Could someone either explain to me or direct me to a helpful link on how exactly stall converters work?

To my understanding stall converters dont actually engage untill the engine rpm that they are rated at. This is all good and i understand why this would be an advantage but it seems users on these forums talk about daily driving them. Is this possible? I mean if the stall is rated at 3200 rpm do you have to drive around town in first gear in the 25mph zones just to keep the engine rpms up to or over 3200 rpms so the car will move?

I am aware that there are many advantages and one of them being a very hard powerful launch off the line and great 60 ft. times and also that when the transmision shifts the engine drops less rpm and ends up in a "sweeter spot" in the powerband. Also torque multiplication is a good factor. Are there any other advantages I'm not aware of? What about disadvantages, like power lost in the process of getting the power from crank to input shaft of the transmision?

Sorry if this is a repost but the search button only seems to work for me about 1 out of 20 days and I have been contomplating alot whether or not I should go to a 6-speed or just cam it, p&p heads, stall it, throw some 4:10's in it, and call it good. Decisions decisions...

Thanks
Ben

 

What do you mean at a .5 speed ratio? Are you saying they do trasmit power below their specified rpm rating (ex. 3200 rpms)?

 

just because you get a 3200 stall doesnt mean that it wont move before 3200. if that were true, everyone with a stall would be doing burnouts everywhere. it just takes more to get it to go. most of the time even aftermarket stall converters will move a little by just taking your foot off the brake. i dont have one yet so i dont know firsthand but i've done a good bit of research because i was under the same misconception

 

I have a 3600 vigilante....say your at a stop light and the light turns green just takes a little more rpm to move it then normal....No it doesnt go way up to thirty six hundred, give or take 1500 or 2000. where a stall really shines is when your about to race, the torque multiplies and pulls really hard on wide open throttle, a stall car through first and second gear is something wonderful(granted you have the proper tires=drag radials,slicks)...you should check YANKS website...good luck

 

i love my stall

 

The stall speed is the point at which the converter is Hydraulically locked and multiplying the most amounf of torque. At lower rpms it is still transfering power to the wheels just not as much as a stock stall.. With that being said a stock stall speed is about 1600-1800 rpm so at thos speeds is where it is multiplying the most torque. On the contrary an aftermaket stall rated at 3500 will not be that efficent at those low are rpms and multiplying alot less torque, That is where the loose feeling comes from among a few other things... Here is a good link for you...


http://auto.howstuffworks.com/torque-converter.htm

 

Thanks guys. I remind you I am learning and I am searching i ensure you.

So does this mean that along with really bad gas millage a stall will also hurt your top end speeds (trap speeds)? Is this not a really big deal because your lauches and first 2 gears are so good and quick?

 

You will not trap as high a a six speed car.. An no converter when unlocked at the top end 100% efficient .. Although you can shell out the $$$ and get a converter that has a clutch to handle a WOT lockup.

 

I know that most of the time you dont stall a car expecting to drive it every day, its for performance/race orientated purposes. But I am just curious, what kind of mpg difference is there between a stock stall and an aftermarket one, say a 3000 rpm stall?

I like to cruz around town in my car alot on weekends with my fellow car enthusiast friends and F-body owners and i wanted this to still be possible. I am not driving it every day, day in day out to work and class and such. I also will be most likly puting a hot cam in it or a CC306, P&P heads and supporting bolt ons, so I was thinking a 2800 or 3000 rpm stall?

Thanks

 

around town my gas mileage sucks, but i have an extremely heavy foot. on the highway the mileage isnt much different from stock at all...

 

A 3000 stall will cost you 1 - 2 mpg in town.

Your sig shows a 96. A 2800/3000 stall works pretty well on an LT1 and will be a good choice for your intended use.

 

Well thankyou for all of the information. It has changed my view on stalls completly. I was under the understanding that they were not streetable at all. I was clearly wrong.

One last question, On my car, a 96' lt1 A4, how will my trap speed differ from the stock stall to a 3000 stall?

 

how much different would a 3500 stall be as far as mpg compared to stock? sorry