stupid question... what does a torque converter do?

[beanplant]

What is it? How does it work? How do they enhance torque? I really wanted to know how they work lol
Thanks
-Shaun

 

[NorCal66]

Here's the complex answer to that:

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

 

[beanplant]

so what's the deal with different stalls? What's a 2500 RPM stall converter?

-Shaun

 

[65 A Code]

it works in conjuction with the flux capacitor...



I believe the 2500 stall converter is so that on launching the tranny does not catch till 2500 rpms. I may be completely wrong though...

 

[RajunCajun]

the more radical the engine setup (Crank, Cam, etc.) the higher the stall needs to be because the engine doesnt idle really low like a stock motor requiring more slip in the convertor to keep the car from choking out furthermore this means a high stall 2500 torque converter will stall till that rpm is reached once its reached you will begin to gain torque without slipage this is helpful for drag racing because the transbrake can be held and when released allowing the car to be spooled persay

 

[SadbutTrue]

prolly been stated, but a # rpm stall converter doesn't engage into drive (first) until it hits # rpm. The advantage is you can get a stall to match your cam/intake powerband, which means you won't bog over the first few rpm (big cams don't produce power until higher rpm numbers, like 2500-3500 and up). You basically engage at the beginning of the powerband. Disadvantages is it can subject excess heat to the transmission internals and is horrible for mileage... but we don't drive these cars for mileage anyway.

 

[85GTlover]

In simple terms 2500 stall you step on gas revs to 2500 then the wheels spin whatever the number thats when the wheels spin. My question it must work noormal if you just give it a little gas. No? That how stuff works is very well written. Easy to learn. Good stuff.

 

[Hack]

In simple terms 2500 stall you step on gas revs to 2500 then the wheels spin whatever the number thats when the wheels spin. My question it must work noormal if you just give it a little gas. No? That how stuff works is very well written. Easy to learn. Good stuff.

No, it doesn't work normally if you just give it a little gas. Giving it a little gas has a similar effect to just releasing the brake on a factory unmodified car. You gently coast forward if on a level surface. If you are on a steep hill, you may go backwards.

If you have a high-rpm stall converter, if you're going somewhere, you have to go fast.

 

[Edbert]

Think of a TC as a clutch. The stall RPM is simply where the automatic clutch begins to engage. All TCs slip though, if you have a 2500 stall and rev the motor to 2000 without your foot on the brake you WILL move (unless you are on a steep hill). There are huge variety of curves though, then there are lockup and non-locking. Plus a 2500 stall will engage differently depending on engine torque.

Basically all of those numbers are estimates, that 2500 will almost surely be rolling before 2000 and fully engaged before 3000.