Has anyone put a converter lock-up switch in their car? IS it worth doing? And how do you wire it up?

 

The computer controls lock-up. Why mess with that? Most who install a manual switch, end up forgetting to lock the converter when they're supposed to, and overheating the 3-4 clutches.

Frank
CPT

 

I heard it pulls harder in 3rd when you lock it up.

 

Locking the converter in the quarter mile will usually slow the car down. People often make the misconception that just because it makes more HP on the dyno with the converter locked, it'll run quicker ET's. This is false...When you lock the converter in the quarter mile, it usually drags the engine RPM's down below the peak HP range...Usually slowing the car down.

Frank
CPT

 

nice to know.

 

When the torque converter is "matched" to the motor, you will always go quicker & faster with the torque converter unlocked in normally asperated motors. A good torque converter is always multipling torque, even if very little at high rpm's. Once you lock up the TC, the torque multiplication is gone, and now it is worse in the terms of HP loss than a manual transmission, etc. I have found that when someone has a manual switch to lock up the TC, they usually forget to unlock it, and it will break away at WOT, gradually taking out the TC clutch in the process. If the computer works for lockup, use it. If not there is GM vacuum switch that will work very similar to the computer for locking and automaticlly unlocking the TC, without a manual switch.

 

Like the tranny pros said, locking the converter produces better dyno numbers but nearly always worse drag strip performance.

Rich

 

dont most ls1 guys tune their autos to lock at 40-60mph or more with shift exstension or w/e it is?
ive seen some drag videos of guys locking them and it seems to pull harder

http://s97997631.onlinehome.us/temp/...2th%202006.wmv
http://s97997631.onlinehome.us/temp/...026%20970b.wmv

i think it would help more for those who run shorter gear and can pull more mph out of it