auto trans converter lock-up..

[amichie]

I thought that having the clutch locking up earlier would create less heat, since the oil in the converter is not being thrashed around since its not relying on a fluid coupling to create drive? I know with my A3040LE that the quickest way to drop trans temp is to lock the converter.



maybe not, but it seems reasonably commonplace for 1jz/2jz guys to lock the converter in third gear to get across the finish line at the drags, or do comparison dyno runs with the converter in the locked and unlocked positions. Anybody had one fail from this? I'd be interested to know if I should stop doing it now



Is your VN a V8? Cause my VS V6 ute struggles with the converter locked at 75kph and stupidly tall factory 3.08 diff gears. I wish I could stop it from locking at slow speeds, or get another diff [edit] or another car that's not a Holden haha

Hey 1JZrolla is correct. Less heat is created when its locked up.

Also on the A340E type transmission it goes into lock up when at WOT in 2nd gear and above.

When the lock up plate is not engaged you get more torque multiplication, more loss and less power.

When its engaged you get less torque multiplication, less loss and more power.

Mine is set up with a switch and it works fine. You will have to make sure your solenoid is configured the same way. 12V from the ECU to engage it and the other side of the solenoid is grounded.

[brett_celicacoupe]

so do you lock yours up under hard acceleration?

[amichie]

so do you lock yours up under hard acceleration?

I have a switch that either allows the ECU to operate the lock up solenoid as per normal and this is how I drive my car 99% of the time.

I rigged up a switch to open the circuit so that it can not be locked up at anytime to see if it improved my acceleration. Short answer is no. However it did allow it to rev out a bit more before changing gear due to lack of lock up at WOT.

I think a better solution is to try and change the shift points either with a stand alone ECT ECU or by just tricking the ECU. I am going to buy one of those Jaycar speedo adjusters to try and trick the factory ECU and try and adjust the shift points. I will let you know how it goes.

BTW my toy is a MX83 with a 7M-GE engine. The auto has an MV automatics stage 1 shift kit, a high stall converter and heavy duty lock up clutch.