justinschmidt9

Just curious if anyone has positive results from locking the converter in second gear?

Ive heard that locking at the beginning of third is supposed to be good for a couple tenths and mph....

anyone experiance this?

AutoRoc

I did it with a nitrous setup that had WAY too much stall It was worth about .4 and 5mph...haha. I don't reccomend it. I also melted a a plug because the engine was "bogged" so much.

Circle-D

iTrader: (21)

Locking the converter can net you better ET's. It depends on the torque curve and how the converter is setup. A few things to consider. The converter has to be built to take a WOT lock-up - this means multi disk. Secondly having lock up on during a shift is not recommended.

Chris

mike13

iTrader: (27)

Can you change your lock up speed without using HP tuner or EFIlive? Can a trans shop alter that info?

justinschmidt9

My converter and trans is built to handle it.

justinschmidt9

As far as I know its electronicaly controlled and needs to be adjusted in a tune or you can run a switch

Circle-D

iTrader: (21)

Then I would suggest some TNT. Play with multiple settings to see which is the fastest.

Chris

Circle-D

iTrader: (21)

If the computer is controlling the trans, that is the only way to change it.

Chris

12secSS

iTrader: (30)

On a properly setup converter for your application, you will actually loose performance. If you gain anything, it shows the converter to be a mismatch to your setup.

performabuilt

iTrader: (25)

No transmission is built to handle being locked during a shift , As stated it is not suggested .
The results could be the rough equivalent of beating on the case with a 20 pound sledge hammer

9000th01ss

iTrader: (10)

Thats typically what breaks input drums. Where the input shaft goes into the drum.
Add a converter with no damening springs and it'll break sooner. Use a converter with springs, it might break the converter.
A few more reasons it's not recommended.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

^^^so you would only lock it in the last gear of the run after the last shift of the run?? and cross the traps with it locked?

9000th01ss

iTrader: (10)

Correct, it's not recommended to shift with a locked converter.

If you have HP Tuners or something you can lock it temp and drive easy down the road. After that you'll understand why it's bad. Slam shifts, solid connection between trans and engine.

justinschmidt9

Even with the perfect converter it would still seem like the converter should lock up in third at some point to regain the lost power since the rpms will be up in the sweet spot anyway.

justinschmidt9

I actually dont have a ls1, I have a 96 GT, procharged, 3.73s, 3600 stall, long tubes, handfull of other BS.

I come here because for some reason theres very little auto/ stall converter discussion on the stang forums.


I guess the only real way to get any answers is testing differant setups.

Of course all the real time should be made in the 60 foot time....I wont know what its capable of untill I get some slicks.

Im expecting to take my 60 from 2.0 to 1.7 or so...hopefully some 1.6s

12secSS

iTrader: (30)

Thoery and reality sometimes do not get along. One would think that is the case, but the converter is multipling torque up to the higher rpms (although diminishing), this helps ETs. Although it could hurt MPH, but for drag racing ETs rule. Ideally you would want to lock the TCC after the multiplication has levelled out and the fluid coupling is starting to eat efficiency. It could be at the traps, or past it or before it. Only experimentation or testing will find that answer. A lot of work for possibly .1 ET or .5 MPH. I have seen some setups loose ET by locking the converter in 3rd.

justinschmidt9

Thanks for the info...but as you said, I need to expirament.

A guy up there said he gained .4 and 5 mph.

Every little bit helps

If I can spend ten minutes writing another lockup schedule and gain .1 or .2 why wouldnt I do it?

My engine has a very small powerband so its pretty noticable when its out of the band.

I pretty much need to keep it between 4k-5500 for the car to go anywhere

If I dont lock the converter soon enough it will rev over 5500 unlocked and I can feel it not really going anywhere. Locking the converter before that point helps me keep my car in the best part of the powerband and I probably gain some power by being locked.

I wont know untill I get to the track and test it but Im thinking I can pick up a couple tenths and mph by locking the converter at the right times

performabuilt

iTrader: (25)

You have the 4R70w then while i still don't suggest locking it during a shift I will say the trans is a bit stronger than a 60e for sure, The Ford 4R70W is a brute .

justinschmidt9

Yes, I do.

I have a 4r70w but it is also built...and the builder tells me it should handle 2nd to 3rd shifting locked up fine...although I dont plan on doing it alot.
The converter is also built for my application with an antiballoon plate and some heavy duty carbon lockup plate I believe

I think it automatically unlocks when it shifts to third anyways

382ssz28

iTrader: (24)

Im expecting to take my 60 from 2.0 to 1.7 or so...hopefully some 1.6s[/QUOTE]

Locking the converter will not gain anything in your 60', if I'm reading this right. That would be a traction issue. You would be in 1rst gear through the 60' mark. You have a good trans, but you would have to tune the shifts not to bang the trans and driveline parts not to beat themselves apart once locked. The converter acts as a cushion but can be built to be efficient enough not to have to lock in 2nd to gain ET. If you want NO SLIP, get a Clutch Turbo or Clutch Flight. Pop the clutch and shift.