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1986 Torque Converter??

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Old Jan 12, 2012 | 11:19 PM
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Default 1986 Torque Converter??

I know this may sound dumb....but can someone tell me the difference between a torque converter with a locking clutch and one without?? I am looking to install a stall around 2300/2500 for a street car.

thanks....
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Old Jan 13, 2012 | 01:41 AM
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Why would you NOT want one?

The TCC locks to give you better mileage. In my '86 it locks at the same time the SHIFT light comes on. It's completely out of the picture the rest of the time. I have heard of people forcing converter lockup while drag racing to reduce 1/4 mile times.
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Old Jan 13, 2012 | 02:43 AM
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That's why I was asking what the difference is.....
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Old Jan 13, 2012 | 10:50 AM
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A locking converter has between 1 and 5 clutch disks to lock and eliminate slippage within the converter. This feature increases efficiency and in some instances can make the car quicker in the quarter. I am the guy who locks the converter up at wot at the track. You need the right converter to do this (a stock one won't last long) and the gearing has to be right for this to work correctly. I have pretty low gears (4.35) and with the converter locked up, I go through the traps at around 6600. Without locking the converter, I would be a few hundred rpms higher which would not be optimal with my setup. Hope this helps. Willie
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Old Jan 13, 2012 | 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by 383vett
A locking converter has between 1 and 5 clutch disks to lock and eliminate slippage within the converter. This feature increases efficiency and in some instances can make the car quicker in the quarter. I am the guy who locks the converter up at wot at the track. You need the right converter to do this (a stock one won't last long) and the gearing has to be right for this to work correctly. I have pretty low gears (4.35) and with the converter locked up, I go through the traps at around 6600. Without locking the converter, I would be a few hundred rpms higher which would not be optimal with my setup. Hope this helps. Willie
Thanks for the info...That's what I was looking for...I didn't even know until recently that you can get a non-locking converter.

thanks again..matt
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