Once I get the cam bearing issue resolved, I am considering whether to use a stock converter, or one with a little more stall (2,000) for the C6 I have. I am mainly interested in idle quality.

The last motor I built was a small block with a similar cam, and I think it really needed a little more stall than stock. I doubt if is is a good comparison for the 460 though.

The engine will have about 9.5 compression with a cam that has 218/224 duration and .503/.503 lift, headers, 4bbl. etc.

Anybody out there running an automatic with similar 460 engine specs?

 

i have a 429 with a similar cam in a 3\4 ton 4x4 truck. it has 3.5 gears and 33 inch tires. the idle is pretty good sometimes but its very inconsistant (still dealing with some ignition problems)....but its not due to the cam, ive had it idle really smooth at times so i know you wont have problems in that area. as for a converter, it really all depends on what you want to use it for...what is your axle gearing, tire size, vehicle weight, and hp #'s like? on mine, it does feel like i could go with a higher stall, but with a few more modifications (and fixing my darn ignition problem!!) i hope to have enough power to pull hard right off the line regardless of the tall tires and high gears. it is a fairly torquey cam and is excellent as is for towing or mild performance, but if you want all out performance, definitely go with a 1500-2000 stall converter. i still may put a converter in it later though...does anyone know if, and how much if so, it will hurt gas milage to have a, say...2000rpm stall, as compared to stock?

 

i'll put in my 2 cents and tell ya if your going to be using it for a daily driver you will probally be better of with a stock or a little higher than stock convertor. about if i can remember mine is i think around 800 to 1100 stall. works great . but everyone has there performance in mind.

 

Im running a 460, 8.7:1 comp, 218/228 @ .509/.509, and I have very few problems down to about 700 rpm at idle. any lower and it starts to chop up a little. Im running an 1800 RPM stall converter, which is plenty to get my engine up into the powerband...
It really does depend on what you are using it for. If you are using it for mostly highway driving, a real tight converter (like 1000 rpm) wll give you the best gas mileage.. If you want a little off the line perf ,hit up with about 400-600 higher than stock with a cam like that... You gonna lose some gas mileage, but not a whole bunch.
Have fun.....

J/.c

1965 Ford Galaxie 500 (okay, so not quite a truck)
460/C6 transplant @ 389hp/491 lb.ft.
14.29@103.8, 13-14 mpg heheheheheh

 

One thing I have heard about a big block like the 460 - the torque is enough that even a stock converter will stall quite a bit higher (vs small block) if you really put your foot in it on take off. Can't wait to get my motor built and try it.

I might consider a TCI "Sizzler". They have one for the C6 that is about 3-400 RPM over stock, and it seems pretty cheap for an aftermarket converter.

Thanks for the input.

 

well, like everyone has said, make sure you consider what type driving you will do the most(highway, daily driver, street only, street/strip) that kinda thing, and call the manufacturer, becuase a stall converter that stalls at 2000 for a smallblock may stall alot higher or lower for your motor. call em and tell them everything you can, weight, cam, tire size, axle ratio...they can help alot i would think. hope this helps and good luck.
mike

 

I'm running a similar engine. A little more compression and a 218/226 cam with 514/524 lift. I have no idle problems and absolutely no problems with low end torque. Remember a 460 has a longer stroke than a 429 so it spends relatively more time at or very near top dead center, effectively giving the cam more overlap, so it can handle a bigger cam and still idle okay. Heck, I almost wish I would have gone with the next bigger cam.

 

Im running a similar setup as you execpt 218/228 .503/.503 cam.
No problem with stock convertor. Than again, most all of fords stock C6 converters with stall up to 1800.


Dre'
1978 F-150, 460ci(750cfm,Edelbrock Performer,Dynomax Ceramic Coated headers,etc.)Auto-C6,3:70.1 - 9" Posi.

 

I'm running a 514 in a 83 f100, and my stock converter will flash stall approx 2500. Do you think this sounds right, or is my tach wrong? btw, flash stall is with 28 x 10.5 /15" slicks, leaving in second gear, w/2.50 rear gears.