Can someone here please explain what that stall converter does.

As a mate said:

400hp motor - 700r4 full manual reverse shift - 3.9 rear end.

Dont know if going efi or carb on motor yet. Might go ls2 or something.

And here is the part i dont know about..

He said put a 3000 rpm stally. He explained something about it locking on... but i dont know jack..

 

Think of the convertor as an automatic clutch, you don’t want to just suddenly lock into drive ( like stepping off of the clutch pedal suddenly). Think of a fan running, and blowing into the blades of another fan, at a certain point the second fan will start to rotate because of the flow from the first. You convertor is like this only using fluid as the drive medium. If you change the angle of the fan blades, the “lock up“ point changes. A higher stall allows the engine to spin higher (RMP) before the second fan locks up solidly

 

There is no such thing as a "stall converter". There is the torque converter which is the fluid coupling between the engine and the transmission's gearbox. And, one of it's primary performance characteristics is determined by measuring the "stall speed" [RPM]...which is the result of locking the output of the transmission, applying a specified amount of torque to the input of the converter, and allowing RPM to increase until the converter "stalls" {the rpm will be limited to how much load it can absorb with that level of torque}.

Folks who use the "stall converter" lingo have little actual knowledge about auto trannies or torque converters. If you want to build a drag race vehicle or set the car up for optimum performance from a dead start, you will need a torque converter that is well matched to the specific engine and build specifications for it and the drivetrain. The proper converter to select would best be determined by the technical support folks for the torque converter manufacturer after you supply them with all the particulars about your vehicle and engine and explain what you want to do with the vehicle when built. Ideally, you will have run your completed engine on a calibrated dyno so that you have good info to supply them.

But, going to "The Zone" and asking some 'dude' for a stall converter will not get that job done very well.

 

I was going to comment on that earlier but I thought I was sounding too trollish so I decided against it. I get the impression it's a regional term seeing as he used the word "mate" as well. I don't think he's a yank.

Edit: His profile says he's Australian, so yeah, not a bloody yank.

 

He did say that he knew very little, and was coming here for info..
Yes, if you are going to set up your automatic to compliment the rest of your power train, you would need to know the power band of your engine - what RPM it begins to produce power. You would also need to know all of your gearing - tire diameter, transmission ratios, and ring and pinion ratio. All of this plus the intended use of the vehicle - daily driver, drag racer, economy cruiser ect. The converter manufacturer could then make a recommendation on a converter.

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...que_converter/

 

Dirk,

There's a few of us skips on here, welcome aboard. Tell us a bit more about yourself, where do you live? What is your budget? Sounds like you have a '76 model, which would have a TH350, I think. If you're after fuel economy, then the switch to a four speed OD trans will help you gain a few m.p.g., but weigh that up with the cost of the conversion. You'll buy a hell of a lot of petrol for what the conversion will cost you.

If you intend to use it just for a weekend cruiser, then you'll probably never recoup the conversion cost in fuel savings. If it's a daily driver (DD), then after about five years you'll maybe be slightly ahead. Of course, there will be less engine wear and oil use, etc. with an OD trans, but overall, you'll more than likely never break even.

You'd be better off using that money to fix up the trailing arm bearings, steering leaks, brakes, etc. However, it's your car and no-one can tell you what to do, have fun. Don't be afraid to ask any questions here, we're all a big brotherhood willing to help another Corvette owner and remember, there's no such thing as a stupid question but occasionally, some of the answers are.

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn
Highett
Victoria

 

thanks for that info.

 

I love Australian slang! They tend to just take the first syllable of a word and stick a "Y" at the end. Carby, stally, barby, etc.

This film was made in 1953, but it is still the best thing I have ever seen to explain how a torque converter works.

http://jalopnik.com/5850910/how-does...-coupling-work

Enjoy!


Keep the shiny side up!
Scott

 

I did not intend to admonish the poster...just trying to clarify the issue. I assumed that someone else had presented the term "stall converter" to him....hence, his asking the question for more information.

 

true.
Never had or worked with an auto. I have always been in a manual.