Calling all torque converter guys!

[uhoh5.0]

I'm just wondering about a few things when it comes to torque converters:

1. How much would a shop (like an aamco) charge to install a new converter?
2. How are they on the street?
3. And what can you expect as far as a drop in ET?

Thanks!!!

 

[Mustangless]

1. dont know
2. not bad
3. depends on traction

 

[dude496]

stock, your car comes with a torque convertor

so with that...

1. Price from summit racing for a 2,000 rpm stall converter is around 330....not sure on install price, but dropping the tranny is fairly easy.

2. Thats what holds me back from going to the 2k stall, from all that i've talked to, they say its not bad at all

3. From what i've heard, the stall converter is a heck of a mod for dropping time. It's up there with doing the j-mod

 

[Mike97gt]

if your going to go with a converter go with atleast a 3200 or don't bother. The stock stall converter stalls higher than 2000 RPM's

I recomend a 3600-4000 stall around town when your not getting into the gas heavy your rpm's will be a lot lower than that. most of the time you will be in the 2k rpm- 2500 leaving lights and accelerating..

when you talk to people about converters your going to get a lot of old shade tree tales ( the automotive version of old wifes tales) you will hear stuff like..

" you need one of them der big blocks to run a converter that big" or my favorite " my cousins husband who is also my cousin told me that you need atleast 500 horsepower for a high stall converter"

when you get one of these guys walk away fast.. the longer you stand near them the more automotive IQ you loose.. it's like a vacuum they just suck the knowledge right out of you.

picking a tourqe conveter stall speed depends more on the powerband of the engine than anything else. our engines really start to pick up in the high 3k's so you want your stall speed around there.

 

[Cantslowdown]

2000 stall is awaste..Go with nothin smaller then 3000..I am looking at 3500-4000 lock up stall..

 

[03ghoststang]

they vary in price depending on what stall, how many plates it will have and if its a lock up style..

get nothing less than a 3000RPM stall

as far as time reduction could vary from .5-.8 lower in your E.T

 

[TGJ]

Look to spend about a $1000.00 for a good TC. Probably $200.00 - $350.00 to install.

A good high stall TC is pretty decent to drive around town in. A good TC will take about 3/4 of a second off your 1/4 time.

 

[Rocketman]

I went with a 2800 stall West Coast Racing converter.

Dropped my ET by 3 tenths.

More info here. http://stangfreak.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=65&Itemid=32

Install info here. http://stangfreak.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=88&Itemid=31

 

[uhoh5.0]

Well, I checked with my local aamco and they said it would cost roughly $300.00 to install a new converter. Not too bad I guess, but it seems like most people prefer the Precision Industries converters which seem to run roughly $750.00. So I guess I would be looking at about $1000.00 dollars for everything. That actually seems pretty good to me if I was looking at a 1/2 second or better reduction in ET. However, if I'm only going to pick up 0.2 tenths then that is a lot of money for 2 tenths (which is roughly equivalent to 10hp, I mean come on!)

So, this has sparked a few more questions in my mind:
1. What brands of converters seem to be most favored and/or have the best reputation?
2. If I decided to go with a supercharger or nitrous down the road would the recommended "3000 stall" converter be too much/to little?
3. What is the stall speed and the "flash" of the factory converter in an 04' 4r70w?

 

[TGJ]

Stock Stall speed of a 98+ Mustang TC:

Min RPM: 2324
Max RPM: 2737

Depends on the SC type you go with. A 3000 RPM is ok but likely a little low for a Roots or Twin Screw setup. For a Centrifugal SC, you would want to have a 4200 RPM TC. Getting a TC with a higher stall than 4200 RPM is not going to be easy, so expect to spend Big Money if that is not high enough.

As for a good after market TC, these guys are real good and have a good Single Disc TC:

http://www.circledspecialties.com/

http://bc-automotive.com/

If you look at Precision Industries( PI ) TC, only consider the Triple Disc. The Triple Disc is an ok TC but uses crappy lining, so that will wear out over time.

I currently run a PI Triple Disc that was setup by Chris at CircleD Specialties. IMO, that is the best TC available to you right now which is a properly setup Triple Disc.

For a mildly modified car, a good Single Disc TC will be ok. For a more heavily modified car or power added car, the Triple Disc is the one to have.

I would recommend nothing less than a 3500 RPM Stall TC. The other TC's available that I know of have some downfalls that I don't like in a TC, that is including Edge or West Coast Converters that you have seen advertised in this thread.

