tC high stall torque converter

[TheQuietThings]

hey everyone, i have just recently bought a new Scion tC, 4A.
its a really nice car with lots of pep, but not enough for me.
The reason i go the automatic tranny, is because i live in NYC, and theres no way i'd be able to deal with all the shifting. with that said, i know that i need a high stall torque converter before i want to add any real power. The tC shares the same 2.4L engine as the Camry [2AZ].
Does this mean that if i find a high stall torque converter for the camrywith that 2AZ engine, that it will bolt right onto the tC? if not, are there any places where i can buy a high stall torque converter for my car? Thanks for your help guys, i appreciate everything.

[curtis73]

I would assume yes. They share almost everything else, but a toyota shop manual or the dealer could tell you better.

How far are you going? You would probably have to go a pretty long way with engine mods before a TC change would be necessary.

[TheQuietThings]

hey thanks for the reply
well, there are turbo kits already out for the tC putting 330whp to the front wheels on the manual, so that would be around ... 285-290 on the automatic. [stock tCs come with 132 at the wheels] if i add a CAI and Catback theres 300whp [ thats my goal ].
i've heard that the auto tranny cant hold more than 220whp [corrent me if i am wrong]. thanks for all the help, talk to you soon.
Chris

[MagicRat]

A really good trans shop that can rebuild converters should be able to modify yours.
The basics are pretty simple.
Rebuilding a converter involves cutting the weld around the circumference of the converter and replacing the bearings etc inside. They can reduce the pitch of the impellers, which will increase the stall, yet leave the lock-up mechanism intact for highway mileage.

[TheQuietThings]

awesome.
thanks for the reply.
I do apologize for not knowing a whole lot about automatic transmissions and torque converters. So if i can find a reputiable shop that knows what to do with torque converters that can handle that much power, they will be able to modify my current TC? that would be really good. Thanks for all the info guys. ttys

[curtis73]

Originally Posted by TheQuietThings

hey thanks for the reply
well, there are turbo kits already out for the tC putting 330whp to the front wheels on the manual, so that would be around ... 285-290 on the automatic. [stock tCs come with 132 at the wheels] if i add a CAI and Catback theres 300whp [ thats my goal ].
i've heard that the auto tranny cant hold more than 220whp [corrent me if i am wrong]. thanks for all the help, talk to you soon.
Chris

A higher stall converter isn't used to increase the transmission's power holding capability, its used to match the torque curve of an engine to the rest of the driveline. Since you aren't modifying the stock engine internals, you don't need to change the TC at all. You should change it if you are going to race since you will want full boost at a standstill, but for a street car its more than OK where it is.

Higher stall converters also add tons more heat to the transmission which will kill it in very short order. I would have the transmission completely rebuilt with new shift points, line pressures, and performance clutches or it won't survive with much power beyond stock. In that rebuild you can specify whatever stall you want in the TC, but chances are it should be close to stock.

[TheQuietThings]

thats awesome, im learning more and more as i read.
so you said i would just need some stronger internal parts for the TC? , and yes youre right, i would keep my stall close to stock, as i do need this for a daily driver. i just want to make sure my TC will be ok for at least 7 years. If/when i get the turbo installed, im not always going to be running high boost, maybe 4-5lbs. But when i see the punk on the street who thinks they are gonna shit all over me, i want him to shit himself, and thats when ill run on higher boost. [ I live in Staten Island NYC, and there are a lot of punks here who drive like assholes.] Anyways, thanks for everything, and when i get the TC built up ill let you know how things went. Thanks again, ttyl
Chris