TC Questions / Help Needed

[Steve GT]

I have been reading and researching TCs for a week or two now and have a few questions I'd like help with if possible. I tried getting answers by PM but nobody has written me back so I thought I'd try posting. Anyway, my questions are as follows:

1. Would the car lose it's daily drivers manners or should I be ok with a 2800-3200 stall? I'm mostly concerned if it would be ok if the roads are wet or traction is low.

2. How much could I expect my gas mileage to drop driving normally in town? I take it the highway mileage would remain the same, correct?

3. What TC stall speed is recommend for my car with basic mods (intake, tune, & headers)? I drive 5-10k miles a year and want the car to be fun, but not a pain in bad weather or less than ideal conditions. I'd like to make more power in the future, but for now I'm likely around ~350 rwhp.

Finally, any recommendations for which brand to choose? Seems like there are three or so major brands to choose from and they are all priced around the same. Hopefully it is a "can't go wrong" type of deal but I thought I'd ask just to make sure.

[MANOFSTEEL69]

1. Are you camming your car or do you plan to? I have a 3200 and have had no drive ability issues. As far as traction in the wet, etc...Can't say, as I try not to drive it in the rain, etc. On the cool mornings, below 50 I have some issues with the summer tires, but I had that issue pre-converter. I could, pre-converter, break the car loose at WOT from 65MPH, and can still do the same with the converter.
2.I get 16-18 city, 24-26 hwy and avg 22mpg a tank.
3. I would say a 2800.
I really like my YANK. It went in and barely even needed a tweek tune wise.

[GRRRR8]

For your application a Circle D 2800 would be perfect. Call Chris at Circle D and he will get you set up.

[Devilish34]

2800 should be fine and buy the trans cooler from PCM for less. As far as traction in the rain ect you'll learn how to roll into it easier and should be fine.

[GeorgeInNePa]

I'm going to go against the crowd here. Go at least 3200.

I have a Yank3200 and I recommend Yank to everyone, but Circle-D and FTI seem to be good choices also. A lot of people say that a Yank drives a bit tighter than other brands.

I'll be having my 3200 re-stalled to 3600 this winter when I tear the car apart. I will be changing the cam, but even if I kept the factory cam, I think the 3600 might be better than the 3200 to get this heavy pig moving. 4000lbs is a lot of weight to accelerate.

[Steve GT]

Thanks for the advice everyone. As far as a cam, it's definitely a "want" but I'm not sure if something like that will happen anytime soon.

It sounds like 3200 is the way to go but I'm still undecided on brand. I called a transmission shop and they quoted $250 to install a TC. Doesn't that sound a little low? I'd like a good price but I don't want crappy work done to a newer vehicle.

[GeorgeInNePa]

That's a real good price, but I doubt it will include the trans fluid. Make sure they use the correct stuff. Dextron VI(6) is what our trans takes and it's not cheap.

[Steve]

I'm rolling around on a Circle-D 2800 and it's my Daily Driver. Drives just fine with Rain etc (just don't get on it while going through a corner with TC turned off ;) ). I can't for the life of me remember if I driven this through snow yet , but i'm sure I will this year (though I may have to raise my car first.. at this point it'd be a snowplow.... :( )

[Devilish34]

250 sounds too low I paid 500 w/tuning
BlackBerry8330/4.5.0.77 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105

[MANOFSTEEL69]

Thanks for the advice everyone. As far as a cam, it's definitely a "want" but I'm not sure if something like that will happen anytime soon.

It sounds like 3200 is the way to go but I'm still undecided on brand. I called a transmission shop and they quoted $250 to install a TC. Doesn't that sound a little low? I'd like a good price but I don't want crappy work done to a newer vehicle.

Sounds like this shop doesn't know whats involved......

[-Ray-]

Thanks for the advice everyone. As far as a cam, it's definitely a "want" but I'm not sure if something like that will happen anytime soon.

