13/07/2020
If you want some of the nicest stuff out there and deal with some awesome techs over at Hughes Performance. Gives a shout and Maddy or I can hook you up!
**TECH ARTICLE / LONG POST**
We frequently have discussions with potential customers who assume that if they receive a similar (or seemingly identical) custom converter specification from different manufacturers then they're essentially going to have the same overall converter function & performance. This assumption (frequently combined with price shopping) will then sometimes drive a potential customer to make a purchase decision that leads to unexpected & even potentially negative performance results. We hope that the information we share here will help provide you with some valuable insight so that you make the best custom converter decision for your program possible.
We need to clarify that there a **lot** of very high quality custom torque converter builders to choose from; some are household names among automotive enthusiasts & racers alike, others are smaller, more localized builders who nonetheless produce some of the highest performing torque converters currently available in the industry. We have all the respect in the world for our competitors, and also have close industry relationships with many of them. When you're shopping around for a custom converter, you really have a lot of great options to choose from these days. Obviously we're big fans of what we have to offer, and believe that we provide both the highest performing products we possibly can as well as offer what we consider to be the best customer service in the industry, but the fact remains that there are lots of truly fantastic options out there to choose from.
Moving on...
Let's tackle the issue of comparing seemingly same-spec custom builds from differing manufacturers. The reality is that you can purchase two seemingly identical custom torque converters from two different manufacturers, install them in the same vehicle with the same tune-up on the same day in the same weather & same racing conditions, and actually end up with very different results.
As a good practical example, let's take a look at the extremely popular Toyota 9.5-inch core that has been widely used throughout the industry by many, many custom converter builders over the years to build some very successful drag racing torque converters for a wide variety of combinations. For the sake of clarity, some builders will refer to this core as a 9-inch model, some 9.5-inch, and some 10-inch. The reality is that this particular core falls in between the 9.5-inch & 10-inch range in terms of actual measurement. We refer to this core as a 9.5-inch so as not to create confusion with true 10-inch+ diameter cores such as the GM 258mm core or Ford 10-inch core.
We utilize the Toyota 9.5-inch core for our popular GM95 & GM96 Pro Series builds which have been some of the winningest custom torque converters in NHRA Super class, Top Dragster, & Top Sportsman history. Now, let's take this core and assemble a very common style of converter build for a drag racing application. We'll use a positive (or "low stall") impeller, sometimes referred to as a "pump", an Opel 073-style of stator with the turbine side of the stator vanes milled to provide a 45-degree angle, and a spragless stator hub.
Let's spread this same build spec across 10 different custom converter builders. Let's assume that every builder uses the same spec listed above, sets the internal clearances the same, and uses the same style of stator caps with the same identical channel dimensions in the caps, as well as the same styles of bearings just to keep things on as level of a playing field as possible.
Based on the scenario listed above, you, the end user, could potentially end up with NINE (yes, 9!) different converters even though everything is spec'd the "same."
Now, multiply that across 10 different manufacturers, and you're looking at 90 potential variations in a converter that otherwise should be basically the same across manufacturers. This will absolutely lead to widely varying results between "same spec" custom torque converters when comparing build specs from different manufacturers.
The really scary part? Not all builders understand all of the potential differences in what should be an identically spec'd custom converter regardless of brand or builder!! In fact, you can potentially buy two identical converters as spec'd above from the same manufacturer and end up with two very differently functioning converters in the same car if the builder doesn't understand the subtle nuances of this particular core & the variations that exist in certain otherwise seemingly identical components that can be used in this type of build.
This is just one of many similar scenarios that you're going to run into when shopping for a custom built torque converter. So... what's the moral of this story?
As a consumer, spend your time & your money with a builder who is willing to take the time to ask the right questions about your combination & take the time to educate you about the product before you make a purchase.
Price is secondary.
You want to do business with a builder who not only understands the subtle nuances of torque converter operating theory & practical application, but who is willing to share information with you as well as provide service after the sale, including the ability to open, review, and interpret data files from your program while being able to effectively communicate insights about your data to help maximize the performance potential of your program.
Just remember; not all parts are created equal, and not all seemingly same parts provide the same results. ;)
