If it's a regular holeshot or super holeshot B&M converter I'm surprised that's what is not causing your issues. Have ballooned several with similar power. This caused trans pump issues.


Went ATI conv's and big trans coolers and life became easier...although lighter.


Tube coolers pretty easy to clean. I'd throw out a plate cooler.

What was going bad on the last 4 units? Was the fluid burnt?

Each time after rebuild it would never shift firm into 3rd gear and would gradually get worse. That was with 3 different certified builders. They were also informed of the power plant. One of the individuals did it twice and I expressed to spare no expense on the clutches, bands, shift kit etc. Would shift firm into 2nd but still lag into 3rd then eventually start to slip in all gears and then end up at a stand still. Dip stick smells like you'd expect. Burnt fluid. Would also make that whining noise when driving during its end days.

Chevy Turbo 350 6" Short Shaft Performance Stage 2 Transmission 650+HP


This is the one I was refeering to.

That's too cheap
Price a Hughes or Continental converter.
That doesn't leave much $$$ for a good trans
800 labor
500 converter
75 trans-go -2 shift kit
400 gaskets, seals, bushings, rings, filter, hd band and clutches
8 governor gear
175 wide low roller and cut race for bearing
20 I roller
75 I roller race
60 Torrington set
+ Torrington style pump, front planet/hub, rear planet/hub if you don't have them
+ thick shell if you don't have it
+ core and whatever it needs
+ input and drum, original combo is tough but fighting age and fatigue at 40+ years old and who knows what abuse. 1000 though
+ a big manifold style cooler
numbers off the top of my head
You have decent power and a bit of weight, spend the $$$

I was figuring a converter an additional expense. About a year ago I had a friend price out a new Hughes and price seems like it was under 1,400 rated to 575hp.

I would just buy a built turbo 400 from FTI along with one of there converters and be done with it.

B&M converters usually have problems at that power level.
Even a well built turbo 350 will need gone thru every year or two at the power levels you are talking about if driven or raced regularly.

A well built turbo 400 with a good converter will last over 4 years sometimes much longer with a good trans cooler etc.

So either do it once with a turbo 400 or get used to climbing under the car.

350 the hard parts when upgraded can handle that type of power the problem is that second gear only has 3 clutches and no way to add any more.and third gear has a problem burning them up under high hp.

On a turbo 400 in forward you have 5 clutches on all the time
so in second gear you have an additional 4 clutches for a total of 9 clutches in second gear
In 3rd you will have 5 clutches in high plus the 5 in forward so you will have 10 clutches on in 3rd gear.
The problem with a 400 is the rotating weight of the parts inside so for the same money in both transmission you wil have the ability toi hold the same amount of HP just at different overhaul times

Fk it 400 it is. I know there HD and was very first tranny I had in after hp build back in the day. Why one of the previous owner swapped it out I have no idea. Probably a little weight savings.

Idk about you but i don't feel like working under cars anymore, I do though. Buy a good piece from the start, converter included.

I run a Ford ADO in my street car built by Freddie Brown. It has been in my car for 12 years, The last 10 years the engine was making 900HP. The tranny has been flawless. The unit was not cheap but has been worth every penny. I am in the process of rebuilding the engine and thought it was a good idea to have him go through the tranny. I just picked it up and he said it looked good, only normal wear.

Buy a good torque converter also. I have been running a Pro Torque converter for the last 12 years, no issues with it to date.

Turbo 400 just have a 34 element sprag put in it ......I've still got a old Darrel Young 400 from the 80's that has spent time pushing around 3800 plus pounds of GTO. Took out second gear and a local shop put in a " super sprag" and all's well.