When it comes to torque converters, I am completely lost. I have never driven or been a passenger in anything with an aftermarket torque converter. To be frank I'm not even totally sure what to expect with one.

Long story short, I currently have a built T56 that I don't think will last long with the turbo trying to haul around a heavy truck. I'd like to go with a 4L80E and an aftermarket converter.

The turbo setup is a KB kit with a Turbonetics 7668 running about 13psi. It spools very well, it will do full boost by ~2300 RPM with the T56. It's a 2001 5.3L ECSB 2WD.

What I'm looking for is something that is street friendly, perhaps even similar to stock. It will never see the track. It's my fun daily driver and that's it. I never tow. Driveability and street manners are important as well as saving what's left of my fuel economy I don't need a max effort converter if it means sacrificing driveability. I'm guessing I'm around 600 rwhp now, but I would like the converter to be comfortable up to 700-800 rwhp, just in case

Things I'm curious about are...
Stall speed... under 3000?
Billet or not... sounds like billet is a must?
Single/multi disk... no clue
Diameter... no clue
Brand... was thinking Circle D or Yank

Thanks!

 

i have a turbo 4.8, 76mm .96ar, thats larger than yours, 15 psi for now, built 4l80e, 3200 9-3/4 multi disk, Circle D converter.. Awesome converter.

Give chris @ circle D a call, he will be very glad to help you out in picking a converter, awesome guy!

 

Yank SC3000 for street strip, or yank PY 3400 for a strip/street... Single disk is fine unless wanting to lock up big power under wot.

 

stick with the names you hear around this forum. circle d, yank, PI....i tried FTI this time around even though it's not too common over here. havent tried it yet so i cant give my opinion but i've read good things.

 

I have yank pro truck 3200 works great with my 76/67 96 ar .converter rated 1000 hp . I am at 500/500 rwhp 8 psi

 

Mine is a Coan 2800 stall triple disc. It was built for an 800rwhp boosted application and rated for 1200hp. It's very tight and drivabilty wise most people wouldn't even realize there's a converter in it until it locks in 3rd at cruise. It works good though, I get consistant 1.62 60ft times.

 

Thanks guys, good info. I'll call Circle D and get some opinions.

I saw on a Summit video that the stall speed should be below the highway cruise RPM or else the converter life will be shortened considerably. Is there any truth to this? I know you guys aren't cruising on the highway at 3-4000 RPM.

 

At 60 mph I'm at 1700 in 6th gear.

 

You can have the pcm programed to lock the converter up while driving on the beltway or over a certain mph based on throttle % position. Yank or CD would be my choice. With the turbo I would say 28-3200 would work well for your set up.

 

What about diameter? Is there a benefit to a larger or smaller diameter?