'stall speed' is simply when the engine RPM gets as high as the torque converter will let it. Remember, when the engine is spinning it's churning fluid in the torque converter.

 

note that Saturn automatics don't use planetary gears, they have a manual-transmission like setup with clutch packs instead of sliders and synchros. Blew my mind the first time I saw the insides of one - I kept thinking "How come nobody else does this?"

 

that's pretty cool too bad Saturn's mechanicals are getting binned in favour of standard-issue GM guts going into their Saturn platforms from now on...

 

That sounds like the torque converter is governing the engine speed. Is not the stall speed the RPM that the engine would have to be at for the torque converter to generate enough force to overcome the resistance the car places on the drive train and start moving the vehicle forward? Not that the torque converter moves the vehicle alone, but its like a liquid clutch. A friend of mind had a '79 camaro with a 2 speed powerglide tranny, and a 2500 RPM stall speed converter. The engine wasn't limited to revving past 2500RPMs, but the car could be in gear and wouldn't launch until the RPMs were at 2500. Anyone buying in on this?

 

Nope. You test stall speed by stepping HARD on the brakes and flooring the throttle to check what maximum RPM the torque converter lets the engine reach before fluid drag gets too great.

 

Another thing I thought that was cool about saturn trasmissions was the spin on filter, why isn't this used on all auto transmissions?? I could never figure out why they put the filter inside the pan. My sister had a 93 honda civic auto and it didn't even have a filter! I'm guessing thats why honda doesn't have a very good reputation for reliable auto tranys.