 

[dude496]

Can someone give me a crash course lesson, or a link to how a torque convertor works???

I've been out of the automatic world for a long time...i always thought that the torque convertor was the stock setup and the aftermarket was the stall convertor.

I also thought that if you have a stall convertor...lets say 3,000 rpms...you have to rev the engine that high for it to engage so you could start moving the car.

Sorry if this all seems dumb, but hey im learning Thanks!

 

[03ghoststang]

Can someone give me a crash course lesson, or a link to how a torque convertor works???

I've been out of the automatic world for a long time...i always thought that the torque convertor was the stock setup and the aftermarket was the stall convertor.

I also thought that if you have a stall convertor...lets say 3,000 rpms...you have to rev the engine that high for it to engage so you could start moving the car.

Sorry if this all seems dumb, but hey im learning Thanks!

here you go

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

 

[Mike97gt]

Can someone give me a crash course lesson, or a link to how a torque convertor works???

I've been out of the automatic world for a long time...i always thought that the torque convertor was the stock setup and the aftermarket was the stall convertor.

I also thought that if you have a stall convertor...lets say 3,000 rpms...you have to rev the engine that high for it to engage so you could start moving the car.

Sorry if this all seems dumb, but hey im learning Thanks!

no you don't have to rev to 3000 for a 3000 stall to start moving.

the difference is the converter will slip untill about 3000-3200 or so when you are on it. the higher the load the more it will slip untill it reaches it's stall speed.

 

[VicRattlehead]

Stock Stall speed of a 98+ Mustang TC:

Min RPM: 2324
Max RPM: 2737

Depends on the SC type you go with. A 3000 RPM is ok but likely a little low for a Roots or Twin Screw setup. For a Centrifugal SC, you would want to have a 4200 RPM TC. Getting a TC with a higher stall than 4200 RPM is not going to be easy, so expect to spend Big Money if that is not high enough.

As for a good after market TC, these guys are real good and have a good Single Disc TC:

http://www.circledspecialties.com/

http://bc-automotive.com/

If you look at Precision Industries( PI ) TC, only consider the Triple Disc. The Triple Disc is an ok TC but uses crappy lining, so that will wear out over time.

I currently run a PI Triple Disc that was setup by Chris at CircleD Specialties. IMO, that is the best TC available to you right now which is a properly setup Triple Disc.

For a mildly modified car, a good Single Disc TC will be ok. For a more heavily modified car or power added car, the Triple Disc is the one to have.

I would recommend nothing less than a 3500 RPM Stall TC. The other TC's available that I know of have some downfalls that I don't like in a TC, that is including Edge or West Coast Converters that you have seen advertised in this thread.

yes, yes and yes. ive got a pi multi disk that was redone by Chris at CircleD.

the old saying "you get what you pay for" applies heavily in this case. ive got ~1500 into my converter.

 

[Mike97gt]

yes, yes and yes. ive got a pi multi disk that was redone by Chris at CircleD.

the old saying "you get what you pay for" applies heavily in this case. ive got ~1500 into my converter.

Good converter are EXPENSIVE but sure are worth it..

 

[fastangboi]

i thought that the stock stall on a modular mustang was about 1400-1500rpm. thats where i start to break loose when i power brake.

 

[VicRattlehead]

i thought that the stock stall on a modular mustang was about 1400-1500rpm. thats where i start to break loose when i power brake.

put it in manual 2nd and rev it, see where your at, that would be a more accurate way to see the actual stall of the converter. its not going to give you the exact number but close.

 

[Dirtyd0g]

The stock stall is about 1800 on your car. That converter is a grenade waiting to blow up if you are beating on it. I say no less than 3200 don't fear the stall you have a lockup for driveability and economy.
Alan

edit: I just realized this is not a 5.0 car as the screen name would suggest. That converter is around 2500 stall.

 

[VicRattlehead]

The stock stall is about 1800 on your car. That converter is a grenade waiting to blow up if you are beating on it. I say no less than 3200 don't fear the stall you have a lockup for driveability and economy.
Alan

listen to him! he mighta just joined but hes well known on many other boards.

 

[Mike97gt]

listen to him! he mighta just joined but hes well known on many other boards.

several knowledgeable people in this thread now all saying the same thing

I know a good converter is expensive but your car will be a lot more fun to drive. It really is one of the best mods you can do, this is a way better mod than anything other than nitrous that you can do for 1,300 or so. I know some will say " well you can do cams for that amount" sure you can, but that will just make the need for a high RPM stall converter even greater in your car.