C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Torque Converter Toast

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 27, 2018 | 10:56 AM
  #1  
Bloodzone's Avatar
Bloodzone
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
Default Torque Converter Toast

700r4 trans....Old converter was a middle of the road model lockup 3000 stall. It was a Summit brand so I have no idea who made it for Summit. Lasted 2 years of just playing around no track or racing. It did fine but would never lock up like it should. I just lived with it. Never ran hot so I let it go. Converter started leaking last week.

Engine dyno 470 TQ. I went with another 3000 stall but switched to FTI Performance SRL Series converter.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/FTI-SRLT3082

Hoping this will be a step up from the old brand X converter.

Question is....Will I notice any performance or driving difference with a better converter? I'm not a track guy but I do enjoy spirited driving from time to time.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2018 | 11:17 AM
  #2  
ajrothm's Avatar
ajrothm
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Default

The FTI converter will be better in every way.

Probably drive closer to stock around town, will flash higher when you nail it on sticky tires, and will likely be more efficient on the big end...

Just make sure your lock up control device is working correctly...(vacuum switch or whatever you are using)
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2018 | 11:25 AM
  #3  
Bloodzone's Avatar
Bloodzone
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
Default

The FTI converter will be better in every way.
This is what I'm hoping for. Its a repair but I want it to be a upgrade as well.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2018 | 11:29 AM
  #4  
ajrothm's Avatar
ajrothm
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Default

Originally Posted by Bloodzone
This is what I'm hoping for. Its a repair but I want it to be a upgrade as well.

I had great luck with the FTI converter in my C5Z. I did send it back in to be restalled twice because it was a little too loose up top at my power level (900 ish) at the time. They always had fast service and dialed the converter in well the last time.

Pretty much all of the fast guys are using FTI....

They usually give you one free restall also incase you don't like it behind your combo.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2018 | 05:53 PM
  #5  
diehrd's Avatar
diehrd
Safety Car
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 299
From: New York
Default

What do you mean the "Converter" started to leak

Did it have a hole in it ? A bad weld ?

Or do you mean the front of the transmission leaked ?

In which case its a front pump Bushing issue. DO NOT install a new converter with out addressing that pump seal and bushing

And a 700R4 needs the lock up feature to cool the transmission properly . If you did not have lock up it . Your issue may be in the valve body NOT the converter.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2018 | 06:13 PM
  #6  
Bloodzone's Avatar
Bloodzone
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
Default

Its a bad weld thats leaking. I'm making sure this one locks up correctly before I take her home. I'll have them check the pump seal and bushing as well.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2018 | 12:58 AM
  #7  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Default

What kind of controller are you using to manage the lockup shifts on/off?

The TCC can throw craps if it sees too much torque going through it. That unit is only meant be function at normal flat/shallow rise conditions. It should drop out of lockup when going up hills or under load. If it is just being managed with an ON/OFF switch, it can risk damage to the TCC.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2018 | 09:13 AM
  #8  
Bloodzone's Avatar
Bloodzone
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
Default

I'm not sure how its setup. I know there is no extra switch like some people use. Its supposed to lockup automatically and unlock on breaking. The installer tried 2 different switches and it never locked after I first noticed it. (I didnt notice it not locking for a couple of days). We did verified that that the converter was a lockup model. I'm hoping this new converter will lockup on install. If not I'll have to dig deeper.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Mar 28, 2018 | 09:21 AM
  #9  
Big2Bird's Avatar
Big2Bird
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Default

Originally Posted by Bloodzone
I'm not sure how its setup. I know there is no extra switch like some people use. Its supposed to lockup automatically and unlock on breaking. The installer tried 2 different switches and it never locked after I first noticed it. (I didnt notice it not locking for a couple of days). We did verified that that the converter was a lockup model. I'm hoping this new converter will lockup on install. If not I'll have to dig deeper.
Trans Go makes a hydraulic lock up kit for the valve body. No connections required.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2018 | 09:27 AM
  #10  
Bloodzone's Avatar
Bloodzone
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
Default

Is this it?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/trg-700-lu/overview/
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2018 | 09:43 AM
  #11  
Big2Bird's Avatar
Big2Bird
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Default

Originally Posted by Bloodzone
Looks like it.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2018 | 12:23 AM
  #12  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Default

I believe that is a lockup valve repair kit. The early 700-R4 lockup valves were prone to sticking; that one won't stick.

But, it has nothing to do with controlling the lockup shifts (on/off).
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2018 | 06:00 PM
  #13  
Bloodzone's Avatar
Bloodzone
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
Default

Update:

Very happy on trip home. Rides like a different car. Lockup works correctly. Car responds better and does not lug like before at lower speeds. Much more fun.

I did switch to the sonnax super hold servos while trans was out. All shifts are crisp. 3-4 was soft before.

Changes were: new fluid, FTI billet converter (same stall speed as old Summit converter 3000) and the sonnax super hold servos.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Torque Converter Toast





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:04 AM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE