Whats the best converter for a te44

[Blkt6]

Whats the best size converter for a te44.The car has other mods like heads and cam.

 

[Mr URL]

Stock D5 works just fine. Anything that stalls higher is just icing.

 

[Steve Wood]

Stock converter is fine....up to 2800 is okay...

 

[Phatman]

I bought a 2800 stall from Bruce...worked great with my te-44 and the price was fair..

 

[OneQuikV6]

I just ordered a TE 44 and also called Bruce and he recommended the 9/11 at 2800-2900. Should have it in a few weeks.

 

[TRBON8R]

Phatman,

Did you notice much of a performance increase over the stock D5? Reason I ask is I'm running a TA49 turbo which is essentially the same as the 44 other than the inlet bell, and I was also considering a 9/11. I just don't know if it would really help all that much with the smaller street turbos like the 44 and 49.

 

[Phatman]

I made a lot of changes at once....so, it's hard to give you the answer your looking for. Was there a difference (yes) it was a little looser than the D5, but I didn't get his 9-11, I got his standard 2800 stall.

 

[86brick]

I have a 12" 2800 stall converter with my TE44 and I would say there is little difference between it and the stock D5. I really don't think you need a converter until you get a turbo bigger than a 44/49 cause the D5 is a very durable converter and plenty have gone mid to low 11's with it, but if you do I wouldn't go any bigger than 2800/3000 stall. Just my 2 cents

 

[Nick Micale]

Originally posted by Blkt6
Whats the best size converter for a te44.The car has other mods like heads and cam.

Don't know if there is a "best" converter for a TE-44, would depend on your entire build and the use of the vehicle?

Making the assumption you want to mainly drive on the street, with an occasional strip visit, my choice would be a 12" lock up with a 2800 or 3000 stall. Only done a couple dozen 44/49 turbo installs, and this by far works best.

Going to low 11's, then maybe a 9/11 or 10" LU. Of course that doubles the price and generates more heat.

The REAL problem in converters, is getting what you ask, or pay for! I am not a converter expert, but the guy that builds them for me is definately one. After seeing what junk is in some of them, no wonder owners are disappointed with performance when they fail, or do not stall as advertised.

Whatever converter you get, buy from a known good, reliable source.

 

[Nick Micale]

Originally posted by Mr URL
Stock D5 works just fine. Anything that stalls higher is just icing.

Chad, this comment is meant to just add as to what I have found with the stock D-5 converters.

From what I know, GM had various suppliers for the original D-5. Some T-R's are/were able to spool fine and I have seen some almost as good as aftermarket 2800 converters. On the other hand, I have seen stockers barely get to 2000 RPM. This is with esentially stock motors. Since I see different "D-5" markings on the outside of turbo converters, would think this was due to different suppliers?

Few years ago, I attempted to get a new D-5 from GM for a customer. Went through corporate channels and found they were coming from outside suppliers and were not new. I cannot verify the accuracy of this, but do know some of the GM Parts supplied converters worked great, others killed the turbo car performance.

Anyway, this is just a point of interest, as some of the original converters are excellent. If I did not have someone doing my converters that I trusted completely to use the correct parts for the 12" LU, I would keep the better D-5's for re-use.

 

[Grumpy]

stock D5