[Gary S.]

And start with the basics,please-like,just what all does the thing DO,anyway?

[Gary S.]

And start with the basics,please-like,just what all does the thing DO,anyway?

[David Jones]

It all depends on about a jillion different variables. Motor, rear gear, car weight, purpose of the car etc. I just put a 13" from Dynamic Converter in my car. 400ci with a little more than a Ram Air III cam, Turbo 400 and 3.55 gears. It makes plenty of power down low so I don't need a high stall speed converter. I also don't drag race. The best thing you can do is call a major mfg and tell them what you have and what you'd like to do with it. Thats what they are there for. Coan, Continental, Dynamic, B&M, TCI all have web sites with general guidelines and there is a ton of info in the archives here and all over the web.
Click here for torque converter info

[Gary S.]

Thanks David.

[b-man]

Gary, call Kris at Continental Converters (310) 674-1072.

They custom-build them for every application. Probably the best converters for a street-strip Pontiac. Having the right converter can make a HUGE difference in performance and driveability. Continental doesn't use any cheap internal parts, they last.

Just bought my third one from them, I can't wait to put it in my car. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

[screamingchief]

torque converter is a hydraulic fluid coupling device (think clutch) that has the ability to multiply torque up to a specific rpm, depends on many factors the amount of multiplication,slip,stall etc. The inside is made of four basic components the two halves(rotors), a stator, and a sprag,basically think of a fan blowing on another fan one larger one smaller with a shaft on it, big fan makes little one spin harder until sprag locks up (theroretically). For street use you generally would want cruise rpm higher than adv. stall speed to avoid excessive slippage and heat buildup (use a trans cooler w/higher than stock converter)

[Gary S.]

Thanks chief-that was a good explanation.

[68lemans462]

ditto on the continental. Very quality piece. b-man, you have the coolest avatar on this earth...

[grandville455]

My continental 3200 flat out rocks!!!!!

[Ron Landis]

Manufacturers rule of thumb is 400 to 600 rpm above where the cam comes in. This works ok for street/strip applications, race units need more serious consideration involving more parameters.

[louisville97]

B-Man,,,

That is a very amusing avatar. One of the funniest I've seen yet. Quite deceiving at first, but hilarious nevertheless.

[loren]

What is the approximate price on the continenal converters I'm looking for a 2800 stall Thanks Loren

[grandville455]

Tight 10 is $575 I believe

[loren]

Thanks grandville did you go with a another brand seen you sold a continental. Loren