Stall converter "flash" rpm
 

I've got a transmission specialties 10 inch 3000 stall converter that flashes to 3800 in drive while cruising at 55-60mph before it pulls. Footbrake flash stall is about 3200. (it's hard to tell cause it burns the tires) It pulls hard if I stay in it through the gears. Is this just a loose converter? Am I overpowering the converter? Is it maybe a trans problem? Just seems like lost forward momentum. (3500 lb car, 450-475hp small block, th350,4:11,28 inch drag radial) Thanks in advance.

If you have a manuel valve body you can put your trans in high gear while sitting still holding the brake, you should be able to get 90% of the stall out to see where your stall is. If your getting any tire spin when you flash the converter its hard to tell what the converter is really stalling. If it will stall between 2700 and 3300 in high gear everything is probably ok.

Thanks, but I don't have a manual valve body. I just thought the converter should be more locked in at that rpm and in that gear. I used to have car with a lower stall and never really noticed this flash stall in drive. Am I trying to fix something that isn't broke?

The stall rpm will depend on the motor it is hooked to. A motor with more will stall more. Normally when you buy a converter say a 3000 it usually will only stall about 2200-2500 off the footbrake, but will flash to the 3000 when you hit the gas. You just don't want to hit the gas hard enough to make it tire spin...

When I footbrake stall it is 3200 when I feel the tires start to push. If I footbrake launch it, it burns the tires and is hard to tell what rpm it flash stalls. Thanks for the advice.

Is that 3200 in Low gear or high gear. A 3500 stall converter will normally stall about 2500 to 2600 in low gear and 3200 to 3300 in high gear. Stalling your engine in high gear allows you to keep the car from pushing since you have the gear ratio helping you. If you can stall you car 3200rpm in low gear your converter is probably over 4000 stall converter. It maybe more than you want for the street. If it stalled 3200 in high gear its probably right on the money.

It's in first at 3200. Should I have the converter rebuilt to match my engine combo or buy a new one?

It depends, Transmission Specialities should be able to tighten it up some, since its a 10inch. They make really good converters. I don't think its broke or that anything is wrong, otherthan you just have a 4000 stall converter, not a 3000 stall. Me personally I think 4000 on the street is to much. You either need a lower stall or your going to have to run slicks 24-7.