The torque converter is an important part of a vehicle’s
total combination. A torque converter is a fluid coupling device, attached
between the engine and transmission, which acts as a torque multiplier
during initial acceleration. Torque multiplication occurs during
acceleration and stall mode. This is when a torque converter will produce
more torque to the drive wheels than the engine is producing. If you
raise the horsepower in the engine, but your torque converter is not built
for the increase in horsepower, there is little effect on your car’s
performance.
When building torque converters for high performance
applications, there is no magic formula, it should be built for its intended
application. We custom build high performance converters to your vehicle’s
specifications. To determine your engine’s peak torque and match the stall speed
ratio with the engine’s horsepower, we will need to know the engine size, vehicle weight, cam specs, rear end ratio, transmission
type, motorplate thickness, and your desired stall speed. Call us
today at 817-563-5556.
Stall Speed
Stall Speed is the amount of engine rpm that can be
attained at full throttle with a transbrake engaged and the transmission in
low gear before the drive wheels turn. Torque multiplication rapidly
decreases until it approx. reaches a ratio of 1:1 (no torque increase over
crankshaft torque). A typical torque converter has a torque multiplication
ratio in a range of 1.8 to 2.5:1.
The amount of stall needed to overcome the load depends
on how much the torque converter needs to spin to generate enough fluid
force on the turbine to overcome the resting inertia of the vehicle in wide
open throttle. Load originates from two places - the amount of torque from the engine
through the
crankshaft; and from inertia, the resistance of the vehicle to acceleration, which
places a load on the torque converter through the drive train.
