I want to get a higher stall torque converter for my 97 SE. Current performance mods include cat-back exhaust, CAI, y-pipe, UDP, Don's VB, tranny cooler, and in a couple weeks, a RT cat.

I contacted a couple places, namely ProTorque & Level Ten.

ProTorque is asking for $395 (with core exchange). Aside from a buiding a custom TC, they only carry one model for my application - PTCDA39SS. Stall speed will be raised 300-800 rpms.

Level Ten is asking for $698 (without core exchange). Sam @ Level Ten said that they do customize the TC, taking into account my mods (I dunno if this is BS or not). He said that stall speed will be also be raised 300-800 rpms & that my 1/4 mile time will be dropped anywhere from 0.5-1.0 sec. I asked him about ProTorque, and OF COURSE he said that Level Ten's TC uses better internals and is overall better in quality & performance.

So, any opinions or suggestions? Which one should I get? Do you think their quality and performance are similar?

There is also one more company I'm considering - Precision Industries, but I have yet to contact them.

Doesn't SteveChicagoSC have a Level Ten TC? I know Nismo87SE has a ProTorque TC. How do you like it? Noticeable performance gain? Any before and after 1/4 times? Anyone else with a higher stall TC is more than welcome to answer, too...=) THANKS!

 

i also wanna know about this.. and will a torque converter make the tranny last longer or will it shorten it's already short life.

 

Level 10 is without core exchange? So they make one for maxima application or they will custom build one and send it to you???

Tim

 

The reason is that if you want an even higher stall speed, they can custom build you one. The TC will allow you to launch about 300-800rpm higher depending on your engines' torque output. Basically with this mod and some luck you should be hitting 14's easy. If you have a fed spec car look into the G-force or JWT ECU. The bad thing about the TC is that your city mpg will drop slightly because your starting out at a higher rpm. For example when I had my stock TC accelerating normally from a stop is like this: idle, 1200 -> 1800rpm ->shift into 2nd. With the TC its: idle->1600->1800-2200rpm -> shift into 2nd. Remember my max has a different TCU so my shift points might be different (I doubt it though). But I do remember that I needed to use about 40% just to get to 3000rpm in 1st gear without manual shifting. Even then it took at least 1.5-2 seconds longer to get to 3k rpm in 1st with the stock TC. Once I upgraded I hit 3k rpm alot easier . From a WOT standing start, stock TC would do: 1600rpm flash-stall ->wheelspin->2200-2400rpm -> rev to redline. With the protorque TC it was 1600rpm flash stall ->wheelspin->2800-3000rpm -> rev to redline. Since I had a rear oil seal leak, the TC install was well worth my $395 . But I didn't get a chance to test it because my head gasket blew .

 

Most likely, a stronger TC will help your tranny last longer. The same thing goes for a VB recalibration. The quicker the shifts, the less wear on your tranny gears and synchros.

 

Maybe this will help you decide.....

The Pro-Torque convertor and the one from L10 are the same convertor...where do you think they get it?

L10 is an additional $400 for the cool sticker they put in the box.

How do I know? I've bought both.

You will see the Pro-Torque offered at http://www.mobiletek.net

within the next few weeks.

As far a longevity, the VB mod WILL DEFINATELY increase life of your tranny, and the torque convertor will increase stress and wear on your drivetrain (like dumping the clutch)...If you are buying the convertor to save your tranny, you are buying it for the wrong reason.




[Edited by Don in Texas on 03-10-2001 at 12:55 PM]

 

Thanks Nismo87SE. Ahh! Thanks Don. That's what I wanted to know...ProTorque and Level Ten are the same. Do you mean when Sam @ Level 10 told me that they customize the TC according to my mods, he was BSing?

What stall speed would be good for my application (street & the occasional standstill WOT run)? Should I ask ProTorque to raise the stall speed even though I know it's impossible to tell what stall speed I'm gonna get until I actually install the TC...

Don, you said Mobiletek is going to offer the TC in a few weeks? Will the price be better than the $395 ProTorque is asking for?

 

Otherwise you will make your car alot less friendly street driving. Believe the basic protorque TC is all you need unless you want to go faster. Even then they give you a form with info you need to fill out, you better have a dyno and FSM ready too .

 

I cant' seem to find that model number, is that the one to use for all maximas? how about 5th gen max ?
Also, is it direct bolt-on?

Thanks

 

That model number isn't listed on their website. You have to contact ProTorque directly to find out. I'm pretty sure that model number is for 4th gens...dunno about the 5th gens, sorry. In essence, I guess it could be considered a bolt-on. You won't have to modify any parts to make it fit. However, you will have to drop the tranny - it'll take a shop at least one whole day to finish it.

 

oh...so you're saying the billet hi-perf convertor is the samething as the PT Convertor...I have my doubts...its the same as maybe the regular level 10 performance convertor