can't decide which converter?
 

i can't decide between the yank 3000 and the vig. 3200. the vig is available with a free transgo shift kit, that sounds great! what would be my towing capacity with the vig 3200? i don't do much towing but i would like to stay as close to the stock capacity as possible. what do you guys think? i need to order it by tomorrow to get it here in time for the holiday trip/vacation. thanks for any help.

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

yank 3200

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

I am getting a Vig 3200 stall put in on thursday.
Not sure on the towing part though.

Kent

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

3200 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> but if you tow 3000 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" />

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

The vig 3200 acts like a ST3800 so I've heard. I use to have one of those in my car. It will hold mid-high 4000 rpms on the upshift and flash to around 3800 outta the hole. THAT is in a CAR. Our trucks weigh more which means it's gonna act like a slightly bigger converter in the truck. I doubt you'll be able to tow anything with the vig. but, it would probably be pretty awesome from a roll. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

I think Oxidizer has a vig. 3500 in his truck and he has pretty good results. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

The Yank says you keep the stock tow rating and guys have been seeing some pretty good results from them at the track.

You may want to contact Vigilante to see what they say about towing with the 3200 'verter.

Patrick G where are ya. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_tounge.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

John

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

vig3200 over yank3000. towing is for wussies <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_tounge.gif" />

if you are anything like me and you get the yank 3000 you will only wish you had more stall. tahts what im wishing right now and i have a yank 3200

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

im selling my vig 2800 for a yank 3000 so i can trailer my buds camaro. i dont think the vigs are capable of towing like the yanks. my .02$

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

i have the yank 3000, i like it alot but i am old and need to keep my truck somewhat useable as a truck. exactly what is the most weight you will ever want to tow?

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

From what I understand with the Vigs, they are 9.5" car converters. Yank uses the stock size for the 3000. I actually called Vig a long time ago and talked with someone who said a Vig 3000 would not hold a stock tow rating on our trucks. But, they may have something else out by now.

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

Silent1, where are you ordering the vig 3200 with the free shift kit from?

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

www.tbyrnemotorsports.com

Having a special.

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

Where do you go on the website? It's not under gm truck products is it? and it wont let me click on it in the homepage....Are the vig 3200's made specifically for our trucks?

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

sorry guys, been out all afternoon and haven't had the chance to check back in. tbyrne motorsports is having the vig. special. i didn't find it on the web site, i had to call in and ask. i also placed a call to precision industries, they didn't recomend any towing with the 3200. i'll be towing my buddies project grand prix, approx. 4500 lbs with trailer. looks like i'll be going with the yank, but still not completely sure.

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

Yank says you can still tow 4000 with the yank 3200. Full tow rating with the 3000.

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

I am sure you all have been asked this question a million times but....

What type of extra stress is this going to put on my 2003 5.3L auto tranny? Will it severely shorten its life? With a Yank 3000 or 3200 can I just cruise around or will the tranny kick in hard ALL THE TIME? Do you have to really "get on it" to get the converter to stall? If the tranny was always shifting/reving harrd I would think it would be pretty anoying.

Installing a Yank 3000 or 3200 would obviously void my tranny warranty but what about the rest of the truck? Could a dealership tell if I installed a converter if they did basic warranty repairs?

Should I wait for my warranty to expire before putting in the Yank?

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

OK,

Here's the deal on torque converters for Trucks.

Yank Truck Thruster 2600/3000 converters:
They are large converters with lots of towing capacity. At 278mm (11"), they are smaller and lighter than the stock 300mm (12")converters, but keep in mind, this is the same size converter that comes in the Chevy Trailblazer. Trailblazers can tow quite a bit. That's why the towing rating for these converters is very high. I have the Truck Thruster 3000 in my Tahoe. It gave a HUGE increase of thrust off the starting line. My 60' times dropped from 2.5-2.6's down to 2.1s. My quarter mile times dropped 6-7 tenths. The only place these converters help is off the starting line. The shift extension is only 100-200 rpms higher than stock. In normal driving, you will not feel much of a difference over stock except from a dead stop. This is where the Yank TT3000 is superior in a big way over stock. Racing from a roll, it's not that much different over stock.

