Roadblaster Stall Converters

[BLACK 346]

Anyone heard of this business (ATE Converters) or used one of these converters? Are they any good? Not particularly cheap but just curious as they sound well made in the description.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Holden-VE-Commodore-6-Ltr-6L80E-Billet-Hi-Stall-Torque-Converter-2500-RPM/141063483073?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.S EED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131017132637%26meid%3D95530 11c9ace4cbe92adacf0380e9fe3%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D 2%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D322406035461&_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042

[whitels1ss]

Absolutely everything on ebay sounds great in the description! :lmao:

Seriously, I would just stick with a well proven big name brand. :yup:

[Micks]

Rod I honestly have not heard of these stalls, it's a reasonable job to swap these out. eg. box out etc. Reckon as Ed mentioned go with a tried & true brand is my advice ;)

[white lie]

"Made to stall to 2500rpm"... behind what exactly? A standard motor? So what does it stall to behind one with a cam or one with a blower? It's all going to be a different speed depending on the torque the engine is making. More torque = higher stall speed on the same converter.

As above, get one from a tried and tested manufacturer, made to suit your combo.

You might buy that one, find it stalls at 3500-4k behind your combo and it's looser than a $2 hooker....not really what you want on a street car.

[scotty82]

Rod, give TCE a call. They will build to spec for you based on your cars setup. They were great to deal with when I got my 6L80E converter off them a few months ago.

[BLACK 346]

Rod, give TCE a call. They will build to spec for you based on your cars setup. They were great to deal with when I got my 6L80E converter off them a few months ago.

Thanks Scotty, I am pretty much 100 percent set on TCE. Did you fill out the spec form on their website when looking for the right stall? It is pretty comprehensive.

[scotty82]

I filled in the form plus I gave Jason their sales guy a call.

Good bunch of blokes to deal with.

[BLACK 346]

Got a reply from Jason at TCE, and he has recommended a 2200 stall for my car. Now after speaking with Brad he reckons I should up it to 2500. I have emailed Jason at TCE to get his thoughts on the matter and am awaiting a reply. So either way, the car is getting a stall at the end of October when Brad can fit me in, and it is definitely going to be one of TCE's stalls. I have also emailed VCM to see if the VE trans cooler (PWR) they sell will still bolt up with the PWR Intercooler out of the Magnuson kit in place.

What are poeples thoughts on the stall? 2200 or 2500? (Blown car with around 370rwkw). And also, will the car still cruise at normal revs on the highway, or will it rev higher?

[Micks]

will the car still cruise at normal revs on the highway, or will it rev higher?

Rod I don't believe the stall will affect highway driving at all.

[BLACK 346]

Rod I don't believe the stall will affect highway driving at all.

Thanks Mick :) A bloke at work told me that, I thought it sounded a bit off the mark. They only flash when you sink the slipper from what I have read, so tooling along
on the highway would just be normal revs same as a stock stall.

[white lie]

Provided it still retains lock up, it won't behave any different on the highway.

I'm not sure on the VE's (more familiar with stalls on the 4 speeds) but I'd go with 2500.

[BLACK 346]

Rod, give TCE a call. They will build to spec for you based on your cars setup. They were great to deal with when I got my 6L80E converter off them a few months ago.

You still happy with your 2200 Scott? Don't wish you had gone bigger? Need to make my mind up between the 2 :)

[scotty82]

Mine is 2200-2400 ish. The torque of the blower does affect how much the converter will "flash". Also it depends on situation like going from standstill or planting it when rolling.

In terms of bigger not really. Mine is a smoke show now that I have 18% OD and FI Interchiller etc now!!! If your going to be doing some 1/4 mile stuff or big cam then yes go higher stall.

My primary reason for aftermarket was better, stronger, quality internals etc to take the extra torque and HP. If you read the various G8, Chevy SS and Cadillac forums the converter is one of the most common failures in a 6L80E. Converter drops its guts and then the pump which is right behind it distributes the metal through everything [emoji20]

[BLACK 346]

Mine is 2200-2400 ish. The torque of the blower does affect how much the converter will "flash". Also it depends on situation like going from standstill or planting it when rolling.

