Trailblazer verter

Circle D has a huge following on pt.net, but every forum usually jumps on one thing and runs with it, like gmfs and Belltech SP shocks. It all depends on what vendors or sponsors are there, or what the majority are utilizing.

Yank, Circle D, and Precision are all pretty good with a nice following.
 
Not everyone wants or needs a big stall. For a dd I want a small stall. 3200 Max. Circle d is about $400. Mexiflip paid like $50 for the converter. Better overall than stock. Won't kill mpg. And his cam is on the small side so no need for a big stall.

THIS....my cam doesnt warrant a huge converter, I paid $60 for a used unit, 100 in fluids and 120 on install. Im under what an aftermarket unit would cost and its already installed. I dont want/need a 3500 since its my daily, I dont have supporting mods for it and dont plan on ever needing one that big.

Heard this stall wasn't worth the trouble? But I've wanted to do one for a while. Seem worth the hassle of swapping it? I'd be on a stock cam till I decide on if I want to do a 212/218 or not.

I suppose if you buy it new it might not be worth it, but I didnt buy new. I think its worth it, took trans guy 3hrs and thats just cuz it took him 20 mins to takr out a manifold stud cuz the nut stripped. Now that Ive seen it done, I wouldnt be scared to do it myself. Theres a how to on pt.net.....ill look it up and post it.
 
Use that's how it was when I joined pt, after I bought mine about 6 months later everybody started talking about the circle d verters.


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Trans removal instructions....very helpfull but no need for dual jacks

4L60e 2WD removal with pics - PerformanceTrucks.net Forums

Trans guy that did my swap put the jacks by the a-arms....that way theyre out of the way and wont mess with the jack holding up the trans.


BTW, if you have an 02 or older...you probably have allen head torque converter bolts (3) and I suggest you get the updated ones....I bought some updated bolts but my truck already came with them...so hit me up...will sell for cheap :rofl: I also bought new manifold gaskets but didnt need them, you probably wont need either....but its not a bad idea to buy them and just return if not needed...thats what I did.
 
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I'm interested in this converter for my 5.3 with 212/218 cam. Anybody know how it would do towing?
 
From what I understand, you don't want a large verter if you tow a lot. So, seeing as the TB converters are a ~2600 stall, it would be a good option.
 
I've only had mine in for a week or 2.
But I've towed my boat 4-5 times and it's roughly 6k lbs. Tows like a champ, shifts nice and smooth, and works better all around than the factory TC.
I picked mine up on pt.net for $100 shipped.
Good mod imo
 
TB converter. Yes they are a great cheap MOD if your looking for a little more stall with or without a cam. ALOT of people run the circle D budget $400 converter. Let me shed some light, They are basically a cut open and stalled stock converter from a 60e they are the same size housing and non billet. Reason so cheap... they can get the housing cores for dirt cheap and do not have to manufacture them. Yes they do what they are designed to do but nothing more than that. They are just a cheap budget converters. I have a friend whose big into drag racing, he had a budget circle D, and put his TB back in the truck because his TB converter had better 60' times. I have alot of friends (8+) local that run these converters. They are wonderful for daily driven set ups for they are tight. However not one has impressed at the track. I have not seen one cut better than a 2.1-2.0 60' time in a built truck.

No im not bashing CD please do not twist it they offer a solid budget converter thats great for a daily driven setup. Their Billet converters are extremely nice and fast although your gonna pay for one.

Personally i run a billet yank SS



I'm interested in this converter for my 5.3 with 212/218 cam. Anybody know how it would do towing?
You would like it. The TB is a oem converter and can tow anything you want....
With that cam itll match perfectly. Id never go more than a 3200 stall on that cam anyway.

It'll help with towing prob a good bit. With a little higher stall speed it should put you making a little more power to start moving with.
 
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Must have missed it.
yes of Course the I6 converter would stall higher for a smaller motor.
Sorry to cause confusion.
 
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You would like it. The TB is a oem converter and can tow anything you want....
With that cam itll match perfectly. Id never go more than a 3200 stall on that cam anyway.

It'll help with towing prob a good bit. With a little higher stall speed it should put you making a little more power to start moving with.

That's what I was thinking, but I've never messed with converters before. Just thought you want the engine in the power band at all times, and with this cam it starts to pull at 2k, and really pulls hard from 3k on up. But I'm also a heavy lifted truck, and tow heavy so I don't want a 3k converter for a daily driven lifted truck.

Will the tb converter affect mileage any, I'm assuming not much?
 
That's what I was thinking, but I've never messed with converters before. Just thought you want the engine in the power band at all times, and with this cam it starts to pull at 2k, and really pulls hard from 3k on up. But I'm also a heavy lifted truck, and tow heavy so I don't want a 3k converter for a daily driven lifted truck.

Will the tb converter affect mileage any, I'm assuming not much?

That small of a converter no you won't see much if any mpg drop. Remember it'll lock once up to speed and your rpms will drop to the same as the factory converter.
Iv ridden in a truck with that cam. Stock converter 4:88 gears on 37s they pull all though the rpm range but helps top end more within the stock limiter.
Even a 3k stall isn't big I mean you get use to the way they drive. And once they lock it's over and normal.
This mod is a win win... It's a oem converter so you'll retain towing capacity and yet still get a small bump in performance considering stall speed increase.

You just need to decide if it's worth the time for you.


I run a 4000 stall it took me awhile to get use to it but I like it. I still get 18mpg on the highway.... Now in the city Um not so much lol.

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If u tow...u don't want a 3k+ verter. Any time it unlocks ur rpm are gonna jump quite a bit. Keep it at 2700ish and it'll be awesome.
 
Thanks guys. I can find info all over about converters, but no one uses their trucks to tow really after they do cam, bolt ons, etc. I still use my truck as a daily driver and I live on a farm so it's gets it's share of duty. I'd like the bump in performance, but not sure if I should put this converter in my stock trans now, or wait until she blows and then do it. I'd really like to do it now though.

My city and freeway mileage is not good the way it is, I only get 12.5-13 hwy and 9-10 city. And it's not like my truck is really big either, I only have 285/75-16s (33s) and a 6" lift with a comp 212/218 114lsa cam and headers, tuned by blackbear. I've been debating if switching from 3.73 to 4.10 gears would be worth the hassle and money too? Any input?
 
BTW, this stall range is awesome for a DD. I have a Dacco 2400 in my 5.3 and it made a helluva difference without killing any mileage or making me sound like a moron while backing up - the RPMs always stay in the powerband; gave midrange power a boost for sure.