TH 400 vs 350 vs 200 metric

[Alan Roehrich]

The 350 will cost less, and may be slightly faster. The low gear difference between the 350 (2.52) and the 400 (2.48) is negligible. I don't think I'd bother with a 2.75 low in your car. I'd be more inclined to buy the best converter possible. Of course, you'll be moving your crossmember and changing your driveshaft to accommodate a 350. The converter is the same, but your stall will go down when you put a converter that has been in front of a heavy 400 in front of a light 350. Maybe as much as 200-300 RPM.

I don't think you can make enough power or spin enough RPM to make reliability an issue with the bottom end of an Olds in Stock if it is well built. The stock F0 and F1 block is good to 600+ and 7000RPM (and that's 7000RPM while making good power, not 7000RPM going through the lights well after peak HP has come and gone). The stock cast crank will handle that as well, properly prepared.

[Marvin Robinson]

Alan, thanks so much for your expertise... it looks like I will be after a TH350, and have a converter done. I'll investigate the RPM potential next Spring after the Bullet cam goes in.

[TimKGillespie]

Marvin...you have a PM...

[Daran Summerton]

Forget the trans, it's worth 0 the converter can swing you 3-4 tenths!!!! I strongly advise using a BOP converter specialist. Stock eliminator converters will NOT work in a Olds 455.

Thats not true, you just need the right converter by the right company. The wrong converter is worth 3 10s the wrong way. Don't waste your time putting aluminum drums in a 400. Buy a good 350 or the right 200. A 200 will live fine behind a 455 if you have the turbo input converson, with a good pump and stator support.

Originally Posted by Daran Summerton

Forget the trans, it's worth 0 the converter can swing you 3-4 tenths!!!! I strongly advise using a BOP converter specialist. Stock eliminator converters will NOT work in a Olds 455.

[junior barns]

Originally Posted by Todd Hoven

Thats not true, you just need the right converter by the right company. The wrong converter is worth 3 10s the wrong way. Don't waste your time putting aluminum drums in a 400. Buy a good 350 or the right 200. A 200 will live fine behind a 455 if you have the turbo input converson, with a good pump and stator support.

Any recommendations on the "right converter" company??

Frank Lupo fron Dynamic has been supporting me for years, and also Lenny Williams. Both pretty good cars. Lenny from Ultimate has been working with Johnny Williams (OLDS 455 car), and his car runs very good as well.