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Hey guys....been round and round with bunch of people about this...and can't seem to get a consensus of the right thing to do.
I am happy with my mustang...but would like it to have a little more punch off the bottom end. Am trying to decide whether to put a higher stall converter in it.
Bought it as a stock 1966 289 2bbl c4 3.2:1 rear end with small little 225/50 15" wheels. Ran it at the strip as a baseline run before making improvements (i'm an engineer...so sue me). ran low 17's at around 75mph.
Added open air cleaner, edelbrock 650cfm 4bbl, edelbrock performer intake, mild performer cam (idle to 6500), hydraulic flat tappet lifters, roller rockers, windsor jr heads, headers, 2.25" pipes through flowmaster 40's. ran around mid 15's around 90mph after improvements to flow.
It is definitely a daily driver that I would rarely take to the track. But want it to be respectable on the street.
The current torque converter stalls around 1700. Summit (who has all the specs of the aftermarket parts on my car) recommended a 2400-2500 stall. Racer friends say it's not worth it to put a higher stall in unless you're going at least 1000 higher rpm and almost all recommend a 2800-3200 stall. I am also worried about trans fluid temp in daily driving with a 'high' stall (yes i will add a trans cooler regardless). The car currently is running 3300rpm at 70mph, so I don't plan to do any gearing changes up or down unless this tranny ever fails me...and then i'd probably switch to the aod then gear a touch shorter.
I'm really looking to hear from the guys that went with the higher stall and WERE NOT happy. Most guys who bought something and put it on are a little biased and will over accentuate the benefits of their new add-on. Although hearing from folks that have done it and happy are appreciated....I'm more interested in the guys that state why I won't be happy.
Any help appreciated. I figured you guys are the experts.....
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My son's 67 with a basicly stock 79 302 with a 650 cfm carb on an alum edelbrock manifold with an Ebay purchased cam that was sold as an RV low rpm torker cam (but sounds a little wilder than that) has a 3000 stall convertor (also an Ebay purchase)
It is a little strange to drive, as soon as you give it gas it comes up to about 2500 rpm and when driven with light throtle you almost cannot feel the C-4 shift. Get into it a little harder and it pulls real hard.
The car has only been on the road a few weeks and is still in shakedown mode so I am realy not sure if I like the high stall convertor. It does put the engine in the torque curve as soon as you stomp on it but I think he will pay for that in gas mileage as there is no way to drive the car without some slipage in the convertor.
I think if it was mine and a daily driver I would not go over 2000 stall. The car does have 3.55 gears with trac lock and I am waiting to see what the 65 mph cruse RPM is.
great article. thanks. sounds like very similar words that simon at summit is telling me. i've been trusting that guy and really appreciate doing business with him.
so i take it that your post is a vote for just following summit's recommendation?
"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. "
Does it want to push you through stop signs and traffic lights? If not then you dont need a higher stall. With the Performer cam, I am guessing no. However since it isnt a race car and doesnt need a 3000 or 4000 stall, you can get better performance with a mild stall. Something in the 2000-2400 range would give you a bit more driving around town but not be noticeable unless you stalled it up or whacked the throttle from idle.
All the engines I have 2000-3000 stalls behind have higher compression, and they are much larger. I havent run a small block in a long time. However I put a Hughes 2400 behind the Cleveland in the Cougar with the XE274 cam, I figured it would want to creep at idle. 3000 would be way too much for your car, 2400 would be about the limit I would go on a mild 302.
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1966 289 4bbl stall converter....which one?!
