81 350C Trans
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 930
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix Az
81 350C Trans
:confused: Can the 350C trans in my 81 (stock) be used as it came from the factory without the computer system being hooked up to it ? Since the lockup is controlled by the computer what will happen when it is not hooked up ? Will it operate just like a regular 350 ? :confused: :cheers: :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 7
From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: 81 350C Trans (phxraptor)
One of the guys I work with has an 81 with the 350c, he has a non-computer distributor and a Holley 650 DP instead of the computer Q-jet. His convertor locks up, I have no idea how it is hooked up but when riding in it you can feel it lock and watch the rpm's drop when cruising at a steady speed over 40 mph. It must be hooked to the computer in some way, that doesn't require the rest of the stuff to be hooked up.
Maybe the lock up function of the computer only looks at speed and rpm to decide when to lock up.
Maybe the lock up function of the computer only looks at speed and rpm to decide when to lock up.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: 81 350C Trans (phxraptor)
You can wire it to a switch for full manual control. Locking t/c are nice for dropping the rpm's a touch and reducing slippage that causes heat that can reduce trans life.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Quebec
Re: 81 350C Trans (Smokehouse69)
I guess that the 1981 350 THC is the same as the 1980. No computer is needed in the operation of the lock-up. The lock-up system only need a 12 volts signal that passes thru the brake pedal switch and a vacuum activated switch located on the firewall driver side. The voltage activate a solenoid that let oil pressure to lock-up the converter. The speed reference is taken ( I think) via the governor of the transmission (hydraulic signal).
Stephan
Stephan
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 29,745
Likes: 3
From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: 81 350C Trans (MIKER)
This diagram shows how the TH350C is wired on the non-computer 1980 models.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Re: 81 350C Trans (BSeery)
if you intend to run without the lockup install an oil cooler. Without the lockup the tranny will generate a lot of heat.
You can buy lockup kits for carbed applications from painless wiring and others.
You can buy lockup kits for carbed applications from painless wiring and others.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Springfield PA
Re: 81 350C Trans (Fevre)
Locking t/c are nice for dropping the rpm's a touch and reducing slippage that causes heat that can reduce trans life.
