Torque converter upgrade
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia PA
Torque converter upgrade
I see many people talking about changing to a higher stall torque converter and its drivability. I am not at all knowledgable on this subject and would like some clarification. I have an 04 A4 2.73 and would like to upgrade to 3.42 gears. What I don't know is if I would like to change the converter to a higher stall. What feel does a car with a higher stall t/c give you? Is the car jumpy off the line? Does it shift real hard? Does is rev higher before rolling? I drive in traffic pretty often and don't want a car that will jump every time I tap the gas to move up in traffic. But I do want better acceleration. If possible help me understand what the higher stall does so that I can determine if I want to leave mine stock or upgrade to a high stall with the 3.42 gears.
thanks,
Mike
thanks,
Mike
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 2
From: London(UK)/Troyes(France)
I have a 3.15 differential with a 2800 TC. What I noticed when I insalled the new TC was that the gas pedal feels loose, more than it used to, you RPMS icrease quickly and the car revs higher during acceleration.
Basically, a TC puts in in your power range quickly. Your car accelerates faster. For instance when you get on it through second and wait for the tranny to shift into third, you'll notice that the RPM do not drop as much as they used to with the stock TC. It keeps the car in a good power range!
Basically, a TC puts in in your power range quickly. Your car accelerates faster. For instance when you get on it through second and wait for the tranny to shift into third, you'll notice that the RPM do not drop as much as they used to with the stock TC. It keeps the car in a good power range!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 733
Likes: 0
From: Vanceboro NC
I would deff reccomend a higher stall with your A4. You wont get any jumping or anything like that from a start. It will rev a little higher to get going. As long as you don't get an incredibly loose converter it wont be a whole lot defferant than stock. Get something in the 3000-3500 rang and you'll love it.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Heights ILLINOIS
You will not notice a difference in drivability with a 3200 stall and 3.42 gears. As long as you've got the rear end out of your car you MUST go with a higher stall torque convertor.! I have had guys tell me to stay with my 2.73's and just go with a higher stall. Also,if you go with a new torque covertor put a good trans cooler on while you're at it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
as long as you're not planning additional mods, like H/C, you should be happy with something in the 2800 to 3000 range. If you're going to do H/C at some future date you'd be better off with something in the 3200 to 3800 range because that size TC will better complement the additional torque you'll get out of a H/C package.
Don't worry about the "looseness" you'll get used to it in a day or two and after a week you wont even remember what stock felt like.
Don't worry about the "looseness" you'll get used to it in a day or two and after a week you wont even remember what stock felt like.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 6,725
Likes: 0
From: South Bend IN
with all the posts. You'll not feel any real downsides however with 3.42's and 2800 to 3200 stall convertor you'll pick up around 7 tenths in the quarter mile acceleration. You'll be drivin a whole different car and when the convertor locks up it will feel just like stock except for around 250 rpm's more on your tach per given mph. Hope this helps.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
3.73s with 2800 Vigilante here and it's a rocket with no loss of rpms or boost with shift changes (thanks RPM)
On the other hand, I have a buddy with an LPE 427 TT A4 with 2.73s and a 3600 stall------the stall makes up for the tall gears, but he can still go 220mph if the urge hits him!
On the other hand, I have a buddy with an LPE 427 TT A4 with 2.73s and a 3600 stall------the stall makes up for the tall gears, but he can still go 220mph if the urge hits him!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 6,725
Likes: 0
From: South Bend IN
Originally Posted by BLOWN'NC
3.73s with 2800 Vigilante here and it's a rocket with no loss of rpms or boost with shift changes (thanks RPM)
On the other hand, I have a buddy with an LPE 427 TT A4 with 2.73s and a 3600 stall------the stall makes up for the tall gears, but he can still go 220mph if the urge hits him!
On the other hand, I have a buddy with an LPE 427 TT A4 with 2.73s and a 3600 stall------the stall makes up for the tall gears, but he can still go 220mph if the urge hits him!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
convertor
I changed from 3:15s to 3:42s and a yank 3500. Within 30 miles of the install I was in bumper to bumper traffic for 2 1/2 hrs, I did not notice any appreciable differance in drivability. The cost to install a convertor is usually $100 or less when you have the diff out. I recommend you do it. My .02
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 1
From: Tempe Az
Originally Posted by Ponchorello
What other mods did you have at the time?
None. The runs were at one of if not the fastest track on the east coast. Any other track would probably see .5 reduction with just stall and DR's.