This time on SPPTV we introduce to you the cheapest 4l60e high stall converter for your LS engine swapped hotrod. The "Trailblazer torque converter", as I found it to be known online, is simply a torque converter spec'd for the 4.2 I6 (an engine with less torque than a V8). You can find them in 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Oldsmobile Bravada, and Buick Reiner. The junkyard is full of these vehicles, all containing $40 (at my local junkyard) high'er stall torque converters. I would be curious to see what this converter would do behind other combinations, but it has made a difference in the S15. A cam as large as we put in the S15 needed something, and for someone not wanting to invest in a 4l60E based transmission this is a great cheap temporary (permanent) fix. I would recommend it if you are in a similar situation with a streetcar. However if you are looking for a 3500 stall drag race converter, this is not that. Hard to beat it for the price.
On my 81 camaro (haven’t done super extensive tests) but have a SS2 Cam and with the brakes needing a smidge more bleeding and adjusting with the proportioning valve (disc all around) I think it stalls at like 2300ish and don’t know what it flashes to haven’t done extensive driving where I was worried ab that I’ve been worried about everything else 😂. Hopefully be able to get a real test once it gets finished and get everything done on it in the next couple weeks
Behind the sbc, the Vega converter would hold up quite a while. Lots of chevy guys I know ran them. I found out what happens when you put one behind a Pontiac 400 that makes over 450ftlbs from idle to 4500rpm. First stall was 3000, second was 3500, third was 4500, then it was so loose it would not spin the tires on gravel. A mild Pontiac ballooned the poor little thing, with an L88 style 400 "high stall' converter (1900-2200) that 400 pushed a 3750lb '79 Formula into the bottom 12s with a 3.42 gear. In the 90s I could get those L88 style converters for $100-$125 at any trans shop. I ran them in most of my cars and trucks. I didn't bother trying a Vega converter behind a 455, didn't want to send shrapnel though a Th400 case. Lots more torque in a 455, 500ftlbs is incredibly easy to surpass with a 455.
I also had a vega converter behind my camed 6.0l it worked great. Could foot brake it to 2800rpm. I actually preferred it compared to a budget b and m converter.
The ONLY real issue I had with the VEGA converter was after about 6 months it began stalling higher and higher. Started at roughly 3200 ended at the time of death was about 4000 before kabooooo💥💥
Its strange but also how they work for the use you use them on. I built a lifted LS swapped subi impreza for overlanding and basic trail fun. RWD, 5.3, NA, a real good cam for trail use, Very responsive from idle. I chose a 2100 stall for very touchy response to the tires. All I have to do for a bit more power is just wisper at the throttle to move the car over an obstacle. Im new to all this stuff, I just thought about the choice of cam and converter and said well that would work right? It does. its amazing on trails. Good on you boys, good parts from the yard is always a good frekin day. Also... I need a transmission guy in my group so bad.. I dont want to be the transmission guy in my group.. All I know about tranys is HP goes into the front... confusion in the center then disappointment comes out the tail.
hell yea i got one of them ts in-line 6 trannys in my 05 tahoe just have to change the bell housing works great now iam have to put the stall converter in it i didnt even think of that thanks to yall all !!!
it should the only thing you would want do is make sure the color of the plug is the same and check the shaft like they did in the video other then that change out the bell housing
Food for thought if you have a 4l80e the torque converter from a 2000-02 Chevy express van with the 4.3 engine and 4l80e its a cheap stall behind a v8 engine its supposedly a 2200 stall behind the 4.3 so behind a 5.3 or 6.0 it may be a 2800 stall
Nice truck !!I have a 03 Silverado built LC9 with a 4L60 with Ls trail blazer SS converter , stalls at 22xxx and flash’s at 32xxx my truck has 4.56 gearing but I had to put 32” tires plus caltracs or it’ll just spin no traction
I’m running the same cam with a TB 278mm converter like that. It works out to flash at about 3200 for me. But I’m making a bit more nut though and a lot more weight.
I have mine in my 2000 suburban factory 373 g80. Fully built 4L60e 2wd. I was getting 2500-2600 on a stock tune. ( DBW driven). Would flash around 3k. But with a new tune etc Im seeing 2800-3000k flashing at 3200... Its worth it! I love it! But for a little s10 with no weight i would just buy a reman stock size converter thats built to be a 3200 stall
I own a 2004 Trailblazer and my stall has never been much more than 2000 rpm. The 4.2 was tuned to pull like a v8. It also burn gas like one. You have 3.73 gears, do you really need 2800 rpm stall?
The 4.2 is a good unit that we may explore on the channel in the future, but the v8 def has a torque advant...... I just googled the 4.2 I6 specs and had no idea it made that much HP and Torque factory lol. I suppose this is why I don't see a huge stall with it in my truck, as my 5.3 is mostly stock besides the cam, headers, intake etc.
