Author Topic: My current stall converter sucks  (Read 2109 times)

Offline 1993f250

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My current stall converter sucks
« on: October 29, 2017, 01:34:41 PM »
So i just got a new engine and trans going and i am not happy with my current stall converter. Th350 and 350 mild head work, cam 230/230 @50, rpm intake, msd hei, holley 600, advertised 2400 stall(b&m holeshot). It jerks a small amount at idle and has a large noticable difference in power from picking up at the stall and anything over 3k.


 I know converter stall is affected by all sorts of Stuff and im not too knowledgeable on converters. the rig im looking to put it into is a chevy k10 on 35s with about 3.55 rear gears.

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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: My current stall converter sucks
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2017, 07:09:12 PM »
Sounds like you have a mismatch on your powertrain for your truck. 4:11's and a 700R4 with a stock converter would be much better.
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline SkinnyG

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Re: My current stall converter sucks
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2017, 12:59:44 AM »
I have a TH350 and 350 with heavy porting on 305 heads, 231°/231° @ .050, and a 2500 stall Hughes converter.  The torque converter is perfect for this engine. With the stock converter, it struggled to stay idling in gear. Now it behaves much like stock, unless you punch the gas and then it flares up to 2500 and pulls from there.  If you are on and off the throttle in traffic, it feels a little sloppy, but that's the nature of a relatively cheap stall converter.
The Crusty Chevy: 1977 Silverado, shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato.

Offline 1993f250

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Re: My current stall converter sucks
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2017, 02:52:56 PM »
I have a TH350 and 350 with heavy porting on 305 heads, 231°/231° @ .050, and a 2500 stall Hughes converter.  The torque converter is perfect for this engine. With the stock converter, it struggled to stay idling in gear. Now it behaves much like stock, unless you punch the gas and then it flares up to 2500 and pulls from there.  If you are on and off the throttle in traffic, it feels a little sloppy, but that's the nature of a relatively cheap stall converter.
This converter is locking up at just under 2k and flares to maybe 2400 when i hit the passing gear. Does that sound about right? It just feels like it doesnt pick up until almost 3k, and jerks a bit at idle which is annoying in traffic.

I know i need better gears and will soon but not until i can just swap bigger axles altogether.


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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: My current stall converter sucks
« Reply #4 on: November 01, 2017, 05:14:58 PM »
So you have a TH350C, not a TH350. Can you verify this? Have you adjusted the detent cable? Have you checked the vacuum modulator?
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              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline SkinnyG

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Re: My current stall converter sucks
« Reply #5 on: November 01, 2017, 10:28:39 PM »
That cam will likely be pretty shakey at idle.  Worse, if you're not tuned properly, or worn motor mounts (or both). I have poly motor mounts, and it's well tuned, and it's still slightly shakey at idle, but I love it.

When I am driving with very light throttle, the tach reads appropriate for whatever gear I'm in.  As soon as I romp on the gas, the engine flares up to 2500rpm, and stays there until the rest of the drivetrain catches up.

You really want to be cruising on the highway ABOVE your stall speed.  I had highway gears before, cruising at about 2200rpm. Any steep hill had the torque converter slipping (creating heat - bad!). I now cruise the highway at 3000rpm, and the converter is happier, though still sloppy in town. That's just they way they work.

The Crusty Chevy: 1977 Silverado, shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato.