Choosing a stall converter
From Crankshaft Coalition Wiki
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==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
If you have an automatic transmission, then you don't have a clutch pedal. You have a torque converter instead. | If you have an automatic transmission, then you don't have a clutch pedal. You have a torque converter instead. | ||
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==Examples of five different combinations== | ==Examples of five different combinations== | ||
===Combination 1:=== | ===Combination 1:=== | ||
| − | 1979 Firebird. 150 HP 301 with a slightly leaky Q-Jet hurting MPG but not driveability, backed by a TH350, a 2.73:1 axle, and on new | + | 1979 Firebird. 150 HP 301 with a slightly leaky Q-Jet hurting MPG but not driveability, backed by a TH350, a 2.73:1 axle, and on new Firestone 215/75R15 tires. |
The converter was an 1800 rpm stall. I could, occasionally, chirp a tire from a dead stop. But I soon got curious about the converter slippage: Cruising along at 55 MPH, lift off the throttle, the RPM instantly dropped 200 RPM. Ease back into it, it came back up by 200 RPM. In later years, I came to learn that this is typical of most stock GM converters, though I doubted, and still doubt, that that converter was stock. | The converter was an 1800 rpm stall. I could, occasionally, chirp a tire from a dead stop. But I soon got curious about the converter slippage: Cruising along at 55 MPH, lift off the throttle, the RPM instantly dropped 200 RPM. Ease back into it, it came back up by 200 RPM. In later years, I came to learn that this is typical of most stock GM converters, though I doubted, and still doubt, that that converter was stock. | ||
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If you've ever felt a jet plane on takeoff, this puts them all to shame. Nothing you've ever experienced at any amusement park even comes close, either. This was like God's own pillow-covered sledgehammer to the heiney. First experiences are always more vivid than follow-ups, and that's the case here. | If you've ever felt a jet plane on takeoff, this puts them all to shame. Nothing you've ever experienced at any amusement park even comes close, either. This was like God's own pillow-covered sledgehammer to the heiney. First experiences are always more vivid than follow-ups, and that's the case here. | ||
| − | *Combination 4: A 1985 Camaro with a mildly modified L69, | + | *Combination 4: A 1985 Camaro with a mildly modified L69, TH700R4, 3.42:1, and sticky 215/60R15 tires. I decided on a B&M TorkMaster 2400. It drove pretty stock, until I swapped the heads. No traction in first gear, very very fun! |
===Combination 5:=== | ===Combination 5:=== | ||
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Loose converters are great when your static compression is way low, or way high. Way high, a loose converter helps reduce detonation. Way low, it covers the soggy off-idle. And a cam that's way too big is the same soggy feel as too low compression. | Loose converters are great when your static compression is way low, or way high. Way high, a loose converter helps reduce detonation. Way low, it covers the soggy off-idle. And a cam that's way too big is the same soggy feel as too low compression. | ||
| + | ==Resources== | ||
| + | *[[Torque converter]] | ||
| + | <br><br> | ||
[[Category:Transmission]] | [[Category:Transmission]] | ||
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