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Old Dec 13, 2020 | 11:14 AM
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Default Torque converter

I noticed yesterday that my torque converter doesn't seem to lock while at cruising speed.I installed a new battery and on the first drive it seemed to do what it was supposed to with RPM at about 1200 at 55-60 MPH.After that,they seem to stay at about 13-1400 with it varying alot with just a small touch of the throttle.It may be nothing but I don't remember it doing this before.It seems like the RPM varies with no change in the speed.It isn't slipping and no codes to be found.Car has 48k miles and has never been abused or raced.Am I just paranoid?
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Old Dec 13, 2020 | 12:16 PM
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What year & tranny?
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Old Dec 13, 2020 | 12:23 PM
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2008 6L80e.Sorry,I forgot to add that.

Last edited by jamieo; Dec 13, 2020 at 05:36 PM.
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Old Dec 13, 2020 | 12:40 PM
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Originally Posted by jamieo
2008 4L80e.Sorry,I forgot to add that.
Are you sure?

Should be 6L80e
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Old Dec 13, 2020 | 12:43 PM
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Have you checked ATF level? the RPM should be rock solid, but maybe the tune has been changed to release under slight throttle pressure
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Old Dec 13, 2020 | 12:44 PM
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You lost the "learned" transmission shifting behavior when you disconnected the battery. It takes a while to relearn. The behavior you describe is normal when the converter is not locked. My converter typically doesn't lock in 6th and stay that way until about 65. It unlocks pretty quickly at 55-60 on any additional throttle input on an uphill incline.
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Old Dec 13, 2020 | 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by BadAV
You lost the "learned" transmission shifting behavior when you disconnected the battery. It takes a while to relearn. The behavior you describe is normal when the converter is not locked. My converter typically doesn't lock in 6th and stay that way until about 65. It unlocks pretty quickly at 55-60 on any additional throttle input on an uphill incline.
Learning only applies to shift values, the converter should lock all the time.
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Old Dec 13, 2020 | 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by subfloor@centurytrans
Learning only applies to shift values, the converter should lock all the time.
Didn't say anything about it affecting torque converter lock. Just indicated it won't shift the same as it did because of losing that learned behavior. And that the behavior he described was normal when the converter isn't locked. Compared my car's converter locking behavior to his mph description to give him a data point comparison to his. Difference in post interpretation, I guess.
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Old Dec 13, 2020 | 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by BadAV
Didn't say anything about it affecting torque converter lock. Just indicated it won't shift the same as it did because of losing that learned behavior. And that the behavior he described was normal when the converter isn't locked. Compared my car's converter locking behavior to his mph description to give him a data point comparison to his. Difference in post interpretation, I guess.
Also, the amount of so called learning the transmission does is minimal at best anyway. I've disconnected my battery countless times yet am still able to go racing with it immediately after.
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Old Dec 13, 2020 | 02:37 PM
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Originally Posted by subfloor@centurytrans
Also, the amount of so called learning the transmission does is minimal at best anyway. I've disconnected my battery countless times yet am still able to go racing with it immediately after.
Still doesn't shift the same as after many miles of learned behavior, but you win.
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Old Dec 13, 2020 | 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by BadAV
Still doesn't shift the same as after many miles of learned behavior, but you win.
Yeah, it shifts exactly the same and I can post the HP Tuners scans to prove it if you'd like.

By your logic, my car won't shift properly because of losing the so-called learned behavior but I can assure you it shifts just fine at 7500RPM and beyond, without the ability to put any street miles on it since it's now a dedicated race car.

Last edited by subfloor@centurytrans; Dec 13, 2020 at 02:47 PM.
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Old Dec 13, 2020 | 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by subfloor@centurytrans
Yeah, it shifts exactly the same and I can post the HP Tuners scans to prove it if you'd like.
That's OK. I have HPT as well. The hard shift point tables are the same. The fine little dithering nuances learned and incorporated from the individual's driving style are gone. Does not shift the same. But again, you win. What we have here is a failure to communicate/understand.

Last edited by BadAV; Dec 13, 2020 at 02:55 PM.
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Old Dec 13, 2020 | 05:41 PM
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Tried it with 2 different trans tunes and it is still the same.Noticed no difference between the tune from my cam swap when the transmission was tuned also.I installed my old TCM tune from Diablew and it acts the same.Any idea how much RPM change I should see between 5th and 6th with a 2'56 rear end?Looking for ideas and I appreciate the responses

Last edited by jamieo; Dec 13, 2020 at 05:43 PM.
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Old Dec 13, 2020 | 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by jamieo
Tried it with 2 different trans tunes and it is still the same.Noticed no difference between the tune from my cam swap when the transmission was tuned also.I installed my old TCM tune from Diablew and it acts the same.Any idea how much RPM change I should see between 5th and 6th with a 2'56 rear end?Looking for ideas and I appreciate the responses
If an engine misfire is detected (no matter how slight) it will cause the converter to unlock.

Are you still running the stock converter?
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Old Dec 13, 2020 | 06:12 PM
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Yes,I am still using the stock converter.I haven't had any indications of a misfire.No codes and no pending codes that I can find.

Last edited by jamieo; Dec 14, 2020 at 06:54 PM.
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Old Dec 19, 2020 | 04:32 PM
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Just drove it about 200 miles today.Sometimes it would lock in and sometimes it wouldn't.I did notice that the CEL flashed several times when I first started it but it quit after a few seconds with no more light.Thought maybe I was going to be able to get a misfire code or something but no luck.Codescan was clean.I datalogged with the intune with no luck on a misfire count.It may be time to revisit the tuner who did the cam swap and tune.I may try a new set of wires but the plugs only have about 600 miles on them so I wouldn't think they would be an issue.I will have to see what plugs he used as I have heard several issues with the NGKs.
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Old Dec 19, 2020 | 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by jamieo
Just drove it about 200 miles today.Sometimes it would lock in and sometimes it wouldn't.I did notice that the CEL flashed several times when I first started it but it quit after a few seconds with no more light.Thought maybe I was going to be able to get a misfire code or something but no luck.Codescan was clean.I datalogged with the intune with no luck on a misfire count.It may be time to revisit the tuner who did the cam swap and tune.I may try a new set of wires but the plugs only have about 600 miles on them so I wouldn't think they would be an issue.I will have to see what plugs he used as I have heard several issues with the NGKs.
A cracked insulator will cause misfires, and it is really easy to crack one if you aren't careful during installation.
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Old Dec 19, 2020 | 04:55 PM
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That is kind of what I expected to find.Odd that no codes are shown but stranger things have happened.Chased an issue similar to this on my supercharged truck.Swapped out the NGK plugs and no issues since.
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Old Dec 19, 2020 | 06:18 PM
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Originally Posted by jamieo
That is kind of what I expected to find.Odd that no codes are shown but stranger things have happened.Chased an issue similar to this on my supercharged truck.Swapped out the NGK plugs and no issues since.
Get rid of the NGK plugs as they're crap. I've have all kinds of problems in the few engines I've tried them in, including one where I had engine knock at idle.

I run stock plugs in my 9 second race car and have never had an issue.
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Old Dec 19, 2020 | 06:40 PM
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Regarding the NGK plugs there are loads of counter fit items about. I make sure to buy genuine ones from known good vendors, usually platinum or iridium, and use them on my bikes and cars. Touch wood all fine so far.

I'm curious to know what the issues were, so I can keep an eye out for them.

Last edited by gavinfdavies; Dec 19, 2020 at 06:41 PM.
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