In terms of bigger not really. Mine is a smoke show now that I have 18% OD and FI Interchiller etc now!!! If your going to be doing some 1/4 mile stuff or big cam then yes go higher stall.

My primary reason for aftermarket was better, stronger, quality internals etc to take the extra torque and HP. If you read the various G8, Chevy SS and Cadillac forums the converter is one of the most common failures in a 6L80E. Converter drops its guts and then the pump which is right behind it distributes the metal through everything [emoji20]

Thanks for the reply mate, you have me thinking 2200 will be the one to go with as recommended by Jason. Also, hearing you regarding smoke show lol, I just fitted some
street legal drag radials to get that under some sort of control.

[scotty82]

Don't rush your decision Rod.

Also you should get your gearbox tune altered after the stall converter installation to get the full benefit. I have played with line pressure, shift times, shift points etc.

[BLACK 346]

Don't rush your decision Rod.

Also you should get your gearbox tune altered after the stall converter installation to get the full benefit. I have played with line pressure, shift times, shift points etc.

Yeah, I have until the end of October to make up my mind. Will discuss the gearbox tune with Brad. Cheers

[Senator2015]

Hi Rod,

I bought my converter (2800 stall) from 'Converter Shop' in Brisbane. Found it perfect with the 221/221 cam.

The only negative being is that it made the car a bit 'doughey' down low, but, that is quite normal.

Can say, never had an ounce of problem with it.

[BLACK 346]

Rang Jason at TCE today and had a chat. He agreed with Brad that the 2500 would be great for my combo. So will be ordering one of these asap.
Didn't get a reply from VCM regarding the trans cooler but Brad has advised me to wait until he gets the car and he will measure up where the cooler goes and see what will fit as
not a lot of room left to play with.

[BLACK 346]

Hi Rod,

I bought my converter (2800 stall) from 'Converter Shop' in Brisbane. Found it perfect with the 221/221 cam.

The only negative being is that it made the car a bit 'doughey' down low, but, that is quite normal.

Can say, never had an ounce of problem with it.

Was having a think about your post and wondering why a stall would make your car doughy down low, I thought they would wake it up?

[white lie]

It can make it doughy on light throttle as it slips. It will wake it up if you give it enough gas to flare. Can't say I noticed much of it when I went to a big stall, guess it may come down to how tight it actually is and what parts they use in it

[whitels1ss]

It can make it doughy on light throttle as it slips.

It will wake it up if you give it enough gas to flare.

guess it may come down to how tight it actually is and what parts they use in it

Good description white lie! :goodjob:

[scotty82]

Glad you got it all sorted Rod.

Yes not much room for a tranny cooler with the front mount heat exchanger taking up more real estate.

I was lucky to be able to bolt up the GTS transcooler. Also I run the Camaro deep trans pan. The extra fluid helps keep the temps down a little.

[BLACK 346]

It can make it doughy on light throttle as it slips. It will wake it up if you give it enough gas to flare. Can't say I noticed much of it when I went to a big stall, guess it may come down to how tight it actually is and what parts they use in it

Hopefully with top mount blower as well as cam I won't have this problem.

[BLACK 346]

Glad you got it all sorted Rod.

Yes not much room for a tranny cooler with the front mount heat exchanger taking up more real estate.

I was lucky to be able to bolt up the GTS transcooler. Also I run the Camaro deep trans pan. The extra fluid helps keep the temps down a little.

Thanks Scott.
How exxy was the GTS cooler if you mind saying and where did you source it from? Might be an option if we cannot squeeze something from PWR in there.
I also have the deep pan, now have to try and source the wide mouth filter by itself (last one came with the pan from US). Anyone know if you can buy them in
Australia?

[scotty82]

Hi Rod,

I was lucky when I bought the LSA blower second hand the guy gave me the factory trans cooler. I just had to buy some adapter fittings and hose. It all bolted up to the existing factory holes.

You don't really want to block too much airflow to the heat exchanger.

I bought a tranny filter locally. I will shoot you a PM with the PN.

