I've been chasing a vibe problem for some time now. Here's the symptoms: starts at 60mph/2000 rpm,sometimes persists through 65mph/2300 rpm. Feels more like a buzzing than an actual vibration and only happens when the car is in OD and the TC is locked. Here's what has been checked: all mounts,driveshaft,U joints,rear end,pinion angle,tires and wheels,bearings,harmonic balancer. The transmission has also been checked but I suspect that the torque converter could still be the cause. The fluid is bright red and has no burnt smell and no signs of any metal in the pan or filter. I previously disconnected the TCC lockup to check if the converter was the cause but I may have had more than one vibe problem at that time. I'm giving serious thought to swapping the TC in the hopes of it curing the problem but I don't want to go back with the same OEM TC I currently use. I've heard of a GM piece that is found in the newer model S10 trucks(L31) and have heard good things about it. Does anyone have the part number for this converter? Also,has anyone had a similar experience with this sort of problem? What did you do to fix it?

 

I'm having the same problem with mine too. When the car had 120,000 miles on it, it started doing that. I had the trans. rebuilt, the friend who rebuilt it said it was the converter and the problem was common in high mileage cars. Well I've got 84,000 miles on that rebuild and the problem is back. It's almost like running over a rub board in OD with the TC locked and under a slight load like going up a shallow grade hill. It can be driven through which I believe unlocks the converter, or you have to back out of the power a bit to get it to stop. Some of the High Perf. converter manufacturers say they use a larger TCC clutch to combat this but I wonder if it could also be another problem causing low fluid pressure to the TCC clutch. The replacement TC my friend used was a GM part. He is an excellent trans guy and specializes in the 700R4, so I trust his work.

 

That's exactly what I'm going through with mine right down to the slight grade and backing out of the power. Now,if I can just get the part number for that torque converter I'll be set. It's supposed to be for a 4.3 S10 (L31) which is supposed to stall around 21-2200 on a 5.0. Anyone know about this converter?

 

I donno I think I'm going to stay away from GM and try one of the performance models. I hear a high stall 12" unit is really not too good on the street.

 

This converter is an updated version of the Corvette converter. It stalls around 2100 and is an all new piece where the Corvette is remanufactured.