Please explain Torque Converters to me ---

[alwayscode390]

Hey Guys , I am new to the auto game. Flash is the point that the engine sorta "free revvs" until the converter grabs right? That point is the "stall rpm"? You want the stall to be in the peak hp/torque curve right?

Lockup is when the converter stops spinning, and you want that to happen when you are cruising (highway)?

What happens if you dont get a lockup converter, it just keeps spinning constantly and probably gets the tranny hot?

I have been told to go with a "precision industries" unit for my th400 on my RS camaro ...with no lockup... do they make good stuff?

Thanks for the time to help out a newb ---

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Please explain Torque Converters to me ---

Hey Guys , I am new to the auto game. Flash is the point that the engine sorta "free revvs" until the converter grabs right? That point is the "stall rpm"? You want the stall to be in the peak hp/torque curve right?

Lockup is when the converter stops spinning, and you want that to happen when you are cruising (highway)?

What happens if you dont get a lockup converter, it just keeps spinning constantly and probably gets the tranny hot?

I have been told to go with a "precision industries" unit for my th400 on my RS camaro ...with no lockup... do they make good stuff?

Thanks for the time to help out a newb ---

Stall Speed is basically the RPM the TC will stall when brake torque, the RPM will go higher with torque. Since our engine are super torquey, the TC rated RPM will stall higher.

Flash Speed is when you stab the gas what the RPM will flash to.

A lockup TC will lock up and essentially lock the engine with the transmission hrought clutch. If you don't have a lock up TC, the RPM will be a little higher at speed even higher than the stall speed. An unlocked TC will always slip and have higher heat, & more driveline losses (is HP).

You don't want a TC that will stall to your peak hp. Ideally you want something that brings your rpm to the engine's power band. If the RPM is too low the engine will bog (or have turbo lag) or the RPM too high you will loss hp due to slippage.