Whats a torque converter? what does it do? how much HP? how much does it cost?

I tried searching but didnt find anything

 

its for automatic cars, it allows you to load up the tranny on the line to a perscribed rpm (stall speed) so you can launch. i.e 4300 stall converter

 

And theyre expensive. Don't add any more hp, but allow you to put your hp down more effectively.

 

Torque converters exist in every auto tranny... not just aftermarket ones.

Don't know the EXACT function... but basically the converter is a fluid coupler between the engine and tranny. The fluid in the converter allows the device to spin the tranny using the engine's power.

When the engine is idling, the low amount of fluid prevents the transfer of 100% of the tq created to the tranny, as the engine's rpm increases, it pumps fluid to the converter, which allows it to transfer more torque to the tranny/wheels.
On stock cars, it attempts to transfer max tq at the rpm to the tranny at 1200-1900 rpm.

An aftermarket converter that has a 'high stall speed' allows the tq converter to continue 'sapping' the engine's torque as high as 5000rpm if built that way... allowing the converter to slip until then... giving the ability to launch at higher that normal rpm.

Fluid pumps into the converter to

 

thanks guys