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A LOOK INSIDE
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Traditionally, torque
converters are
considered "black
magic". You can't see in
them, you can't open
them; therefore, you
can't inspect them nor
can you "fiddle" with
them. That's probably
the prime reason people
are mystified by torque
converters. Because we
car guys, gear heads,
techno-geeks (whatever
we are), can't get
inside to see just
what's happening in
there. Once you
understand the basics of
them, selecting your
torque converter becomes
much easier. And not
such a mystery. So, this
is what is inside a
torque converter:
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The Impeller
Also known as the pump
or driving member; the
impeller is driven by
the engine. The many
curved vanes force fluid
outside the converter,
creating centrifugal
force when spun by the
engine. |
Stator (w/ One Way
Roller Sprag)
The reaction member is a
smaller vained rotor
located between and
turbine. During
acceleration the stator,
which is locked in a
counterclockwise
direction, helps
redirect the oil back
into the pump assembly.
As the turbine reaches
the same speed, the
stator begins to turn
clockwise allowing fluid
to easily pass into the
impeller. |
Turbine
Also known as the driven
member, looks very
similar to the impeller
because of its shape and
curved vanes. The outer
blades of the turbine
receive the force fluid
of the impeller. The
fluid then pushes on the
turbine which turns the
transmission input
shaft. |
Clutch and Damper
Assembly
Only lock up units, this
assembly is what
mechanically links the
turbine to the front
cover. The clutch
assembly, when activated
by oil pressure,
produces a one to one
ratio between the motor
and the transmission.
this in turn lowers
engine rpm's and
increases fuel
efficiency. |
Front Cover
The front cover is what
mechanically links the
pump to the crankshaft
of the motor. It also
acts as the friction
surface on lock up
units. |
Torque Converter Fact
& Function
First, you need to
understand the functions
of a torque converter.
One of the jobs of the
converter is to act as a
fluid coupling from the
motor to the
transmission. Another,
and a very important
function, is torque
multiplication. What
remains is stall speed,
a very misunderstood
term. Stall speed is
directly related to the
amount of torque your
engine produces (the
greater torque, the
higher the stall speed).
For example, a converter
with a 2800 to 3200 rpm
rating might provide
approx. 3200 rpm of
stall speed behind the
big block making
500-plus lbs of torque
and in a small block
with less torque it's
possible to only have a
stall speed of 2800.
Without knowing how much
torque your engine
produces, you cannot
know how much stall
speed a converter is
capable of. |
Important Factors
That Affect A Converters
Stall Speed
Vehicle Weight
Vane/Fin Angle
Horsepower
Impeller to Turbine
Clearance
Powerband/CamShaft
Stator Design
Torque Rate
Converter Diameter
Gear Ratio
These can be some of the
biggest questions you
have when looking for a
converter. The best
solution to any of your
questions is to speak
with a qualified
technician at a high
quality company.
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