Choosing a Torque Converter For Your Car
Automatic transmission vehicles are the perfect option for getting places quickly and conveniently rather than savoring the driving experience. Does this describe you? If it does, you should be familiar with the appliance allows your convenience to be a possibility.
It’s only fair to say that torque converters are essential to automatic transmissions. If your vehicle falls in this category, you must keep your torque converter in top shape. It's easy to overlook this part, given its insignificant size, but it performs a vital task.
Without it, your vehicle won't be able to work. In manual transmissions, the clutch is how the engine is connected to the transmission. If you want to replace your Chevy’s torque converter, you are at the right place.
Top 10 Best Torque Converters
Hughes Performance 24-25 Torque Converter
These 24-25 torque converters are designed precisely for race sports enthusiasts who are itching to upgrade their old stock converters. These converters come with silicon-design brazing for durability and strength, needle buts for reliability, and motion modifications to aid in the multiplication of torque.
They have installed top and bottom a silicon spot brazing with replaced fiber washers to add strength and reliability. This Hughes converter is brazed with an exquisite needle and bearing design at the front and back to ensure efficiency; they also feature a strengthened sprag and special cut stator.
The most important factor for the performance enthusiast is how quickly and smoothly your car picks up speed. As you can see, this Hughes converter is exclusively designed for the serious racer.
Key Features
- Features strengthened sprag
- Replaced fiber washers
- Brazed with strong needle bearings
- Silicon spot brazing on both the top and bottom
Pros
- Excellent for speed racing
- Designed to maximize picking rate
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Coan Racing 20504 8″ Turbo Race Converter
The Coan Racing 20504 8” Turbo Race Converter is designed for rough racing and off-road applications. In its cavity design comes a billet steel turbine hub containing thrust bearings for all major load areas.
This ensures added durability and longevity for your transmission in applications including towing, hauling, snow plows, motor homes, and other recreational vehicles. The Coan Racing 20504 8” Turbo Race Converter combines a sporty feel and value for money with these Speedway-exclusive torque converters. They are fitted with modified internals to ensure awesome starts while retaining the usual sports performance.
Key Features
- Furnace brazed pump
- Anti-ballooning plate
- Heavy duty 1-way sprag
Pros
- Guaranteed smooth starts
- Durable and long-lasting
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B&M 400000 Turbo Torque Converter
The B&M 400000 Turbo Torque converters are designed to improve acceleration and increase drivetrain strength in most street machines. Instead of common thrust washers, heavy-duty needle bearings are installed inside these turbo torques.
What sets the B&M 400000 Turbo Torque apart is that when a higher duration camshaft is used, you can expect more efficient engine idling while stopped in gear. These high-quality B&M torque converters come standard with full furnace engraved impellers, heavy-duty turbines, and needle thrust nuts.
Though they are not meant for application on trans-brakes or anything beyond or below the 2200 – 2600 rpm ranges, some very mild street cars use a 2000 RPM stall speed unit. Generally, the more torque a motor gives, the higher the stall speed.
Key Features
- Heavy-duty thrust bearings
- It comes in 8 – 13.”
- Stall sped: 5300-5800
Pros
- Applicable to a high range of RPM
- Reasonably priced
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Allstar Performance 350/400 Transmission Torque Converters
The idea for mild performance factory or street stocks and economic converters is completely redone with new technology drive hubs and efficient thrust washers.
The precise stall speeds of specific units might vary, and this is wholly dependent on displacement, torque, and the weight of the vehicle, but whichever one you choose, upgrading to an Allstar Performance 350/400 Transmission Torque Converters with a higher stall speed can give you better acceleration from a dead stop.
It allows the engine to launch the car at a significantly higher RPM, where more torque and power are available. This is vital, especially if other modifications have reduced your low-end power and torque.
Key Features
- Utilizes new pump drive hubs
- 10 inches Diameter
- 3500 Plus RPM Stall
Pros
- Balanced; pressure tested
- Good for power-adder and trans-brake applications
- Selected stator combinations for the desired stall
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B&M 70420 Tork Master 2000 Torque Converter
The Tork Master converters must be B&M's most reasonably priced and sportiest torque converters. The best ‘value-priced' street converters are available. Featuring new pumps and drive tubes that are balance tested, fully pressured, and ready to install, the Tork Masters is an excellent choice for all-around performance street converters.
Similar in form and build to the Turbo series, the Tork Master Converters are not recommended for big block or supercharged units. The B&M Tork Master 2000 boasts a stall speed of 1900-2100 RPM (assuming the engine gives off 230 lb. ft. of torque at 2500 RPM) which means it is most suited for application on mild tracks and terrains.
Not only has it been redone with a precise steel pump and drive tube that is fully tested and pressure balanced, but its high stall rate can also dissipate surplus heat, so surplus cooling of the vehicle’s transmission should be used to prevent premature failure of the vehicle’s transmission. Like the B&M, this converter is not recommended for use with trans brakes.
Key Features
- 1900-2100 RPM Stall Speed
- It has a 30-Spline design
- It comes with lock compatible
- Crank Pilot spans 1.703 in.
