I had Chris @ Circle D choose a converter for my setup. I told him I was going to tow trailers around 7k on the weekends. He still recommended a 278mm 3200 with a 40k cooler.

The 40k with the radiator bypassed will keep the trans plenty cool.

I would stick with the 278 mm 2800 if I was you.

 

Look at my post #13 in the 5.3 cam and converter thread. It will give you some insite on towing with a 3200.

They are great for daily driving and tow like a champ!

 

I don't really see the need for a 3000 stall on that small of a cam. this is not a race truck it is my dd and work /play rig. I understand that a highter stall will put me right into the peak power range but that really isn't needed for the purpose of the truck plus then that defeats the whole purpose of low end torque

 

Ls don't have low end toque.

3200 is perfect on a stock cam. That Is How my Tahoe has been since the stall was in it.

 

i am glad you like it man but I am not trying to dd a 3k stall. the ls motors may not make big numbers for low end toque but they make the same or better then a t.b.i. does

 

It feels stock under normal driving. My cheap *** one does. The higher end one can feel 100% sock till you punch it.

 

I towed all the time with my Circle D 3200 and it didn't mind it at all. get a good cooler and its fine.
these motors need a 3200 stall from factory. lol

 

I really feel you would be happiest with the 212/218 and the 24/2600 that Beau recommended. I don’t blame you one bit for not wanting to run too loose of a converter for your intended purpose, but the other folks are correct in these motors are not happiest right off idle and want to rev to produce good power. I’m not one that would run a 3200rpm unit on a stock cam, but surely believe they would be happier with something in the 22/2400 range if they would’ve had one from the factory. As you can tell from all the different recommendations, everyone has a different tolerance for what they find as acceptable behavior for a daily driver. I prefer the tightest converter possible for whatever you’re trying to accomplish for having a crisp reaction at throttle tip-in. Some like to flash their converter and rocket off. That’s the reason there is a unit for everyone’s taste.

On a side note, with a 3000rpm stall in my truck, and backing it up with a TruCool 40k GVW cooler, I typically run tranny temps of 160deg or so unless it’s really hot out and then it will sneak up to around 200deg.

 

That is why you bypass the radiator. Your temps will drop greatly.

I have run that style 3000 Circle D and unless I was heavy into the throttle it felt completely stock. Not just to me but everyone that drove the truck.

Also I have ran a 2600 stall that felt very loose. Also have ran a 4000 stall that daily drove better then the 3400 it replaced.

So it all depends on the design of the converter. I assure you the 278 mm 2800 will make you happy.

 

I haven't towed with my new cam yet, but im VERY happy with how my Isky 212/.561"-112 works in my truck. I have all stock trans and still stock manifolds and cats. It pulls great down low as is and pulls all the way to 6200 in my truck without falling off.