DMan_2KMax

Hey guys I ordered the Protorque T.C. (PTCDA39-SS)yesterday and plan on having it installed sometime early next week. I'll let you know how the car performs. The tech at Protorque said that I should expect to see a stall speed around 3000 rpm with the mods on my car, which will be SWEET b/c that's exactly where I enter my power band. The guys at Level 10 seemed evasive and not very forthright, especially when I questioned them on their "Claim" of building their own T.C.s. IMHO and after speaking with numerous people at Protorque, Level 10, and guys on this board I seriously doubt that they have the equipment required to build and/or modify torque converters in their 6 car bay shop. I believe they buy their converters from Protorque and TCI and stick a hefty mark up ($300 for the converter I ordered) them. Just my .02!!

psing23

i heard that with protorque u have to send them ur torque converter back like a swap and with level 10 u keep it and thats why there is that price difference

LoveSick

Just wondering, does it incrase horse power?

punkdork

It is more efficient than the stock TC so less HP is lost.

Nismo87SE

I didn't send my stock torque convertor to protorque after I got theirs. But then again I'm sure they had more than enough cores since the VG auto TC's seem to be the same part number (at least from protorque).

DMan_2KMax

Protorque does require that you ship them your OEM torque converter after you install theirs. They will usually issue a "call tag" (simply meaning that they will arrange for U.P.S. to come back after you install their converter to pick up yours) in about two weeks. But hey I figure paying $20 for a call tag pick up beats the heck out of paying $300 extra for the Level 10 T.C.er which IMHO is just a Protorque converter with the Level 10 sticker on it. You will ultimately have to make the call but I can spend that extra $300 that I would have spent for Level 10's T.C. to pay for the install on my Protorque converter. In answer to the other post with regard to increasing horsepower- it does not increase hp but instead transfers the engine's torque much more effeciently to the wheels thus resulting in much improved launches (Protorque claims that it will shave .5 to as much as 1 second of my quarter mile time and 60 ft time). I'll let you know how it does and feels.

Keven97SE

Actually, I don't believe that's quite correct. From my understanding, a higher stall speed TC will not transmit more HP to the wheels. Rather, it allows for increased torque multiplication (similar to increased gearing/higher gear ratios) by allowing for a greater rpm difference between the crank and wheels. The effect is similar to increasing the final drive ratio.

Some downsides are:
- Worse gas mileage when driving around town. Actual mpg decrease may not be much since 3000 is still a fairly reasonable stall speed. The decrease occurs because there's more slippage between the engine and drive wheels, ie reduced efficiency. Once the TC locks up, though, like in steady highway travel, the TC won't affect mpg as all slippage is eliminated.
- Increased heat inside the transmission. More slippage = more friction = more heat buildup. A high stall TC should be coupled with a transmission fluid cooler, especially on the Maxima which probably needs a cooler even if stock.

punkdork

I stand corrected.

Y2KevSE

iTrader: (13)

Good choice Diederik! Tell us how it goes after the install. I definitely have that on my wish list after driving CalsonicSE's car.

Maximam

A 3000rpm stall??? Sounds like the '66 Chevelle down the road.

I ask the board is a 3000rpm stall too high?

Mark

RussMaxManiac

Dman, one of the SE-R guys just posted this... it might help you out a bit..

I just returned from Level 10 in New Jersey. They removed my transmission
and totally disassembled it in preparation for replacing many of the
internals with performance parts. After examining the clutch plates and
the band, it was obvious that the transmission was about to fail soon. The
clutches had burn marks indicating severe slipping, and the band inner
friction surface was totally crazed. There was a small amount of metal
dust everywhere. I had the trans replaced under warrantee about 6000 miles
previously, and it obviously couldn't handle the power of the engine.

Prior to starting work they sent me to get the car dynoed so that they
could build a torque converter to match the engine's power band. For the
first time ever the car didn't run flawlessly. When the engine hit 5300
rpm on the dyno, it sounded like it had hit a rev limiter and the power
went away. We tried several times, but it was the same. The last pull I
retarded the ignition two degrees, but it was the same. Even so, the
engine put out 175 hp and 147 ft.lbs of torque at 6.5 pounds of
boost. When I got back, I removed the plugs and found two bad ones. It
looked like I was getting detonation since the electrode was partially
gone. I think I got a bad tank of gas during the 1700 mile trip there.

The modified parts replaced in the trans were:

- new clutch disks and plates. They have improved friction material and
the plates are treated to improve engagement. They are also thinner than
stock, and an extra pair were installed.

- modified valve body for crisper shifts.

- new high pressure pump for increased clamping force and increased fluid
flow to the trans cooler.

- new band with Kevlar friction material.

- rebuilt torque converter with ~3300 rpm stall.

It's like a totally different car now. If I torque brake it, it revs to
about 3200 rpm and builds 6.5 lbs of boost in two seconds. Releasing the
brake and flooring it, both front wheels spin slightly throughout low gear,
and the car pulls like crazy. The shift to second is firm, and wheel spin
stops. I'll be taking the car to Houston Raceway Park for a 1/4 mile time
as soon as I can.

In normal street driving it is obvious there is a high stall torque
converter in the car. Normal takeoff has the car revving to about 2500 rpm
from a standstill, and when it shifts to second there is no change in
rpm. On the highway, the converter locks like the stock one, and gas
mileage is unaffected. When you go up a hill at 45mph, the converter
unlocks, and the engine revs to about 3000 rpm. This is generating a lot
of heat in the trans, and I will keep close track of the trans temperature
to see if the cooler is adequate. At 70 mph, the converter does not unlock
going up hills even when it builds boost.

They wanted me to bring the car to them so that they could prototype a kit
for our trans. They will be coming out with the kit soon for both the
pre-95 trans (based on Carl Monopoli's installation) and the 95+ trans
(based on mine). This will contain all the parts that were changed. And,
most importantly, an installation manual with pictures so that a home
mechanic can do the installation. Since the torque converters are built to
match the engine, they will want a dyno run so that it can be built correctly.

They are agreeable to giving a 10% discount to SERCA members. This alone
will make membership worth the dues.

Stikya

iTrader: (1)

I know it's been a while; but in case anyone wonders...

I just installed my protorque yesterday, and I couldn't believe the difference!

My auto used to be quite lethargic off the line, and then once I got to 15-20MPH it picked up. Now it shoots off the line, including rolling starts, and I have to really control my foot, or I spin a lot of 1st gear away.

I'm going for another dyno tune soon, and I'll post about any difference it makes; although I expect minimal gain shown since most of the TC benefit is starting torque (via higher stall speed), and a typical dyno record doesn't start until around 3800 RPMs in 3rd.

Galo

I would think that there will be little performance gain from a lower-stall speed TC (something in the 2500-2700 rpms versus a 3k rpm TC) and it would be much more appropriate for street use!

Galo

performance LOSS, not gain by using a TQ with a slightly lower than 3k rpm stall speed

Cumalot

iTrader: (8)

So even at a roll, you noticed a difference? I thought it only help off the line?

Jer

iTrader: (2)

Cool! How much did you pay and where did you order from? I'm going to be ordering mine soon!

Stikya

iTrader: (1)

Protorque.com, I think $395 and I didn't have to do a core charge.

lcf

iTrader: (6)

I was confused for a little bit... heh.

OLD THREAD!!!