Stock Torque Converter

[85/Silverado]

Anyone know what the stock converter that came with the 85 Silverado 305 TBI with the 350c tranny?
I finally get to pick up my truck today after a 3 month engine swap that I started a year ago.
The recommended Torque Converter with my new motor is 2000 to 2400.

Thanks Everyone for listening to my rough experience getting a 383 stroker built for my Silverado.

P.S. What would be a good bolt in rear end for 400+ HP If I switch to a 700R tranny? It just has a stock 10 bolt rear end. Don't know the gear they came with.

[pistonbroke800]

The converter you need depends mostly on what you have for a cam in that new 383. I'm guessing that its not a stock profile cam or that engine will be a turd. If you put in a stock converter that engine will also be a turd. If it calls for a 2200rpm converter buy the proper one or call a company like TCI and give the all your engine specs and have them build you one. You wont be disappointed with the results
For the rear end if it were me id go find a junk yard 12 bolt 8.875'' truck housing and put in a new eaton 3.73:1 carrier. My old set up was a pretty healthy 355 with a 700r4 with 3:73 gears and it was a pretty nice set up I thought.

[bnoon]

383 won't really care what converter is behind it, especially compared to the old 305. If you want to keep the 350C transmission, you'll have to give up the lockup function if you go with an aftermarket converter as I've never seen high stall with lockup for a 350C, though if you don't need the lockup then you can use any 350/375/400 converter with the correct spline count and flexplate pattern.

[68Timber]

I've got a 383 for mine, not in yet, TCI's tech line recommended this one.

[MikeB]

Just know this: The stock rear axle ratio for a 305 in an 80s C10 could be as tall as 2.56. You don't want ANY extra TC slip with that ratio, or the TC will be slipping like crazy on the highway generating lots of heat.

Do you know the specs on the new engine's cam? You gotta match cam duration to TC stall speed to axle ratio. Not just two of those, but all three.

That said, if it's a mild cam (which it's probably not), those 383 cubes will happily pull a 2.56 axle and work OK with a stock TC. Keep in mind whatever the stall speed was with the 305, it could be several hundred RPM higher with a 383, depending on the cam.

If you're eventually going with a 700R4 and lower rear axle ratio, I'd use the stock TC for now, or maybe even a rebuilt one from a company like Transtar.

[85/Silverado]

This is the cam. It's kinda mild.

[MikeB]

Actually, it's not a mild cam, and would definitely like at least 2000 stall and a 3.5x-3.7x axle ratio.

Worst case, the 700R4 you mentioned along with a 3.73 axle will work well for you.

[68Timber]

That's almost identical to the cam in mine. If you go on TCI's website you can fill out a form with all your engine particulars, gears, trans, vehicle specs, etc and they'll email a recommendation to you.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

That's almost identical to the cam in mine. If you go on TCI's website you can fill out a form with all your engine particulars, gears, trans, vehicle specs, etc and they'll email a recommendation to you.

It would be interesting to see what they say, given the axle ratio could very well be 2.56. Please keep us updated.

[SkinnyG]

That's almost identical to my cam: 231°@050, .470, 108LSA 104ICL.

In my 10.9:1 350, the stock converter was NOT fun. I am running a 2500 stall Hughes and it's fantastic. Am building a new 12-bolt with 3.73's to replace the 3.07:1 I have now.

You ~may~ want at least a 2000 stall for the 383, but talk to the converter companies. They said the cam I have is really a 3000 stall cam, but considering I am NOT racing it, they recommended the 2500.

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by MikeB

It would be interesting to see what they say, given the axle ratio could very well be 2.56. Please keep us updated.

Forgot to say, mine has 3.73's. The form they have you fill out is pretty comprehensive, it'll ask tire height, vehicle weight, compression ratio, and everything in between.

[85/Silverado]

I filled out the questioner waiting for a response, Ill post when I get a answer.

Thanks Guys

[85/Silverado]

TCI Reply:

You will be able to get away with the OEM converter with this camshaft, but your engine may feel a little sluggish at this point because of how the torque comes in now.


The 700R4 package that I would recommend that we would offer for your setup would include one of our Breakaway series stall converters, this converter will stall around 2,200-2,400rpm behind your small block.


P/N: 371000p1
Price: $2564.40

[Taibo]

Originally Posted by 85/Silverado

TCI Reply:

You will be able to get away with the OEM converter with this camshaft, but your engine may feel a little sluggish at this point because of how the torque comes in now.


The 700R4 package that I would recommend that we would offer for your setup would include one of our Breakaway series stall converters, this converter will stall around 2,200-2,400rpm behind your small block.


P/N: 371000p1
Price: $2564.40

2200-2400 stall converter with that motor and a 700R4 will make a really nice truck!