Nitrous Converter

[Mooreboys]

How does a converter for nitrous use differ from a regular 8 inch 5500
converter for racing? What is different to keep nitrous power from blowing through the converter? They tell me that is what's happening to my car combo.

[Hutch]

Torque converters are simply a fluid device that is torque input sensitive.
There are many different different ways a converter can be setup
internally to achieve many stall speeds and torque multipliers. Lets say we have a motor that generates 500 ft/lbs of torque and we make a converter that will stall around 5000 rpm. If we now take that same converter and use it behind a motor that produces 300 ft/lbs it may only stall 3000 but if we add 150hp worth of nitrous, that same converter may stall 5000 if the motor with the nitrous ON makes 500ft/lbs of torque. Now if we go the other way and take the initial motor (500 ft/lb) and add 150hp worth of nitrous we may end up with a 6500+ stall speed which will give you the term "blowing through the converter" unless your motor is capable of turning some very high rpm's to get furthur above the new stall speed with the nitrous flowing.

Nitrous converters are generally much lower stall speeds when on the motor so that when the nitrous turns on, the stall speed can be controlled and the additional torque that nitrous produces can be used.
Nitrous converters also have many internal modifications to handle the additional power, ballooning plates,welded fins,furnace brazing,hd bearings, special stators and mechanical clutch designs.

Hope this helps, Hutch

[Mooreboys]

Yes indeed. Now do I need to have the converter set up for a certain hit level and stay with that hit or can the converter be forgiving ...say set up to operate within +200 to +400hp range? I think I know the answer with out asking. Without going in to listing a lot of details, I got a 388" SBC making 703hp on the motor. 3400#, 260/268 @.050 on 110LSA with .669" lifts, 1.82 PG, 5100 flash on 8" converter, 6.00 rear gear, 31.25 tall slicks. Engine makes good power up to 8200 rpm, chip limited at 8000. Shift point 6700 and crosses at 7600. .If possible, what kind flash stall could I expect with a converter properly set-up for this motor plus a set 250 hp nitrous hit. Car has run a 6.24 on a 150 hp nos hit., in good air car runs 6.80 on motor, trying a 250 hp hit the car runs 6.80's. So I am losing the 250 hp somewhere and I don't have any wheelspin. Money is tight and I'm limited to spending it one time so I need to get it right. I don't have the peak torque figures in front of me for the motor, but if you have time to give me your thoughts on a converter set up for this combination I would be most appreciative.
Larry

[Hutch]

The big question is , do you want to have a converter dedicated to nitrous or a converter that will be slightly slower on the motor but will also accept nitrous.
Yes a converter can be made to handle 250 to 400 hp range without going way downhill on the 400 hit or be a slug on the 250 shot.
Youe best bet will be to go with a 9" converter and that will give you the best of both worlds.
You don't want to get too agressive with that 1.82 planetary so by using that little 8" that you have now may be offering a cushion in the driveline to keep parts alive.

Talk to you soon ,Hutch

[Mooreboys]

Hutch, I appreciate your information. I feel better prepared to make the decission on the converter. You been a big help. Thanks,
Larry