Are Hughes Converters any good?

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4mulas

4mulas

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Are these any good? Chance to buy one new at a swap meet price (low price)

Looking at the 24-30 3000 stall for 727. Not the HD one. Neutral balance.

Going behind 500 horsepower 500 ft pounds small block
 
I have one behind a mild, worn out 5.9. Works well, I bought it brand new. What I mean is, for a lower end converter, it works well.
 
I've heard decent things about Hughes converters. Are you sure it's new? Converters are something I won't by used unless I know and trust the guy who owns it
 
Now that I think of it, my '89 van has one in it as well. It's the "towing HD" one, definitely not for 60 ft times... LOL. Works well also
 
We have one in my son's hot rod. 460/C6 and 9". 460 is 10:1 with cam, headers, intake and carb done. Works very well for what we do with it.
 
Converters can be built to order for the combination these days. So in the wrong combo it won't do very well.

Need to figure out if it an off the shelf fits all type or a custom built one for a specific combination.
 
413 said:
Converters can be built to order for the combination these days. So in the wrong combo it won't do very well.

Need to figure out if it an off the shelf fits all type or a custom built one for a specific combination.
Click to expand...
True.

As posted initially it’s a 24-30 which is their 3000 stall for a 727. Nothing custom about it.. thanks!
 
4mulas said:
True.

As posted initially it’s a 24-30 which is their 3000 stall for a 727. Nothing custom about it.. thanks!
Click to expand...
that "3000" stall is behind a 440 making like 450 HP or something like that their advertisement states. I think I'm seeing about 2500-2600 behind my 360. Which was a huge improvement over the tight truck torque converter. They aren't going to compete with a custom-built converter for you specific vehicle by a reputable company as you are aware. But the two I have in service have met my expectations.
 
318willrun said:
that "3000" stall is behind a 440 making like 450 HP or something like that their advertisement states. I think I'm seeing about 2500-2600 behind my 360. Which was a huge improvement over the tight truck torque converter. They aren't going to compete with a custom-built converter for you specific vehicle by a reputable company as you are aware. But the two I have in service have met my expectations.
Click to expand...
Exactly, I’m not building a high end race car with precise requirements, so nothing custom required which would be the best, agreed.

If a 440 making 450hp it is likely around 500 ft/lbs and is getting 3k stall I’m sure I’d be close with the stroked 360 I have making similar numbers. 2800-3000 would be good…. For the price it can’t be beat then.
I’m happy to hear folks have had good luck with these Hughes converters!
 
When I build a race car I spend about 4 to 6 months
or even more to buy everything I need. Sometimes even
more with the way everything is backordered any more these days.

I bought a VERY EXPENSIVE custom convertor from these folks some years back
and it was 6 or 7 months before I got the car running after the purchase and build.

I fired it up and the damn car would not even MOVE an inch. After I changed
the converter it operated perfectly.

I brought it back to them in the original box with the receipt and they refused
to repair it although it was clearly brand new and they knew me from the Racetrack!
They knew I have race 60 years and know how to install a converter and do a transmission.

They said a race converter had only a 3 month warrantee starting from the day
it left the shop NOT when installed. They did not even offer a penny discount if I had
them repair it!

In my opinion = They are nothing but crooks and thieves in my experience!
When I have seen them at the track I walk the other way, so I do not lose my temper
and get tossed out of NHRA forever.

Most of you guy know I seldom have a bad work to say about any manufacturer
I buy from. There have been literally hundreds I have used for my 12 Cars
and my friends' cars I have worked on over the decades.

This company is the exception!!

Just My .02 = For Free!
 
GTX JOHN said:
When I build a race car I spend about 4 to 6 months
or even more to buy everything I need. Sometimes even
more with the way everything is backordered any more these days.

I bought a VERY EXPENSIVE custom convertor from these folks some years back
and it was 6 or 7 months before I got the car running after the purchase and build.

I fired it up and the damn car would not even MOVE an inch. After I changed
the converter it operated perfectly.

I brought it back to them in the original box with the receipt and they refused
to repair it although it was clearly brand new and they knew me from the Racetrack!
They knew I have race 60 years and know how to install a converter and do a transmission.

They said a race converter had only a 3 month warrantee starting from the day
it left the shop NOT when installed. They did not even offer a penny discount if I had
them repair it!

In my opinion = They are nothing but crooks and thieves in my experience!
When I have seen them at the track I walk the other way, so I do not lose my temper
and get tossed out of NHRA forever.

Most of you guy know I seldom have a bad work to say about any manufacturer
I buy from. There have been literally hundreds I have used for my 12 Cars
and my friends' cars I have worked on over the decades.

This company is the exception!!

Just My .02 = For Free!
Click to expand...
IMO any decent company would of taken care of you and the fact that you are a successful racer and buy many parts , and a good word from you would help there bussiness way more than the little they will loose . Some people can't see past the end of there nose .
 
Last edited:
GTX JOHN said:
When I build a race car I spend about 4 to 6 months
or even more to buy everything I need. Sometimes even
more with the way everything is backordered any more these days.

I bought a VERY EXPENSIVE custom convertor from these folks some years back
and it was 6 or 7 months before I got the car running after the purchase and build.

I fired it up and the damn car would not even MOVE an inch. After I changed
the converter it operated perfectly.

I brought it back to them in the original box with the receipt and they refused
to repair it although it was clearly brand new and they knew me from the Racetrack!
They knew I have race 60 years and know how to install a converter and do a transmission.

They said a race converter had only a 3 month warrantee starting from the day
it left the shop NOT when installed. They did not even offer a penny discount if I had
them repair it!

In my opinion = They are nothing but crooks and thieves in my experience!
When I have seen them at the track I walk the other way, so I do not lose my temper
and get tossed out of NHRA forever.

Most of you guy know I seldom have a bad work to say about any manufacturer
I buy from. There have been literally hundreds I have used for my 12 Cars
and my friends' cars I have worked on over the decades.

This company is the exception!!

Just My .02 = For Free!
Click to expand...
Are you sure you had it installed correctly? Ahhahaha just kidding, sorry to hear of your bad experience.
I’ll take it as a warning that I’m on my own if it fails…
 
I've had their converter since 2000. When I damaged the snout they fixed it extremely affordably. Very friendly guy on the phone, a quarter century ago. Offered to give it extra stall while apart but I didn't need it. Doing great roots blown no problems.
 
I have one now that’s getting installed soon I’m getting for free. Used for a month and then the owner decided to do a four speed swap. I’ll report back when it’s installed. It’s built to stall around 2500.
 
My '77 van has a factory tight stall that's a 1600 stall on it's best day. I'd be happy to have a 2000 stall in it :)
 
318willrun said:
My '77 van has a factory tight stall that's a 1600 stall on it's best day. I'd be happy to have a 2000 stall in it :)
Click to expand...
Yeah, there were low, regular and high stalls. I think Mopar had more of a selection than most of the others.
 
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