Stock or low stall converter??

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Stock or low stall converter??

Postby Ramcharger87 » Tue Nov 01, 2016 10:46 am

Hi folks,

My Cummins powered Ramcharger is slowly taking shape. It's been a painfully slow process. Not because of the swap itself (that's been amazingly easy!!), but because of the blasted heat this summer! At least the Cummins is in and running! Anyway, my question revolves around the torque converter for the A518 (46RH). It's my understanding that the stocker is a bit on the loosy-goosy side... i.e: fairly high stall speed.

My 5.9L is stock, albeit a slight bump in fuel and timing and the HE-341 from my 03 Cummins Ram is sitting in place of the MIA H1C. Axle gearing is 4.10. Tires are 37 x 12.50's. Finished vehicle weight with the 1-ton axles, Cummins drivetrain and 37's is calculated to be right at 5900-6000lbs.

Vehicle usage will be everything from semi-daily driving to wilderness camping to moderate off-roading to zombie apocalypse bug-out vehicle.

For those in the know, would the stock converter be a good choice for my rig or would a low-stall version be more appropriate?

Thanks everyone!
1987 Dodge RamCharger, 1-ton axles, 4-inch suspension lift, 35's and soon to be, a 1993 5.9L CDT / Getrag 360 / NP-205 combo.
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Re: Stock or low stall converter??

Postby fatty » Tue Nov 01, 2016 12:29 pm

With a mostly stock engine and a small turbo like you have, a lower than stock stall will be a good idea.

If you haven't already chosen a company to buy the converter from I recommend Phil Taylor of dieselperformanceconverters.com.
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Re: Stock or low stall converter??

Postby PToombs » Tue Nov 01, 2016 4:32 pm

Stock converters are almost as good as junk. Go with a low stall converter, you won't regret it!
pete

Just enough power to break everything behind the crankshaft.
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Re: Stock or low stall converter??

Postby Ramcharger87 » Tue Nov 01, 2016 8:16 pm

Thanks guys. That's kinda what I've been gathering from my research, but figured I'd ask the experts. lol
1987 Dodge RamCharger, 1-ton axles, 4-inch suspension lift, 35's and soon to be, a 1993 5.9L CDT / Getrag 360 / NP-205 combo.
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Re: Stock or low stall converter??

Postby Ramcharger87 » Wed Nov 02, 2016 10:16 am

I looked on dieselperformanceconverters.com but I didn't see a non-lockup converter. I contacted them to see what they offer.
1987 Dodge RamCharger, 1-ton axles, 4-inch suspension lift, 35's and soon to be, a 1993 5.9L CDT / Getrag 360 / NP-205 combo.
Ramcharger87
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Re: Stock or low stall converter??

Postby fatty » Wed Nov 02, 2016 12:13 pm

Yeah I don't think they've ever had it on the website for some reason. They do sell them though, I know that as I have one. Also thehungrydiesel.com is a dealer for Phil Taylor.
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Re: Stock or low stall converter??

Postby Ramcharger87 » Fri Nov 04, 2016 8:46 am

Well, so far I haven't heard back from dieselperformanceconverters.com. Guess I'll have to call them and see what's up.

Also, I guess I'm suffering from a case of sticker shock after looking at some other converters. $700 for a low-stall, non-lockup seems like a lot for non much, or am I missing something??
1987 Dodge RamCharger, 1-ton axles, 4-inch suspension lift, 35's and soon to be, a 1993 5.9L CDT / Getrag 360 / NP-205 combo.
Ramcharger87
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Re: Stock or low stall converter??

Postby fatty » Fri Nov 04, 2016 1:12 pm

Definitely give them a call, you won't be sorry. I think they charge right around 500 for their converter.
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Re: Stock or low stall converter??

Postby Ramcharger87 » Sat Nov 05, 2016 5:50 am

I'll have to see if they are open today (Sat) or not, but even $500 seems high. It's just, from my hot-rod days, I had to pay a premium for a higher-stall (4000rpm) converter to match my cam/heads/weight/gearing, etc. Now I'm looking a premium for what is essentially a stock converter for a gasser. Wasn't expecting that.

My local diesel mechanic (a Cummins Master Tech) deals with a trans shop out of Cleveland, OH that offers low-stall (1200-1300) and medium stall (1500-1600) modified stock converters with 3-year warranty for $150.00 plus your stocker for a core. That is more in line with what I was expecting and basically the same thing (product and warranty) being offered by the big-name guys at 4X the money.

