[6567GTO]

I'm toying with the idea to convert from a 4 speed to an automatic in my street/strip 65 GTO. Equal time spent racing and street driving. It's tough to keep clutches and trannys from going south. And I'm getting a little tired of tearing it apart 2 or 3 times a year for one problem or another.

Who do you recommend that makes great transmissions?
What trans would you recommend?
Who makes a great converter?
What stall with what mods?

Street manners are not a concern - to a point.

My combo:
455 w/ ported 670's around 520 hp, 550 lbs. torque
Solid cam, 12.1:1
Hooker headers, 3" exhaust
3.73's

I've gone a best of 11.92 at 116. I know its got more in her due to the fact that it bogs a little off the line. I come off the line at 4500-5k rpm which takes it's toll on the drivetrain.



Even though I love the 4 speed it's just too much work.
All comments welcome.

Thanks,
Phil

[6567GTO]

I'm toying with the idea to convert from a 4 speed to an automatic in my street/strip 65 GTO. Equal time spent racing and street driving. It's tough to keep clutches and trannys from going south. And I'm getting a little tired of tearing it apart 2 or 3 times a year for one problem or another.

Who do you recommend that makes great transmissions?
What trans would you recommend?
Who makes a great converter?
What stall with what mods?

Street manners are not a concern - to a point.

My combo:
455 w/ ported 670's around 520 hp, 550 lbs. torque
Solid cam, 12.1:1
Hooker headers, 3" exhaust
3.73's

I've gone a best of 11.92 at 116. I know its got more in her due to the fact that it bogs a little off the line. I come off the line at 4500-5k rpm which takes it's toll on the drivetrain.



Even though I love the 4 speed it's just too much work.
All comments welcome.

Thanks,
Phil

[SCOTT ESTERLE]

For an out of the box converter the B&M converters work pretty good. I would go with the 10 inch 3000. If you want to spend more go with a Continental.

[cgeise]

How Heavy is the car -- less than 3000 pound a power glide will work good -- if built strong, if it is heavier then a T/H 400 is a good choice, cheaper to build and strong, Use a good convertor -- the cheap ones will not hold up with the torque of a good Pontiac. Expect to pay 700 to 900 bucks for a good steel stator set-up.

[6567GTO]

oops! Race weight with driver = 3725 lbs.

thx

[SlowSpitzer]

I have always had very good luck with Coan Transmission. Send the dyno sheets, gear ratio, tire size and what trans, convertors have always been dead on the rpm I wanted.
You will get all kinds of opinions. It is about like anything, whatever a guy has is best for him but maybe not for everbody else.
http://www.coanracing.com/

[Ray Cox]

Coans are ok, but a lot of money TTs can build one just as good for a lot less, the one they did for me is great, they also did one for Mike Davis in the midle of the night to keepp him in a race, put it in a few minutes before first round and went 3-4 rounds.
Paul 504 271-8767

[harry k]

turbo 400 is what fits your catagory with 10" to 11" torque converters and 2700 to 3000 at the most stall.

now as far as brand names for trans and torque converter ,the choices ar unlimited ,
you can have a local reputable trans shop build you a th400 or buy just about any of the major companys that build 400 ,400's arent like overdrive 700r4 or 2004r transmissions ,where you have a better build over other builders,shop around whos got a better deal for you ,almost all performance builders use the same good parts. same aplies to torque converters.

just to throw major brand names wil start with TCI and almost all whats sold in summit racing.

[BDHABT]

Hey Phil,Its Mark from thepike.net site;with the `70 bird.I recommend Dynamic Converters in Delaware.They used to be in New Haven,then moved down to DE.I have a turbo 350 built by them back in `95,and knock on wood,has held up very well behind our 455.Tranny has never been out of the car;only moved back to do a conveter swap.We use a big Permacool tranny cooler,and run a Dynamic 8" conveter,and like I said,no problems so far.The car weighs 3650lbs with me in it.Let me know how you make out.

[Turbo Indian]

I chose to use an ATI converter, I only have about 30 easy passes on it so far, but we are looking to push it real hard this coming season.
my trans. guy recomended it, he is the only guy I know that warrenties his race tranys'.

[pont406]

Hey Phil, what clutch/pressure plate setup are you using? what 4spd tranny as well, T-10, Muncie? what problems are you having?

[6567GTO]

Supercase Muncie from Liberty, RAM clutch.

The clutch problems I've had varied from:

Engine oil contamination - fried clutch
Wrong throw out bearing - fried clutch
Overheated clutch, chattering - fried clutch

My trans is whining a little in first gear right now so I'm thinking I should get it looked at before it really gets damaged.

I'm presently running a stock replacement clutch that I threw in it while at Norwalk last summer. Surprisingly it has been holding up darn well and really could last a while longer if I weren't racing it a few dozen runs per season. Like I've said, I love having a 4 speed but the work involved is getting a little old - and so am I.

[Turbo Indian]

Phil , do you race often @ Lebannon Valley? I grew up @ that track with my cousins husband, Lenny Moore. he had a red 68 firebird, is son now races it. do you know of him? the reason I ask is the pic. under you name I reconise the starting line.

[6567GTO]

TurboPontiac - Yea that's Lebanon. I don't go there too often but his name sounds familiar. Hope to meet them and you. Where are you guys from?

BADHABT - Hey Mark! I'll look into your trans guy - thx.

[Jim Zeek]

Phil, Select Transmissions is close to you in West Babylon NY. They build transmissions and convertors. They ask all of your information and will custom build you a convertor specifically to your application. Being close, you can drive to them. I needed a longer crank hub on my convertor when I switched from a 1/8" to 1/4" mid plate. They said to ship it and they would get it out same day. Still would have been 3 days til I got it back. I asked if I could bring it up that day. They said yes and took care of it while I waited. Ask for Ed Sr. when you call. 888-55-SELECT

[Turbo Indian]

I now live in NC I've been here for the last 15 years. I said to the wife "hey that's the valley". we haven't been up in that cold country in a few years. I did take one of my Grand Nationals up there to race it, a grudge race against Lenny. you can't miss his car it's a red 68 bird, centerline satin auto drags up front,& corvette rallys out back, with a snorkel that says Iron Indian on it.

Steve

[boykoman]

For a turbo 400 buy from Carl Rossler.He has the best transmissions period.I own two of them and have never had a problem.For the convertor go to ATI and talk to Charlie Plot.ATI KNOWS Pontiac motors!!!

[ponjohn]

Phil for a local trans vendor there is none better than Dynamic- I think they are in east haven or branford, I'll get the info. he is big into mopars but builds great gm tranny's as well. This is who I will use no questions asked.

As far as a convertor I am going use continental when I get to that point. As my final engine combo wont be completed till next year i might just throw a b&m holeshot ( or somthing like this) in it for this season.

Let me know if you need a hand.

[6567GTO]

Thanks guys, I'll check into all your suggestions.

[triathlonx13]

Originally Posted by Turbo Indian

I now live in NC I've been here for the last 15 years. I said to the wife "hey that's the valley". we haven't been up in that cold country in a few years. I did take one of my Grand Nationals up there to race it, a grudge race against Lenny. you can't miss his car it's a red 68 bird, centerline satin auto drags up front,& corvette rallys out back, with a snorkel that says Iron Indian on it.

Steve

FYI - I know Lenny Moore Sr.& Jr. I got to know them through a mutual friend Mike Moak. Lenny just got a new motor from Butler for his Pulling truck. The red bird has been on the track this year - not sure how many times.

Chris Hunt