Before selecting a High Stall Torque Converter you should consider the following three things »»»
1) Cam Specifications (RPM range)
2) Torque Curve
3) Vehicle Weight
Most performance enthusiast do not have the luxury of having a dyno sheet documenting their power train combinations, therefore cam specifications are an important factor... As a rule, stall speed should be approximately 500 to 700 RPM over and above where your cam starts to make it's power... This should enable the vehicle to launch hard and keep the engine within it's power curve...
High performance racing engines are modified to produce higher horsepower and torque, therefore the engines torque curve is raised to a higher RPM and stall speed must enter the bottom range of this power curve in order to provide optimal launches and maintain the torque multiplication needed to propel the vehicle down the race track... If you choose a high stall torque converter that has a stall rating below that of the camshaft, the vehicle often will not idle very well nor will it be able to stall the torque converter to it's full potential...
Heavier vehicles such as old muscle cars and or bracket cars, often need higher starting line speeds to maintain quicker 60 foot and total elapsed times... Lighter vehicles such as dragsters may require less starting line stall speeds... |