Stepping up to a smaller 258mm (10") converter like a Pro Yank 3400 (3200 in a 5.3) or a Pro Yank 3600 (3400 in a 5.3), you will not only gain a little in stall speed, but you will gain valuable shift extension...especially with the PY3600. However, the more shift extension you have, the looser the converter's going to feel...especially in a heavier vehicle like my Tahoe. Towing capacity with a 10" clutch is decent...around 4,000 lbs.

The small 245mm (9.5") converters are best suited for lighter regular cab Silverados or heavier vehicles running heads/cam. They will stall higher and have even higher shift extension. For example, the Vig 3200 will stall around 3500-3600 behind a 5.3 and will extend shifts to about 4500 rpms (like after a 1-2 shift). This is good for maximum ET, but it will feel much looser, the heavier the truck. Precision runs a 9.0" clutch in their Vig 3200. I wouldn't expect to tow more than 2000 lbs with a clutch this small. A Yank Super Stock 3600 (stalls 3400 behind a 5.3) has the larger 258mm (10") clutch like in the Pro Yanks. Because of that, it will tow closer to 4,000 lbs. When in doubt on towing, go with the larger converters. Your tranny and converter will thank you.

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

Hey patrick.You seem to have a lot of converter experience. What would be gained and what effects would you expect repacing the OE converter with a OE trail blazer converter in a 1/2ton Xc4x4

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

You would get about 2800 rpm stall with a stock Trailblazer converter behind a 6.0L. It would drop your 1/4 mile times about 3-4 tenths vs. stock. A nice gain with good drivability. It would seem very close to stock except for off the line. Trouble is getting a good price on a new Trailblazer converter from a dealer. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />

Patrick

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

If i am towing around 7000 pounds which one should i get?

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

If you're going to tow 7,000 lbs, don't get anything smaller (in diameter) than the Yank Truck Thruster 2600-3000. These 278mm converters have the bigger clutches needed for this kind of towing duty. A re-stalled stock converter is always an option, but it's hard to get more than 2400 stall behind a 5.3 without losing a lot of efficiency...that's where the smaller Trailblazer type of converters work well (like the Yank Truck Thrusters).

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

Hey Patrick
Using the smaller trailblazer converter, the pilot is the same size and the mounting pads are in the same place as the larger v-8?In otherwords will it mate to the flexplate and still use the OE bolt holes? thanks

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

Hey Patrick
I am just full of questions, how about this one, What other converters will give the same efffects as the trailblazer? v6 camaros/firebirds?,S10 4.3 converters? full size van/truck with a 4.3?I am sure there are a few different ones. thanks Gonz

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

Back in the LT-1 days, the hot ticket for cheap speed was to put an S-10 (V-6) converter behind an F-body, Corvette or SS Impala. Up until 2002, there was no smaller converter run in another GM vehicle that was a direct bolt-in for LS1 powered F-Bodies or trucks. There is now. The 2002-2003 Trailblazer/Envoy/Bravada vehicles with 4.2L motors have a nice converter that is a direct bolt-in (no modifications at all). Stalls 2400 behind a 4.8, 2600 behind a 5.3 and 2800 behind a 6.0L. Nice converter. Efficient. Good clutch. Just haven't found any killer prices on them from dealers though. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" />

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

Hey Patrick G you gave me quite a lot of good info on converters! Thanks! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Anyway I plan to tow a honda civic, and a bunch of race equipment that probably weighs a total of no more than 3500-4000 lbs.
So what would the best converter be?

Also, this mod would void my 2003's tranny warranty correct?

Thanks again for all the info! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

Good question Gonz.

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

Your best bet to avoid the warranty police is to stick with a "stock appearing" converter. The Yank Truck Stealth Thruster 3000 is an unpainted version of the TT3000. It looks like a 7/8 scale stock converter. Your warranty guy will never know. It will tow more than enough for your applications.

Patrick

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

Hey Patrick
How much difference is there between an 5.3 OE converter VS an LS1 fbody or corvette OE converter?And is the 4.8 converter the same as the 5.3?Thanks

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

I think the C5 converter has a different spline count, so it won't work.

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

There are no physical size differences between LS-1 F-Body converters and LS-1 based Trucks converters used with 4L60E trannies. They are completely interchangable.

One needs more care when chosing a converter for a truck and SUV though. A racer with a lighter regular cab truck can get by with a looser converter than those running Suburbans, Tahoes and Avalanches. The heavier the vehicle, the harder it is to get it moving. This added mass makes a torque converter seem a lot looser than it is.

