Thread: stall speed?

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what is stall speed on a torque converter and what would be good for a built 355

What cam do you have?
How much compression?
What type heads? Are they ported?
What is your rear end gear ratio?

Stall is basically how high the engine can rev in gear without the wheels turning. Higher stalls let you get the engine up into its peak torque range when launching.

In general, for the street you want 2500-3500 stall but you need to furnish more information for us to give you an educated answer.

If you know which cam you have, you can call the manufacturer to get the recomended Stall. It should be on the spec sheet that came with the cam also.

Just keep in mind that many stall converter manufacturers greatly exaggerate the stall speed of their products. Also, the stall rating is based on a baseline HP and Torque, so low performance engines need to have a slightly larger stall converter than recommended by the cam manufacturer. Usually 200-500 rpm more.

I suggest that unless $$ is a big factor, choose a good quality 10 inch or so converter with an anti baloon plate (for future needs). There is a cheaper alternative on Ebay, called redneck converters. I have a couple of them and for the price they perform well.

A good stall converter can give you a big increase in performance.

well i have a B&M torque converter 2500-5500 and when im driving it feels like nothin is happenin. ill be goin about 55 and let off the gas for a second and apply gas again and it feels like my motor isnt turning anything until i really romp on it. then it takes foreevfer to shift i think its my kick down itll rev forever then i have to let off a bit then itll shift. what is goin on?

well how do i engage it?

well i know how to change it but how do i get it to the point to where the crank is turning but im not goin anywhere what a stall converter does.

Torque converters are complex fluidic couplers that join your crank to your transmission. The comment that "Stall is basically how high the engine can rev in gear without the wheels turning" is not quite accurate. Will your car move forward in gear when you let off the brake?! In fact your torque converter actually magnifies the torque off the engine below it's stall speed due to forces within generated by fluid inertia.

The "stall" most people refer to is the flash stall speed of your converter. If you can lock your transmission in 3rd gear for example, this would be the rpm you get to, say, when you stomp on it going 5 mph. The correct stall converter for your car depends on several factors, most importantly the engine characteristics, cam, car weight, and gearing in the rear end.

If you want to find out what you should have call TCI tech or another perfromance trans supplier and ask them what you need based upon your specifics. in general you want a stall speed that puts you somewhere within your cam power band, depending a lot also on your gearing and car weight.

Regards, Kitz

thanks...........

The most miss understood transmisson idea is that a high performance motor needs a high stall speed converter corvettes come with 1500 stall speed If you have no low end torgue like in the sixties and 70s big long over lap non roller cam with no idle below 1000 rpm you need a high stall converter. If the motor will Idle at 600 in gear you want a stock 1500 converter If your running a 700r4 you can use a stock 1995 s10 v6 converter it has a 2600 stall speed and you should be able to get on from a tranny shop for $100 of less. I put these in street rod trans all the time Even behind big blocks with blowers

Actually, stock Corvettes with 700R4's and 4L60E's come with 2200 stall speed converters. Same one they put behind the 4.3 V6's to get them rolling.

where do you get your info I get mine from the largest converter reman company in the world

Originally Posted by cook67

where do you get your info I get mine from the largest converter reman company in the world

From my previous employer, General Motors .

The 700R4 in the Corvette is a 2200 rpm stall speed. In a 4.3 V6 it becomes 1500 due to lack of torque. Same part number though.

Seems to me the easiest thing here is just to stick a 5speed stick in it and ferget the stall nonsense...

Originally Posted by 379

Seems to me the easiest thing here is just to stick a 5speed stick in it and ferget the stall nonsense...

That definitely increases the fun factor!