Stall Speeds

Bruceynz · Feb 10, 2016

Hi Guys,

If there is a post on this already can you point me in the right direction please.

I am going to put a 360 in my car soon I hope!! and I want to use my existing trans and torque converter that are in it now, I have a B&M neutral balance plate. Just wondering will the stall speed change using the stock 318 converter and if so what way does it go? or what approx RPMs will it be at?

Thanks
Bruce

jasperjacko · Feb 10, 2016

If anything , your stall speed will increase due to the added torque, but not much I would think. If you still have the lockup converter, it may not like the increased torque, but should work.

High Speed Pursuit · Feb 11, 2016

Jasper is correct about the increased torque with a larger engine. Factory torque convertors have quite a range of stall, from 900-1700, those being later model LA blocks and high gear rear ends closer to 900 back to the earlier LA blocks of the 70s with low gear rear ends being closer to the 1700 stall....higher revs required to get the engine closer to its peak torque band. If your car is still driveable and you have a tachometer, you can foot brake stall your current torque convertor by pressing the brake with the car in drive, press the accelerator up to the point where the car wants to engage the engine with the drivetrain and that's close to your stall speed. Other things to consider are your cam that you were trying to determine the specs on, your rear end gear, tire size, and if your car is a daily driver or a track car only. I think your current convertor will work fine if the car is mostly stock gears, tires, and weight, but the unknown is your cam that might change the equation due to where it takes your engine in the torque and vacuum department.

Bruceynz · Feb 11, 2016

So going from a 318 to a 360, 2.2:1 to 3.21:1 rear end am I going to see myself with a bit of a problem with the converter stall speed?

Car is not driveable, its sitting there waiting to lift engine, everything stripped off it.

80mirada · Feb 11, 2016

No, the flash stall is going to increase, but it will still start to engage much earlier. I had a 2500 stall, my Mirada would creep forward at 900rpm and the converter would Stall (WOT at launch) at 2800rpm. The tall gears (2.45:1) raise the stall. With 3.21s and a 360, a stock factory "High stall" should stall at 2200-2600.

Bruceynz · Feb 11, 2016

So am I going to be ok, the engine is a mild build, it has a slighlt lope to it but nothing extreme. I just don't want to bolt it all up to be unbolting it again, its a road car not a race car. I had to change the diff as the 360 sounds like it would mash a 7.25" in the first launch!

Aspen500 · Feb 11, 2016

The advertised stall speed is really only good for comparing converters. A 3,000 advertised stall behind a 100 ft lb torque engine it might "stall" at 2,000 rpm. Put the same converter behind a 500 ft lb engine and it might be 3,500 rpm.

Whether this helps you any is up for discussion, lol.

Bruceynz · Feb 11, 2016

Was hoping someone may have done what I am doing and could tell me their experience.

80mirada · Feb 11, 2016

They used the same converters behind 318 and 360s. Only difference was the balance weight on the 360 one. If it is a factory converter it will have either a "low stall" or a "high stall" sticker on it.

Bruceynz · Feb 11, 2016

To through a spanner in the works, I have a 904 trans early 70s that came with the 360 with a weighted 904 TQ converter. But I can't interchange because of the one is a non lock up and one is a lockup. If I have a 904 with a weighted Torque Converter have a got a after market converter?

80mirada · Feb 11, 2016

Factory 360 converters are weighted for external engine balance. Some aftermarket ones are available with stock style weights. The B&M balanced flexplate is for "neutral" balanced converters, like stock 318 converters.

Bruceynz · Feb 12, 2016

but when did Chrysler ever use a 904 behind a non lockup 360?

80mirada · Feb 12, 2016

I have seen 360s in mid 70s Coronets/Satellites and A-bodies with non- lockup 904s.

Bruceynz · Feb 12, 2016

Never knew they did that factory (I don't live in the USA so I can only read and not see) always thought they put the small block 727 behind the 360 until the late 70s where they put the A999 (5 clutch pack 904) trans behind the 360, live and learn.

80mirada · Feb 12, 2016

There was Also a A999 no lockup used is some applications mostly vans I think.

Bruceynz · Feb 12, 2016

I also have a 904 of what sort I don't know, its a 1972 trans and it has a weighted converter. When I looked up the number on the side it said it was for a 318 trans, but its not for a 318 with the weighted converter.

Aspen500 · Feb 12, 2016

Bruceynz said:
Was hoping someone may have done what I am doing and could tell me their experience.

Oops, reread your original post. Somehow I got the idea you were getting an aftermarket converter. Probably when I saw B&M. I have never done a 318 converter on a 360.

jasperjacko · Feb 12, 2016

even some 318 convertors will have a small weight, but the 360 is much bigger.

Bruceynz · Feb 12, 2016

this in from torco:

I have a 1983 Chrysler Cordoba, (low mileage car) I am changing the engine from a 318 to a 360 and the rear end from 2.2:1 to 3.21:1, tires are 27" tall. 360 is a mild engine, cam has a slight noticeable lope (just noticeable) I would like to retain my existing 904 lockup trans, what would the lockup speed of my stock converter be now?

and the reply.

Hello Bruce,

Your stock transmission 998 lockup with 360 engine will be around 1700-1900 stall.

High Speed Pursuit · Feb 12, 2016

Just something to think about Bruce, and that is, how well do you know the torque convertor that you intend to use, as in how old is it and/or has it been sitting around unused? If it was my decision and I could save the money to get a new 2500 stall convertor within a reasonable time, I would eliminate the old convertor's potential wear issues and at 1700-1900 stall, I believe you will not get the take off performance you would desire using your stock convertor, but that's just my opinion. Others may differ...

Stall Speeds

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