Cheers

[white lie]

Hopefully with top mount blower as well as cam I won't have this problem.
Boost from a top mount is arguably the best way to cure a lack of low down performance ;)

[whitels1ss]

Boost from a top mount is arguably the best way to cure a lack of low down performance ;)

But he doesn't have any lack of low down performance.

He is having big traction problems already! :burnout: :lol:

[Micks]

Rod forget about the Stall in the Calais, instead go the TR6060 M6 less boring than the A6 mate. :bow: :yup:

[BLACK 346]

Rod forget about the Stall in the Calais, instead go the TR6060 M6 less boring than the A6 mate. :bow: :yup:

Would be pretty cool, but costly I reckon Mick.

[BLACK 346]

Could be a long and painful process purchasing this converter. After speaking to TCE on the phone and agreeing that a 13" 2500 will be perfect, I asked what is your preferred method for me to purchase and pay as I am ready to do it now. He said do it via email. Sent said email 2 days ago, you got it, no reply :(
Out of the 5 emails I have sent they have replied to one, and that took about 5 days. Will give it a couple more days and then on the phone again. I just hope they are better at
making and shipping the converter than they are at customer service lol.

[scotty82]

Sorry to hear Rod.

I hope it's not the case.

[white lie]

If they didn't want my business after a week on their "preferred" method of contact, I'd probably go elsewhere. Plenty of good converter shops in Aus other than TCE

[whitels1ss]

If they didn't want my business after a week on their "preferred" method of contact,
I'd probably go elsewhere.
Plenty of good converter shops in Aus other than TCE

Yeah, I would spend my money somewhere else as well :yup:

[BLACK 346]

Sorry to hear Rod.

I hope it's not the case.

The saving grace is that when I do ring him, he answers straight away is very helpful and sounds like a bloody top bloke. It is also a public holiday for the GF there today, so this morning I
flicked him a cheeky text message saying enjoy your public holiday and enjoy watching the Crows belt Richmond. His reply was, I hope so with a smiley face lol. So he must
be a good bloke yeah? Anyway, the converter is on his build list and I will be organising payment Tuesday, as it is public holiday here Monday (to get over Crows winning). I hope ;).

[BLACK 346]

Stall converter inbound, and also ordered new filter for the trans (thanks for the link Scott). Great price as well at $44 from Brett's Trucks, Holden wanted around the $140 mark.
On another note, does anyone know off hand how much trans fluid will be needed for the refill, considering it will be drained dry I imagine?

[scotty82]

I bought 3 bottles (12L) of the Penrite LV Dexron VI approved full synthetic fluid Rod.

Capacity is about 10L but more if running a tranny cooler. Also you might want more doing a bit of a flush.

Good luck Rod.

[BLACK 346]

I bought 3 bottles (12L) of the Penrite LV Dexron VI approved full synthetic fluid Rod.

Capacity is about 10L but more if running a tranny cooler. Also you might want more doing a bit of a flush.

Good luck Rod.

Thanks Scott. I have that fluid in the box at the moment and also have a near full one sitting on the shelf that was left over from the deep pan install, so will grab another 2 x 4 litre bottles :)

[A PSYCHO]

If they didn't want my business after a week on their "preferred" method of contact, I'd probably go elsewhere. Plenty of good converter shops in Aus other than TCE

yeah i cant stand this. I emailed 5 different converter shops in the last month all using their own 'contact us' info. Dominator was the only one to even respond, and reply quickly to my further questions. Ive used them before, but the lack of replies from the others cemented Dominator as the only stallie id buy now.

[BLACK 346]

yeah i cant stand this. I emailed 5 different converter shops in the last month all using their own 'contact us' info. Dominator was the only one to even respond, and reply quickly to my further questions. Ive used them before, but the lack of replies from the others cemented Dominator as the only stallie id buy now.

I don't think converter shops are the only one to be useless with customer service. VCM have lost me as a business, absolutely bottom rate when it comes to customer service,
and I am a repeat customer on numerous cars, and have spent big coin with them. Hard to get good help these days unfortunately :(
I assume that these businesses must be so flat out and in demand that they don't need to impress anyone.