It sounds like 3200 is the way to go but I'm still undecided on brand. I called a transmission shop and they quoted $250 to install a TC. Doesn't that sound a little low? I'd like a good price but I don't want crappy work done to a newer vehicle.

Book labor is 3.6 hours to R&R the transmission. Converter is .4 hours to install.
Circle D will restall your converter one additional time for free if you decide to go bigger when you get a cam. I agree with the 2800. My 3200 is a little too much driving around town.

[Devilish34]

Book labor is 3.6 hours to R&R the transmission. Converter is .4 hours to install.
Circle D will restall your converter one additional time for free if you decide to go bigger when you get a cam. I agree with the 2800. My 3200 is a little too much driving around town.

I didn't know that hmm

[edmanet]

I'm going to go against the crowd here. Go at least 3200.

I have a Yank3200 and I recommend Yank to everyone, but Circle-D and FTI seem to be good choices also. A lot of people say that a Yank drives a bit tighter than other brands.

I'll be having my 3200 re-stalled to 3600 this winter when I tear the car apart. I will be changing the cam, but even if I kept the factory cam, I think the 3600 might be better than the 3200 to get this heavy pig moving. 4000lbs is a lot of weight to accelerate.

Isn't it 4275 lbs....... :rofl: :hug: :rofl:


2800 should be fine and buy the trans cooler from PCM for less. As far as traction in the rain ect you'll learn how to roll into it easier and should be fine.

Yeah the axles in stock G8s don't like wet roads ... :secret:

[99-LS1-SS]

I'm going to go against the crowd here. Go at least 3200.

I have a Yank3200 and I recommend Yank to everyone, but Circle-D and FTI seem to be good choices also. A lot of people say that a Yank drives a bit tighter than other brands.

I'll be having my 3200 re-stalled to 3600 this winter when I tear the car apart. I will be changing the cam, but even if I kept the factory cam, I think the 3600 might be better than the 3200 to get this heavy pig moving. 4000lbs is a lot of weight to accelerate.

Isn't it 4275 lbs....... :rofl: :hug: :rofl:



Yeah the axles in stock G8s don't like wet roads ... :secret:

I thought it was closer to 5000 LBS.

It makes sense after the most recent photo release of George! That's quite a large....huh....nut(?) you have....
http://www.usamls.net/brandon/images/george_is_fat.jpg

[Devilish34]

my eyes my eyes

[GeorgeInNePa]

Brandon, you fucker...

[99-LS1-SS]

Brandon, you fucker...

DAMN! It took you long enough to see it! LOL! I was about to send it to you.

[Steve GT]

250 sounds too low I paid 500 w/tuning
BlackBerry8330/4.5.0.77 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105


Doesn't sound too far off since no tuning was involved in my quote. Not sure if the trans fluid was included or not.

[Blkg8gt]

Book labor is 3.6 hours to R&R the transmission. Converter is .4 hours to install.
Circle D will restall your converter one additional time for free if you decide to go bigger when you get a cam. I agree with the 2800. My 3200 is a little too much driving around town.

See i was told you could hardly notice a 3200 was there. Hmm guess i might need to rethink as well. I was originally thinking a 2800 but i called vector and said a 3200 is just fine.

What bothers you about the 3200. I mean is it a real pain or what?...i never drove a car with a converter so just wondering.

[99-LS1-SS]

It will be odd to drive at first. You'll have to push the gas pedal down a little further to get it to move. Plus you'll roll back on slight inclines where you never did before. Your car will run at higher RPMs when cruising around town at a low speed. Make sure you get a trans cooler with it.
I agree with Ray on this. If you drive your car every day and it's not a lot of highway then I would go with a 2800.
But when you floor it you'll get a perma-grin.

