4l60e lockup for 3rd gear or not?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2020
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From: middle of oklahoma
4l60e lockup for 3rd gear or not? I have tried to read up everywhere on why or why not to lock up the converter in 3rd gear. Seems most people only lock up in od, but factory is set for 3rd also. I just haven't seen the actual theories or reasons why for each way. Is there a pro and con for lockup in 3rd gear if you have a high stall? I am curious if i want to change my tune to lock up in 3rd to see how it is and how it reacts.
TECH Junkie
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Iowa
what do you have for a torque converter?
Often times, locking up in OD is the only gear used because lockup is only used for low load, steady state cruising.
AKA on the highway with the cruise control set
locking up in 3rd isn't really needed. But for some setups it can be nice for driveability and you may notice a VERY minimal increase in mileage
Often times, locking up in OD is the only gear used because lockup is only used for low load, steady state cruising.
AKA on the highway with the cruise control set
locking up in 3rd isn't really needed. But for some setups it can be nice for driveability and you may notice a VERY minimal increase in mileage
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 18
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From: middle of oklahoma
its a circle d 3200. I don't really have any problems driving around without it locking. Was just curious if there was a benefit for it cruising around town.
Oh and i did send you an email this morning.
Oh and i did send you an email this morning.
TECH Junkie
Joined: May 2012
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From: Poplarville, MS
You may see an increase in fuel mileage with locking in 3rd gear. If you have a cam shaft with a lot of valve overlap there is a good chance that you will get a lot engine bucking with the converter locked in 3rd gear. It shouldn't hurt anything in doing so, it's just a drivability thing. If you like it locked in 3rd no harm no foul.
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
I deleted 3rd gear lock-up when I installed my first converter and tranny tune and never looked back.
When a buddy did the same without the tune, there was a lot of bucking and jerking as it locked up in third, unlocked for the shift to fourth, and then relocked in fourth. At first we didn't know what was happening, and even took it to a tranny shop. But then we figured it out, deleted 3rd gear lock-up, and the problem was solved.
When a buddy did the same without the tune, there was a lot of bucking and jerking as it locked up in third, unlocked for the shift to fourth, and then relocked in fourth. At first we didn't know what was happening, and even took it to a tranny shop. But then we figured it out, deleted 3rd gear lock-up, and the problem was solved.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2020
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From: middle of oklahoma
Thanks for the information. It drives fine without it locking up now. Doesn't sound like there is really any gains from locking it in 3rd unless you do a lot of lower speed driving.
TECH Regular
Joined: Jan 2013
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I am not familiar with the LS stuff, but the early TBI truck stuff a lot of calibrations would have lockup in 3rd. Usually at the same speed as 4th gear lockup. I assume this was so if you were towing in 3rd you would still get lockup, which helps trans run cooler, better economy (in theory), etc.