Pros
- New precision pump drive tube installed
- New thrust-bearing technology
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TCI 241500A Torque Converter
The TCI 241500A Torque Converter is designed to deliver top performance at a reasonable price. It is a suitable choice for show cars and street rods, incorporating many of the performance features of other TCI models, including fins brazed with a furnace and a fortified pre-ground pump hub.
The TCI 241500A Torque Converter is designed to provide higher stall speeds for high-performance street and strip vehicles. The TCI 241500A is not only poised to be your entrance into high-quality driving, but it is also an awesome torque converter if you are in the market for a mildly altered street device, regardless of whether you are a habitual racer or a soccer mom who wants a swift way to get around town.
It offers a decent amount of RPMs: 2300 to 2500; its flash stall does not adversely influence its throttle. It is intended for efficiency while at high speeds on the highway and when launching highly; for all these things, the TCI 241500A is the pick for you.
Key Features
- Needle bearings thrust washers
- Fortified pre-ground hub
Pros
- Hardened build
- Excellent for the racing environment
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ACC Performance (49454) Stall Torque Converter
The ACC Performance 49454 Stall Torque Converter has emerged as one of the best-sellers of its industries, and here's why: It has a
welded pump instead of a furnace-brazed one. ACC’s torque converters are welded at the seams, not brazed, to prevent wear. They use industrial bearings, which are much more efficient than the higher priced alternative converters, and aircraft aluminum washers, which utilize an aircraft quality aluminum washer, allowing for more horsepower and torque capabilities.
Key Features
- It uses aircraft aluminum washers
- Computer balanced
- Higher multiplication of torque
- High launches of RPM
Pros
- Perfect launches and faster acceleration
- Decent rear power
- It comes with pre-installed bolt-in
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Coan Engineering 20211-4 Torque Converter
The Coan Engineering 20211-4 Pro Street Torque is manufactured using high-quality raw materials and designed using top-of-the-line manufacturing techniques with many drivers in mind.
Poised to satisfy your needs while delivering decent output, all at a mild cost, the Coan Engineering 20211-4 Pro Street Torque Converter is an awesome fantastic all-around torque converter that comes with fins brazed with the furnace, needle bearings, a fortified pump hub, and decent computer balancing, and intended to be both efficient at highway speeds and to launch hard at wider throttles.
Key Features
- Billet and steel turbine hubs
- Balanced; pressure tested
- Bolt in with no modifications
Pros
- Efficient at highway speeds
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B&M® Traveller Performance Torque Converter
The B&M traveller™ Performance Torque Converter is designed for use in heavy-duty applications, including but not limited to motor homes and towing vehicles. Considering this B&M torque converter, a unique reason for this is its stall speed. Its stall speeds are higher to help keep the heavy vehicle moving without sacrificing stability on the highway.
This increase in stall speed is also useful in lowering the transmission oil temperature. The Traveler is significantly stronger than the average stock converter. This is attributable to its use of new pump drive tubes, needle bearings, and new thrust washers and its precision-engineered, spin-balanced, and pressure tested.
Key Features
- Furnace brazed impeller and turbine fins
- New precision steel pump drive tube
Pros
- Spin is fully balanced
- Pressure tested
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TORCO GM Chevy GMC Stock Torque Converter
There is not much ill to speak of the TORCO GM Chevy GMC Stock Torque Converter. If you are looking for a converter, whether it is stock or a huge stall, the TORCO GM Chevy GMC Stock Torque Converter is unbelievably cheap, and offering decent quality.
Key Features
- 12″ in diameter
- 30-spline fix
- Comes with a 1-Year Warranty
- 3-pad mount
Pros
- Well priced
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THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING A TORQUE CONVERTER:
SIZING
Getting torque converters that don’t fit is the worst of all the terrible mistakes you can make. However, it is understood that finding the right size can be pretty confusing. When you acquire a new torque converter, it may appear that it might not fit inside the transmission’s input shaft.
Normal converters usually range from seven to twelve inches in diameter. If you have a smaller torque converter, you can expect the amount of fluid to get pumped through it to be lower. In this case, of a lower amount of fluid, you should also expect less drag to be created on the internal of the converter.
For this reason, the 7-12 inch torque converters are recommended for applications on racing sports vehicles. You also want to steer clear from excessively minute torque converters while using street cars because of their significantly higher stall speeds: 3000 RPMs plus.
Sometimes new torque converters are built with trimmer specifications and might seem smaller. If this happens, don’t worry. Just because the converter won’t easily slip on doesn't necessarily indicate that it won't fit; it might need more effort to get it on there.
STALL SPEED
These are the main factors you should consider when choosing which torque converter to pick. If your stall speed is rated between 2,200 and 2,700 revolutions per minute PM, it can accommodate a range of engines and transmissions bearing different power curves.
For optimal performance, you want to select a fuel pump whose stall level is near your engine's top level of torque. Engines that have low-end torque usually have a higher stall speed. If you install similar converters, engines with lower RPMs will stall. Something else worthwhile to consider is the resistance put on the engine. Heavier cars with large tires will mean the transmission has to work faster.
ENGINE TYPE
It is important to consider the kind of engine you are installing the torque converter on before even starting your search. If we are talking street converters, you must ensure that the midrange and stall speed coincide.
