Valuable Insights Into Torque Converter Technology From Hughes Performance
The torque converter technology implemented in modern automatic transmissions has gone through decades of modifications and improvements, becoming an extremely efficient solution for smooth transmission of torque from the engine to the drive wheels. There is, however, a lot of misunderstandings related to torque converters, their operation and maintenance peculiarities not only among racers or auto enthusiasts, but also among young and inexperienced technicians. It is not a problem to find some basic info about torque converters on the internet, but there are not so many reliable sources, which provide structured and visual data on this piece of automotive engineering. Fortunately, experts from Hughes Performance came up with a series of educational videos, providing insights into the main features, operation principles, and peculiarities of torque converters with a focus on performance-oriented applications.
The whole series named “Torque Converters 101” includes 7 episodes, in which the host Pete Nichols describes different aspects of automotive torque converters in easy-to-understand terms - from general overview of this technology and its design peculiarities to stall speed characteristic, torque converter ballooning, and its installation details.
Become familiar with basics of torque converter technology
The first 20-minute video explains the torque
converter design, its structural components, and some principles of operation. From
the pump seal to the cover that bolts to the engine, Pete covers every
component that makes up a torque converter and explains its function in a clear
and concise way.
Pete Nichols talks
about lock-up torque converters
In the 2-nd video you will learn about lock-up torque converters from the OEM perspective and how the lock-up technology contributes to increased fuel efficiency, basically acting like a manual transmission clutch.
Pete Nichols takes a
closer look at the various one way clutch variants
If in the first 2 episodes Pete talks about
general construction of the torque converter and some basic operating theory,
and functioning of the lock-up technology, the 3-rd episode revolves around the
topic of one-way stator clutches in torque converters. In this episode you will
learn about different variations of this clutch, their functioning
peculiarities, and other interesting material.
Pete Nichols talks about
different types of stator designs used in performance-oriented torque converters
In the next video, we take a closer look at
different types of stator designs used in performance-oriented torque converter
builds, materials used in stator design and construction (aluminum, steel,
billet aluminum, fabricated steel) as well as their performance capacities and
tuning flexibility.
Amazing video about torque converter stall speed
The 5-th episode addresses such an interesting
characteristic of torque converters as stall speed. In this video you will
learn the correct definition of this mysterious term and its variability in
torque converters depending on their field of application. The thing is that
stall speed is not a fixed number and there are several factors that contribute
to the maximum amount of stall speed that can be achieved with the torque
converter: torque output of the engine, the vehicle weight, the gearing in the
rear axle, the rear tire diameter (or front tire diameter in case with a
front-wheel drive vehicle), and gear ratio. This video will certainly help you
to dispel numerous misconceptions surrounding stall speed and torque converter
functions.
Pete Nichols explains
the issue of torque converter ballooning
The pre-last episode will address the issue of
torque converter ballooning. Here you will learn more about this problem in
racing torque converters, its possible consequences, and about anti-ballooning
properties used in Hughes Performance converters.
In the final episode, Pete Nichols will explain how to properly install a torque converter into an automatic transmission. All in all, thanks to this brilliant series of extremely helpful and informative videos provided by Hughes Performance, all admirers of automotive engineering will be able to fill in their knowledge gaps on the torque converter technology.
