I was wondering if anyone saw the ad in (I think it was this magazine) Chevy High Performance for the delayed torque converter lock up wire harness by 'Shiftrite'? I check out the website given (www.shiftrite.com), but it doesn't say a lot about it. Just wondering if anybody knows anything more about it and/or thinks it's a decent, cheap mod to do. I know that some chips do the same thing, but most, from what I've read on here aren't quite up to snuff.
Thanks for any insight.
'92 rs, v6, 700r4

 

A delayed torque convertor lockup only gives the "illusion" of more power. Here's the deal. Our engines, being car engines, have mid-to-high RPM "powerbands"- the RPM range where the camshaft makes the most power.

When the torque convertor is unlocked in 2nd/3rd/4th (2/D/OD) gears, the RPMs are raised by a few hundred. This gives the feeling of a faster, more reponsive car. Plus, with an unlocked TC, there's some slippage, so the engine also rev's a bit faster.

When the torque convertor is locked, all slippage (okay, well, maybe 98%) in the torque convertor is eliminated. Engine RPM's drop down a couple hundred. The car feels a big sluggish, because of the lowered RPM's and no TC-slip. However, with a locked TC, the engine puts more power to the wheels, since nothing's lost to slippage (and heat).

So, it might be a decent mod if you like to zip around town; the delay takes into account throttle position as well as road speed. But, if you race at the track, you might not want it.

Want to do it for free? The TCC solenoid will unlock when you tap the brakes. Keep your right foot constant on the gas, and tap the brakes- just enough to put the brake lights on, but not enough to slow the car down. You'll feel the RPM's raise as the TC unlocks.

Want to do it cheap? Rig a pushbutton switch to the TCC solenoid control line at the brake pedal. I'm thinking of doing this myself. Sometimes I'll pass someone just by unlocking my TC. If I had a button, they wouldn't see brake lights as I go by 'em.

Riding with the TC unlocked all the time isn't good- a locked TC reduces trans heat, and increases gas mileage. Locking the TC constantly isn't good either (you can do a forced-lockup switch for track-use only), as it's hard on the trans. In this case, the chip or Shiftrite harness is a good medium. http://www.CraneCams.com used to sell one a while ago; they might still have it. I think http://www.bmracing.com might have one, too.



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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

Thanks Tomp..............I checked out those websites. Crane is having a closeout special on their brand of harness for $17 (reg. $34). B&M racing has a switch mechanism to use. I'm still a little unsure......just something to ponder. I use my car mainly for daily commuting fun. I had thought that maybe trying one of these and advancing the timing some might add a little more fun to the drive. Makes me wonder though about tranny life. Mine has approx. 111k on it with no trouble. I've adjusted the tv cable as I've read from some posts on here, and it does quite well. The fluid has been changed regularly, just want to keep it going for as long as I can.
Thanks again

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I don't know, being passed by someone with their brake lights on would cheese me off

 

LOL.............

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1992 camaro rs....3.1 v6....700r4.....modified air intake and tb bypass. Fun car to drive!

 

Tom, would doing the brake thing work at the track? A few friends with their 4 gen T/A's and me with my little 6 are most likely to a local drag strip in the next week or so. All tips and tricks would be appreciated. Thanks

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2.8 mpfi
My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series
check my home page for pics

 

When you have the pedel mashed to the floor the TC is unlocked.So rigging it to "stay" unlocked for the drag strip is pointless.

The TC doesn't engage until your at a steady speed.Like cruising the highway.When you put the pedel down to pass someone(enough to disengage the TC)it wll unlock.Going up hills,it'll unlock.
I remember when I had my first encounter with a locking TC I thought I had just bought a real jewel It was an 82 Olds Cutlass.T-Tops,power everything,console shift,factory guage cluster with tach,etc,etc...I went to Lancaster Ohio to get this thing.It took me a tank of gas and a quart of oil in my 81 Olds w/400ci chevy to get there
After I got the car and was bringing it to it's new home,driving on 33(I think)when I'd go up hill I felt a "shift"and the speed picked up.I thought"What the hell was that?"It done this all the way home.When I'd press the pedel to the floor it would down shift what felt like twice.
I call the dealer who sold it to me and complained.Damn if I didn't feel like an *** when he told me it had a lockup TC

To get back to the subject......... For the track you could wire a switch in to lock the converter.But it will cause an early failure to the TC with constant use.I have thought about doing this but still not sure about how to run it.I know if your siting at a red light and lock the TC you'll stall the engine.So,say I'm at the track,the light has just turned green and I'm already pass it.I'm coming up to the end of the concret pad where my RS normaly hits 2nd.When would I lock the TC?

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The next time you think your perfect,try walking on water!

[This message has been edited by Kevin S (edited August 22, 2001).]

 

Yeah, Kevin's right, you want to force the torque convertor INTO lockup at the track, not out of it.

Kevin, the car won't stall when you come to a stop. It's "physically" impossible for the TC to lock in first; there's certain fluid passages that aren't open. Even with a lockup switch turned "on", the TCC won't engage if you're idling (or brake-standing) in 1st gear.

So when you roll up to the christmas tree, click your TC-lockup switch on. Do your brakestand, and when the light drops to green, race as normally (gas/shift/etc). When your trans shifts into second, it'll be harsher than normal, and it almost feels like the engine's digging in. When you slow down for a stop, the TCC unlocks as soon as the trans leaves second gear.

The instructions are in the Technical Articles section of thirdgen.org's main page.

I did a cool home-made handle for mine. I took a spare computer power cord, and cut both ends off. I bought a black rocker switch from Radio Shack that mounts into a round hole. Then, I cut off a scrap of 3/4" heater hose, about 5 inches long. I soldered two of the power cord wires to the switch, and put the heater hose scrap over the wire. The rocker switch fit the hose perfectly. I then plugged the other end of the wires into the ALDL. It gives me a handle for the switch; and I wrap the excess cord around the base of the steering wheel.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

Ok,I just read that wrong. So I want it to LOCK at the track... right?


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2.8 mpfi
My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series
check my home page for pics

 

Ok... well, let's see if anyone can guess my problem since we're talking tranny...

When I drive around in my Cougar,once the car warms up, and everything has a chance to get hot, I'll pull up to a stoplight and my oil pressure starts to drop, along with my revs.

However, if I rev it up with the brake pushed in, it'll even out. It also goes back to normal when I put it in park or nuetral. So, I'm guessing I'm having a torque converter lockup problem....

Any ideas?

 

hi again.........this is a response from an inquiry i made last night to shiftrite thru their tech section on their web site. just thought i'd add it here:

Hi Tom The Shift Rite is designed for everyday driving. Shift Rite
actually extends the life of the converter by saving thousands of lock ups
the torque converter is presently doing while driving in city traffic. You
don't need lock-up under 45 M.P.H. in city driving but on the highway it is
great for gas savings. Shift Rite does not harm the transmission or alter
shifts in any way. Go to Shiftrite.com for more info. I hope I answered your
questions and if you have any others just ask.

Thanks for Asking
RICK
Automotion Inc.

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1992 camaro rs....3.1 v6....700r4.....modified air intake and tb bypass. Fun car to drive!