Mike:

I have a 377 SBC in a 3300-lb Camaro. The motor makes about 550 hp and I have an NOS Big Shot plate on it. The most nitrous I have run is 225 hp.

The trans is a TH 350 with a GER 9-inch converter. The converter is supposed to be a N/A converter. The trans has all stock hard parts except for the direct drum outer race. I have the same number of clutches as the factory had. I think 4 and 5 in the drums. I have a B&M manual valve body as well.

The trans shifts real snappy on just the motor, but when I turn on the nitrous it kind of mushes into gear. Not reallyu slipping, just really soft. Am I overpowering the clutches or is the converter slipping? It doesn¹t gain much 60-ft on the nitrous, but it gains good on the e.t.

Also, what is the cheapest way to upgrade the direct drum sprag assembly to a 400 style assembly? I have access to a lathe and a Bridgeport mill. Can I do something like that myself?

I know I probably sound like a tightwad, but it¹s either run it like it is and cross my fingers, or find a cheap way to fix it.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

Gary Brown

Gary,

In your situation, I would say you¹re probably slipping the converter more than the clutch packs. If you were slipping clutches, they would burn out in just a couple of runs. It would take a trans inspection to prove this.

Normally, a good converter will pick up everywhere as long as the stall speed fits the torque curve of the engine well.

You get what you pay for; usually a cheap part is exactly that ­ a cheap part. If you expect peak performance, you need good parts. They are more expensive due to the use of specialty parts and time- consuming processes such as furnace brazing, Torrington bearings, etc.

The 350 modified drum uses a TH400-style sprag, but it¹s not the same size. We sell the big sprag 350 drum kit with a 5-clutch pack for $395.00.

There is nothing wrong with being a little tight with your bucks, but if you want to go fast, you¹ve got to spend it on the right places. The torque converter is not a good place to cut costs!

Mike

Mike Stewart is owner of Mike’s Transmission in Lancaster, California. He will answer your questions about automatic or powerglide transmissions. Email: Mike@racingnetsource.com

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