Choosing a stall converter
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already described above, and I know it drove fine for granny. But I decided to swap it. | already described above, and I know it drove fine for granny. But I decided to swap it. | ||
The B&M gave my combo a 1700 RPM flash stall, [b]the launch[/b] felt much better. It felt like I had swapped to a 350, when launching. And by launching, I mean flooring the gas the instant the light went from red to green. It pushed me into the seat noticeably more, and I loved it. I thought I had invested wisely, and I felt I got what I paid for. | The B&M gave my combo a 1700 RPM flash stall, [b]the launch[/b] felt much better. It felt like I had swapped to a 350, when launching. And by launching, I mean flooring the gas the instant the light went from red to green. It pushed me into the seat noticeably more, and I loved it. I thought I had invested wisely, and I felt I got what I paid for. | ||
− | + | But I was in for another surprise. I finally stopped playing in traffic and got on the highway. I was so stunned | |
to discover my slippage wasn't 200 RPM. It was just 50 RPM! So I stomped the go pedal, the RPM shot up by another | to discover my slippage wasn't 200 RPM. It was just 50 RPM! So I stomped the go pedal, the RPM shot up by another | ||
350, for a total of 400. | 350, for a total of 400. | ||
− | + | I didn't bother to check my MPG, this carb was also leaky, and I always did 17 MPG, same as with the 2.41:1 axle | |
it had before. But that aside, I know it would help MPG. After all, my previous '78 / LG3 / TH350 / 1200 / 2.41:1 | it had before. But that aside, I know it would help MPG. After all, my previous '78 / LG3 / TH350 / 1200 / 2.41:1 | ||
/ 205-75R14 Camaro did 23 MPG with a best of 26. | / 205-75R14 Camaro did 23 MPG with a best of 26. | ||
− | + | I can't say the 2000-stall drove better than the 1200-stall in the snow, but I can say it wasn't any worse. | |
Combo 3 was a friend's '65 Mustang. It had an 8.3:1 302 with Roush 200 heads, a Comp Magnum 292 cam, headers, | Combo 3 was a friend's '65 Mustang. It had an 8.3:1 302 with Roush 200 heads, a Comp Magnum 292 cam, headers, | ||
intake, carb, 3500-stall, C4, 3.80:1 spool. Tires were 25" diameter. | intake, carb, 3500-stall, C4, 3.80:1 spool. Tires were 25" diameter. | ||
− | + | That thing needed 10.5:1 compression, but a full summer of tuning got it driveable. To the point that he swapped | |
street radials for drag tires. Then we went out to the exact center of nowhere, did up the 5-point race harnesses, | street radials for drag tires. Then we went out to the exact center of nowhere, did up the 5-point race harnesses, | ||
and he let it fly. | and he let it fly. | ||
− | + | 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. | 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. This wasn't to be my last | |
experience with race converters, but it was an eye-opener. | experience with race converters, but it was an eye-opener. | ||