what is a torque converter, and what does it do

[1994Vib.RedGT]

Ive seen people who say they have a torque converter, what exactly is this, what does it do, why would you need one? Thanks for any help

 

[donjohn]

howstuffworks.com revealed to me that it is the component that connects an automatic tranny to the engine
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/torque-converter.htm

i think more people talk about stall converters here, which i believe are the device to make an automatic car kinda manual somehow (never seen or really read about it)

edit: i just found this about torque converters http://www.specriteconverters.com/ read around there and you'd kinda get an idea of what they do and what they're for (AUTOMATICS)

 

[FastmanGT]

A torque converter and a stall converter are one in the same...just different names for the same part. Generally you refer to the stock unit as a torque converter and an aftermarket unit as a stall converter because thats how they are rated...stall speed or stall rpm. I am very pleased with my Presicion Industries converter, both in quality and customer relations.

i think more people talk about stall converters here, which i believe are the device to make an automatic car kinda manual somehow (never seen or really read about it)

That would be a valvebody...there are 3 main versions out there...street which keeps the car fully automatic and doesnt recommend shifting, street/strip which keeps it automatic but you can shift it manually through the gears with no problems, and full manual which means you must go through the gears on your own.

 

[1hot5.0]

To find out more information on torque converters, go to Precision Industries website and read the FAQ's.