Unlocking Torque Converter Question
10-19-2006, 04:55 PM
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Unlocking Torque Converter Question Okay, I just had a brand new torque converter and transmission (built by Rodney at RPM) installed last week. Due to some tuning issues (clarified this with Todd at RPM), the TC is unlocking at cruising speeds.
Okay, the tuner I am having look at it is about 2 hours away, is it safe for me to drive my car to him?
I really need to get my car re-tuned and this will require driving it to the tuner, because I do not have a trailer or a truck.
Thanks in advance,
Micah
Okay, the tuner I am having look at it is about 2 hours away, is it safe for me to drive my car to him?
I really need to get my car re-tuned and this will require driving it to the tuner, because I do not have a trailer or a truck.
Thanks in advance,
Micah
10-19-2006, 05:03 PM
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"performabuilt" Thanks for your reply and seeing you are a sponsor in this field helps me feel pretty good about the trip.
It is unlocking when I am cruising in D. I keep an eye on the fluid temp and it is remaining under 190 and what I have been doing is when it does this during cruising speed, I either slow down a little and then speed up or I speed up and then slow down, this seems to work. My plan is to break my trip up into two parts, drive the first 1.5 hours and then stay at my in-laws and then get the next morning and cruise the remainder of the trip (30-45 minutes) and get the car tuned completely.
Anyone else have any expereinces in this, let me know.
Micah
It is unlocking when I am cruising in D. I keep an eye on the fluid temp and it is remaining under 190 and what I have been doing is when it does this during cruising speed, I either slow down a little and then speed up or I speed up and then slow down, this seems to work. My plan is to break my trip up into two parts, drive the first 1.5 hours and then stay at my in-laws and then get the next morning and cruise the remainder of the trip (30-45 minutes) and get the car tuned completely.
Anyone else have any expereinces in this, let me know.
Micah
10-20-2006, 09:49 AM
#4
As long as you keep your eye on the temps and keep them under 200* you should be fine regardless of what gear you're in. You'll probably get crappy mileage but won't hurt anything. My guess is your converter isn't locking because of multiple random misfire's from your cam. Very common. Have your tuner raise the threshold for acceptable misfires in the idle rpm area.
10-20-2006, 10:44 AM
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Appreciate it, this is what I have been told too about the misfiring. Should get everything squared away Tuesday.
10-20-2006, 09:28 PM
#6
I heard about misfires causing the converter to lock & unlock..I am having the same problem, What I don't understand is I had no lock up problems before(high stall) & now I get a new trans & new Converter & the lock-up issues start. Are Yank converters more sensitive than Vig's? I hope to have this rectified at the track tomorrow 
10-20-2006, 11:20 PM
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I believe it can have to do with converter imbalance
being picked up as crank jitter and being "detected".
My old TCI was dead smooth and I pretty much had
the stock misfire tables, no unlock problems. Just the
lock means barely, kind.
My Fuddle holds like hell but there is a "floating buzz"
in there and it was hitting misfire unlock all the time
until I killed misfire detection. Seems to have no ill
effect other than vibration.
TCI spin balances their regular grade product. Fuddle
told me they only did tolerance measurements. Any
given manufacturer might do whatever they think
your money ought to pay for. It's not something I
often see discussed or proclaimed. But if I bought
another converter it would be spun balanced true.
being picked up as crank jitter and being "detected".
My old TCI was dead smooth and I pretty much had
the stock misfire tables, no unlock problems. Just the
lock means barely, kind.
My Fuddle holds like hell but there is a "floating buzz"
in there and it was hitting misfire unlock all the time
until I killed misfire detection. Seems to have no ill
effect other than vibration.
TCI spin balances their regular grade product. Fuddle
told me they only did tolerance measurements. Any
given manufacturer might do whatever they think
your money ought to pay for. It's not something I
often see discussed or proclaimed. But if I bought
another converter it would be spun balanced true.
