Torque converter and shift kits

[nsmall]

@Chryco Psycho

Hey Neil.  So my 727 trans is out.  I have a 73 340, mild (not stock...not aggressive cam), J heads with machine work, Air Gap intake, 355 sure grip, and I am getting HEADERS...TTI thanks to you.

My tranny is stock.  Stock converter and no shift kit. I cant tell you the current stall as all I was told is the "converter is stock and was rebuilt."  So would my car benefit from a larger converter?  Does 2800 sound to radical?  Anyone have a brand they could recommend?

As for the shift kit, mine is stock so I have read a little and there are stage 1, 2, 3's.  Would a shift kit, lets say level 1 be worth the change? Or should I go with stage 2 or just leave the stock one in?  Anyone have a brand they could recommend?

I know next to nothing about this.  The local tranny shop wants $195 to put in the shift kit (price includes parts and labor)..I can bring the tranny to the shop.  Does that price sound fair? The shop said for another $100 they could "look over the whole tranny to make other recommendations"  The shop owner is very confident, border line cocky about 727's. 

Sorry for all the questions.  I dont race the car. I dont drive at high speeds. I do love going to 0-60 quickly. Let me know if I need to provide more info.

The current transmission is rebuilt and works fine.  I am just looking for more "fun when I floor it" if that makes sense.

Thank you so much in advance.

[Burdar]

Generally when the stall speed goes up, the convertor diameter goes down.  I've got a 10" 3500 stall in my 904 right now.  I will probably be going down to 3000 or 2800.  It all depends on where your engine makes its power.  You'll need to call some convertor companies and talk to them.  They will take your engine specs and give you a convertor recommendation.

As far as a shift kit is concerned, go with a Trans-Go stage 2.  It's a great kit.  The stage 3 converts the valve body to full manual.  The stage 2 will give you very fast shifts with no overlap.  The instructions are very detailed.  I've installed two myself and it was pretty easy.  I'm not sure if that kit comes with a new manual valve that fills the convertor in PARK or not.  If not, I'd add one.  It's a lot nicer being able to check fluid level in PARK. 

[Cuda Cody]

If you tell these guys what you want to do with your car and the engine specs they can build you a good converter....

http://www.dynamicconverters.com/converters.htm

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I had a Dynamic converter in my car and it was a substantial improvement in performance.

Unfortunately I had an issue that put a fracture in the snout that I never repaired, so it's just weighing down my shed.


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[dougdel]

  with bursar on the trans go tf2. Very good instructions to install yourself, and for a tc you could also look at a tci streefighter

[Shane Kelley]

2800 converter will be just right. Shift kits are always subject to personal taste on a street car. Do you want it barking the tires in second all the time or just under hard acceleration? Hard shifting all the time can get obnoxious sometimes. Again, this comes down to personal preference. A good factory HD 727 will bark the tires under hard acceleration without a shift kit. Personally I like them.

[Burdar]

A quick shift and a hard shift are two different things IMO.  A hard shift is usually due to an inferior shift kit causing overlap during the shift.  That's hard on parts. 

[nsmall]

Thanks for all of the info.  Yeah Shane, maybe I dont want to be shifting hard all day long.  I do want more speed which translates to more fun IMO.  But would a stage 2 shift hard if I am taking it easy on the throttle?

Called dynamic.  They recommended a 11 inch 2400 high stall.  Part #11741mx.  Cost $450 shipped.

As for the shift kit, I am under the impression according to dynamic the tranny needs to be torn down pretty far to do it correctly? I have also read that it can be done a more "simpler" way.  I have more money than brains so I am thinking this may be best to just pay someone as I have a lot of parts I need to restore. 

As for the shift kit would stage 1 be a noticeable difference?

THANKS!

[Shane Kelley]

I think a B&M shift improver kit will do what you want. They are not overly difficult to install. Pull the pan and valve body is as deep as you will need to go. I really think you can do it yourself if you follow the directions that comes with it. $41 at SummitRacing. I have installed them and they work very well. Do you know if that's the original trans to the car. The HP transmission have a better governer than say a truck transmissions. Has to do with shift points. A truck trans will short shift. Good for towing but not hot rodding.

[nsmall]

@Shane Kelley my 727 is a numbers matching tranny.  So it's a 727 tranny from 1973, not sure if it's considered HP.  Thanks

[Shane Kelley]

If it came behind a 340 it will be a good one.

[Chryco Psycho]

The Trans GO 2 is not hard to install & absolutly recommended
I was going to suggest a 2400 stall
seems you are on the right track