Bill has never led me astray before and he recommends these guys wholeheartedly, so I may give them a try.
1987 Dodge RamCharger, 1-ton axles, 4-inch suspension lift, 35's and soon to be, a 1993 5.9L CDT / Getrag 360 / NP-205 combo.
Ramcharger87
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Re: Stock or low stall converter??

Postby Ramcharger87 » Sat Nov 05, 2016 1:17 pm

I heard back from dieselperformanceconverters. $695. I'll figure something out over the weekend.
1987 Dodge RamCharger, 1-ton axles, 4-inch suspension lift, 35's and soon to be, a 1993 5.9L CDT / Getrag 360 / NP-205 combo.
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Re: Stock or low stall converter??

Postby ellis93 » Sat Nov 05, 2016 7:36 pm

Ramcharger87 wrote:I'll have to see if they are open today (Sat) or not, but even $500 seems high. It's just, from my hot-rod days, I had to pay a premium for a higher-stall (4000rpm) converter to match my cam/heads/weight/gearing, etc. Now I'm looking a premium for what is essentially a stock converter for a gasser. Wasn't expecting that.

My local diesel mechanic (a Cummins Master Tech) deals with a trans shop out of Cleveland, OH that offers low-stall (1200-1300) and medium stall (1500-1600) modified stock converters with 3-year warranty for $150.00 plus your stocker for a core. That is more in line with what I was expecting and basically the same thing (product and warranty) being offered by the big-name guys at 4X the money.

Bill has never led me astray before and he recommends these guys wholeheartedly, so I may give them a try.

If it's transtar......look elsewhere. They're not that great.
93 D250 ,5 speed,4.11s,k&n autometer tach pyro trans boost guages,GDS 60mm h1c 14cm,honed 5x10,hplp/reg,1/8 timing,M+H M2 fuel pin, tims cooler tubz
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Re: Stock or low stall converter??

Postby Ramcharger87 » Tue Nov 08, 2016 8:25 am

Transtar they are, but it doesn't matter. The low-stall versions are discontinued.
1987 Dodge RamCharger, 1-ton axles, 4-inch suspension lift, 35's and soon to be, a 1993 5.9L CDT / Getrag 360 / NP-205 combo.
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Re: Stock or low stall converter??

Postby dazedandconfused » Tue Nov 08, 2016 10:48 am

I'm pretty sure that's what's in both of my trucks. Bright blue convertor that ain't worth a sthi.
Big Andy
1983 Dodge D150 that has been repowered with a 93 Cummins/518 running gear AKA The Ugly Duck! I would much rather build them then buy them.[
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Re: Stock or low stall converter??

Postby ellis93 » Tue Nov 08, 2016 11:21 am

That's because they're nothing but a stock converter with a billit cover in most instances. They run about 250$ with the cover and go up from there. They do have multiple disc versions......but with the quality of the billit covered,I'd pass.

From the looking I've done dpc is about the best bang for the buck your going to get. Also comparing them to a gas job converter is like comparing apples to oranges.......to totally different animals in cases of torque handling and size.
93 D250 ,5 speed,4.11s,k&n autometer tach pyro trans boost guages,GDS 60mm h1c 14cm,honed 5x10,hplp/reg,1/8 timing,M+H M2 fuel pin, tims cooler tubz
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Re: Stock or low stall converter??

Postby Ramcharger87 » Tue Nov 08, 2016 12:23 pm

Oh I know "comparing" gas and diesel converters is apples to oranges as far as torque capacity and size is concerned. I was comparing merely basic function.

A stock gas converter "stalls" anywhere around 900-1300 rpm, depending on application. When you have a warmed-over V-8, say a 360 Chrysler small-block

with a cam that is just starting to get a lope in the idle and requiring a 4-barrel carb, dual-plane intake and headers, you end up spending extra money for a

converter in the 1900-2300 rpm stall range.

It just seems a little odd that with these diesel converters, you pay the extra money to go in the opposite direction.

A manual trans (I wish!) would sure have solved all this, but they seem rare as hens teeth around here. Would love an NP-4500 or NP-5600 for this project, but that

opens up a new (and much more expensive) can of worms!

I'll make this 518 a star. It's just finding out the "best" way to do it. That's where you all come in. I appreciate all the input so far!
1987 Dodge RamCharger, 1-ton axles, 4-inch suspension lift, 35's and soon to be, a 1993 5.9L CDT / Getrag 360 / NP-205 combo.
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