I understand what the stall speed is and how it works for the most part, but I was mulling over it the other day and this question popped into my head.

I am purchasing a TC that is advertized to stall between 2200-2600 rpms. This is around 1000 rpm or so more than stock.

Theoreticaly, if I were to install this TC into a bone stock Firebird with a bone stock small block and 700R4, that shifted at WOT at 4500 rpm (stock shift points with the stick in OD), would my WOT shift point rise to 5500 (because of the extra 1000 rpm stall) or would the tranny still shift at 4500- rpm?

 

The converter's stall is related only to engine speed. That is, once the engine speed is above the converter's stall speed, the converter's stall properties no longer have any effect.

So, no, nothing that happens at any RPM higher than the converter's stall will be significantly affected.

 

So, the transmission's speed catches up with the engine?

I am just wondering because if the stock stall speed is say 1600, doesn't this mean that the engine is turning 1600 rpm's faster than the tranny's input shaft when you mash the throttle down? And if so, then doesn't that relationship stay the same troughout the rpm range? Meaning that if the engine is turning 4500 when the tranny shifts, then the tranny's input shaft is turning 1600 rpm's less right?

I don't know, it all sounds good but I have no experience with a TC other than stock, I will be finding out though as soon as I get my new TC.

 

No.

There is a part inside the torque converter called the "stator". As you will remember from Latin class, that means it's "standing" still. It's splined to a part of the trans that is bolted to the case. That's the part you modify to change the stall speed (well, one of them, anyway).

Once again, stall speed has nothing to do with what the trans is doing, what gear it's in, or anything else other than how fast the engien is turning. It's strictly based on engine RPM and torque. It is NOT a constant difference in RPMs between the engine and the trans input shaft.

 

I was raised a Catholic, but I never took Latin .

I know what the stator support is, when Dad & I rebuilt my tranny I did install a new one from Art Carr. (had to use a press at work)

Thanx for the info.