[Blkg8gt]

It will be odd to drive at first. You'll have to push the gas pedal down a little further to get it to move. Plus you'll roll back on slight inclines where you never did before. Your car will run at higher RPMs when cruising around town at a low speed. Make sure you get a trans cooler with it.
I agree with Ray on this. If you drive your car every day and it's not a lot of highway then I would go with a 2800.
But when you floor it you'll get a perma-grin.

Thanks for your input. I think I will do the 2800 since i could always get it restalled? Do i need a trans cooler for the 2800 as well? and how are the gains as far as 1/4 goes between the two?

[99-LS1-SS]

2800 is the cutoff for not needing a cooler. You will see gains with the 2800. I think you'll be happy with it.

[MANOFSTEEL69]

I think the transcooler is way over-pushed by some of the shops. I have yet to install mine as I don't. Deal with a lot of stop and crawl traffic. My dealer that did the install said it really wasn't neccessary as there wasn't a significant change in the operating temps of the tranny fluid to justify it.

[hondakiller]

It'd really be a good idea to drive a car with a stall before deciding on what's too big or too small for your tastes. What bothers other people might be nothing to you.

[Devilish34]

I think the transcooler is way over-pushed by some of the shops. I have yet to install mine as I don't. Deal with a lot of stop and crawl traffic. My dealer that did the install said it really wasn't neccessary as there wasn't a significant change in the operating temps of the tranny fluid to justify it.

I only see higher temps at the track or in stop and go traffic. I would suspect those who DD their G8 might see higher temps and the $160 would be worth piece of mind.

[-Ray-]

Brandon, you fucker...

I was thinkin the same thing and it wasn't even me. However, that mattress is sick.

[-Ray-]

See i was told you could hardly notice a 3200 was there. Hmm guess i might need to rethink as well. I was originally thinking a 2800 but i called vector and said a 3200 is just fine.

What bothers you about the 3200. I mean is it a real pain or what?...i never drove a car with a converter so just wondering.

It depends on if I have the flowmasters or the stock mufflers on it. With the stockers I notice how much I need to press the gas to get moving.
With the flowmasters I can hear it and then there is the 2500 rpm sweet spot.

[Blkg8gt]

yeah i guess ill have to wait till spring and drive my buddys 79 camaro and see what thats like. god i love that car lol

[99-LS1-SS]

I think the transcooler is way over-pushed by some of the shops. I have yet to install mine as I don't. Deal with a lot of stop and crawl traffic. My dealer that did the install said it really wasn't neccessary as there wasn't a significant change in the operating temps of the tranny fluid to justify it.

I don't totally agree with you on this one Jay. While I don't think it's a do or die mod if you have a "smaller" converter, I do think over time it could extend the life of the transmission.

[Circle-D]

Adding a trans cooler is not a definite for a smaller stall, say 3000 or lower. But it is added insurance. High temps are the biggest killer for an automatic trans. I like to see the fluid about 160 -180. If you are seeing 200 on a normal basis, I would add a cooler. Some fluids say they can take 200 or even more before degrading, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

Chris

[99-LS1-SS]

Adding a trans cooler is not a definite for a smaller stall, say 3000 or lower. But it is added insurance. High temps are the biggest killer for an automatic trans. I like to see the fluid about 160 -180. If you are seeing 200 on a normal basis, I would add a cooler. Some fluids say they can take 200 or even more before degrading, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

Chris

Me too!

[gr8lover]

I think the transcooler is way over-pushed by some of the shops. I have yet to install mine as I don't. Deal with a lot of stop and crawl traffic. My dealer that did the install said it really wasn't neccessary as there wasn't a significant change in the operating temps of the tranny fluid to justify it.

Jay,

Have you monitored your temps? I would be interested to see what your temps are running. Is there a reason why you havent installed your cooler? would it block the Vararam? I am looking into buying same cooler as you but not sure yet.

[GRRRR8]

The cooler will not have any effect on the Vararam.

[Steve GT]

Thanks for everyone's help. I went with a Yank 3200 and it should be shipped in early January :D