Torque converter suggestions - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

DAnubs · 12-01-2020, 04:15 PM

Hey all,

As with most of you, I started this rabbit hole of modding my car. Before I get too deep into performance mods, my understanding is that a converter is one of the best bangs for the buck, not to mention I will need if for a cam anyway.

So my question.

What do you guys suggest? What Stall? What brand?

I'm very budget conscious, if you could keep that in mind. I only have long tubes, cat back, cai, RDP tune currently, but do plan on doing a slightly better cam in the near-ish future.

Thanks in advance,
Nubs

Joe M 2012 2SS · 12-01-2020, 04:50 PM

I can't speak for any other brands but Circle D makes a great product. As far as what stall, that depends on what cam you put in.
If you plan to drag race the car, you will need many upgrades to the rear end, toe links, trailing arms, eaton true/trac differential, may as well put a 3.91 gear in it as well, and upgraded axles. You will also need wheels/drag radials.

All of this wont be cheap.

TheFlyingBananaSS · 12-01-2020, 05:12 PM

Circle D is the best. Very happy with mine.

Chris49066SS · 12-01-2020, 06:18 PM

It depends on the cam and overall combo and what your power band is. Have a look at my build thread, link is in my sig.

Ashen 6.2 · 12-01-2020, 06:39 PM

Circle D is what I have and its a great product. Might try giving them a call and see what they recommend for what your looking to do.

DAnubs · 12-01-2020, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe M 2012 2SS

I can't speak for any other brands but Circle D makes a great product. As far as what stall, that depends on what cam you put in.
If you plan to drag race the car, you will need many upgrades to the rear end, toe links, trailing arms, eaton true/trac differential, may as well put a 3.91 gear in it as well, and upgraded axles. You will also need wheels/drag radials.

All of this wont be cheap.

Definitely wont be going much further, a cam but most likely a GPI SS1, or SS2, just to make a mean little street car. Don't plan on taking it to a strip any time soon.

TheFlyingBananaSS · 12-01-2020, 07:51 PM

The SS1 doesn't need a converter. The SS2 cam definitely does. My SS2 tries to push through the brakes even with the converter.

Call Circle D because car weight, cam, mods, gears, they need to be factored in to the converter calculations. Cost wise its 800-1400 depending on what type of converter you get.

DAnubs · 12-01-2020, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFlyingBananaSS

The SS1 doesn't need a converter. The SS2 cam definitely does. My SS2 tries to push through the brakes even with the converter.

Call Circle D because car weight, cam, mods, gears, they need to be factored in to the converter calculations. Cost wise its 800-1400 depending on what type of converter you get.

What stall are you running? I will be in touch with circle D, thank you!

1JEWLDSSRS · 12-02-2020, 09:07 AM

Circle D in mine. I have the TSP 231/246 cam @112 LSA, 614/641 lift, 475rwhp and ran a Precision 3200 single disc for 3 years, but it wasn't enough stall for the cam and where it made power, so I bought the Circle D 5C Pro Series 4000-4200 stall single disc on recomendations from a few guys on here and man what a difference she a beast now!! I paid 950 for it shipped from them. If you are going to cam it in the future with the SS2 I wouldn't go lower than 3600. But you can ask GPI what they think, or Circle D folks. Good luck and have fun..

Warship2k15 · 12-02-2020, 11:02 AM

Running a 3800 stall Fti triple.no problems.
Remember a high quality large transmission cooler is a must if running a high stall converter.Im currently running a tru-cool 40k and am very happy with it.

Modernmusclecar · 12-02-2020, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAnubs

Definitely wont be going much further, a cam but most likely a GPI SS1, or SS2, just to make a mean little street car. Don't plan on taking it to a strip any time soon.

Even is you do go to th strip the stock suspension is fine for the weekend warrior.

TheFlyingBananaSS · 12-02-2020, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAnubs

What stall are you running? I will be in touch with circle D, thank you!

I have a billet triple disc 32-3400 stall. And a Derale cooler.

1JEWLDSSRS · 12-02-2020, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warship2k15

Running a 3800 stall Fti triple.no problems.
Remember a high quality large transmission cooler is a must if running a high stall converter.Im currently running a tru-cool 40k and am very happy with it.

Hey there Warship, do you have a link to that cooler you are running? I think I want to replace mine. It is an Earl's unit and seems kinda small for this setup. Think I should get a bigger one. On the highway cruising at 75 the temps will go down to around 165 or so, and around town normal driving it is around 180-199-200, then when I get going again I can get it back down to around 175-180.. Spirited driving she will run anywhere from 195-210.. Thanks in advance..

DAnubs · 12-02-2020, 02:15 PM

I appreciate all the sound advice here! I too wouldn't mind a link to that trans cooler. Never even dawned on me that I would need to look into a better cooler.

GPI suggest 3000+ stall on a converter for a GPI SS2 cam, which is where I'm hoping the folks at circle D can give more insight into this. I personally was hoping to keep the stall lower to keep from highway shutters that my 4200 stall had on my 4th gen.

