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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > N55 Turbo Engine Tuning and Exhaust Modifications - 335i Tuning > Upgrade Torque Converter?



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      03-20-2014, 12:12 PM   #1
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Upgrade Torque Converter?

Ive got a 6mt but for the guys with auto trannies, is there an upgrade to a higher stall torque converter? My limited knowledge of transmissions wont get me far in the discussion, but id like to hear some input here. For instance, my buick had a tq converter with a stall of 2400 stock. When i upgraded to a 2800 stall, the time it took to spool a larger turbo was reduced but quite a bit. The upgraded one does slip a tad more, nature of going to higher stall.

Has anyone considered this as an upgrade to make the turbo a little more fun?
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      03-21-2014, 01:08 PM   #2
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So no one has any input on this?
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      03-21-2014, 01:24 PM   #3
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I'm not sure if there is any need for one as the platform is pretty capable on the stock transmission and torque converter. Have you found some sort of limitation? Do you have a tune and full bolt on modifications?
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      03-21-2014, 03:55 PM   #4
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No need as of right now because the turbo hits full boost below our stall. Now if you were going to a bigger single, then you would want this. The vargas should be fine with a stock converter too.
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      03-21-2014, 08:16 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions View Post
I'm not sure if there is any need for one as the platform is pretty capable on the stock transmission and torque converter. Have you found some sort of limitation? Do you have a tune and full bolt on modifications?
My 335 is manual. I was just thinking about it since my buick is auto and an upgraded turbo there usually requires a higher stall converter. Stock one was higher than in most applications back in the day due to it having an out of ordinary engine. So I figured it could be applied here.

Are the n54 owners with auto transmissions modifying their torque converter or no?

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Originally Posted by JETmn View Post
No need as of right now because the turbo hits full boost below our stall. Now if you were going to a bigger single, then you would want this. The vargas should be fine with a stock converter too.
Hopefully more than just vargas, RB and pure come out with turbo upgrades for our car. Pretty sure with all these custom tunes we are provided with, that we can get a turbo that is good for the entire rpm range. Maybe even modify the flange. I've seen people put in a butterfly valve that opens up during higher psi but stays closed under for eg. 10psi to improve spool up. But that is a whol other topic.
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      03-22-2014, 01:43 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chronos6 View Post
My 335 is manual. I was just thinking about it since my buick is auto and an upgraded turbo there usually requires a higher stall converter. Stock one was higher than in most applications back in the day due to it having an out of ordinary engine. So I figured it could be applied here.

Are the n54 owners with auto transmissions modifying their torque converter or no?



Hopefully more than just vargas, RB and pure come out with turbo upgrades for our car. Pretty sure with all these custom tunes we are provided with, that we can get a turbo that is good for the entire rpm range. Maybe even modify the flange. I've seen people put in a butterfly valve that opens up during higher psi but stays closed under for eg. 10psi to improve spool up. But that is a whol other topic.
There are currently only a few AT transmission upgrades and I dont think it's actually the torque converter.

BTW this thread is in the N55 section so you may want to have it moved.

The AT transmissions is strong enough for basic bolt ons and even farther it seems, especially when it's coupled with a Transmission software flash that enhances its performance and drivability.
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      03-24-2014, 09:46 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions View Post
There are currently only a few AT transmission upgrades and I dont think it's actually the torque converter.

BTW this thread is in the N55 section so you may want to have it moved.

The AT transmissions is strong enough for basic bolt ons and even farther it seems, especially when it's coupled with a Transmission software flash that enhances its performance and drivability.
Level 10 is raising the stall on Terry's tranny when they do their upgrades to it. Supposedly it raises the stall by 800 RPM. I am keeping an eye on it to see how it works as it would be great to have a reliable option for more power than stock.
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      03-24-2014, 10:06 AM   #8
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If you're building a quarter mile car, higher stall is great. But for most other applications, it's got some downsides. I personally like the relatively low stall speed on the BMW auto, it feels more connected. I don't like that momentary flare up you get on autos when you're coasting on the highway and get on the gas before the converter locks up. It feels sloppy to me and I like that the 335 auto doesn't have that. My Infiniti has a stock stall of 2800 and after driving the BMW, it's very noticeable.

