Torque Converter Lockup Switch

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Dec 7, 2004 | 08:53 PM

spdnman

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From: Rye Brook, NY

Torque Converter Lockup Switch

What does a Torque Converter Lockup Switch do? Why would I want to have this on the street? Strip? I am not sure what happens when the converter locks up. What happens when a converter is locked and unlocked when on a dyno? Thanks.

Dec 9, 2004 | 04:40 PM

spdnman

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From: Rye Brook, NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdnman

ttt

Dec 9, 2004 | 05:33 PM

enderz06

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From: Fenton mi

I would like to know too. Great question

Dec 9, 2004 | 05:47 PM

REDGAR

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From: Lithia FL

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Quote:

Originally Posted by spdnman

What does a Torque Converter Lockup Switch do?

It embarasses you if you don't know how to use it!!! Carmen put one in my car and forgot to tell me. I tripped it with my helmet without knowing it and the car stalled and would not stay on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdnman

Why would I want to have this on the street? Strip? I am not sure what happens when the converter locks up. What happens when a converter is locked and unlocked when on a dyno? Thanks.

Basically you would use it at the strip only.
I forget all the specs but but when the converter "locks up" both sides are turning at the same rate so it is 100% efficient.

Your converter does this on its own now.

The manual switch does it on demand.

At the strip you flip it so that that you can run the converter at 100% and hopefully get a little better MPH and maybe ET.

I don't think it is making a big difference for me and I forget to switch it most of the time anyway.

Last edited by REDGAR; Dec 9, 2004 at 07:59 PM.

Dec 9, 2004 | 06:39 PM

Mike Mercury

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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member

Quote:

Basically you would use it at the strip only.
I forget all the specs but but when the converter "locks up" both sides are turning at the same rate so it is 100% efficient.

well... not quite. On the C5, the torque converter is not mechanically locked. Instead, the line pressure is raised higher to eliminate most - but not all - slippage. You can have something like 100rpm of locked TC slippage before the PCM would report it as a problem.