New Torque Converter Installed

[fugimo]

I had Loud Pedal Motorsports order and install a new torque converter in my car, was getting frustrated with not being able to get below 1.98 60' with Drag Radials on the car.

I had it installed on May 5th and had a test run at the drag strip on May 4th before the install. My average 60' was 2.02 with 13.3s 1/4 mile.

After the install, went to a trophy race to see what difference the torque converter would do. To my surprise, my DRs would not hook at all, tried all different burn outs, long ones, short ones, medium one, but no matter they would not hook (had 17-18 lbs in the tires, 18" rims). Even with the tires spinning, I ended up running 1.7-1.8 60' and fastest time was a 12.81 1/4 mile with the temp at 85 degrees, DA was around 3500-4400. Got beat bad since I was not close to my dial in of 12.90 and ran the 12.81.

I figured I would drive the car for a week and try some things out on the way to work and back home. So the following Friday, May 13th (of all days to go to the track), I went back to the track to just see if I could launch it without spinning. Spent 2 hours before the race trying to get the launch down and was still spinning. When the races started, I was pretty sure what I was going to run since the previous runs were close to the previous Friday's run, 12.81 was my dial in.

The first race there was no spin on the launch and I was worried about breaking out, so let up at the end and ran a 12.82. The next two races I ran letting up at the end with no spin at launch was 12.90 & 12.91. The final round I wanted to see what the car would do and would only let up at the very last second, which I ended up running a 12.79 @ 107.73 with a 1.7x 60', with spinning at the launch. Ended up winning the event as the motorcycle red lighted and it was a great time.

The converter is a Circle D converter, 3400 stall and was installed by Loud Pedal, sponsor here on the forums, and did a Dyno tune on the car also. It was an all day install and tune and very glad I had it done, I would recommend this shop to anyone in the area.

I ended up cutting my 60' by .3 seconds (this is with tires spinning, the 1.98-2.02s were without tires spinning) and my 1/4 mile by .5 seconds, my car is not heavily modded and will be posting my time slips when I get back off of vacation.

Mods on the car:
ARK Slant tip exhaust
Ported throttle body
Injen CAI
AMD trans cooler
18" Forgestar F14 Rims (Great color choice Tony, they look great on the car, will get pictures posted eventually) with Nitto NT555-R 305/45-18 on the rears, Nitto NT555 265/50-18 on the fronts.

Once I get some suspension work done, I cannot see why I can't get lower than 1.70 60' and hit in the low 12.7 or possibly high 12.6s.

I am hoping to install a drag package setup in Sept to really get the tires to hook. If anyone is looking to lower their 60' and 1/4 mile times, you cannot go wrong with a torque converter. The daily drive is a lot more fun and it is hard to stay out of the high rpms, I am running about 17 mpg, but this is also including trips to the drag strip and I do not try and be easy on take offs.

[mlee]

I've always said this was the best mod for the buck... Good 60' times...

I still spun mine after Converter too, but w/ 18" Mickey Thompsons it dead hooks now... Once your done w/ the Nittos try out MT...

[Steve@LPM]

Right on Kevin. A lot of people underestimate the benifits of an upgraded torque converter. Just imagine if you were able to get the car to stick. Looking forward to assisting you in the future. Glad your putting your new mod to good use

[SC2150]

Amazing what a good converter can do....and the win money is icing on the cake!

Where running a 4 day race right now at Thunder Valley in Bristol, TN (were the promotors so cant run it) $12500 to win today & $20,000 the next 3. We have 300 cars here.....and its only Friday!

Bracket racing is fun as heck.

Good job on the win!

[Supercharged SS]

That Circle D stuff is nice! Enjoy and good luck.

[turboss]

circle d is the way to go!

[fugimo]

Thanks, all. Headed out to S.C. for a vacation, gonna be nice to be able to just kick back and relax!!

Once the Nittos are done, I plan on putting some MT on them, a lot of people are telling me they will stick a lot better. Got my trailing arms in, so I will be putting those on also when I get back, along with a 160* thermostat.

[Supercharged SS]

Originally Posted by fugimo

Thanks, all. Headed out to S.C. for a vacation, gonna be nice to be able to just kick back and relax!!

Once the Nittos are done, I plan on putting some MT on them, a lot of people are telling me they will stick a lot better. Got my trailing arms in, so I will be putting those on also when I get back, along with a 160* thermostat.

FYI. I took my slicks off and put MT drag radials on and did loose anything.