8" pg converter questions?

ss wannabee · 10-29-2014, 10:25 AM

Does a converter need special prep to be used with a trans-brake in a PG?
Or will any converter do? Got some 8" from a former Stock effort...maybe 5000 stall
and wondering if I can start with those. What if I just foot-brake for the initial runs....
(haven't driven in years...and never with a trans-brake?) '65 Chevelle wagon 283
SS/NA...Yeah, realize I'll need some more stall speed....

Is there a fairly thorough do-it-yourself way of flushing the converters? No blow-ups
or excessive clutch plate wear with the previous combo...just looking for a little PM
to do....Or don't worry about it and just install?

Converters lack drain plugs though......

cad · 10-29-2014, 02:22 PM

I am using an ATI TreeMaster converter that was built for foot braking in my th350. 3 years later with a trans brake and still going strong in a glide.
I did call ATI before the change to get their input, and they said try it.

Clark

Ed McLawhorn Jr. · 10-29-2014, 03:44 PM

ss wannabee, check your pm's

Alan Nyhus · 10-29-2014, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss wannabee

Does a converter need special prep to be used with a trans-brake in a PG?
Or will any converter do? Got some 8" from a former Stock effort...maybe 5000 stall
and wondering if I can start with those.

An effective modification when trans brakes became popular was the addition of an anti-balloning plate that reinforced the front of the convertor. TCI did mine. -Al

JRyan · 10-29-2014, 05:35 PM

Went 11.40's with a converter like that at 3480 lbs. in 1998 in the Chevelle and 11.20's at the same weight with the Cutlass and a 283. Try it.

Jerry

ATI Performance Products · 10-30-2014, 01:37 PM

We make a few changes to TB only converters. Such as they get a cast cover instead of welded cover, and the double anti balloon plates welded in. But if the TB combo doesn't have a bunch more power, more weight, or less gear then its worth a try for sure. If nothing else you have a baseline that a converter company can work off. No real way to get all of anything that is in the converter out. Drain plugs are tough since there is not a lot of meat in the converter, high pressure and high heat....bad combination to have a drilled hole with something that can come out in it spinning engine RPM. You will see them in diesels since they are really thick converters and spin low rpm. But still not common.

10-29-2014, 10:25 AM	#1
ss wannabee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 663 Likes: 0 Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts	8" pg converter questions? Does a converter need special prep to be used with a trans-brake in a PG? Or will any converter do? Got some 8" from a former Stock effort...maybe 5000 stall and wondering if I can start with those. What if I just foot-brake for the initial runs.... (haven't driven in years...and never with a trans-brake?) '65 Chevelle wagon 283 SS/NA...Yeah, realize I'll need some more stall speed.... Is there a fairly thorough do-it-yourself way of flushing the converters? No blow-ups or excessive clutch plate wear with the previous combo...just looking for a little PM to do....Or don't worry about it and just install? Converters lack drain plugs though......

10-29-2014, 02:22 PM	#2
cad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 691 Likes: 188 Liked 87 Times in 48 Posts	Re: 8" pg converter questions? I am using an ATI TreeMaster converter that was built for foot braking in my th350. 3 years later with a trans brake and still going strong in a glide. I did call ATI before the change to get their input, and they said try it. Clark

10-29-2014, 03:44 PM	#3
Ed McLawhorn Jr. Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 304 Likes: 3 Liked 18 Times in 16 Posts	Re: 8" pg converter questions? ss wannabee, check your pm's

10-29-2014, 05:35 PM	#5
JRyan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aberdeen SD Posts: 645 Likes: 30 Liked 112 Times in 31 Posts	Re: 8" pg converter questions? Went 11.40's with a converter like that at 3480 lbs. in 1998 in the Chevelle and 11.20's at the same weight with the Cutlass and a 283. Try it. Jerry

10-30-2014, 01:37 PM	#6
ATI Performance Products Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 66 Likes: 0 Liked 9 Times in 1 Post	Re: 8" pg converter questions? We make a few changes to TB only converters. Such as they get a cast cover instead of welded cover, and the double anti balloon plates welded in. But if the TB combo doesn't have a bunch more power, more weight, or less gear then its worth a try for sure. If nothing else you have a baseline that a converter company can work off. No real way to get all of anything that is in the converter out. Drain plugs are tough since there is not a lot of meat in the converter, high pressure and high heat....bad combination to have a drilled hole with something that can come out in it spinning engine RPM. You will see them in diesels since they are really thick converters and spin low rpm. But still not common. __________________ ATI Racing