TBSS towing with 3200 RPM TC

PapaBear · 09-26-2011, 07:33 AM

Buddy of mine wants me to pull his Neon SRT-4 to Savannah for a track day. Car weighs 2400 lbs, and I have a dual axle, wood bed Top Hat 16' trailer.

Any concerns towing with a Circle D 3200 RPM torque converter and a Gearmesh built trans?

I tried the TBSS forum, but it just turns into a pissing match over who has the best TC.

Thanks

blkscls1z · 09-26-2011, 07:55 AM

Should have bought a Yank! J/K

I would call up Circle D and see what they say.

PapaBear · 09-26-2011, 08:04 AM

That makes entirely too much sense Neal......lol.

I sent Chris at Circle D a message, we'll see what they say. I don't think there will be a problem, just want to be sure. I'm more worried about rear suspension and braking more than I am the ability of the truck to pull the load.

ForceFed4g63 · 09-26-2011, 08:19 AM

If his car weighs 2400 lbs he has done some SERIOUS weight reduction, are you sure that number is correct?

blkscls1z · 09-26-2011, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapaBear

That makes entirely too much sense Neal......lol.

I sent Chris at Circle D a message, we'll see what they say. I don't think there will be a problem, just want to be sure. I'm more worried about rear suspension and braking more than I am the ability of the truck to pull the load.

You still have airbags in the rear?

jmd · 09-26-2011, 08:26 AM

you know trailblazer ss are not for towing. they are race suv's.

PapaBear · 09-26-2011, 08:41 AM

ForceFed - not sure of that number at all, that's what he replied to a text where I asked him what it weighed. I know it's full interior, so no weight reduction that I know of.

Neal - No more airbags for me. Belltech shocks / springs.

JMD - if I wanted an SUV to race, i would have started with a GC SRT8, but the lack of towing turned me off.

I have pulled my 2400 pound boat numerous times with no issue, but this will be significantly more. Might end up just putting it on a dolly and calling it good. It's only a 2 hour ride, can't be that bad on a dolly.

Derek · 09-26-2011, 08:43 AM

Do you have electric fans we towed luckies car all over the place with shawns tb. Was monitoring trans temp with an extra digital guage.

PapaBear · 09-26-2011, 08:47 AM

I have e-fans and a trans cooler, and can monitor temps. Not worried about the trans really, as long as i can keep temps below 200 i'll be fine. And running on interstate, cooler functions amazingly, so shouldn't see much more than 190 or so.

google says the SRT weighs in at 2880

Derek · 09-26-2011, 08:57 AM

You'll be fine

1998ta__1991rs · 09-26-2011, 09:49 AM

I towed my 3500lb trans am with mine with a 3800-4000 vig in it. Once i got on the interstate it was fine

03SVTCOBRA · 09-26-2011, 12:01 PM

depending on the year 2400lbs could be correct even with almost everything on the car. I think they were around 2500-2900lbs. Spare tire and maybe lighter wheels would drop you almost 100lbs if you really wanted it without changing a thing.

bwelch · 09-26-2011, 01:44 PM

The only problem I see is the neon fitting on an open car trailer without messing up the front bumper.....

ForceFed4g63 · 09-26-2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03SVTCOBRA

depending on the year 2400lbs could be correct even with almost everything on the car. I think they were around 2500-2900lbs. Spare tire and maybe lighter wheels would drop you almost 100lbs if you really wanted it without changing a thing.

The lightest srt-4 ever made was a one off made by Mopar that weighed 2500 lbs, every other year weighed 2900 lbs.

94FormulaBird · 09-26-2011, 02:21 PM

are we really discussing how much a skittle weighs....

Quote:

The only problem I see is the neon fitting on an open car trailer without messing up the front bumper.....

biggest concern

PapaBear · 09-26-2011, 02:23 PM

I was just thinking about getting it on the trailer. Think I am going to suggest to him that he get a dolly and we just pull it that way, easier on my truck, and easier on his car.

Thanks for the input guys.

ForceFed4g63 · 09-26-2011, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94FormulaBird

are we really discussing how much a skittle weighs....

I was just correcting some information is all. Last time I checked 500 lbs is a lot.

Derek · 09-26-2011, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapaBear

I was just thinking about getting it on the trailer. Think I am going to suggest to him that he get a dolly and we just pull it that way, easier on my truck, and easier on his car.

Thanks for the input guys.

On a front wheel drive car that would work well.

gearmesh, inc. · 09-26-2011, 07:52 PM

Once you level off at highway speed and your torque converter gets locked up, operating temperature shouldn't be hardly much more over normal cruise temperature. If you call for enough throttle demand % for the TCM to unlock the converter clutch, then you will be into your stall coupling of your converter and you will see some elevated temps.

I would also do the towing in Drive 3 gearshift position to lock out overdrive from being engaged. That way the rear planet isn't taking a hell of a towing load. Drive 3 has your trans limited to 3rd gear which is 1:1.

Towing while in overdrive is better left for the 4L80E for the Chevys and the E4OD/4R100s for the Fords. They have much bigger planetaries for overdrive than the smaller car/truck light duty 4L60/65/70E and the Ford AOD/E platforms.

