Torque converter
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 1
From: Prairieville Louisiana
Torque converter
Guys,
Looking at an engine CT383ET1 from Year One. The cam specs are 234/234 dur.@50 with 540-540 lift. Wondering if i can get by with a stock converter or have to go with a 2000 stall??
Thanks!
Looking at an engine CT383ET1 from Year One. The cam specs are 234/234 dur.@50 with 540-540 lift. Wondering if i can get by with a stock converter or have to go with a 2000 stall??
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you will be using the car for normal driving most of the time, installing a 2500 rpm (or higher) stall speed converter will really affect driveability and fuel economy. Normal stall speed for a stock C3 would be in the 1600-1800 rpm range. A good middle ground for driving and performance would be a 2000 rpm converter. If your engine doesn't come alive until 3000 rpm or more, performance will suffer without installing a 2500-2800 rpm converter, however. You will have to decide what you want out of this combination. It is important that you contact the converter manufacturer (tech support) and order a unit that will have the stall speed required for the engine you have built. The stall speed of any convertor will differ depending on the torque/HP capabilities of the engine. You can't just buy any old 2000 rpm stall converter [intended for a stock engine] and expect it to perform properly with a beefed-up powerplant.
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Allentown PA
I just went thru this myself. IMHO...from the specs of that cam, I would think peak torque would be about 4500 RPM,s. Your converter should be no more than 1500 RPM's below peak torque RPM...a 3000 stall converter should be close to optimum depending on rear-end gearing ofcourse. From my experience a 2000 stall acts way too much like a stock one, and I didn't that notice much of a change in performance and was very dissapointed. Also changing to a 10" (instead of the stock 12") makes a world of difference, because of the weight difference.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 7
From: Adelaide South Australia
That cam would much rather see 3.55 or 3.73 rear end.
3.08 diff gears will make for sluggish takeoffs.... unless you can get rpm up at launch.
3000 rpm minimum stall is what I'd be putting in... especially with that 3.08 diff.
3.08 diff gears will make for sluggish takeoffs.... unless you can get rpm up at launch.
3000 rpm minimum stall is what I'd be putting in... especially with that 3.08 diff.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 2
From: gold coast queensland
i say a good trade off is 355 gears and 2500 stall. once you go to a 3000 stall price jumps up significantly and around town you will hear that stall working overtime ( even though i have a 3000 but had to go that high to suit my cam). you would not want to be cruising on the hiway at 2500 rpm and have a 3000 stall or you will be cooking your transmission fluid no end. you have your cam selected so you will need to choose what rear gears you stick with then choose a stall thats slightly lower then your cruise rpm.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Doing a little math shows that there is an 8% difference in circumference between a 25.5 inch diameter tire and a 26.5 inch tire. The difference between 3.08 gears and 3.55 gears is 15%, so your short tires help a little but really its like using the standard tire with a 3.30 or so gear. Not good for standing start acceleration.
You mention you might make a few passes on a drag strip. If there is any chance you will make a lot of passes (it can be a little addictive), go with at least 2,500 stall converter and 3.55 gears. That combination is not bad for a non daily driver street car. I have a 3,000 stall and 3.73 gears and its tolerable.
You mention you might make a few passes on a drag strip. If there is any chance you will make a lot of passes (it can be a little addictive), go with at least 2,500 stall converter and 3.55 gears. That combination is not bad for a non daily driver street car. I have a 3,000 stall and 3.73 gears and its tolerable.
