cam, otherwise that extra stall is almost 'wasted.' A 3600 stall with a 224/224 (or larger) cam would be teh combo. :yes:

[LSs1Power]

Agreed - anything larger than a 2600 stall should be accompanied by a larger cam, otherwise that extra stall is almost 'wasted.' A 3600 stall with a 224/224 (or larger) cam would be teh combo. :yes:

224/224 would be nice on a N/A or Turbo 346 LS1... On his LS2 i would go a little bit larger on the exhaust duaration by using a traditional split cam because he is running Nitrous. Something like a 226/232 or 228/234 on 114-115LSA should wake things up. I bet he will pick up at least 40-60rwhp 15-25rwtq with a cam that size.

[TBSS]

224/224 would be nice on a N/A or Turbo 346 LS1... On his LS2 i would go a little bit larger on the exhaust duaration by using a traditional split cam because he is running Nitrous. Something like a 226/232 or 228/234 on 114-115LSA should wake things up. I bet he will pick up at least 40-60rwhp 15-25rwtq with a cam that size.
Definitely, now you're talking. :yes:

[02redhawk]

Agreed - anything larger than a 2600 stall should be accompanied by a larger cam, otherwise that extra stall is almost 'wasted.' A 3600 stall with a 224/224 (or larger) cam would be teh combo. :yes:


The inverse is also true. An install of a larger cam should also be accompanied with a higher stall....

...although I am going to *try* to see if I can put in a slightly bigger cam & still keep the stock stall.... Incidentally, what's an install of a convertor run these days, assuming ya take it to a shop (like VMS)? (sorry, always been a stick guy....)

[ScarabEpic22]

The drivability is very "stock like"...You only really notice the stall when you jump on it or do a brake torque launch....But it will throw you back in the seat thats for sure...

I had myself, GTPprix, T3husted (3 people) in the truck the other night and we were doing some 60' launchs with my truck...(In the rain with 3/4 tank of gas and the V-box was saying that the 60' was 1.92

I cannot wait for my CAI and no passangers/sparetire for a launch @ the track...



I personally used a I-6 w/brazed internals ($400.00..) But the guys over @ W2W Powertrain use the bone stock I-6 converter ($200.00) for up to 800hp applications.

(In their words)-- "The stock I-6 converter will out last and has out lasted most of the aftermarket coverters that they have tried for AWD"...


Very nice!

And, glad to hear the TC I have in my 02 I6 is pretty strong if it is being used for 800hp applications in stock form!!!

And, the best thing you guys have said about it is that you can still tow!!! Woohoo, I6 converter gets the go!!! (If I ever get an SS.:cry: )

[jay boy]

What is the stall speed of a stock TBSS converter? Is there a difference in diameter between the I6 and Ls2 converter?

[tBSSOldblue]

I believe its 1600 rpm for the stock conveter. Installing the I6 will give you about 2800 rpm. Believe the I6 is a smaller in diameter torque converter than the SS converter. Could be wrong...

[TBSS]

My stock converter brake stalls to 2100 RPM.

And AFAIK, the converters are the same diameter.

[jay boy]

Then the differences must be internal. Sounds like the I6 converter gives about 600-650 more stall rpm in a TBSS. Iwonder how much tighter the LS2 converter would be in the I6? Thinking of towing with a tighter converter. Thanks. Jay

[02redhawk]

My stock converter brake stalls to 2100 RPM.

And AFAIK, the converters are the same diameter.

Agreed - stock SS stalls at ~2100.

[Vector MS]

My stock converter brake stalls to 2100 RPM.

And AFAIK, the converters are the same diameter.
Actually the stock converter is a 300mm diameter & the I6 converter is a 278mm.
Thats about a 1" difference.

[tBSSOldblue]

Vector MS are you still using the I6 converter or did you put in a higher stall? Just curious if you went to the track yet also?

[BLUBYU]

Agreed - anything larger than a 2600 stall should be accompanied by a larger cam, otherwise that extra stall is almost 'wasted.' A 3600 stall with a 224/224 (or larger) cam would be teh combo. :yes:


You have your opinion and thats cool but to me a 2600 stall is big waste of time if your looking to run quicker et's. Bone stock LS1 f-bodies run great et's
with 44-5100 stalls. Cam of course will help but not as needed as ya think for higher stalls.

[TBSS]

You have your opinion and thats cool but to me a 2600 stall is big waste of time if your looking to run quicker et's. Bone stock LS1 f-bodies run great et's
with 44-5100 stalls. Cam of course will help but not as needed as ya think for higher stalls.
Agreed. You can always run an higher stall speed converter by itself without any other modifications to the vehicle, and the upgraded converter alone will give great gains due to the vehicle jumping into its powerband much more quickly. This is a great single upgrade, without any other upgrades necessary.

What I wanted/meant to say (but didn't) was that running a vehicle with a higher stall speed between 3000-6000 RPM or 3500-6500 RPM, without putting in a cam that matches that powerband usage, is somewhat of a waste, since you rarely run below a certain engine speed. You may as well upgrade the cam as well.

To be more clear and summarize (for those who are actually trying to get information from this thread):

1) A higher stall speed converter is a great single upgrade, and by itself, will show great gains in power, torque, and ET.

2) A larger cam (to a certain point) alone will also give you good gains, but once you reach a certain size, you will start losing power down low. This point in an LS2-powered, 4600-4800 lb SUV is debatable, but is probably around 220-224 in cam intake duration.

3) Once you reach a certain point in cam size (probably around 228 or higher in intake duration), you will want to upgrade the converter along with increasing your cam size, otherwise you will start losing power down low. At that point you will want to make these upgrades together.

In short, you can always upgrade the converter to a higher stall speed unit and be fine, you won't lose power. But the same does not apply to cams. Once you reach a certain cam size, you will need to upgrade the converter as well to avoid losing low-end power. :thumbsup:

Actually the stock converter is a 300mm diameter & the I6 converter is a 278mm.
Thats about a 1" difference.
That's good to know. I was told they were the same size, but it looks like my source was wrong. Thanks. :D