Foose04 · 09-26-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearmesh, inc.

Towing while in overdrive is better left for the 4L80E for the Chevys

Had me worried for a second, I pulled to western tennessee and back in OD mostly with around 4500lb behind me. However I do have the heavy ass 80, it has to be good for something other than eating HP and gas.

Towing locked up is key. I also run a circle D 3200 stall, but manually lock it with a button switch whenever possible. Is there anyway you give your self some throttle room in your tune to help keep it locked up?

09-26-2011, 07:33 AM	#1
PapaBear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,809	TBSS towing with 3200 RPM TC Buddy of mine wants me to pull his Neon SRT-4 to Savannah for a track day. Car weighs 2400 lbs, and I have a dual axle, wood bed Top Hat 16' trailer. Any concerns towing with a Circle D 3200 RPM torque converter and a Gearmesh built trans? I tried the TBSS forum, but it just turns into a pissing match over who has the best TC. Thanks

09-26-2011, 07:55 AM	#2
blkscls1z Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Between Goose Creek & Moncks Corner Posts: 2,310	Should have bought a Yank! J/K I would call up Circle D and see what they say. __________________

09-26-2011, 08:26 AM	#6
jmd Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,177	you know trailblazer ss are not for towing. they are race suv's. __________________ Cadillac man

09-26-2011, 09:49 AM	#11
1998ta__1991rs Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: West Ash Posts: 4,283	I towed my 3500lb trans am with mine with a 3800-4000 vig in it. Once i got on the interstate it was fine __________________ Funny

09-26-2011, 12:01 PM	#12
03SVTCOBRA Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,041	depending on the year 2400lbs could be correct even with almost everything on the car. I think they were around 2500-2900lbs. Spare tire and maybe lighter wheels would drop you almost 100lbs if you really wanted it without changing a thing. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

09-26-2011, 08:04 AM	#3
PapaBear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,809	That makes entirely too much sense Neal......lol. I sent Chris at Circle D a message, we'll see what they say. I don't think there will be a problem, just want to be sure. I'm more worried about rear suspension and braking more than I am the ability of the truck to pull the load.

09-26-2011, 08:19 AM	#4
ForceFed4g63 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Aiken Posts: 7,002	If his car weighs 2400 lbs he has done some SERIOUS weight reduction, are you sure that number is correct?

09-26-2011, 08:41 AM	#7
PapaBear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,809	ForceFed - not sure of that number at all, that's what he replied to a text where I asked him what it weighed. I know it's full interior, so no weight reduction that I know of. Neal - No more airbags for me. Belltech shocks / springs. JMD - if I wanted an SUV to race, i would have started with a GC SRT8, but the lack of towing turned me off. I have pulled my 2400 pound boat numerous times with no issue, but this will be significantly more. Might end up just putting it on a dolly and calling it good. It's only a 2 hour ride, can't be that bad on a dolly.

09-26-2011, 08:43 AM	#8
Derek Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: West of the mutha f**cking Ashley Posts: 1,784	Do you have electric fans we towed luckies car all over the place with shawns tb. Was monitoring trans temp with an extra digital guage.

09-26-2011, 08:47 AM	#9
PapaBear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,809	I have e-fans and a trans cooler, and can monitor temps. Not worried about the trans really, as long as i can keep temps below 200 i'll be fine. And running on interstate, cooler functions amazingly, so shouldn't see much more than 190 or so. google says the SRT weighs in at 2880

09-26-2011, 08:57 AM	#10
Derek Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: West of the mutha f**cking Ashley Posts: 1,784	You'll be fine

09-26-2011, 01:44 PM	#13
bwelch Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 3,774	The only problem I see is the neon fitting on an open car trailer without messing up the front bumper..... __________________

09-26-2011, 02:23 PM	#16
PapaBear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,809	I was just thinking about getting it on the trailer. Think I am going to suggest to him that he get a dolly and we just pull it that way, easier on my truck, and easier on his car. Thanks for the input guys.

09-26-2011, 07:52 PM	#19
gearmesh, inc. creepy azz cracka Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 1,587	Once you level off at highway speed and your torque converter gets locked up, operating temperature shouldn't be hardly much more over normal cruise temperature. If you call for enough throttle demand % for the TCM to unlock the converter clutch, then you will be into your stall coupling of your converter and you will see some elevated temps. I would also do the towing in Drive 3 gearshift position to lock out overdrive from being engaged. That way the rear planet isn't taking a hell of a towing load. Drive 3 has your trans limited to 3rd gear which is 1:1. Towing while in overdrive is better left for the 4L80E for the Chevys and the E4OD/4R100s for the Fords. They have much bigger planetaries for overdrive than the smaller car/truck light duty 4L60/65/70E and the Ford AOD/E platforms. __________________ "I came into this world kicking, screaming,and covered in someone else's blood, I have no problem leaving the same way!" ÔÇ£If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. ThatÔÇÖs ridiculous. If I have a gun, what in the hell do I have to be paranoid about?ÔÇØ -Clint Smith, Thunder Ranch.