What would be the best off the shelf converter to buy. I'm currently running a hand me down TCI 4500 stall but want a new one for my recently built th350. I'm not against a custom unit but it seems with these small operations like PTC the reviews are mixed lately. We had a local guy get a horrible PTC unit recently. I'm tempted to run an off the shelf unit from Hughes possibly but I haven't actually bought a converter new in over 13 years.

 

I bought an FTI through summit for my 72. They have a lot of stall speed options, I’m hoping to try it out in the fall.

 

Heres my take on converters from years of trying different companies. I've been screwed by a lot of converter companies that said they could deliver, but delivered pure incompetence. First one has to understand you can have two converters that both stall 4000 RPM but perform entirely different, and by different I mean TQ multiplication. Case design and weight play a very important part of this. Then theres the company itself, usually the companies that can build these special converters have one guy who builds the killer pieces, and you ain't getting ahold of him unless you know him or know someone who knows him, as my guy is in EXTREME demand and very hard too get ahold of. Now Copper I want you to think about this: you foot brake your car, your concerned with performance, where is the ultimate place to look for a recommendation, NHRA STOCK ELIMINATOR, thats where, similar combos as yours, on the foot brake. Now think about this: when was the last time you seen a stocker running a Hughes converter? I've never seen it, and would never recommend it. Years ago I ran Munsinger, he lost his mind and shut the doors, I then went to ATI, they were excellent, fast turn around, excellent duplication.............then the owner died, well that went bad, I then came across my current builder, PTC which completely understood case design, weight and TQ multiplication, he built the best pieces I've had so far, and I've had a lot of good converters. If for some reason you wanted help getting your hands on one of these very special converters I would help you.


Performance I've seen NA at full weight, 9 inch tire:

11.50s. 1.44 60
10.80s. 1.38. 60
10.20s. 1.28 60

This is what they look like

 

Can you weigh it and report back?

 

Its already in the car.

 

pretty sure he meant the car

 

Actually I meant the converter.

 

I know a custom converter is ideal and I got more than enough data to get one perfect. Just seeing if anyone has preference.

 

Its not a great deal more for a custom one and you will likely be happy with it. I got one from Lenny at Ultimate Converter Concepts, nice to deal with but my 60 foot is nothing like stated.
Sounds like Vortecpro has a good guy to deal with that's hard to beat. Those are some great 60 foot times
11.50s. 1.44 60
10.80s. 1.38. 60
10.20s. 1.28 60

 

My best 60 ft. Is a 1.56 for an 11.62 pass with a 3.90 gear on a foot brake. Which really ain't horrible. That's with an off the shelf 4500 tci

 

Which is stellar considering the parts used in the drive line and the money spent. But that could possibly be a 10 sec car with the right drive line behind that engine in the conditions the 11.62 came in. I've seen 360 inch engines make 440s for HP run 10.80s in positive DA @ 3610 pounds, 1.38 60s 119 MPH NA of course. I will say this: the drive line I post of, trans, converter, drive shaft, rear end would cost more than Copper has in the whole car. The car itself is SO important when it comes to going fast at the drag strip. Personally I think Copper"s car is a shining example and maybe the best on this forum of a street strip car thats budget friendly.

 

Thank you for the kind words. I'm just a dope constantly tinkering. Probably more than the average hobbyist and maybe a little less than a hardcore racer but that's where the balance is. I been chipping away the E/T for years with different combos and have learned alot. I think the average hobbyist wouldn't be perhaps as patient or willing.

 

I tell it the way it is.