12-01-2020, 04:15 PM	#1
DAnubs Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SSRS Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Ohio Posts: 29	Torque converter suggestions Hey all, As with most of you, I started this rabbit hole of modding my car. Before I get too deep into performance mods, my understanding is that a converter is one of the best bangs for the buck, not to mention I will need if for a cam anyway. So my question. What do you guys suggest? What Stall? What brand? I'm very budget conscious, if you could keep that in mind. I only have long tubes, cat back, cai, RDP tune currently, but do plan on doing a slightly better cam in the near-ish future. Thanks in advance, Nubs

12-01-2020, 04:50 PM	#2
Joe M 2012 2SS Drives: 2012 2SS Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Shelby NC Posts: 2,549 View My Garage	I can't speak for any other brands but Circle D makes a great product. As far as what stall, that depends on what cam you put in. If you plan to drag race the car, you will need many upgrades to the rear end, toe links, trailing arms, eaton true/trac differential, may as well put a 3.91 gear in it as well, and upgraded axles. You will also need wheels/drag radials. All of this wont be cheap. __________________ Roto-Fab intake, SW 1 7/8" LT w/hi flow cats, Flowmaster outlaw exhaust, UDP, 160* stat, Circle D 3200, Moroso catch can, TCI line lock, Zex Nitrous 125 shot, 3.91 gear, Eaton True-trac, DSS 1000hp axles.

12-01-2020, 05:12 PM	#3
TheFlyingBananaSS Evil Genius of Chevrolet Drives: 2017 Z06, 2019 XTS, 2013 SS Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York Posts: 3,260	Circle D is the best. Very happy with mine. __________________ GPI SS2 VVT cam, ECS Novi 1500 supercharger, Corsa Extreme, Detroit Speed and BMR suspension, Circle D triple disc, Melling oil pump, LS2 chain tensioner, ATI 10% UD, DSX E85 kit, High Energy coils, BTR springs, LS2 Lifter trays, Titanium retainers, hardened push rods, FIC 1000 injectors, ZL1 pump, Mighty Mouse catch can, AEM gauges, Tial BOV, Richmond 3.91 gears, Custom gauge bezels, Speed Engineering headers, Stainless Works HF cats, DSX Aux pump, 710rwhp on E85.

12-01-2020, 06:18 PM	#4
Chris49066SS Drives: 2010 SS L99 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,634	It depends on the cam and overall combo and what your power band is. Have a look at my build thread, link is in my sig. __________________ Previous PB:11.079 @ 122.99mph.. New setup time: TBD The 11.079 pass: https://youtu.be/pz27Zq54t_E Build thread - www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=555371

12-01-2020, 06:39 PM	#5
Ashen 6.2 Drives: 2014 Camaro Z/SS Join Date: May 2014 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 1,993 View My Garage	Circle D is what I have and its a great product. Might try giving them a call and see what they recommend for what your looking to do. __________________ 2014 Camaro SS L99, Ashen Grey w/Black Leather - Build thread - http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=491561 Mods - GPI 416 w/Custom Grind Cam, Ported Heads & Tuned by Ben, Mag Heartbeat, ZL1 Fuel Pump & DSX Aux Pump, NW 103 TB, FIC 1650's, Alky Meth, Circle D 3600 Triple Disc, RPM 5” CAI, Kooks Headers, Solo Cat Back, Viking Coil Overs & all the BMR Goodies in the rear, Zl1 3.23 Diff, DSS Axles, Gulfcoast Driveshaft, Hendrix Offset Diff Bushings, AFE Solid Subframe Bushings, 875HP/843TQ 5FDP

12-01-2020, 07:51 PM	#7
TheFlyingBananaSS Evil Genius of Chevrolet Drives: 2017 Z06, 2019 XTS, 2013 SS Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York Posts: 3,260	The SS1 doesn't need a converter. The SS2 cam definitely does. My SS2 tries to push through the brakes even with the converter. Call Circle D because car weight, cam, mods, gears, they need to be factored in to the converter calculations. Cost wise its 800-1400 depending on what type of converter you get. __________________ GPI SS2 VVT cam, ECS Novi 1500 supercharger, Corsa Extreme, Detroit Speed and BMR suspension, Circle D triple disc, Melling oil pump, LS2 chain tensioner, ATI 10% UD, DSX E85 kit, High Energy coils, BTR springs, LS2 Lifter trays, Titanium retainers, hardened push rods, FIC 1000 injectors, ZL1 pump, Mighty Mouse catch can, AEM gauges, Tial BOV, Richmond 3.91 gears, Custom gauge bezels, Speed Engineering headers, Stainless Works HF cats, DSX Aux pump, 710rwhp on E85.

12-02-2020, 09:07 AM	#9
1JEWLDSSRS Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 11,426	Circle D in mine. I have the TSP 231/246 cam @112 LSA, 614/641 lift, 475rwhp and ran a Precision 3200 single disc for 3 years, but it wasn't enough stall for the cam and where it made power, so I bought the Circle D 5C Pro Series 4000-4200 stall single disc on recomendations from a few guys on here and man what a difference she a beast now!! I paid 950 for it shipped from them. If you are going to cam it in the future with the SS2 I wouldn't go lower than 3600. But you can ask GPI what they think, or Circle D folks. Good luck and have fun.. __________________ TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.

12-02-2020, 11:02 AM	#10
Warship2k15 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: May 2016 Location: Kissimmee Posts: 158	Running a 3800 stall Fti triple.no problems. Remember a high quality large transmission cooler is a must if running a high stall converter.Im currently running a tru-cool 40k and am very happy with it.

12-02-2020, 02:15 PM	#14
DAnubs Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SSRS Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Ohio Posts: 29	I appreciate all the sound advice here! I too wouldn't mind a link to that trans cooler. Never even dawned on me that I would need to look into a better cooler. GPI suggest 3000+ stall on a converter for a GPI SS2 cam, which is where I'm hoping the folks at circle D can give more insight into this. I personally was hoping to keep the stall lower to keep from highway shutters that my 4200 stall had on my 4th gen.