I'm going carbureted, and a friend of mind suggested to make a Torque Converter Lockup switch (as the tech article here on TGO shows me how nice and easy). 700R4 trans with a hard kicking shift kit (only hard at WOT), corvette servos (and other corvette rebuild parts I believe), and a "heavy duty" 1800 converter.

I'd be switching it on as I cruise on the freeway, and possibly if I go to the drag strip just for fun.

I'm affraid though, about what would happen if I accidentaly for get to turn it off as I get off the freeway? is the damage instant? or is it more or less only a problem if you leave it on all the time. I did a bit of searching, but didn't find anything on this (accidentaly not switching it off), so can I assume that it is not the end of the world if that happens once or twice?

 

As soon as the brake pedal is pressed the current is cut and it automatically releases. Then when you stop and start going again you will immediatly notice that you have left it on when you start to get to 3rd or 4th gear. No damage can be done. I believe it will only lock -up in 3rd and 4th gear switched on or not. I know when mine shifts into 3rd because it will "bog" your engine down like a manual tranny would. In a nutshell no it will not cause damage. It will only engage when the brake isn't pressed, switch or no switch.

 

It will lock up in 2nd, 3rd and 4th. You'll want to unlock it under heavy acceleration though, the TCC is a tiny little thing designed to handle the load while cruising, not while accelerating quickly.

 

Guess it was 2nd and 3rd in my turbo 350. Sorry my fault. Correct though.......hard on the clutch inside the convertor when under a heavy load.

 

ahh, cool guys, thanks!



I read places that having the TCC locked up for drag racing helps the times, if I ever get into drag racing (have money, time, and possibly another car to spare) is there a "beefier" TCC lockup "device" that can withstand drag racing? or is that just a myth?

 

You could get a converter with a multi-disc clutch, like a Vigilante.