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

I should have been more specific.Do the Fbodys have a different stall than the trucks 5.3 and 4.8s?

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

Hey patrick
What are the differences if any between the 5.3 OE truck converter and the fbodys OE?

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

Gonzo,

Trucks will stall differently than F-bodies based on the torque of their motors. Take a popular converter like a Vig 3200. It would stall around 3600 in in a stock F-body and around 3800 in a heads/cam F-body (with a stock displacement 346).

Put that same converter in a 5.3L and it will stall about 3400 rpms. In a 4.8L, it will stall about 3200. It seems that Precision must have based all of their stall ratings after 4.6 and 5.0L Mustangs...that's why they are a little on the low side for GM's beefier wonder-motors.

A Vig 3200 would stall around 3800-3900 behind a 6.0L. Trucks have different converter demands based on their intended use. If you plan on towing, then you'll need to chose a larger diameter converter with more holding capacity and a larger lock-up clutch. The 278mm Yank Truck Thruster 3000 fits this bill very well. If you don't tow and want all-out performance, then a F-body converter will work just fine. Try to chose a converter with a higher stall torque ratio for a heavier vehicle though, it will make it feel less loose.

That means you want to get a converter like a Pro Yank 3400/3600 (stalls about 200 rpms less behind a 5.3) with its large 265mm clutch, the Yank Super Stock 3600 or the Vig 2800/3200. All of these converters have high STRs and will work really well on trucks and SUVs.

Patrick

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

What he said <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" /> ...I have a PI Vig3200 which they reworked a bit. I call it what it is: a 3500 stall with a 2.55 STR. The numbers work well in my combo but I have no intensions of towing or any real hauling..just tires, jack and fuel to the track. I will say the Yank is definately more suited for "street truck" use. I swithced from the YANK 3200 to the VIG to solely meet my performance needs...and I am happy with the change. Both are good products with similar gains but different character.

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

Everything you said i already know, let me ask another way. Is the truck converter exactly the same as the f-bodies?I suspect the vain /fin angle is different.

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

Gonzo, how many different ways can we say it? THEY ARE EXACTLY THE SAME!! They are completely interchangable. Got a converter from an LS-1 F-body, it will work fine in a truck (LS-1 based with 4L60E).

Now savvy converter companies will make them a little different to compliment the driving characteristics for Truck motors. Since they tend to make their torque lower in the rpm range, converters are better suited by having less shift extension to keep the shift drop-back closing to the designed rpm range of the motors. Higher stall torque ratios will help this. This has more to do with stator choices than fin angles and clearances. Towing also makes truck converters a little different. You want and need a bigger lock-up clutch for trucks. That costs more money, but when you want to have your cake and eat it too, it's a matter of getting what you pay for.

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

Ok i got it they are the same identical converter with the same part #, i know what you are saying there is a dozenvariables on how a converter will react in a givin combo, truck vs car weight, cubes,ect. i just wanted to know if they were built different.The 5.7 creates more torque than the 5.3 truck although the truck wieghts more.Simply put the fbody will act exactlythesame as the 5.3 and 4.8 OE converters got it.I understand all LS1 converters interchange and also the trailblazer ect.but maybe not the c-5, thanks for clearing this up.

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

I think this is what Gonzo wanted to know (but I may be wrong):

Physically it is the same converter, but is it stalled differently? An fbody converter in a truck, would it stall just like a truck converter? What is the stock stall rating for an Fbody?

I'm sure Gonz is thinking about which factory converter will give his truck a little boost yet not cost a fortune and is easily attainable. Sounds like the trailblazer converter would be a good choice, but would be very hard to find used.

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

stupidfast,
nice truck you got there

quick question, wont 200 degress tranny fluid eat up your tranny fast? i dont have my stall in now, but my temps dont go past 160, once the stall goes in, i will how temps are affected.

<small>[ December 25, 2002, 02:07 PM: Message edited by: rgvsierra ]</small>

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

Thank you. No cooler yet, looking at a couple. If the tranny burns up I will just have my buddy rebuild it again. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> I will have one before summer.

Re: can't decide which converter?
 

what all was done to your heads, how does the cam sound with no muffler? i'll soon have almost an exact setup like yours, with a little less stall and gears, seeing that you ran a 14.1 with a 3.0 short time, you should see low 13's. when do you plan on going to a 1/4 mile again?