[BLACK 346]

What is considered reasonable labour wise to install the stall converter? Remove exhaust, remove box, install converter and reinstall box, reinstall exhaust? Have I missed anything?
I am supplying the converter and the trans fluid and filter.
On top of this I am pretty sure I am going to be up for flex plate (Brad at Enhanced has told me he has them in stock), but do I go an upgraded plate over stock?
Don't want to be doing this again in the near future if the flex plate breaks again.
Any advice appreciated :)

[whitels1ss]

What is considered reasonable labour wise to install the stall converter? Remove exhaust, remove box, install converter and reinstall box, reinstall exhaust? Have I missed anything?
I am supplying the converter and the trans fluid and filter.
On top of this I am pretty sure I am going to be up for flex plate (Brad at Enhanced has told me he has them in stock), but do I go an upgraded plate over stock?
Don't want to be doing this again in the near future if the flex plate breaks again.
Any advice appreciated :)

I would expect a competent mechanic should do the job in under 3 hours (with a cold engine)

[whitels1ss]

You got it in there & sorted yet Rod?

[BLACK 346]

You got it in there & sorted yet Rod?

Not yet Ed, still waiting on Brad to fit me in :(

[whitels1ss]

Not yet Ed, still waiting on Brad to fit me in :(

Damn! :thump:

[BLACK 346]

Finally it goes in tomorrow. Hopefully this sorts out all the issues. Brad is pretty confident it will. Today it died on me twice in traffic at low speed , not a nice feeling.

[whitels1ss]

Best of luck with it Rod. :cheers:

[BLACK 346]

Stall is in. Have only driven it about 10km so far, but car is totally different to drive. No more pushing against the brakes and just much easier to live with.I reckon I could throw the keys to the wife now, it is that much easier and nicer to drive. Fingers crossed all the issues I was having appear to be gone as well.

[Micks]

Hi Rod that's great news, glad it's finally all come together for you. :cheers:

[whitels1ss]

Let's hope all the warning lights stay off now mate. :yup:

[BLACK 346]

Let's hope all the warning lights stay off now mate. :yup:

Yes Ed, I think I will relax if I experience no issues over a period of a few weeks. Have to say though, that Brad has done some amazing work considering it is his first time fitting a blower from another vehicle (not a kit), to a car that was never supposed to have that particular blower and still got it all to work. You would probably have to stand and watch him from start to finish to understand what was involved.

[BLACK 346]

Hi Rod that's great news, glad it's finally all come together for you. :cheers:

Thanks Mick, hopefully it stays together now :)

[white lie]

Excellent stuff.
I'm still not sure why so many people are "anti stall" or don't think it's necessary on a cammed car. When all the combo works together instead of against itself, it makes the car so much nicer to drive!

[BLACK 346]

Excellent stuff.
I'm still not sure why so many people are "anti stall" or don't think it's necessary on a cammed car. When all the combo works together instead of against itself, it makes the car so much nicer to drive!

You are one hundred percent spot on mate, I should have done this well prior to the blower.

[A PSYCHO]

I actually placed an order for one and the tuner talked me out of it unless going a moster cam etc that 100% required one.

[whitels1ss]

Any updates Rod?

Are your problems all solved with the tuning now? :cheers:

[BLACK 346]

Any updates Rod?

Are your problems all solved with the tuning now? :cheers:

Hey Ed. Yeah, car is going great. Love the stall converter, has just made it a much nicer car all round. Also got the bottom of my front end creak as well, was sway bar. So just enjoying it all now :)

[whitels1ss]

Fantastic stuff Rod. :cheers:

[Micks]

Also got the bottom of my front end creak as well, was sway bar.

Rod, just the bushes or something else?

[BLACK 346]

Rod, just the bushes or something else?

The two main mounting bushes in the centre were loose and very dry Mick.

[BLACK 346]

Also forgot to mention, the annoying flare that It had when going from 3rd to 4th is now gone. Not sure if the stall has corrected that, or the complete fluid flush, or combo of both, but very happy that it is gone as it was very annoying.

