What's a stall speed?

Excuse my ignorance but can someone explain to me in simple terms the meaning of a tranny's stall speed?

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/channel.htm?ch=auto&sub=sub-under-the-hood

go copy and paste that link it will tell you everything u want to know plus any other questions you have about cars.

Or click on this link instead: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/channel.htm?ch=auto&sub=sub-under-the-hood

Stall speed is a function of the torque convertor. Pretty simply it relates to the engine RPM where the convertor stops slipping and starts to feed to the trans. Unfortunately, there are other determining factors. That's why when you see ads for torque convertors they give a range, not just a single speed. Hope this helps.

That's the reason why with all things being equal, a 4 spd or manual will beat an automatic. Automatic's slip.

Stall speed is simple and is an expression for how loose (or tight) a torque converter is. It is a function of the angle of the impeller, turbine and stator blades in the converter.

The stall speed is the maximum engine RPM achieved when you are at Wide Open THrottle (WOT) with the brakes fully applied.

Typical stall speed for a family sedan would be in the 2000-2300 RPM range. Performance cars can be 2300 to over 3000 RPM.

PS.....I am a 26 year Transmission engineer for one of the Big 3.

As a 26 year trans engineer, what would you rather be driving in an early C3 drag race, a standard manual trans or an automatic?



BTW, great year for a C3

|UPDATED|11/26/2003 10:50:47 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Let's see auto or manual in a C3 drag car. That depends on wether you want to be somewhat consistant or spend most of your time and money replacing rears, shafts and u-joints. No doubt about it a stick is more fun, but as soon as you start making power and add slicks into the mix an auto is the way to go. Take my word for it, I was part of the Agaman and Pavano drag team during the late 60's and 70's. We were NHRA Super Stock Champs in '74 & '75 with a '72 Vette running SS/CA. Even with the auto it took a lot to get the rear to live.

so.... a performance car would have a 'loose' tranny. It would slip more than a family sedan...

Not a loose trany, but it could be termed a loose converter. This would alow the engine to "flash" more quickly to a RPM range where it is making more power than at or slightly abover idle. There are many variables that have to be taken into acount. Weight, rear end ratio,cam,track,suspension set ups, etc. Also they are only "loose" until there designed lock up(same converter will be different in dif. cars). A really loose or hugh stall converter is a pain on the street, poor low end throttle response, lots of revs to get the car moving and during small speed changes. I am talking about 3500 and up speeds. I have had several 2000 to 4000 speed converters in "street"cars and they were OK. A sharp manufacturer can play with the amount of "looseness" in the converter. Sorry this got so long, and the bottom line just my $.02.