Well this work for a 2001 Chevy Tahoe with a 5.3 and the 4L60E 2 wheel drive? Cuz if so that's a great beginner for what I want to do which is drifting the Tahoe around on a course.
Sorry I asked the question before I finished the video you guys are awsome with all the stuff you guy post,I followed the swap on the blue ghost at the same time I was doing my 72 c10 swap and I got alot of good ideS thanks again.keep up the great work guys
All that work of taking one out when you could have just bought one they're not that expensive. summit Jegs every auto parts store on the planet very simple to get LOL keep up the good work guys just busting your balls a little bit
$250 on Rock Auto minus a $120 core that would have cost me $60 to ship. We are in Canada though. I've heard they sell for a decent price at US auto zone's etc. .
Hey bro i jus seen ur vid i been breaking my back pver a cqr im building project home grown and money and this is going to help big time i have a 5.3 i built with a cam 1.5 ss cam and am building trans now and i needed a torque converter n this vid jus gave me my solution my oly questin is my flywheel is a 5.3 and this came from inline 6 will this converter bolt to the flywheel or do i need to look for a different route ?
I like the way you guys help each other. This should work with any ls and 4l60e right? Looks like you have lots of cars and trucks to choose from. How does insurance work in Manitoba. In Ontario it's crazy expensive
You would wanna double check your specific combo. The things in the video about the input shaft and bellhousing are things to consider, but as far as I remember as long as it is a 1999/2000+ 4l60e it should be compatible.
I got a question and need help, Would a 2500-2800 stall be to much for a stock 4.8 with the 4L60E ? If I get the a high stall torque converter I’ll get a shift kit with a corvette servo and upgraded transmission cooler. Is it worth it ?
Yes the 4.8 needs a stall to even be able to keep up beside other LS motors a stall will wake the 4.8 up a lot ... A 3600 stall would be ideal but the trailblazer is super bang for buck and is way better then stock converter
I found out the hard way what happens when you put a Vega converter behind a mild 400 Pontiac. It got ballooned in less than an hour. First stall was 3k, then 3500, 4500, and the next time I put power to it the poor little thing slipped so bad it would not spin the tires on gravel. To be fair that 400 put cars into the low 12s real easy with highway gears. The sbc makes a lot less torque than a Pontiac, so the Vega piece lives longer behind them.
@@timothybayliss6680 not downunder mate all our Buick/Holden v6,s since 1988 to 2005 are 3.8litre rear wheel drive cars and utes, with 700r4 until 89-90 then then the rest are 4l60e ,65e ,75e. They also come in 308 carb v8 vl commodore only then 1989 vn commodore has 304 injected v8, we call the Holden v8 but is a small block chev, thru vr, vp, vs, models all injected v8 or Buick v6 3.8l powered. Then came the 5.7l ls1 v8 in 97 by way of the vt, vu, vx, vy, vz. Vz on ls2 v8 and we lost the 3.8 by 2006. The ls carried through to the companies recent demise now we have mustangs camaro and hellcats. All of the above had 60e and t5 manuals until the vt ls1 t56 unfortunately never got 4l80 just went straight to the 90e with ls2 6.0.
@@timothybayliss6680 not sure if that makes sense but we have 3800 v6 60e cars all over the place you can get them for few hundred dollars all day long if you want them and of course the falcon cars and utes with there inline 4.0 sixes. Now everyone is buying Tesla and electric this and that….I’m old and don’t like them dammit.
@@clint.garage.6092 You are right, we had camero/firebird that had options of 3800/ls1 and the 4l60 in both. We got the monaro but only with a Ls1 or ls2, they didn't import them with the 3800.
We are in Canada. Cheapest option for new here is about $180-$200 once you add shipping the core back. But yes I've heard autozone and others sell them for around $100 in the US.
Rob is def the best mechanic and fabricator out of the 3 of us, so if something is critical he often steps up. But yes I do work when I'm not holding the camera lol. You only get to see it in the time lapses.
Back before I was born probably people would take the torque converter from a Chevrolet Vega and put it behind their 350 sbc etc. . A cheap way to get a stall converter. The TBTC is like a modern day version of that. A lot more 2002-2009 Trailblazers in the JY than Vega's at this juncture.
You have American cars use American measurements we don't do things in kilometers if it was not for the Americans bringing the automotive industry to your country and teaching you guys you guys will still be riding horse and buggies so at least give enough respect to measure things correctly the American league not that horse s*** over there
What your not understanding is we didnt measure the shaft in mm the factory does. All the bolts and things on "american" cars have been metric for 30 years + by over there where do you mean? The usa?
