TH350 w/ brake or TH400 w/ brake?

[TurboTR]

Given a choice between the 2 which one makes more sense these days? Can they both handle about 1000 hp?

What about getting a JW Ultrabell hsg installed on 'em? Anyone know anything about JW torque converters? Yank converters? Which one is best? I'm so confused...

TIA

TurboTR

 

[WE4]

My own opinion for what it is worth...

350 vs 400..... go 400... 350 will not take it.

2nd

Ultrabell. I would stay away from this product. I beleive and have seen every one wipe out the front pump. They (JW) swear it is centered but with a mic and dial it was so far out we couldnt measure. Every one Ive seen has wiped a pump. One wiped a rear main.

Yank stuff is good and thats more down the right path.......

Bruce
WE4
www.ptsnctb.com

 

[TurboTR]

re:

Thanks. I've heard a shield or blanket is tough to install on these cars?

Also, went to your website but don't see any TH400 info??

TurboTR

 

[MeanBuicks]

Not sure where you plan to run your car but blankets are not legal in most sanctioning bodies anymore.

 

[TurboTR]

re:

So does it have to be a shield then?

TurboTR

 

[MeanBuicks]

Well as I said, it depends where you are going to run your car. As far as I know, blankets are not allowed in IHRA or NHRA. NMCA uses NHRA rules also, as do others I'm sure.

I'd just check the rules you'll be competing under to be sure before you purchase one.

 

[JoyOf6]

Straight from the NHRA Rulebook, page 199:

All vehicles running quicker than 10.99 seconds (6.39 1/8th mile) or faster than 135 mph (except some Stock and Super Stock classes as noted under Class requirements) and using an automatic transmission must be equipped with a transmission shield meeting SFI Spec 4.1 and labeled accordingly. ("Blanket"-type, appopriately labeled as meeting SFI Spec 4.1, permitted)...

Art

 

[MeanBuicks]

Thanks JoyOf6.

That clears that up. (I did say 'as far as I know' )

I still believe they were disallowed for a period of time though, but if they meet the SFI spec., that's good.

 

[JoyOf6]

Heheh, I didn't "mean" for that sterile response to come off as snotty

I looked at a Simpson blanket. They're heavy and cumbersome. Blankets get messy and pose a barrier to heat loss from the tranny. OTOH, I can't figure out how to get metal shields (flexplate or tranny) to fit without disfiguring my GN, so if the blanket fits...

The carbon fiber CSI Supershield (tranny and flexplate shield-in-one) is nice and I tried that ($$). A couple of the bolt hole bushings had to be hogged out to line up with my bellhousing. OK, fine. Then I think I could get a socket on no more than one or two bellhousing bolts with it in place... I mean I couldn't even get bolts through the shield due to access let alone tighten them. Maybe if I try harder Maybe install it with the tranny and engine out and reinstall the assembly together... but the TH400 really seems to sit right up against the tunnel in places so I don't know the best solution. Floorpan work perhaps.

Art

 

[TurboTR]

re:

So going a little further, this would be pretty much for my own (leg's) protection I guess- local tracks are not generally sanctioned or enforce much. So is a blanket the best solution in that case? Will it go on w/o much trouble, assuming I could live with the items Art points out above? I've never looked at one so pardon the simple questions please

I'm also torn between gear ratios, but maybe that's better as another thread ;-)

TurboTR

 

[MeanBuicks]

Yes, it's for your leg's protection. A transmission explosion is nasty! Here's some info on one.

BTW, if you are running high rpms, you should also consider a flexplate shield.

 

[makurtz]

I agree with Bruce on the 400 thing. You can damn-near build one in a sandbox & it will still work! With the power you're anticipating you ought to consider a Powerglide too. However, I've used & sold over a dozen Ultrabell's for various applications & I have not had problem one. Both of my cars run Ultrabells.