I just put a zz4 shortblock with vortec heads on it in my car. The engine was dynoed at around 400 iirc. There is a TH350 and 3.73 rear gears in it and the stock converter, what converter should i get? That is unfortunately one thing i have no idea when it comes to so i need some advice.

what do you plan to do with the car? If it will be daily driven and you are just looking for a little more ooomph off the line, something in the 2400-2800 rpm range would do you well. You can probably get by with the mass marketed models (B&M, TCI, Jegs, etc) if you don
't beat on it a lot. If you are more serious about performance and some strip time might be in your future, you might want to go up to something in the 3200-3600 range from one of the better converter manufacturers.

The higher end converters are more efficitnt than the mass marketed brands, and you can use a higher stall for street driving and not have to deal (as much) with things like excessive slip and heat production, although you can't ignore these issues either. good luck.

Add a cooler if you go with a higher than stock stall speed.

The stock ZZ4 cam will work against a stock stall converter, but it won't be optimal for dragstrip performance. I agree that something in the 2500-2800 range would probably get you out of the hole a fair bit quicker, IF you have the traction for it.

If you want a higher stall converter I'll let you know that I've had real good results with Redneck converters over the last few years that I've used them. They're better than the "name brand" converters for about the same price. One of the features I like is the anti-balooning plate that costs more money on a name brand converter. Also, they build converters that are typically smaller in diameter than the name brand stuff for any given stall speed. That makes them LIGHTER by A LOT. It really makes a "holy cow" kinda difference in the low gears- the engine grabs revs NOTICABLY faster. People spend megabucks for a lightweight rotating assembly in their engine when I knocked almost 20 lbs. off mine just by changing from the stock 12" converter to a 9.5" Redneck!

Hughes GM30 3000 stall. Very street friendly, works well and good quality. Thats what we put in our 63 nova that has a 400hp 355 street engine and its been working great.

Little video. I was taking it easy as to not piss off the neighbors but you get the idea how street friendly this converter is.

http://www.vimeo.com/1855218

The stock ZZ4 cam will work against a stock stall converter, but it won't be optimal for dragstrip performance. I agree that something in the 2500-2800 range would probably get you out of the hole a fair bit quicker, IF you have the traction for it.

If you want a higher stall converter I'll let you know that I've had real good results with Redneck converters over the last few years that I've used them. They're better than the "name brand" converters for about the same price. One of the features I like is the anti-balooning plate that costs more money on a name brand converter. Also, they build converters that are typically smaller in diameter than the name brand stuff for any given stall speed. That makes them LIGHTER by A LOT. It really makes a "holy cow" kinda difference in the low gears- the engine grabs revs NOTICABLY faster. People spend megabucks for a lightweight rotating assembly in their engine when I knocked almost 20 lbs. off mine just by changing from the stock 12" converter to a 9.5" Redneck!



I will add to this post with some info. The redneck converters are hit and miss. Some get one that works well and some get one that has alot of slip. I have seen it way to many times for me to ever run one.

I also forgot to mention, the cam makes all of its power in the top end. It takes off not-so fast but once you get the rpms up a little bit, it takes off: even with 3.73s.
What exactly does a converter do? I asked a friend about it and he said it was like driving with the clutch halfway in and not to get one.:screwup:

Didn't want to start a new post, I currently have a TCI Saturday night special with 3.42 gears. Motors a 350 with xe268 with world heads. I would like to get a higher stall converter to get more up into the powerband. All i have been reading is get at least a 3000 stall and a 9.5' converter. What do you think of this Art Carr converter? ebay item 150315370198 or the 3000 converter. 150315370258 Thanks

I also forgot to mention, the cam makes all of its power in the top end. It takes off not-so fast but once you get the rpms up a little bit, it takes off: even with 3.73s.
What exactly does a converter do? I asked a friend about it and he said it was like driving with the clutch halfway in and not to get one.:screwup:

That's a pretty accurate response, up until you hammer the throttle, the converter flashes, and the tires boil.:eek: You can't raise stall speed without some trade off of increased slippage and heat, but it will make your car more driveable and perform better off the line. (eliminates the pesky wanting to stall while idling in gear) A relatively mild converter in the 2500 to 3000 stall won't perform all that much different in daily driving, you'll just see more RPM on the tach while pulling away, and on hills.