do i need a torque converter?

**Talon_II** · 03-05-2011, 10:45 PM

so i have a basic LS1 with a LS6 cam and LS6 intake manifold with 241 heads, do i need a torque converter for my car to work?! i have the 4L60E

**justinmc978** · 03-05-2011, 10:54 PM

okay last I remember your transmission wasn't working..

you never replied to give details about how it was acting, you just said the car 'won't budge' and now I guess you think your torque converter is broken? more than likely no, but a higher stall will compliment mods like yours..

edit: to ultimately answer your question.. a stock torque converter will have no problem with your mods and that is not the reason your car is broken..

**robcas47** · 03-06-2011, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by justinmc978

a stock torque converter will have no problem with your mods and that is not the reason your car is broken..

+1, you should definitely get a good tq converter, if you ever get a bigger cam it will be somewhat of a neccessity. If not you'll at least enjoy driving it more with the stall.

**Too Fast** · 03-06-2011, 05:40 AM

A high stall torque converter is always recommended for AT cars, if you want to be quicker with a small loss of gas MPG.

**Talon_II** · 03-06-2011, 10:19 AM

yeah, the guy keeps saying he thinks it's the torque converter. the reason i need the car done now, is, well, i'm about to move to England and that's the car i'm taking. i can't take a broke car ya know? so i'm trying to figure out if the cam was even big enough to need a stall. i guess i'll just let him do his thing and we'll find out what it is. He said the car wouldn't move in any gears and didn't die when it was in drive.

**justinmc978** · 03-06-2011, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Talon_II

He said the car wouldn't move in any gears and didn't die when it was in drive.

that helps a lot, so now we know if is mechanically broken, it is likely the torque converter or the input shaft.

very strange that it broke while you were modding the car, I would check into seeing if perhaps something electronic is awry.

**Talon_II** · 03-06-2011, 11:26 AM

well, it is a brand new tranny and brand new torque converter. he said he thinks they sent a 4000 stall instead of the 3200 and my motor isn't pushing enough power to make the torque converter work.. idk anything about transmissions so i have no say/advice.

**Knight** · 03-06-2011, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Talon_II

well, it is a brand new tranny and brand new torque converter. he said he thinks they sent a 4000 stall instead of the 3200 and my motor isn't pushing enough power to make the torque converter work.. idk anything about transmissions so i have no say/advice.

You're car should still move in gear. Something else is wrong. Sounds like the guy doing your work doesn't know much about transmissions either.

**justinmc978** · 03-06-2011, 12:03 PM

a 4000 stall could work in a stock car. Knight's right; your mechanic is either dumb or he's playing you.

**0rion** · 03-06-2011, 12:20 PM

yep....that explanation makes no sense and would make me seriously question your mechanics knowledge. Maybe at idle in gear the car wouldn't roll on it's own but as soon as you gave some throttle it would.

**Talon_II** · 03-06-2011, 01:37 PM

well this motherf&$ker... looks like i need to make a call, thanks for the info guys!!

**Talon_II** · 03-07-2011, 07:23 AM

well, come to find out it was the torque converter, apparently when i ordered it, they sent me a stall for the wrong transmission. FML. and i bought it like 4 months ago.

**justinmc978** · 03-07-2011, 08:42 AM

wrong transmission meaning it is incompatable? or just sent you the wrong size stall?

you should have a receipt in your email when you gave them one, if they sent you the wrong item they have to replace it.

**Talon_II** · 03-07-2011, 09:39 AM

they sent a torque converter NOT for my transmission, and i bought it so long ago i don't even have the slightest idea who it was from. i'm just going to buy a new one and cut my losses. good news is, regardless, it will be running on the streets this weekend! after 6 months of sitting. i'm looking at the volant cold air intake, underdrive pulley, slp thermostat, and i'm debating getting the TRAK cam, but then i'll have to tune it and i don't live near a dyno.

**justinmc978** · 03-07-2011, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Talon_II

they sent a torque converter NOT for my transmission, and i bought it so long ago i don't even have the slightest idea who it was from. i'm just going to buy a new one and cut my losses. good news is, regardless, it will be running on the streets this weekend! after 6 months of sitting. i'm looking at the volant cold air intake, underdrive pulley, slp thermostat, and i'm debating getting the TRAK cam, but then i'll have to tune it and i don't live near a dyno.

if you somehow haven't heard, you have now:

http://www.tunedbyfrost.com/services2.htm

you send your PCM and mod information (like cam specs etc.) to him by mail and he does the rest...

**Firebirdjones** · 03-07-2011, 11:20 AM

If you already swapped to an LS6 intake and LS6 cam, you'll need to tune it anyway.
A stall converter generally makes a tune necessary as well, as it will set of engine misfire codes.

So I think you are looking at a tune anyway, whether you do a TRAK cam or not,,, or whatever that is.

**justinmc978** · 03-07-2011, 11:37 AM

^true

if you do end up getting that new stall you'll need a transmission cooler to prevent premature wear,

as a sidenote, I would go bigger than the 3200 you originally ordered, maybe 3400 or 3600, you'll be happier you did.

**Too Fast** · 03-07-2011, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

If you already swapped to an LS6 intake and LS6 cam, you'll need to tune it anyway.
A stall converter generally makes a tune necessary as well, as it will set of engine misfire codes.

So I think you are looking at a tune anyway, whether you do a TRAK cam or not,,, or whatever that is.

Isn't that a "3/4 racing cam"? You know, the cam is only long enough for 6 of the 8 cylinders.

(I've never heard of a track cam either.)

**justinmc978** · 03-07-2011, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by Too Fast

Isn't that a "3/4 racing cam"? You know, the cam is only long enough for 6 of the 8 cylinders.

(I've never heard of a track cam either.)

thought that was just old man slang for an agressive, barely streetable cam.

**Talon_II** · 03-07-2011, 08:29 PM

99-TR-TRAK Thunder Racing Custom "TRAK" Camshaft - 231/234-112

i don't want something so big just cause i'm going to be driving it in England for the next 3 years. i already have the torque converter cooler and all that equipment. just need the replacement.