Vigilante or 9/11 converter?

[Realspool]

I am looking to buy a Vigilante 9.5 or 9/11 3200 stall torque converter.I am looking for the ultimate converter for the street.I emailed Precision and they told me that there 9.5 inch 3200 single disc would be good .I have a stock modified 12 inch converter that does not spool that well.I have heard alot of good opinions on the 9/11. I Basically i want a converter that hits harder, like a ton of bricks!!I know they both do but i was hopefull that someone could give me advice on which one kicks more. I had a 60-1 turbo but i wanted a more streetable turbo with much more bottom end since it is primarily for street use.It didn't spool well at all.Since then i bought a TE-44 turbo and it spools better but not that much to make it a street terror.I also have cnc ported race iron heads,stock block,esp front mount intercooler,stock modified 12 inch 3000 stall converter.Motor puts out around 550 HP easy.

 

[Lee Thompson]

con.

No experience with a 9/11. Have been running a Precision multi disc since they first came out. I am very satisfied with it. A few things they ask you to do---lockup tube kit--remove check ball in input shaft and install a restricted fitting in one of the cooler lines. If you do all these things it will lock up HARD. I have heard knocks on the precision about too much slippage. Not in my case. 7-800 rpm drop at wot shifts and 900 drop when lockup. I have heard nothing but good coments on the 9/11 also.
BTW, I must say one negitave about the Precision---Clutches rattle during idle.

 

[2quiktocare]

Real, I won't say one way or another on which, since I sell the 9X11 and don't want to seem prejudiced one way or the other. I know we have had only 2 true converter failures in close to the 10 years Bruce has been selling TCS converters. The concerns I have heard from people is the noise from the Vigilante's and the price. I don't know what they are going for, but hear it is spendy.
There should be a ton of guys to contribute real life use here so you can get some first hand info on them. Do your homeworks so which ever way you go, you will be informed and happy with your purchase.

Mark

 

[S10xGN]

You can't go wrong either way. Many people here running both and having much success. I just happened to run across a secondhand Vig (new from PI refresh) for a sweet price. I knocked 1.2 sec's off my 1/4 and 0.6 sec's off my 60ft by swapping the 3000 stall 12" for a 3400 stall Vig. Street manners are even better with the higher stall (yet more efficient) converter. PI's web site even says their converters have 5x's more surface area than a stock 12" converter (link).

 

[Realspool]

Im just trying to match my Te-44 turbo with the most hard hitting affect.The vigilante converter is about $150 dollars more then a 9?11?.I have heard the Vigilante rattles at idle.My car is mainly for the street but once you buy a converter for $650(9/11) or the(Vigilante) for $830 you don't want to be wrong with what you buy. I would ask anybody is this an annoying rattle?Precision told me that the 3200 9.5 single disc would be my best choice.Anyone differ with that? Thanks guys

 

[2FAST4U]

I've installed and used both if different friend's cars. Both work well. Since the Vigilante convertors that we used were single disks, we have not locked them up under WOT due to the warnings from the manufacturer. In contrast, we have locked up the PTS 9x11's (both regular and billet) on numerous occasions with no problems. I've also had better customer service response from PTS. For these reasons, I lean toward the 9x11 now, but that's only my opinion.

 

[S10xGN]

Originally posted by Realspool
Im just trying to match my Te-44 turbo with the most hard hitting affect.The vigilante converter is about $150 dollars more then a 9?11?.I have heard the Vigilante rattles at idle.My car is mainly for the street but once you buy a converter for $650(9/11) or the(Vigilante) for $830 you don't want to be wrong with what you buy. I would ask anybody is this an annoying rattle?Precision told me that the 3200 9.5 single disc would be my best choice.Anyone differ with that? Thanks guys

IIRC, the 'rattle' only occurs on multi-disc units, not a peep out of my single disc. IMHO, you CANNOT have too much converter! (within reason, of course)...

 

[Realspool]

What 9/11 converter would be similar to the Vigilante 9.5 3200 single disc torque converter?.Even though i have a TE-44 turbo i want the stall at 3200 to help with the spooling up of the turbo, sord of like a stock 87 Grand National or better!!!

 

[Sleeper]

You really shouldn't have that much problem spooling the 44. Many run it with the stock D5 converter. (I run one with the D5 and after some fine tuning, my biggest problem is traction )State of tune and chip selection play a BIG part in spooling. Not trying to take away any sales from anybody... but IMHO I would make sure that all the mechanicals (Header, crossover pipe/vacuum leaks, wastegate puck sealing, etc) are taken care of first, and then make sure all your scan tool numbers are in line, then start adjusting your fueling. Being too rich or too lean, will have a great effect on spooling. Please understand, I'm not saying your motor is way out of tune. (it sounds like a great setup) It's just that all these little things can add up, and make a car with great potential run like a dog. It sound more like some tweaking and fine tuning is needed. FWIW Sinful6 makes a quick spool valve that really works, and helps in spooling. It wont hurt and it's cheap.

Just curious...What chip and injectors are you running, and what tire size and gear ratio do you have?

Even with that restalled 12" the car should be smoking the hides off with your setup. FWIW D5's are kinda maxed out at around 2800, so the converter is becoming inefficient after that.
A higher stall converter will make it spool quicker, but if you are putting out 550+ HP, traction on the street is going to be a problem.

Paul

 

[Realspool]

I thought the stock converter really sucked but like you said some guys have no problems with them.I don't want to waste money if my 12 inch modified stock is not the problem with spooling and lighting up the tires.I have 3.73 gears but i have a 28 inch tall tires in the back. I had purchased a Jay Carter chip for my 009's.It runs a little better but still not as much bottom end power as I think I should get for 550 HP.I myself think the car is out of tune.I always look at the plugs to see if there black,tan,well i put new plugs in and drove it around a couple times like 20 miles and the plugs looked exactly how i put them in,except for a little carbon near the threads.I have had the car for 8 years and I have never seen a tan plug from it.I have been told from this turbo Buick guy who drove my car and he told me it was running rich!I don't know if i should try another chip for the 009's or what?Can anyone recommend anything? Thanks

 

[BlownZ]

Do you have a scantool? If not I highly recommend you start reading about them and purchase one. A scanmaster is good for starters.

 

[d0n_3d]

I ran a completely stock rebuilt D5 converter with my TE-44 turbo and 50's combo...ran 11.52 @ 118 mph...i must have done something right? the 44 turbo is not much bigger than stock, just way more efficient...and is fully compatable with the stock converter...anything higher than a 44 turbo then yes you need to upgrade to like a 3000 stall min.

 

[Realspool]

I guess my stock modified 12 inch 3000 converter is more then enough for my TE-44 turbo.IT will save me alot of money.Thanks for the input and all the replies guys.I guess just need a scan tool to get my Gn from running to rich and having it tuned just right.

 

[Sleeper]

Scantool and a knock gauge are a must. It will tell you a lot. If you haven't checked, see if your driverside header has the usual crack between #3 and #5. That will slow the spool down, also check the crossover pipe to header for leaks. Go over all your vacuum hoses looking for splits and cracks as well.
Keep us posted.

Paul