I have read somehere that the Turbo 350c (lock-up converter) can not take as much torque as the older style. Has anyone here had experience with these trannies? Is it the converters that are weak?
Thanks Jeff
The TH350 has a few weak areas. The weakest links are the front sprag, friction plates, and balooning of the torque convertor. I blew out a front sprag with 375 HP. I rebuilt it with heavy duty blue friction plates, B&M Stage II shift kit and I put in a case hardened sprag race and cracked it again.
I am now rebuilding that tranny again for my new 450 HP 400 sb. I am using Raysbestos red friction plates and another case hardened sprag race. I am also installing a tranny cooler.
I have a 2800 B&M Holeshot convertor. I had it cut apart and checked. I was told it is balooning. They replaced the bearings and I had them install a heavy duty stator. I had the stator hand welded for extra strength. I also had them install anti-balooning plates.
The TH-350 and all of it's variants, were never originally designed for more than 350 pounds of torque, if even that much. It was GM's standard duty transmission found in front of straight-6's, V-6's, and 350 inch or smaller V-8 engines.
I'm not sure how much they can take, but I know I had one in my 86 pickup which was putting out about 330-340hp and It fried it. I bought an old regular th350( non lockup)
and rebuilt it and have not had any trouble so far. (knock on wood)
I personally do not like them, especally for hot rod purposes. I had mine unpluged so it would not lock up. I guess they are ok for regular driving and gas mileage.
JMO
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