Stall Converter

[HB LS1]

Stall Converter
Can you please explain to me what exactly a stall converter will do for my A4? I have heard I should do this to my car and/or also a shift kit and gears. I am not that technical about cars (I am trying to learn by reading a lot ofposts in the tech areas) so I feel this is probably a stupid question to most, but I really am anxious to learn. So anyone who wants to waste their time explaining I would sincerely greatly appreciate it
~Kailey

[MeentSS02]

Hmmmmmmmm...I'm sure if you did a search, you'd find more information than I could ever provide, especially since I'm an M6 guy.

Basically, your torque converter is a fluid coupling between the engine and the transmission - think of it like a clutch on a manual. It gets the power from the engine to the tranny...so why isn't it a direct connection? If it was, you wouldn't be able to stop your car without killing the engine.

Now, a higher stall torque converter would go in place of your stock unit...basically, it has much less mass than the stock unit, thus allowing it to be spun much more easily. It also acts as a torque multiplier, kinda like doing gears on a car. Where you will notice a higher stall TC the most is off the line...a stalled auto can launch like a bitch off the line provided the traction is there. If you do some reading, you'll see that people with higher stall torque converters have a hard time hooking up on the street when they stomp on it because so much more torque is being transfered through the drivetrain.

As far as what converter would be best for you should be left to someone that knows more than me about them...if my description is too technical, please let me know and I can tone down some of the techy terms (sorry, I'm an engineer by education and trade).

Also, a shift kit will increase your line pressure going into your tranny, thus causing it to shift much faster, and much harder. If you don't like how sloppy your tranny is when it shifts, then you need a shift kit (although the 4L60 is no slouch of an auto).

Gears - they are talking about the ratio in your rear end. Depending on your options, you either have 2.73s or 3.23s (I'm guessing the 2.73s are what you have). If you bump up the ratio to a numerically high number (3.73s are common on an A4), you gain a mechancial advantage over a car with stock gearing. Put a little more simply, you will get a lot more torque to the road without your engine having to do anymore work. This will let you accelerate faster, but as with all things, there is a drawback - your top end speed will diminish.

Hope this helps :)

[Red SS]

You can start here for the basics of what a torque converter is and how it works.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/torque-converter.htm

[MeentSS02]

Originally posted by Red SS
You can start here for the basics of what a torque converter is and how it works.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/torque-converter.htm

That's just what I was gonna suggest...there are some pretty good illustrations out there.

[HB LS1]

Awesome. Thanks for taking the time to reply Meen. I really appreciate it. The first part was a little techy for me, but I think in combination with the "how stuff works" site (thanks Red SS) I should be able to fully understand. That is an awesome site, heck now I don't think I need to take an autoshop class, although I think hands on would be a much better way to actually learn about engines :)
Thanks again you guys!

[TR]

If you want to know what a converter feels like to drive, get a hold of me some time. We can meet up (I'm at Garfield & Goldenwest in HB) and you can take my SS for a spin.

I currently have a Vig3600 in it, but I'm hoping to soon have it out in favor of a Yank SS3800 (or more :devil: ).

Actually driving a car with a converter will really give you a feeling for what you may be getting into.

[HB LS1]

That would be fantastic TR! I live at Beach and Garfield right by the IHOP across the street from the Saturn dealer, so I am right by you :D I'll give you a PM and see when you might be available. That is so nice of you to offer! Thanks :D

[MeentSS02]

Originally posted by LS1Chic
Awesome. Thanks for taking the time to reply Meen. I really appreciate it. The first part was a little techy for me, but I think in combination with the "how stuff works" site (thanks Red SS) I should be able to fully understand. That is an awesome site, heck now I don't think I need to take an autoshop class, although I think hands on would be a much better way to actually learn about engines :)
Thanks again you guys!

Sorry about the techy part...I feel like I was quoting one of my instructors from school. I had a chance to take a car class towards the end of my mechanical engineering degree, and it was probably the best class I could have taken. We discussed everything from transmissions to engine configurations, and everything in between. We spent an entire class talking about mods that do and don't work, and actually got to go use our dyno downstairs to see why.

How stuff works is the shizzle...our instructor used those illustrations so many times it wasn't even funny.

Take TR up on his offer...I'm thinking you'll be very surprised at what a little higher stall TC will do for your ride.

[HB LS1]

Originally posted by MeentSS02
Sorry about the techy part...I feel like I was quoting one of my instructors from school. I had a chance to take a car class towards the end of my mechanical engineering degree, and it was probably the best class I could have taken. We discussed everything from transmissions to engine configurations, and everything in between. We spent an entire class talking about mods that do and don't work, and actually got to go use our dyno downstairs to see why.

How stuff works is the shizzle...our instructor used those illustrations so many times it wasn't even funny.

Take TR up on his offer...I'm thinking you'll be very surprised at what a little higher stall TC will do for your ride.

Workin on it :) and no biggie on the techy part, I hope one day to be able to speak the same language! I love hearing people talk tech stuff, just wish I could understand it ;)

[CT Morgan]

Another good source is the FAQ on Yank's site... www.converter.cc . It really helps you understand the effects of changing the STR (stall torque ratio), higher stall speeds, shift extensions (reduced rpm drops on shifts compared to stock), and efficiencies.

A good stall is the single most effective mod you can do to an A4.