[leejoy]

Help

I"ve never driven an automatic trans vehicle with an aftermarket higher stall speed torque converter. I have no idea what to expect when the car is sitting at idle with the brakes applied and when the car is subuquently launched.

I have a totally stock 1972 GM TH-350 torque converter in my 72 Nova right now. I recently redid the motor and it now has a 550 HP BB chevy under the hood with a cam that performs well from about 2800 to 5500 RPM. I want a new torque converter to match the new upgraded engine and cam. I will be running a 3.73 gear. this is a street/strip combination car.

Question: Since I have never driven an aftermarket high stall speed converter I don't know what to expect. when the car is sitting at a red light in gear with the brakes applied: will it idle easier? will it require more throttle and higher RPM to make it start moving? When the brakes are applied and the car is sitting still, will I be able to rev the engine to a higher RPM - like 1200-1600 RPM without the vehicle trying to move and overcome the brakes? I have 4-wheel drum right now. with the brakes applied, the engine starts to overcome the brakes at about 1100-1200 rpm with the stock converter.

thanks.

Lee

[onovakind67]

Why are you revving the engine with the brakes on? The engine will overcome the brakes most every time.
An aftermarket converter with a higher stall speed will allow your car to idle comfortably in gear without jerking or stalling. If it is a quality converter, you won't really notice excess slip at lower rpm's and you can accelerate in a reasonably normal fashion. If you apply a lot of throttle, the converter will spool up quickly and awaaay you go.
If you're in the market for a new converter, talk to a converter manufacturer, like Coan, Continental, TCI, etc. They will be able to provide you with one that works for your setup.

[leejoy]

Originally Posted by onovakind67

Why are you revving the engine with the brakes on? The engine will overcome the brakes most every time.
An aftermarket converter with a higher stall speed will allow your car to idle comfortably in gear without jerking or stalling. If it is a quality converter, you won't really notice excess slip at lower rpm's and you can accelerate in a reasonably normal fashion. If you apply a lot of throttle, the converter will spool up quickly and awaaay you go.
If you're in the market for a new converter, talk to a converter manufacturer, like Coan, Continental, TCI, etc. They will be able to provide you with one that works for your setup.

I'm not "revving" the engine with the brakes on. I'm just wondering if you can increase the RPM while the car is sitting with the brakes applied just before you "launch" it with a high stall converter. You know what I mean, similar to "dumping" the clutch with a manual trans car. Again, I've never had an aftermarket high stall converter and don't know what to expect.

[onovakind67]

I've had the best luck with launching from an idle. If you load up the suspension by coming up on the converter with the brakes on it detracts from your chassis reaction and subsequent traction.

[leejoy]

Originally Posted by onovakind67

I've had the best luck with launching from an idle. If you load up the suspension by coming up on the converter with the brakes on it detracts from your chassis reaction and subsequent traction.

thanks buddy

what are you running? Car, motor, trans, rearend, converter, suspension, etc?

got any pics to send me?

[onovakind67]

The latest car was a 67 Nova, 406, 700R4, driver/tow car. Mopar SS rear springs, stock front suspension, 9.5" converter, 4.10 gears. 1.67 60' times, 7.50 @ 92 in the 1/8, 11.75 @ 117 in the 1/4.