How can a torque converter improve my performance and what does it do?
Originally posted by dmontzmax
Are you serious or joking? I thought you knew your stuff!
Are you serious or joking? I thought you knew your stuff!
Hey, I answered this already and you put it in the 5th gen FAQ sticky. But if you want it again....
A torque converter is basically the clutch for an automatic transmission. It transfers power from the engine to the transmission gears. However unlike a clutch in a manual transmission, the torque converter (TC) transfers power hydraulically through the transmission fluid. Since the transfer of power is done hydraulically rather than mechanically, more power is lost between the engine and drivetrain. Thus, an upgraded or stronger TC will provide a better transfer of power to the drivetrain. You will not be gaining any horsepower, rather you will be recovering horsepower that would have been normally lost with your stock TC. In addition, a stronger TC will have a higher stall speed. This will allow better launches when you are brake torquing or flashing the TC. In other words, you can bring the revs up higher when you launch with a TC that has a higher stall speed.
please correct me if any information is incorrect
A torque converter is basically the clutch for an automatic transmission. It transfers power from the engine to the transmission gears. However unlike a clutch in a manual transmission, the torque converter (TC) transfers power hydraulically through the transmission fluid. Since the transfer of power is done hydraulically rather than mechanically, more power is lost between the engine and drivetrain. Thus, an upgraded or stronger TC will provide a better transfer of power to the drivetrain. You will not be gaining any horsepower, rather you will be recovering horsepower that would have been normally lost with your stock TC. In addition, a stronger TC will have a higher stall speed. This will allow better launches when you are brake torquing or flashing the TC. In other words, you can bring the revs up higher when you launch with a TC that has a higher stall speed.
please correct me if any information is incorrect
Not DAVEB the parts guy
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,549
Originally posted by UMD_MaxSE
Hey, I answered this already and you put it in the 5th gen FAQ sticky. But if you want it again....
A torque converter is basically the clutch for an automatic transmission. It transfers power from the engine to the transmission gears. However unlike a clutch in a manual transmission, the torque converter (TC) transfers power hydraulically through the transmission fluid. Since the transfer of power is done hydraulically rather than mechanically, more power is lost between the engine and drivetrain. Thus, an upgraded or stronger TC will provide a better transfer of power to the drivetrain. You will not be gaining any horsepower, rather you will be recovering horsepower that would have been normally lost with your stock TC. In addition, a stronger TC will have a higher stall speed. This will allow better launches when you are brake torquing or flashing the TC. In other words, you can bring the revs up higher when you launch with a TC that has a higher stall speed.
please correct me if any information is incorrect
Hey, I answered this already and you put it in the 5th gen FAQ sticky. But if you want it again....
A torque converter is basically the clutch for an automatic transmission. It transfers power from the engine to the transmission gears. However unlike a clutch in a manual transmission, the torque converter (TC) transfers power hydraulically through the transmission fluid. Since the transfer of power is done hydraulically rather than mechanically, more power is lost between the engine and drivetrain. Thus, an upgraded or stronger TC will provide a better transfer of power to the drivetrain. You will not be gaining any horsepower, rather you will be recovering horsepower that would have been normally lost with your stock TC. In addition, a stronger TC will have a higher stall speed. This will allow better launches when you are brake torquing or flashing the TC. In other words, you can bring the revs up higher when you launch with a TC that has a higher stall speed.
please correct me if any information is incorrect
An upgraded stall converter will be stronger IF you get a stronger unit. However, most quality aftermarket torque converters that increase stall speed are stronger internally. Raising stall speed has nothing to do with strength. You don't gain back hp either. Actually you loose even more power at the expense of the added stall speed (ie more slip before stall speed is achieved). What you get in return is much better torque multiplication which is what makes for stronger launches at WOT.
Dave
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 360
what Dave said. My understanding is that they only allow you to launch at higher rpms which is only beneficial if you have slicks or drag radials. On regular tires, you'd only spin worse. But that's just my understanding. I don't actually have one.
Originally posted by Dave B
Actually there are a few things wrong here
An upgraded stall converter will be stronger IF you get a stronger unit. However, most quality aftermarket torque converters that increase stall speed are stronger internally. Raising stall speed has nothing to do with strength. You don't gain back hp either. Actually you loose even more power at the expense of the added stall speed (ie more slip before stall speed is achieved). What you get in return is much better torque multiplication which is what makes for stronger launches at WOT.
Dave
Actually there are a few things wrong here
An upgraded stall converter will be stronger IF you get a stronger unit. However, most quality aftermarket torque converters that increase stall speed are stronger internally. Raising stall speed has nothing to do with strength. You don't gain back hp either. Actually you loose even more power at the expense of the added stall speed (ie more slip before stall speed is achieved). What you get in return is much better torque multiplication which is what makes for stronger launches at WOT.
Dave
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 993
converter
this is the "street" explanation. if you have upgraded your automatic transmission and put in a high stall converter, you can launch like a rocket. this can be an advantage especially when your engine is not that responsive, through mid range torque.
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DMan_2KMax
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Nov 5, 2002 01:42 PM