Torque Converter Advice

[cjshaker]

You people quit stalling and get to the point.   

LMAO!! My vote for post of the week 

Ok, I'm back outta this conversation since I don't even know what a "converter" is, or what these "automatic" thingies do...

[Heo]

 

[Falcon67]

Bah.     Was doing this every other weekend until I went auto   

[gt350hr]

   paulie, 
 You are correct. Clarification not needed. For example a "standard" 6 cylinder Ford convertor in that "stock" application might have 1800 stall. IF it could be directly bolted to a 460 ( without modification) it might have 3,000+ , just because the motor's torque input to the convertor was almost double that of the 6.  That is why "generic" convertor vendors state the stall speeds a s"approximate" or stall speeds vary with the degree of engine modifications. "Custom" convertor manufacturers usually ask for detailed information so they can build you what you need. There isn't "one" perfect , fit all convertor.
     "Stall speed" is often checked with the trans in manual second or high ( never low) against the car's brakes or in racing applications where a "trans brake" is used to see the maximum rpm obtainable . In reality ( depending on how the convertor is modified internally) a convertor could "flash" higher. Flash happens when the inertia from the engine going from near idle to wide open ( so quickly) overwhelms the fluid and the rpm goes higher than you would see against the vehicle's brakes in a "stall test". One other side effect is "torque multiplication" which happens during the time the convertor is not in fluid lock. In other words the engine can go to a higher rpm and make more power while the convertor is "catching up" all while the car is accelerating. Fluid temperature( if monitored)  should stay in the 180* range which usually requires additional external coolers.
   Randy

[jayb]

Bah.     Was doing this every other weekend until I went auto   

How can you find the stick racer at the track?  Just look for the guy with the biggest pile of broken parts 

[machoneman]

IIRC, many bucks-down racers long ago used a OEM Chevy Vega's converter for the same reasons mentioned: put one behind a hot SBC or better, a hot BBC and it would flash at twice the rpm of the stone-stock 4-cylinder engine. 

Today, the use of soft-loc clutches with many tuning features has near eliminated the constant breakage of the past for stick drag cars. And Jay was right as we quit door slammer racing, late 1970's, just as the 1st gen. of track-adjustable soft-loc clutch systems came into play. Man, did we break the parts, leading to us throwing in the towel about 1 1/2 years too early and going to a C-4 equipped Boss 302 gas dragster.

[gt350hr]

      I was the same way, THREE pedals or NONE!! But when I twisted the axle housing off of the spring perches (1973) I caved in and bought a used '66 Shelby ( ex Hertz rental) because it had an automatic.  I have been two footing it ever since. Drive line breakage is non existent thanks to transferring the 31 spline A/FX from the 4 speed Shelby to it.
     Randy

[plovett]

   paulie, 
 You are correct. Clarification not needed. For example a "standard" 6 cylinder Ford convertor in that "stock" application might have 1800 stall. IF it could be directly bolted to a 460 ( without modification) it might have 3,000+ , just because the motor's torque input to the convertor was almost double that of the 6.  That is why "generic" convertor vendors state the stall speeds a s"approximate" or stall speeds vary with the degree of engine modifications. "Custom" convertor manufacturers usually ask for detailed information so they can build you what you need. There isn't "one" perfect , fit all convertor.
     "Stall speed" is often checked with the trans in manual second or high ( never low) against the car's brakes or in racing applications where a "trans brake" is used to see the maximum rpm obtainable . In reality ( depending on how the convertor is modified internally) a convertor could "flash" higher. Flash happens when the inertia from the engine going from near idle to wide open ( so quickly) overwhelms the fluid and the rpm goes higher than you would see against the vehicle's brakes in a "stall test". One other side effect is "torque multiplication" which happens during the time the convertor is not in fluid lock. In other words the engine can go to a higher rpm and make more power while the convertor is "catching up" all while the car is accelerating. Fluid temperature( if monitored)  should stay in the 180* range which usually requires additional external coolers.
   Randy

Thanks for confirming what I was thinking.  I wasn't sure if I using the right terminology.

paulie

[plovett]

Well, I have to tell you guys that I swing both ways.    I like both manuals and automatics.  Manuals are fun and are efficient in terms of power loss.  Automatics have the aforementioned torque multiplication factor and great durability. 

My experience is that most drag cars are faster on street surfaces (and often at the strip) with an automatic....and of course more durable.

If my Cougar had come with a 4 speed I would not have swapped it for a manual, but it came with a C6 and I'm glad it did.   I have no doubt it would be slower with a manual unless I had a truly science-d out suspension.

JMO,

paulie

[cammerfe]

Went out for a chicken sandwich this evening. In addition to the chicken, it had a piece of cheese and a couple slices of tomato, a leaf of lettuce and some mayo. It came with a Coke and an order of fries.

I tried to call it a 'large pizza' but no matter how I insisted and repeated myself, they told me I was describing a chicken sandwich. If you don't call things by accurate names, you only create confusion.

I tried to be polite about what I said, and I'll remain that way. And I believe there is less knowledge about torque converters readily available than is to be found in most areas of hot-rodding.

Thanks for your understanding.

KS

[gt350hr]

   KS ,
      You are welcome to correct me on ANY of my posts anytime. I will not be offended. Relating your experience while working at Ford is invaluable , to me anyway.  I have made friends with several guys from EEE thanks to Bill Holbrook "vouching" for me.
   Randy

[blykins]

Went out for a chicken sandwich this evening. In addition to the chicken, it had a piece of cheese and a couple slices of tomato, a leaf of lettuce and some mayo. It came with a Coke and an order of fries.

I tried to call it a 'large pizza' but no matter how I insisted and repeated myself, they told me I was describing a chicken sandwich. If you don't call things by accurate names, you only create confusion.

I tried to be polite about what I said, and I'll remain that way. And I believe there is less knowledge about torque converters readily available than is to be found in most areas of hot-rodding.

Thanks for your understanding.

KS

For crying out loud dude.  Ease back on the reins a little bit. 

"Stall converter" is basically slang for any converter that has a stall speed higher than a factory piece.  Most of us know that and can interchange the vocabulary. 

It's like that with a million other engine terms. 

[manofmerc]

Why not call a couple of STALL convertor companies I like ATI but their are several others Coan Continental Edge PTC .I think a lose 10" will work for you ATI has several street convertors in 10" for the c6 and c4s for that matter .Sometimes you need to go to the source If one wants to know about torque convertors ask a torque convertor guy .Just thinking out loud.Doug

[Falcon67]

Fluid coupling 

[cjshaker]

Us manual guys don't argue like this