Flash the converter?

Hi guys. I'm having a hard time stalling my converter (Vig 2800) any higher then 1600rpm at the track. It wants to push thru the brakes at anything higher. Someone suggested I just flash it instead. Does this sound right? Ya think it might be worth a shot? Thanks.

A converter's stall speed is not carved in stone. The stall speed depends on how much torque is put into it. The rated stall speed is only an estimate.

There's no way you'll ever stall the converter to it's maximum stall speed by using the vehicles brakes. There's just too much torque multiplication trying to turn the wheels that the vehicles brakes will never hold it.

The only way to find the true stall speed is with a transbrake. The transbrake locks the tranny in first and reverse when applied. With 2 gears locked, there is no power going out the tranny. The engine can then be brought up in rpm until the converter stalls and prevents the engine rpm from going any higher. When the transbrake button is released, the fluid is dumped from the reverse circuit and the vehicle launches forward from a high rpm.

Technically I flash my converter all the time. The converter will stall at 5700 rpm on the transbrake but I only launch at 4500. As soon as I launch, the converter flashes to 5700. This makes a slightly softer hit since there's a fraction of a second before all the power is transmitted to the wheels. That means there's a little less shock to the tires and less of a chance of spinning off the line from too much torque all at once.

Stephen 87 IROC,
Thank you for a better understanding of how a transbrake works. Do you think it would be worth a try for me to launch off idle if I have some sticky tires on? To me there seems to be something left on the table if I can only stall the converter to 1600 on the brakes. It flashes to almost 3k when playing around off idle on the street. Great for impressing your gearhead neighbors,but not much help in looking for traction.

I have a similar setup to yours with vig 2800 ,3.42 gears. I just ordered nitto drags also. Would a line lock help at all I don't think transbrakes are very practical for mostly street cars right? And bet they are expensive.

I haven't tried my car at the track with the new stall. I am deciding if want to wait until next year and make a run with hopefully some LE heads,my comp 305 and 1.6 nsa rockers and some macs and my zex wet shot.
I realize only get one run since rules are 13.5 for verts and pretty sure can easily do that with the spray never mind with the heads and cam and headers.

What times do you run on that current combo and what is your 60fts.

80TA, So far Iv'e been to the track 2 times with the new set-up. First time it had some issues and was really hot out. Ran a few 13.20's and a 13.10 with 2.0 60 ft. times. :cry: Wed. I ran 3 times, 2-12.70's, 1-12.60. with 1.8 60 ft. time. Better but I think the car can run some very low 12's with better weather and a slight improvement in the short time. :)

So nobody flashes their converter off the line. :confused:

So nobody flashes their converter off the line. :confused:

My car runs best when I flash the converter. It has Southside Machine lift bars and if I foot brake it very hard it loads the suspension and lifts the car. Then when I release the brake and hit the throttle, the suspension has nowhere to go and the car spins. My converter is a 10" TCI that should stall around 4,200 on a transbrake. By leaving on the foot brake at 1,500 the suspension can react and plant the tires.

My transmission and converter were built to handle a transbrake and I plan on putting one on.

Hope that helps.

I use to flash my 2800vig in my 93 back in the day and ran low 1.6's all day long on ET Streets and ran 12.0's / 11.9's . If you have ET streets , set the tire pressure around 14 psi , raise your idle up to 1000 and NAIL IT !! I hope this works for you ,cause it use to work for me all the time. Good luck :cool:

Steve and Mac, thank you for your help. I was going to give it a try anyways, buts it's good to hear that other people have had good results launching this way. ;)

Just go out there and try it next time your at the track...hope you times improve :)