my camaro does not have the ecm to control lockup now. i know there is lockup kits that can be installed inside the trans. i want to replace my old stock converter with a street/strip type that is non lockup. if i make the change can the trans remain untouched without the lockup kit installed. what did i accomplish by doing this. did i convert my 700r4 to a non lockup and will the trans shift to all speeds as long as i adjust the tv cable.

 

The lockup is electronically controlled in a 700R4. Contrary to popular belief it's the only thing that is. To 100% convert to non-lockup there is a valve in the pump that should be changed to a non-lockup style valve. But, without electrical input you are not going to see lockup regardless of what torque converter is in the car. The non-lockup valve may have an effect on pump pressure, which is why it is recommended. For an absolute ruling ask Dana at Pro-Built. He sent me the valve along with the rebuild kit and converter when I did my trans.

Your trans will shift fine as long as the TV is adjusted properly regardless on whether or not the lockup is working.

BTW, I was just in San Antonio about six weeks ago. That was the second time I went, and it's still a fun city for a vacation. Great Tex Mex!

 

hey thanks, so dana has a the valve spring, kit and converter to convert my trans. now if i leave everthing the way it is and adjust the tv cable, then everthing is o.k. the trans wont overheat. try to plan your next visit during late april for fiesta.
i really liked the small town atmosphere of newark.

 

The trans shouldn't overheat because the lockup is deleted, unless you have a high stall converter. The converter only generates heat when it slips. It reaches a point at a certain RPM where is locks up due to the fluid shear dynamics inside the converter (this is the stall speed), whether there's a lockup clutch or not. As long as your cruising RPM is close to the converter's stall speed there's not much slipping, and thus not much heat. For example, if you have a stock converter they typically stall around 2,000 RPM. In a 700R4 with a 3.27 rear gear(from your info) you are probably turning at least 2,000 RPM while cruising, probably more if you are running 75-80MPH like everyone seems to do today (myself included; I'm not being judgemental!). So if your cruise RPM is at or above the converter's stall speed it is in effect locked up anyway. No slip equals no heat, so you're good.

The lockup function was added mainly in increase CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) of all the cars GM was building. It may only offer a slight increase, but when they used the saem trans in trucks and cars across the various lines it made an aggragate difference that boosted their CAFE numbers. The lockup might be worth 1-1.5 MPG in the real world, so it isn't all that important. Cars ran without lockup for decades using the same cooling technology that's in your car. If trans overheating and failure was a problem the OEMs would have done something about it to reduce their liability from warranty claims.

BTW, I was there for Fiesta! It was a blast. We ate and drank and had a great time. I rented a Porsche 911 cabriolet so we could cruise around (very frivilous, but a lot of fun too, and it made that trip to Corpus Christi a joy instead of a PITA!).