[Micks]

Also forgot to mention, the annoying flare that It had when going from 3rd to 4th is now gone. Not sure if the stall has corrected that, or the complete fluid flush, or combo of both, but very happy that it is gone as it was very annoying.

Glad your enjoying the Calais now mate. :yup:
SOT, the fella I sold my Cal V wags to contacted me the other day to say how much he loves the vehicle.

[BLACK 346]

Well so much for just enjoying the car lol. The old P0556 is back again. Might just have to get Brad to turn this off in the tune, although it worries me that we are missing something
here. When I stand on the brakes really hard at idle it make the engine idle change ie it seems to labour. Release the brakes a fraction and it goes back to normal. I am thinking that
this suggests a vacuum leak maybe, or is it just a characteristic of the blower upsetting the brake booster pressure?

[Micks]

Brake boosters have full vac available at all times & the booster end has a one way valve to hold it during wot conditions as vac diminishes. Either there's something missing on yours compared to other FI's vehicles
or yes a simple vac leak will cause it!

[BLACK 346]

Brake boosters have full vac available at all times & the booster end has a one way valve to hold it during wot conditions as vac diminishes. Either there's something missing on yours compared to other FI's vehicles
or yes a simple vac leak will cause it!

Hey Mick. I have visually checked the hose that goes from the booster to the front of the blower and it looks ok. Interesting to note though that it has a couple of joins in it
that are secured by small cable ties (pretty sure this is factory hose). Have also replaced the brake pressure switch that plugs into the booster. Other than that I cannot see where
it would leak. I found some threads on the US forums where the blower kits over there are sold with instructions to turn this code off in the tune. I am happy for that to happen, just
not sure why the brake pedal is causing rough idle and don't want to mask a possible issue that should be properly rectified.

On another note, I have also had some hot restart issues, where I have parked the car on a hot day, come back and it won't restart without constant pumping of the throttle. Brad reckons it is the factory fuel pump causing this, so maybe time for a dual pump. On cooler days this doesn't seem to happen.

And wait there is more. One of the PEX O2 sensors that I bought about 6 months ago is already lazy. So have bought 2 genuine Delco replacements, just like Brad told me to
do in the first place lol.

[Micks]

That's interesting about switching off/suppressing the transducer mil fault. Cause were seeing heaps of these LSA conversions happening around Aus now wonder what other tuners are doing?
Can that section of vac line be replaced as one piece perhaps or is it stepped with different diameter tube?

[BLACK 346]

That's interesting about switching off/suppressing the transducer mil fault. Cause were seeing heaps of these LSA conversions happening around Aus now wonder what other tuners are doing?
Can that section of vac line be replaced as one piece perhaps or is it stepped with different diameter tube?

Good questions Mick. I will check the hose tomorrow but believe it is same diameter each end. Only thing that makes it unique I think is the bends in it to allow it to run up and
across the side of the engine. Might be worth buying a section of hose even if it only eliminates this as the cause.

[Micks]

Rod whilst low risk on your VE, can't rule out a faulty diaphragm with your booster too.

[BLACK 346]

Rod whilst low risk on your VE, can't rule out a faulty diaphragm with your booster too.

When I pull the pressure sensor switch out of the booster I get a massive rush of air, I assume this means it is working ok?

[BLACK 346]

Now here is a weird question. Every VE SS and HSV that I can find a picture of on the interweb has a brake pressure sensor switch like the old VT-VY with no electrical connection.
Mine however has an electrical plug on it. Is this normal?

[Micks]

Yes VE has them.

5157

[BLACK 346]

Yes VE has them.

5157

Hey Mick,

That looks nothing like mine. The actual sensor/valve in the Booster has an electrical connection.

[Micks]

Rod the pic is from the Delco serv repair manual which shows the G8 L/H drive. My10 our old Cal V had a tee piece prior to vac line into booster.

[BLACK 346]

Thanks Mick, mine just runs straight from the booster to the back oof the t/b

[BLACK 346]

Here is what mine looks like. L76 AFM Motor with all that obviously deleted.

[Micks]

Unfortunately the current service manuals from GM leave a lot to be desired!