Raising the stall speed of the converter does nothing for transmission strength either. So I guess if you just wanted crazy hard launches, it would make sense, but not for much else. I'm not even sure how it would make sense to hit full boost before the converter locks as someone else mentioned. You'd have to raise the stall speed to an absurd rpm for that to work on a big single. Who wants a 4000 rpm stall speed? A friend used to have an 8 second Supra drag car running 1200+ whp through a GM 3 speed. I'm not sure of what his torque converter stall was, but I'm relatively sure he wasn't at full boost on launch and he was spraying nitrous on the line with a transbrake.
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      03-26-2014, 08:59 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by shadow191 View Post
If you're building a quarter mile car, higher stall is great. But for most other applications, it's got some downsides. I personally like the relatively low stall speed on the BMW auto, it feels more connected. I don't like that momentary flare up you get on autos when you're coasting on the highway and get on the gas before the converter locks up. It feels sloppy to me and I like that the 335 auto doesn't have that. My Infiniti has a stock stall of 2800 and after driving the BMW, it's very noticeable.

Raising the stall speed of the converter does nothing for transmission strength either. So I guess if you just wanted crazy hard launches, it would make sense, but not for much else. I'm not even sure how it would make sense to hit full boost before the converter locks as someone else mentioned. You'd have to raise the stall speed to an absurd rpm for that to work on a big single. Who wants a 4000 rpm stall speed? A friend used to have an 8 second Supra drag car running 1200+ whp through a GM 3 speed. I'm not sure of what his torque converter stall was, but I'm relatively sure he wasn't at full boost on launch and he was spraying nitrous on the line with a transbrake.
True very true. I know of just one guy from the Buick world who makes some kickass torque converters. Some of which act like a low stall at cruising speeds and really do work at the drag strip for some pretty large single turbo's. Look up Dusty Bradford in the turbo Buick community. Very well respected and knowledgeable in that community on those vehicles. I'm pretty sure he's worked with a variety of powertrains.

His company is PTC (Performance Torque converters) out of Alabama.
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      03-27-2014, 12:20 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JETmn View Post
Level 10 is raising the stall on Terry's tranny when they do their upgrades to it. Supposedly it raises the stall by 800 RPM. I am keeping an eye on it to see how it works as it would be great to have a reliable option for more power than stock.
He would be the first and I don't think it would really be necessary for anyone else unless they are in the same HP level.
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      03-27-2014, 01:59 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chronos6 View Post
True very true. I know of just one guy from the Buick world who makes some kickass torque converters. Some of which act like a low stall at cruising speeds and really do work at the drag strip for some pretty large single turbo's. Look up Dusty Bradford in the turbo Buick community. Very well respected and knowledgeable in that community on those vehicles. I'm pretty sure he's worked with a variety of powertrains.

His company is PTC (Performance Torque converters) out of Alabama.
I went through Dusty for my last F-Body converter, loved it! Went from a terrible, used Fuddle 3600 to a PTC 3200. Thought the stall wasnt high enough for the cam I had but the man knows his torque conveters
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      03-28-2014, 12:50 AM   #12
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I went through Dusty for my last F-Body converter, loved it! Went from a terrible, used Fuddle 3600 to a PTC 3200. Thought the stall wasnt high enough for the cam I had but the man knows his torque conveters
See thank God I'm not talking in the wind. Someone else knows him and his work. Wow nice f-body. 90's fbody I'm assuming either firebird or camaro right? I'm leaning towards firebird.
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      03-28-2014, 08:21 AM   #13
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See thank God I'm not talking in the wind. Someone else knows him and his work. Wow nice f-body. 90's fbody I'm assuming either firebird or camaro right? I'm leaning towards firebird.
That particular one was a 2000 Camaro, I've had 7 Camaros and will probably be getting another LS 4th gen shortly...I have a bit of a problem lol
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