Not a typical lockup question
05-14-2011, 12:53 AM
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Car: 86 Camaro
Engine: 79 350 carbed
Transmission: TH-350
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi
Not a typical lockup question
I bought a 700r4 from a guy on this site 2 years ago. He have it looked at by a shop when he had it and claims to of had a few things upgraded in it. One of the things he said that it had an "automatic lockup" on it and not to hook up any of the wire connections on it. Now that I think about it could this really be true some how? I changed my 86 to a carbed car and I don't use most of the harness or the computer so I would need to get a switch for this if this is false. Now I would like to just go ahead and pick up a lockup switch but I just wanted to see if anyone heard about this and if I drop in the lockup that it will not screw up anything because of what he did. Thanks for any help
05-14-2011, 08:10 PM
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Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Not a typical lockup question
As far as I know ... locking the torque converter is an electrical function of the ECM - and since there's no ECM, there wouldn't be any way for one to "lock up" on it's own "automatically". Sounds like a misunderstood concept on someone's part to me. I've never heard of anyone not rigging something to lock up TC on a non-computerized car before.
05-14-2011, 09:52 PM
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Car: 86 Camaro
Engine: 79 350 carbed
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Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi
Re: Not a typical lockup question
Sounds good to me. It also wasn't exactly a 700r4 from a 3rd gen either if that makes a difference. I did have to change out the tail shaft housing to hold the torque arm. I will just go ahead and order one sometime soon. I hope it didn't severely ruin the life of the tranny.
05-15-2011, 08:45 PM
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Car: 89RS(other cars & pics in vBgarage)
Engine: LO3, 305 TBI Mildly Modified
Transmission: BakerBuilt 700R4 w/B&M Megashifter
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Auburn Pro Series LSD
Re: Not a typical lockup question
05-15-2011, 08:49 PM
#6
Re: Not a typical lockup question
I know a guy who said he could switch my quadrajet to a non ecm with a vacuum advance. He said he could change over the tranny so it can lock up w/o the the ecm. I can talk to him about specifics, and get back to you.
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05-16-2011, 03:25 PM
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Re: Not a typical lockup question
The PO probably had "stall" confused with lock up. The major effect of not having lock up is heat from sheering of the fluid in the converter. As long as the fluid isn't smoked, the trans should be okay.
05-16-2011, 03:33 PM
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Re: Not a typical lockup question
Early 700R4s valvebodies can allow hydraulic locking with no external wiring.
05-16-2011, 03:45 PM
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Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Re: Not a typical lockup question
The pre 87 valvebodies have the passages for it, but not all have the valving.
Cars and trucks sold without ECMs would lock up hydraulically based on governor pressure when a certain road speed was reached. The TCC solenoid was still used in these situations with a vacuum switch to disengage the TCC in high load and cruise.
Cars and trucks sold without ECMs would lock up hydraulically based on governor pressure when a certain road speed was reached. The TCC solenoid was still used in these situations with a vacuum switch to disengage the TCC in high load and cruise.
05-16-2011, 04:39 PM
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Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Re: Not a typical lockup question
No... in anything 87+, lock-up is controlled only by the solenoid.
05-17-2011, 10:30 AM
#18
Re: Not a typical lockup question
From the TCI website
More info here...
http://www.compperformancegroupstore...Category_Code=
The GM transmissions are connected to the ECM to run the torque converter clutch (TCC). TCI® has developed a universal lock-up system (Part #376600) that allows the TCC to be controlled automatically using a valve body pressure switch and an engine vacuum switch. 700R4 and 2004R transmissions equipped with this system can be used in any vehicle, whether it has an ECM or not. The system also allows manual control to override the automatic functions so that the TCC can be turned on in second and third gear or shut off altogether.
http://www.compperformancegroupstore...Category_Code=
05-17-2011, 10:32 AM
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Car: 86 Camaro
Engine: 79 350 carbed
Transmission: TH-350
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi
Re: Not a typical lockup question
Is there a way to tell what year your transmission is? I did notice when installing it that I did have a plug on the one side of it. Would that indicate a newer style? The only thing I really noticed is that it hasn't been sifting as hard from 1st to 2nd which i am assuming the tranny is starting to finish breaking in? But this is why I am questioning the lockup now. Also it did come with a B&M cooler so I hope that was helping in keeping it cool if this was setup wrong.
Last edited by iggy89; 05-17-2011 at 10:36 AM.
05-17-2011, 12:37 PM
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Re: Not a typical lockup question
Not if you put a check ball in the solenoid.
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