The Chevelle
 

So I don't think I have a thread for the issue that I had with the Chevelle back over a year ago. With doing the engine conversion on the Explorer and then the 347 build on the Cobra I just didn't have the time or money to do anything about it.

It all started back on 5/7/11 at California Dragway's Street Legals. That was the day I ran my quickest et of 10.01. As I was driving through the parking lot leaving at the end of the day the Chevelle lost third gear, then second, then everything. I had to call Phil to pick up our trailer to tow it home. Here's how it looked that day.




After I finshed the Explorer I pulled the trans and took it over to Jaime at Crest Chevrolet. Phil had talked to him about it and he told him that he would take it apart for me and let me know what it needed so I could pick up the parts and then he'd fix it. We told him there was no rush.

Phil went by there today and Jaime told him he had a chance to pull it apart and that everything in the trans was perfect. He said the issue must be with the converter and that I just need to pick up a gasket and seal kit and he'll put it back together. So that's good news and bad. I'll either need to have my converter rebuilt which is what I'll probably do or buy a new one. Most likely though I'll have The Converter Shop rebuild mine.

I'll use this thread to post updates but it's going to wait until after I get the Cobra finished and tuned.

Billet converters don't cost all that much. Not even for diesels

My current converter is a B&M Holeshot 3000 and it's $400 new from Summit. I already took a look and they just go up from there. I think the last time I had a converter rebuilt by The Converter Shop I paid $150.

There are some really incredible converters out right know. I encourage you to upgrade. The is a new model of vigilante converter that one of the guys on digital corvettes is raving about that has a 4000 rpm stall, but still delivers 25mpg and better than stock drivability. Obviously it's a different converter than what you run in a the chevelle, but my point is that there is a lot left on the table.

That's a lockup converter, mine isn't. The Holeshot 3000 converter that I have now flashes to 3600 rpms which is perfect for my current combo because my peak torque happens just below that.

So today I boxed up my converter and shipped it The Converter Shop. I told them what happened and that the trans had no wear. They said they would open up the converter to see what happened and that the rebuild should only be $150 but that they will call me if there's something that will end up costing more than that.

I still don't have the trans back yet because Jaime has had some health issues and has not been released yet to return to work. He has it all put together except for the valve body though so Phil is going to pick it up and he'll finish it up for me. Hopefully I'll have it back together and in the car by the time Fontana opens back up.

Nice. Any upgrades planned to get you that 9 second slip?

I'm changing the exhaust and will be tuning the nitrous. I think it is running rich with the current jetting and I think I can pick up some time if I dial it in. So once I have the car together I'll schedule a dyno session at GTR and see.

TCS called and my converter is toast. He said the rear bearing let go and that the stator fell and took out everything. So I'll be researching converters now.

Thats bad news and good news. It's like when I threw a rod. I was pissed, but as soon as I started scheming on the next build I felt better. I hope it doesn't set you back to far.