What we mean here is it is a bad idea to purchase a torque converter whose stalling happens at 4000 if the plan is to have a minute street engine which is intended for, say, 2900 RPMs.
The converter will slip and get damaged, and the car will also feel difficult to drive. Also, ensure you don't get a converter that's too small if you drive a big block engine.
GEAR RATIOS
The tire diameter and rear axle gear dimensions are highly important. You want a converter that functions well while at lock-up cruising speeds. Ignoring this could cause your converter to slip constantly.
Trap speed indicates whether your converter is operating efficiently while cruising through traps. Usually, you should expect a reading of 100 rpm when the converter is slipping to indicate a worryingly significant loss.
ORIGINAL OR ARFERMARKET
Torque converters intended to be sold as aftermarket torque converters usually come balanced and pre-designed. External balanced Engines have their mass on top of the flexplate.
However, the Chryslers-240s and 360s they’re usually positioned on top of your converters. It is, therefore, important to ensure you have the right counterweighted flex plate.
TIRE DIMENSIONS
The size of your car’s tires has some influence on the overall ratios of the gear axle, so it should be expected that this influences the stall speed when the engine’s rpm rises much more quickly, too, thus reducing stall speed.
It is recommended that you procure taller tires to increase the stall speed. Alternatively, you can install a suspension built to plant the tires and eliminate the wheel spin, as the engine will be compelled to give more power to move the vehicle's mass.
TYPE
The standard type comes with a single disc lock-up, and the heavy-duty converter comes with two discs inside. If you plan to go all-in, you would be well-advised to purchase a heavy-duty torque converter.
This kind of converter can comfortably tolerate high torque levels, all without having its form misshaped or distorted. Moreover, you can expect a heavy-duty torque converter to increase the lifespan of your vehicle’s transmission.
Other factors: displacement of the engine, the weight of the vehicle, cam profile, type of fuel system used in the vehicle, the type of automatic transmission year and model, and compression ratios.
QUESTIONS
How Do the Weight and Stall Speed of My Vehicle and Converter Figure Into the Engine’s Health?
Ultimately, your device’s stall speed is determined by the vehicle’s engine power and the converter’s ability to transfer this into motion to turn the transmission's input shaft and move the vehicle.
If your vehicle is a heavier one, the engine has no choice but to generate greater horsepower to accelerate the large mass, thereby increasing the stall speed. This is why if the same converter were behind the same engine in a 1200-kg vehicle, it would register a lesser stall speed than in a 2,400-kg truck.
As Pertains to The Torque Converter’s Diameter—should I Prefer Large to Small?
Running the least stall speed and the biggest-diameter converter is generally preferable when dealing with a heavy street-use car. A small-diameter converter or another high-stall converter on the street prevents optimal drivability and dissipates extra heat in smooth and slow driving.
Compromises far overweigh the merits of a higher stall speed on the street in traction and street suspension. However, one can modify a larger-diameter converter to elevate its stall speed, but this is not guarantee-ably effective.
There is no set-in-stone rule for optimizing an already purchased converter, so you are well advised to know your vehicle’s dimensions beforehand.
Is It Possible to Get a Converter Suited for 6-Day-A-Week Driving that Can Still Work Optimally on Race Day?
Acquiring a multi-purpose converter for street use is like attempting to find an engine that delivers maximum power while still idling smoothly enough to sit at a traffic light. You can expect compromises.
The good thing about modern automatic transmissions is that you can exact more stall speed while preserving the ability to cruise comfortably with the converter clutch still locked up.
How Wise Is It to Upgrade the Transmission Cooler at The Same Time as The Installation of One of Your Converters?
Heat during higher stall speeds is created due to elevated levels of fluid friction. Heat significantly diminishes transmission fluid together with its lubrication ability. Each time you elevate stall speeds beyond the vehicle engine’s physical cooling capacity, an additional cooler will compensate for this. In this case, you must ensure you get as much cooler as you can fit.
How Much More Stall Speed Should the B&m Give My 1995 Suburban?
The Suburban’s engine combination should range between 1800 and 2000 RPM.
How Can I Tell if My Preferred Converter Is a Fit?
There are 3 main ways to indicate whether there is a match between your engine and prospective fuel pump; the most important is to measure the overall length and depth of the hub slot against the inside diameter of the hub slot. Also, ensure that before you remove your converter you check the dimensions inscribed in the bell housing on the front.
Will the Hughes Performance 24-25 Torque Converter Work Decently on My 99 Chevy Tahoe?
It should work decently. The real question is: will it work optimally? There is a possibility that it might not. Why, exactly? This is because the Chevy has a standard duty only to lock or unlock when required in 3rd or 4th gear. It's designed to heighten your mileage and slip the clutch when needed for driver comfort and better efficiency.
CONCLUSION
All in all, there's a lot to consider when dealing with torque converters. There are only a minute number of sources out there with insights on the best brands and types for what engine types, but hopefully, with the aid of this list, you are a better vantage to select the best converter for you. We recommend you try the Hughes Performance 24-25 Torque Converter, if only for its race tuning and durable build.