Is a stall converter necessary?
If you build a 500-horsepower engine with a radical cam, then you will need a higher stall converter to allow the vehicle to idle.
What are the benefits of a stall converter?
A stall converter is a bit more gentle on those parts because of the “slip” it has. Stall converters allow the car to launch in it’s torque curve and get off the line much harder than a car that has much less stall.
Does a stall converter increase horsepower?
A higher stall speed torque converter DOES NOT add any horsepower. What it does, is move the engine rpms up higher at launch, so that you have more horsepower per mile per hour. Just like when you rev a stick shift car up higher for a quicker launch.
Do you need a stall converter with a cam?
Most street performance cars running your typical “performance” cam should be running a stall converter in the 2,800 – 3,000 RPM area. For hotter cars (street / strip) with bigger cams, etc. then a converter in the 3,000 – 3,500 RPM is more suited.
Is a 4000 stall Streetable?
With the majority of street cars that are driven daily we build have stall converters ranging from 2,400 to 3,500, with no problem being street driven. Whereas, we will sometimes use 4,000 RPM stall converters on strip / street cars.
What stall speed do I need?
Stall speed is best checked with the vehicle in gear at a crawl before nailing the throttle. Stock torque converters generally have a stall speed around 1,800-2,000 rpm. Higher stall speeds become necessary when horsepower and torque happen at higher rpm ranges.
What happens if your stall converter is to big?
A high stall converter can easily make enough heat to fry a transmission if you hold it on the line long enough at full RPM if the stall speed is above 3,500 RPM or so, so a good tranny cooler is essential when running ANY type of high stall converter.