Hi everyone, thinking about installing a stall converter in my 87 f-150 w/c6 tranny. Anyone have any suggestions on a brand or particular model. Help?

 

I haven't done this with a Ford so can't recommend based upon experience.

First you have to ask why you want to go to a stall converter? Next how heavily modified is your engine and more importantly at what RPM does you engine make the most power? Also what is your gearing? Do you plan to tow? How do you drive? Lots of stop and go?

Installing a performance part requires answers to these and other questions. Just throwing in a speed part does not always improve performance, often it decreases performance for the way you drive.

A stall converter essentially shifts your point of "launch" upwards in the RPM range. If your engine is heavily modified and has a lot of power at a higher RPM, then I would go with a stall speed near that RPM.

For most street applications with "normal" driving I would only go to a slightly higher stall speed. I don't know what the stock speed on your model is but I would guess a stall speed say around 2,500 RPM or less would be reasonable. This will give you a better "launch" and still give reasonable driveability and mileage.

If you go too wild on a stall converter, say 3,600 RPM(I did long ago), you will not like the way the truck launches during normal driving and it can make driving in the rain irritating at best. The high stall acts like your clutch is slipping and you get no power until you get near stall speed.

Also note that higher stall almost always means more heat. You will probably want a bigger tranny cooler. You will probably also need to do more frequent maintenance.

If you tow regularly I probably wouldn't go with a higher stall speed unless the truck was geared for it.

My past experience is with Art Carr converters, very nice but that 3,600 RPM stall speed was fun and also a beach. I have heard that B&M makes good ones and I think I have heard Vigilante does a decent one.

Find a shop you trucst and ask them, also post to this list a bit more detail about what you got and what you want to do and the guys can give a better answer. Your post doesn't have enough info for now.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

I think Jim just about wrapped it up, I used a "fits all"in my Pontiac GTO , THE FIRST TIME, then when I learned a bit more about the tourqe of my motor, I had one made by TCI, wasnt to cheap.


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