Would buying an aftermarket High performance Torque Convertor
make any improvements in my quarter mile times? I basically have a stock car accept for a few bolt-ons. I'm sure it would work for the higher horsepower cars but will it make an improvement on a basically stock car. I see advertisements advertising 1/2 second decrease in quarter mile times?

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1991 Z28 1LE 5.7 Auto.

 

I've seen otherwise stock LS1s in the 12s with an aftermarket torque converter, but that is an LS1. I know that the stock torque converter on our cars leaves a bit to be desired. So yes, you'd see a good improvement. Half a second? Maybe.

 

How do you know what stall to use?

 

Yes a stall converter will DEFINITLY help lower your ET's...Usually the things that determine which size converter to go with are the modifications made to your car such as a bigger cam, bigger gears, headers, exhaust, compression, and if your going to use nitrous... The best thing to do is call a company like ATI or Pro Torque and see what they recommend.

 

*exerpt from calgarydragracing site*

Here are some general guidelines for selecting a converter:

According to B&M, the stall speed should be rated at about 500-750 RPM under your engine's peak torque RPM. If you don't know this figure, be conservative in your estimate. You don't want to end up with a converter that has too high of a stall speed. Don't be too conservative, though - it is possible to get a converter with too low of a stall speed, which will have roughly the same effect as too high of a stall speed.

Know your camshaft specifications. If your cam has less than 220 degrees duration (@ 0.050" lift), which most street machines do, you make most of your torque down low in the RPM range, and you probably won't need more than a 2500 RPM stall speed, if even that much.

Have a good idea of your vehicle's weight. Remember, lighter vehicles will lower the rated stall speed; heavier vehicles will have the opposite effect.

High stall converters generate a lot of extra heat. The installation of an external transmission cooler is mandatory with a higher than stock stall speed converter. Actually, you should have one in there anyway. Heat is the number one killer of transmissions - 85% of all trannies die because of inadequate cooling.

The best advice I can give anyone buying a converter is to talk to the manufacturer. They know torque converters better than anybody, and can help you to select exactly the right converter for your combination.

:rockon:

for more info goto http://www.calgarydragracing.ab.ca/ and click on 'tech tips'