How to choose a converter stall speed
Quite often, a person always seems to ask about what stall speed they should get when buying a new torque converter. Although there is no perfect answer, here's a chart to give a basic idea of where to start based on camshaft advertised duration and rpm operating range.
| Adv duration | Operating Range | Cruise RPM @ 60 MPH | Recommended stall speed |
| 260 | 1200-4200 | 2000-2500 | 2000-2500 |
| 266 | 1600-4600 | 2200-2700 | 2000-2500 |
| 272 | 2000-5000 | 2500-3000 | 2500-3000 |
| 274 | 2200-5200 | 2600-3000 | 3000 |
| 278 | 2400-5400 | 2700-3200 | 3000 |
| 282-286 | 3000-6000 | 3000-3500 | 3500-4000 |
| 302 | 3500-6500 | 4300-4600 | 4000-4500 |
As a general rule for street use, obtain a stall speed with a minimum of 500 rpm into the powerband. This will allow your engine to get into the area where it is designed to operate and your engine will make enough power to drive the converter into its stall speed. If the camshaft has a starting operating range of 2000 rpm, a converter minimum rating of 2500 rpm should be used etc.
Race applications require a minimum of 1000 rpm more stall up to as much as the peak torque range for all out competition. A camshaft that starts to make power at 4000 rpm needs a converter that stalls at least 5000 rpm.
A rated stall speed of a converter is not always exact. Stall speed is determined by how much torque is put into it. True stall speed can only be known by using a transbrake. A converter that stalls at 2500 rpm behind one engine may only stall at 2300 rpm behind a different engine.