Ep. 1 Torque Converters 101: A General Overview 

Me too. Good explanation after 40 years of wondering how.

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We love Al and The Skid Factory! We're definitely getting him taken care of. ;)

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Al is the best!! :)

Great question! Increasing volume and/or pressure to the torque converter will not further enhance the torque multiplication characteristics of a torque converter. In fact, if the charge pressure is too high relative to the fluid that is being fed to a torque converter, the converter will experience excess forward thrust force. This excess force is then applied against the engine thrust bearing and will lead to accelerated wear and/or outright failure of the engine thrust bearing. It's possible to achieve higher rates of torque multiplication, particularly in diesel torque converters, industrial converters, etc. The larger the diameter of the converter, the more torque multiplication the converter is technically capable of generating.

Yeah wow! Great question and answer

Thanks for your question! Yes, you can absolutely notice a difference in transmission function and performance when using a high quality ATF versus generic ATF. A purpose-built high performance (or racing) ATF is going to have unique, high quality high pressure additives in it to help the fluid perform and function properly at the higher line pressures typically associated with most performance-oriented automatic transmissions. These additives help contribute to improved shift firmness and feel, as well as faster clutch pack and band application. These high quality fluids also future unique friction modifier additives, all of which help provide improved lubricity for bearings, bushings, thrust washers, and seals, all while helping to reduce slippage when clutch packs and bands are being applied. Finally, a properly designed high quality ATF will have a much wider viscosity index with a higher temperature threshold before experiencing breakdown of the additive packages within the fluid. This means that in an environment where a transmission is being driven aggressively or needing to operate properly at elevated temperatures, the high quality ATF is going help the transmission live in such an environment. Thanks to the higher temperature properties typically associated with a high quality ATF, the transmission will have less chance of glazing or burning the friction materials, as well as less chance of damaging wear components such as bushings, thrust washers, sealing rings, and seals. Our Xtreme Racing Synthetic Type F fluid that is manufactured specifically for Hughes Performance by High Performance Lubricants features all of these necessary additive packages (and more), all of which add up to one of the highest performing, highest quality fluids currently available in the aftermarket.

Please subscribe to our channel. We have an upcoming episode that dives into stall speed and explains exactly what that means. If you have any specific questions or information you'd like to know, please let us know. We're happy to help!!

Torque multiplication diminishes as RPM increases due to a change in vortex flow within the converter. Torque multiplication occurs as a result of additional fluid drive force being generated by the stator against the inner impeller fins. We recommend viewing the rest of the series, as we talk about all of this more in depth. 😉