Stall Speed

[03 Merc]

I see several posts about this when I do a search but no answer... Does anybody know what the stall speed of the factory torque converter is? Supposedly it is a high stall speed per the sales stuff but no numbers are given.

Based on watching the tach I would guess 1600-1800 rpm max.... which isn't very high...

[cyclone03]

I talked with a rep from Art Carr when I was at Fun Ford this past weekend and they had no idea either.
But while talking with them they said they could build a converter based on the cam timing specs that would greatly help the excelleration of our cars and with the lock up feature intacked loose no highway performance.The neat thing about the lockup converter is it helps the trans temp stay low because the slip drops to NEAR zero.The lock up is an oil bathed clutch inside the converter that is moved hydraulicly so a small amout of slippage is possible but no torque multiplication takes place so no heat is generated.

I tried to email MMFF magazine about possible effects of a converter change over a rear gear change but it wouldn't go through.
Anybody have any info on a comparision between gears and loose cnverterson 1/4 mile ET?

[MAD-3R]

I don't know if this helps, but was taken from the Mercury maurader web page.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels through a heavy duty 4-speed automatic transmission with a brazed 11 1/4-inch 160K high-stall speed torque converter and 6000 RPM WOT shift speed.

[03 Merc]

MAD-3R,

I say that one as well and I am still trying to figure out what a "brazed 11 1/4-inch 160K high-stall speed torque converter" is myself... ;) I know it is not a 160,000 RPM (160K) stall speed..:D The rest makes sense..

Maybe someone typo'ed that and it should be 1600, which is my guess....

[SSMOKEM]

Hey guys,

Thar probably means 1600rpm. Since the stock Impala stalls at 1350, tht sounds about right, but I definitely would NOT call it a high stall :)

As far as gains, in the Impala world, going to a 3000+ stall converter generally adds around 5 tenths. Then add around 2 to 3 tenths from 4.10 gears, and you've just gained 8 tenths with NO additional HP, which is like adding 80 HP (or a 4.5psi supercharger!!!) :D

[mtnh]

Last night, I had my 18-yr-old son do a brake/stall check. The brakes were on hard, and the rear tires started to slightly spin at around 2150 RPM. Sounded mean from 25 feet behind!

[SSMOKEM]

What you need to do is to find the flash stall. Brake stall is not very accurate.

To get flash stall, you nail it hard from a dead stop while watching the tach. You'll see it jump immediately to a certain rpm, then slow down. Right where it stops it's rapid movement is the flash stall.

[tetsu]

I remember reading specifically that the MM was to have a 2800 rpm stall speed TC. Mine definitely does not operate in this manner. I kinda thought it might be a software "feature."

My TC doesn't seem to let it spin up much at all from a dead stop WOT.

Having the shift points up at 6k rpm is too high. Those 500 rpm from 5500-6000 take too long to spin into.


John

[MAD-3R]

Just a test on the way home last night.

From a stop, floored it, tac reved to about 2200 then slowly climbed from there.

[Logan]

I say it needs a 3000rpm locking convertor to start roasting tires off the lines and start movin' like a scalded ape.

[cyclone03]

Logan in one of you other post you say your going to install a trans cooler.
Guess what?Take off the big black cover in front of the radiator and look down between the Rad and A/C condensor,there's a big ol trans cooler hidden in there.
But unlike just about every other auto-car on the road the fluid does not run through the radiator.

[Logan]

Well I hadn't actually gotten around to inspecting the plumbing yet... But my tranny does pop up to over 200 degrees when I'm beating on it, otherwise it hangs out around 190.

I'd like to see it maintain a 180 degree temp under heavy use.

I'll have to go take a look at the stock cooler. I may just replace it with a bigger unit.

[SSMOKEM]

That's a very good idea, especially with a higher stall which generates more heat.

I have a 12x12 stacked plate cooler with a 10" fan. Keeps my temps in the 165 area here in Florida during normal driving, and might creep up to 180 if I really flog on it or idle in traffic a lot.

[mensrea]

Logan,
Did you ever dive into either the trans cooler or a torque converter?

[MitchB]

I don't know if this helps, but was taken from the Mercury maurader web page.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels through a heavy duty 4-speed automatic transmission with a brazed 11 1/4-inch 160K high-stall speed torque converter and 6000 RPM WOT shift speed.

Go here http://www.tccoa.com/articles/tranny/index.html# and click on Ford OD Transmissions 101, then read chapter two. It will explain what 'K' factor is. It was written by the individual who was responsible for your trans' development at Ford.

Mitch

[KazMan]

ok, heres the skinny on the stall speed from the big book
(2003 workshop manual ) page/section 307-01-77

Stall Speed Chart

Application Stall Speed RPM

4.6L 2,094 - 2,440

4.6L (police special) 2,319 - 2,750

4.6L (Marauder) 2,555 - 3,011

[03 Merc]

I read it as well...and still can't believe it....it must be that wonderful electronic controlled transmission and PCM that hides that stall speed so well..

[Geo]

based on the recent posts, is there any point in changing the TC then if it can reach 3000rpm stock? I had thought that the Vigilante 3000rpm TC was perfected for Marauder applications (aswell as Mark VIII's). What is the advantage then for a Vigilante?

GEO

[mensrea]

OK, maybe I am missing something, but I thought the Stallion was the TC of choice for Fords...

Here's the link, check it out.

PI Stallion TC (http://www.converter.com/stallion.htm)