C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Stall converter questions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 14, 2012 | 11:10 PM
  #1  
CactusCat's Avatar
CactusCat
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 219
From: West Branch, MI
Default Stall converter questions

Going to be adding a stall torque converter to my 98 A4 soon. I've never driven or rode in a car with a stall converter. I have a couple of questions that I'd like some respones to. Since the converter "slips" at lower rpms, during normal (not racing) driving, does this tend to get your transmission fluid hotter than normal? This brings me to question #2, which is, does the A4 cars have a transmission cooler built in and if so, does it provide adequate cooling or should an aftermarket cooler be used? My last question is, if a 3400 stall coverter "slips" until it hits 3400 rpm, is that the rpms where the unit "locks"? And if so, if I'm driving at 2K rpm at 70mph on the highway, is the 3400 converter slipping a little? Thanks guys.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2012 | 02:13 AM
  #2  
NukeC5's Avatar
NukeC5
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Default

No there is not a cooler, and yes, you must use one with a stall converter. Locking is different depending on the type of converter you go with.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2012 | 08:38 AM
  #3  
thepitstop2010's Avatar
thepitstop2010
Racer
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 282
Likes: 4
From: Dayton Ohio
Default

Yes, make sure that you use a aftermarket cooler and only run through that cooler not the one in the radiator and your aux. cooler
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2012 | 10:03 AM
  #4  
99 vett babycar's Avatar
99 vett babycar
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
Default

the speed at which the TC locks up in each gear is determined by your tune, not by the stall of the TC.
If you do not fool with your tune your TC will continue to lock up at the same speed its locking up now. So at 70mph and 2k rpm you'll be locked.
Get a trani cooler.
The car will feel "loose" off the line but you'll get used to it in a few weeks.
Anyone who drives your car will be suprised that it dosen't "jump" off the line like they ex[pect a Vett to do.
If you want it to "jump", hold the breakes, rev to 2200 and let go as you punch it.It'll jump.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2012 | 10:14 AM
  #5  
road pilot's Avatar
road pilot
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,296
Likes: 1,531
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2016 C5 of Year Finalist
Default

Originally Posted by NukeC5
No there is not a cooler, and yes, you must use one with a stall converter. Locking is different depending on the type of converter you go with.
Wrong!!!
Your tranny cooler is up with your auto radiator( kind of all
together in one frame). Depending on the stall number the
lower you would not need a separate cooler. But tranny
coolers can be a wise thing to do. There is alot of ways of
installing a sparate cooler. MIne runs from the cooler up
front back to a B&M tranny cooler. Some bypass the front
cooler. This will be up to you.
Now I have forgot your other questions.....................
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2012 | 10:25 AM
  #6  
Jeremy@RPMTransmissions's Avatar
0Jeremy@RPMTransmissions
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 682
Likes: 11
From: Anderson Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by CactusCat
Going to be adding a stall torque converter to my 98 A4 soon. I've never driven or rode in a car with a stall converter. I have a couple of questions that I'd like some respones to. Since the converter "slips" at lower rpms, during normal (not racing) driving, does this tend to get your transmission fluid hotter than normal? This brings me to question #2, which is, does the A4 cars have a transmission cooler built in and if so, does it provide adequate cooling or should an aftermarket cooler be used? My last question is, if a 3400 stall coverter "slips" until it hits 3400 rpm, is that the rpms where the unit "locks"? And if so, if I'm driving at 2K rpm at 70mph on the highway, is the 3400 converter slipping a little? Thanks guys.
As already stated, yes, a higher stall speed converter will raise the fluid temps in your trans. But your car does have a build in trans cooler. It isn't very effective but it is adequate for a stock setup. I would recommend an external cooler. A 3400 converter doesn't technically "slip" to 3400. When driving the car around normally you may only see 500-600rpm of added stall speed under light throttle. Most high quality replacement stall converters have an integreated "lock up" clutch in them just like the factory torque converter. This lockup clutch engauges when you are at a specific cruising speed with low throttle input. All converters lock at the same time because the lock up point is set in the ECM tuning. This clutch basically locks the engine and transmission together and eliminates all internal converter slip. So by doing this you will see zero difference in your car on the highway with the converter locked up.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2012 | 10:29 AM
  #7  
NukeC5's Avatar
NukeC5
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Default

Originally Posted by road pilot
Wrong!!!
Your tranny cooler is up with your auto radiator( kind of all
together in one frame). Depending on the stall number the
lower you would not need a separate cooler. But tranny
coolers can be a wise thing to do. There is alot of ways of
installing a sparate cooler. MIne runs from the cooler up
front back to a B&M tranny cooler. Some bypass the front
cooler. This will be up to you.
Now I have forgot your other questions.....................
Wrong? Go ahead and use the radiator tank for a stall converter set up and see how long the transmission lasts. Everyone knows that the fluid is routed to the radiator. Its obvious that he was asking if there was an external cooler. Even a stock set up can benefit from a cooler. And those that do not bypass the radiator are foolish because they re-heat the fluid as it passes through
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2012 | 01:31 PM
  #8  
road pilot's Avatar
road pilot
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,296
Likes: 1,531
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2016 C5 of Year Finalist
Default

Originally Posted by NukeC5
Wrong? Go ahead and use the radiator tank for a stall converter set up and see how long the transmission lasts. Everyone knows that the fluid is routed to the radiator. Its obvious that he was asking if there was an external cooler. Even a stock set up can benefit from a cooler. And those that do not bypass the radiator are foolish because they re-heat the fluid as it passes through
I told you there were going to be all kinds of opinon to the
question---( that's for CatusCat )
I replied from the question asked "does the A4 cars have a transmission cooler built-in"
Answer--Yes.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 15, 2012 | 04:13 PM
  #9  
CactusCat's Avatar
CactusCat
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 219
From: West Branch, MI
Default

Thanks all! This is exactly the info I was looking for. I'll start looking out for the aftermarket cooler now to go with the converter. Thanks to all for helping out. You guys are the best !!!
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2012 | 09:46 AM
  #10  
Mike Mercury's Avatar
Mike Mercury
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Default

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...-da-floor.html
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Stall converter questions





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:41 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE