318 Tc

[MOPARJ]

I have been driving the duster with rebuilt 318 about 3 times a week, about 100 miles a week. With gas prices and the amount of highway driving I do, I want to remain with 2.76 or 2.94 gears. The only question I have is regarding the torque converter. My engine has 4 bbl, headers, 2.5" exhaust, near stock compression with Comp XE268 cam. Its an aggressive cam for the 318, I know, especially with near stock compression, but it still runs hard and well. The converter in the rebuilt trans is stock. Would it be beneficial to a little more low end and better performance to up the verter a little? What stall should I run, given the engine combo and gear setup for optimum performance? What brand?

 

[rumblefish360]

You could have it custom built. The off the shelf converters are performance oriented and would probably not help in mileage due to there stall area which you probably cruise in and lower efficent slipping.

To help mileage, besides the cam.....
A lock up converter trans helps, taller tires should as well. Spreadbore can provided better milage. Thats not in stone though.

You'll want to cruise in the peak torque area of the engine. Lets just say it's 3,000 rpm. Because this is where the engine makes the most torque and volumetric efficentcey is about peak or near it.
This is where you get the most bang for the buck on gas.

 

[MOPARJ]

You could have it custom built. The off the shelf converters are performance oriented and would probably not help in mileage due to there stall area which you probably cruise in and lower efficent slipping.

To help mileage, besides the cam.....
A lock up converter trans helps, taller tires should as well. Spreadbore can provided better milage. Thats not in stone though.

You'll want to cruise in the peak torque area of the engine. Lets just say it's 3,000 rpm. Because this is where the engine makes the most torque and volumetric efficentcey is about peak or near it.
This is where you get the most bang for the buck on gas.

Agreed, Rob, but I am actually happy with the economy and milage, I was just wondering if there was a converter that would work with my gear and engine combo that may liven up performance a bit, without sacrificing too much economy or none at all. I guess I wasn't that clear on wht I was wondering about.

-Justin

 

[rumblefish360]

Hummmm, I thought, maybe , more mileage with higher stall on the converter myself. It is a catch 22 I think. Not sure though. Possiblitys exist.