Drive train questions

[Rajasthan77]

Hello All,

I'm hoping you guys can help me out, like you always do!

I'm in a bit of a pickle here.

Here's my car's specs currently:

69 Dodge Charger

1.) 440 10.933:1 compression, cam P4120659 Mech.lift .528 duration 284 degrees 2,400 to 6,600 rpm range, solid lifter with Isky adjustable valve train, Holley 950carb
2.) 727 trans with fairbanks 3500 stall converter
3.) 4.10 Suregrip with Hoosier Pro Street 29/15.5015 LT in the back (about 28 inches tall)
4.) Weight of car? It's basically a drag car with a 440, 8 point roll cage, p/s (anybody else who has something similar and could share the weight of your car I would greatly appreciate it please. Only fiber glass I have is the hood at this point.)

Two things I wanted to change on the car, are 1.) the stall converter on it right now is too much for the street I think and 2.) would like to be able to cruise on the highway from time to time.

Now from what I read in the forums, 3.55s seem to be the middle of the road. However since I have the bigger tires in the back, what would you say the steepest I could go and still be o.k. High way driving (60mph - 65mphs)? Can I stretch to 3.73 or possibly 3.91's? Or stick with the 3.55s?

and based on that gear ratio

what stall converter should I shoot for given the information I have (I know this might be useless with out weight of the car, but I'm hoping someone will chime in with a rough estimate weight of a similiar car)

Hope that wasn't too much or too confusing as I have a tendency to ramble.

Thank you all for any information you can provide. It's always much appreciated! 

[firefighter3931]

Looks like a nice car that just needs a few tweaks to make it more street friendly 

How much of the interior is still in the car ? You basicly said it was a race car but didn't elaborate further other than to say the hood was fiberglass 

Mine weighed 4150 with me in the car ;

-Full interior (stock)
-8pt roll bar
-446 with aluminum heads/intake/waterpump/master cylinder so a bit of weight reduction there
-Power steering & manual brakes
-Heavy Truck Dana 60 stock width with 4.10's and a Detroit Locker
-Full exhaust with TTI headers
-Weld ProStar aluminum wheels with 295/65 drag radials
-Disc brakes on the front and drum brakes out back
-18 gallons of fuel in the stock gas tank

* I weigh 250lbs


As for the converter ; not all of them are created equal. The newer stuff is way more efficient at lower engine speeds and drive much nicer on the street. For a combo like yours with that cam a PTC 11in or Turbo Action "Street Hemi" converter would be a good choice. 

I wouldn't drop below 3.73 on the gears. These are heavy cars to launch and you need as much torque multiplication as possible. I run 4.10's in mine with the 295 DR's and can cruise comfortably at 2800rpm doing 60 mph. Converter efficiency is the key....loose, sloppy race converters slip a lot below their rated stall speed and can generate a lot of trans heat. It pays to buy a quality piece. 


Ron

[Rajasthan77]

Thank you so much Ron!

Just the carpeting is in the car and the bucket seats.  plus the dash.  Your setup sounds very similar to mine and I really appreciate the advice. I'm going to be shopping for the converter this weekend! Thanks again! Much appreciated!

[Troy]

I can't drive 60 mph! That would drive me insane. The highway speed limit here is 70 mph.

Troy