1980 transmission converter?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
1980 transmission converter?
Nope not the torque converter. I have a 1980 L82 on which I just replaced the old HEI ignition with a MSD/Mallory electronic ignition. In looking for a place on the firewall to place the ignition control module I found what the GM Shop Manual states is the "transmission converter". It is circular and somewhat cone shaped, around 1.5 inches in length and about 1.5 inches across on the large end, about .5 inches across on the small end. The large end has a 12V wire connected to it, the small end connects to the vacuum system.
The shop manual doesn't say what this thing does nor does the assembly manual, as far as I can tell. It is mounted on the firewall on the engine compartment side, on the drivers side of the engine compartment.
And of course any Internet searches on "1980 Corvette transmission converter" results in tons of links related to torque converters.
If any one can enlighten me I would surely appreciate it!
Thanks
The shop manual doesn't say what this thing does nor does the assembly manual, as far as I can tell. It is mounted on the firewall on the engine compartment side, on the drivers side of the engine compartment.
And of course any Internet searches on "1980 Corvette transmission converter" results in tons of links related to torque converters.
If any one can enlighten me I would surely appreciate it!
Thanks
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
Thank you!
The car is currently sitting at the tranny shop - brand new motor, brand new exhaust, brand new tranny and it won't go into gear with the motor running. This converter isn't currently hooked up to an active vacuum source but I just called my tranny shop, they'll be hooking it up directly. So this could be all that's preventing the car from going into gear!
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
Th350c?
Thanks again KENS80V. I spoke with the engine builder today who has built a few trannies, he thinks due to this converter I actually have a TH350C where the "C" designates a locking torque converter. Is that the case here? If so I've had the car for 10 years and I'm still learning things about it. The engine builder also tells me there weren't too many TH350Cs made.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 226
From: Oakbank Manitoba
If it's the stock original transmission than it is called a TH350C. 1980 was the first year for this tramsmission with the lockup converter. In 1982 a 700R4 transmission was the factory install.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
It's the original transmission but it's been rebuilt a total of three times since I've owned it (long story) so I don't know if it still has the lockup converter or not. On this most recent build I had the motor out of the car and took the transmission out and took it to the transmission shop, then brought the car with the new engine in it, and had them install the new tranny.
They added a new torque converter with a higher stall speed (2100 rpm) to match up with the new cam (Comp 268H)/new engine. I have no idea if this new torque converter is a lockup converter or not. Guess I'll be having that conversation with the transmission shop when I go pick up the car - they'll be done with it either today or tomorrow I am told.
They added a new torque converter with a higher stall speed (2100 rpm) to match up with the new cam (Comp 268H)/new engine. I have no idea if this new torque converter is a lockup converter or not. Guess I'll be having that conversation with the transmission shop when I go pick up the car - they'll be done with it either today or tomorrow I am told.
