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

  • Thread starter Thread starter beanplant
  • Start date Start date Apr 18, 2004

beanplant

Founding Member
Jun 25, 2002
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KC MO
Apr 18, 2004
#1
  • Apr 18, 2004
  • #1
What is it? How does it work? How do they enhance torque? I really wanted to know how they work lol
Thanks
-Shaun
 

NorCal66

New Member
Aug 12, 2003
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Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA HOME
Apr 18, 2004
#2
  • Apr 18, 2004
  • #2
Here's the complex answer to that:

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

beanplant

Founding Member
Jun 25, 2002
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KC MO
Apr 18, 2004
#3
  • Apr 18, 2004
  • #3
so what's the deal with different stalls? What's a 2500 RPM stall converter?

-Shaun
 

65 A Code

Member
Apr 6, 2004
136
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Apr 18, 2004
#4
  • Apr 18, 2004
  • #4
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

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Nov 26, 2003
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Apr 18, 2004
#5
  • Apr 18, 2004
  • #5
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

Founding Member
May 1, 2002
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Granada Hills, California
Apr 18, 2004
#6
  • Apr 18, 2004
  • #6
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.
 
8

85GTlover

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Mar 20, 2004
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Apr 18, 2004
#7
  • Apr 18, 2004
  • #7
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

15 Year Member
Mar 23, 2004
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Minneapolis
Apr 19, 2004
#8
  • Apr 19, 2004
  • #8
85GTlover said:
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.
Click to expand...
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

Founding Member
Jul 13, 2002
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Austin TX
Apr 19, 2004
#9
  • Apr 19, 2004
  • #9
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.
 
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