The Torque Converter is considered to be the most mysterious mechanical component in today’s vehicle. It functions like a clutch, which keeps the motor running even when the vehicle comes to a halt. By designing the stall speeds to match both the engine and desired stall speed, an ACC Performance converter will help low-end idle speeds, improve performance and acceleration. We can drastically change the output of the vehicle. ACC Performance can even improve your gas mileage by modifying your torque converter. ACC Performance Torque Converters feature several uses in different industries like industrial power transmissions, automatic transmissions, trucks, buses, and many other applications that include everything from race vehicles to rock crawlers. Proper installation, maintenance, and protection are needed for the torque converter to obtain the longest life possible. A default in the maintenance or heat protection of the torque converter can result in damage such as overheating, stator clutch breakage, fin damage, ballooning, and stator clutch seizure. It is imperative that a transmission cooler be added with any torque converter that is rated over a stock stall.
In a high performance application the so called “transmission cooler” that runs through the radiator is in all actuality a transmission fluid heater. The internal radiator transmission cooler will raise the temperature to normal operating temperature much faster. This make the transmission fluid flow much easier throughout the transmission giving you better fuel mileage. However, the temperatures that the radiator hits does not allow for the proper cooling properties that are needed with today’s high performance transmissions. Most radiators have an operating temperature of about 200 degrees. There must be a 34.7 degree variance in temperature before an acceptable amount of cooling can occur. The proper way to insure that the correct amount of cooling is taking place would be to by-pass the radiator and go through an external transmission cooler. ACC Performance suggests a minimum of a 3/4” X 10” X 12” size cooler. The addition of an external transmission cooler can drop the transmission fluid temperature more than 10 degrees which can more than double the life of your transmission.
All torque converters operate off of the twisting force of the engine and fluid pressure versus the weight of the vehicle. Do you remember back when you put dual exhaust on a truck and it got a little better gas mileage and engine performance? Well, the reason is: It freed up the exhaust to a point that it would expand the RPM range with the better exhaust flow. It would even give you better midrange and upper RPM power. It also lowered the torque between idle and 2,400 RPM. This change in the pressure on the transmission fluid would lock up the sprag in the stator earlier. You would have to say that the converter locking up earlier allowed the vehicle to move with less RPM. This in turn will give the vehicle better mileage and upper RPM performance.
Picking the stall range for your Restoration or Street Vehicle can be a little tricky. Cataloged stall ranges are picked by the vehicle’s basic set-up (i.e. horse power, engine torque, vehicle weight, etc.). The stall range will vary from car to car. This means, the converter must be matched up to fit your specific vehicle’s set up. A built engine with all the goodies will need more stall in order for the engine to idle correctly. We would suggest you consider either one of our Night Stalker or Street Bandit style converters.
The Street Bandit and Outlaw converters are engineered for a much more aggressive set-up. Vehicles with a cam, intake, and heads etc. will generally have between 350 to 1,000+horse power. They may also have a Trans-Break and/or a Nitrous Oxide set up. ACC Performance recommends a Street Bandit or Outlaw Torque Converter for these vehicles.
The Street Bandit and Outlaw series are excellent for vehicles that have been modified from the factory. Larger than OEM intakes, bigger fuel injectors, carburetors and exhaust systems will make a difference in how the torque converter will stall. This is the point where you need to change the torque converter in order to realize the power that you have bolted on.
Rock Crawlers and Truck Torque Converters are designed to handle a lot of power with a lower stall range. Modifications to the engine and chassis can make it increasingly difficult to choose the correct stall range.
Most of these cars will be in our Night Stalker and Street Bandit series of Torque Converters. Built engines with all the goodies will need more stall in order for the engine to idle correctly.
Light weight vehicles will require more than a typical advertised stall. This means it will not stall, as advertised, due to the chassis weight or engine build. ACC Performance converters are built to handle the extreme abuse of the Crawlers and Trucks.
Heavy trucks put a lot of pressure on the drive line. The lower stall is needed because of the weight. ACC converters are designed to tow heavy loads for long distances.
ACC Performance has built for you the "Ultimate" Low Stall circle track converters with hard in & out to the corner performance. ACC Circle track converters are built track tuff with the finest heavy duty materials available. From oversized Torrington Bearings and welded fins for added accuracy and extended track life.