700r4 in 82 el camino what is lock up for ?

[beanzELCO702]

ok im running a 700 in my elco and i called a few shops about the lock up switch (im not running a computer ) all they did was confuse the sh*t outta me a few shops said i dont need to do anything i will have 4th gear no matter what as long as the tv cable is adjusted right i dont know much about trannys so could somebody body clear this up for me what is lock up ? what is it for ? what does it do ? do i absolutly have to have it ? ect... transmission is not in yet and i think the transmission year is like in the 90s

 

[DRIVEN]

Lockup refers to a clutch inside the torque converter. Most newer cars have this function including the 700 r4, 200 4r, and TH350C. At cruise speed the computer triggers a solenoid inside the pan that diverts fluid pressure to this clutch. Once locked, it will lower your RPM by a couple hundred. You may see a small increase in fuel economy. Also, since there is no longer any slippage in the torque converter, there will be a slight reduction in transmission temperature.
It is not absolutely necessary but it is preferred that the lockup is functional. There are several lockup kits available that allow you to retain the function without a computer. You can also wire in a toggle switch to engage the TC lockup solenoid at cruise speeds but you will also need to disengage it when coming to a stop or your engine will stall. Hope that clears some things up.

 

[beanzELCO702]

ok im running a 700 in my elco and i called a few shops about the lock up switch (im not running a computer ) all they did was confuse the sh*t outta me a few shops said i dont need to do anything i will have 4th gear no matter what as long as the tv cable is adjusted right i dont know much about trannys so could somebody body clear this up for me what is lock up ? what is it for ? what does it do ? do i absolutly have to have it ? ect... transmission is not in yet and i think the transmission year is like in the 90s

i am running a 700 in mine all the lock up does is it runs a little lower rpms like 500 or so and helps get better economy on my 84 elko im running a 91 chevy fuel injected 350 with a 700r-4 and i dont have the lockup on mine as i did not like it on my last car and it has been fine been driving it for 4 years with no issue just make sure you have your TV cable setup right and you will be good.

thanks that helped alot now i understand that i dont need it as much as i thought and thats a nice 84 you have

 

[beanzELCO702]

Lockup refers to a clutch inside the torque converter. Most newer cars have this function including the 700 r4, 200 4r, and TH350C. At cruise speed the computer triggers a solenoid inside the pan that diverts fluid pressure to this clutch. Once locked, it will lower your RPM by a couple hundred. You may see a small increase in fuel economy. Also, since there is no longer any slippage in the torque converter, there will be a slight reduction in transmission temperature.
It is not absolutely necessary but it is preferred that the lockup is functional. There are several lockup kits available that allow you to retain the function without a computer. You can also wire in a toggle switch to engage the TC lockup solenoid at cruise speeds but you will also need to disengage it when coming to a stop or your engine will stall. Hope that clears some things up.

thanks for your input its very much aprecated you made it as simple as it could get

 

[DRIVEN]

Glad we could help.

 

[84cutspreme]

Just one more side note I'd like to add...You can also wire the TC solenoid to a manual switch and still keep it wired to brake like it should be already. That way you can drive normally or race without it and flip it on at any prolonged highway speeds pretty much 60+mph. In my opinion that is the ideal setup. I also tried using the 4th gear pressure switch which is another common setup, then when you shift into 4th gear(overdrive) lockup engages as well.

 

[tmoneymr2]

Working for a GM dealership I went and talked to a few mechanics on the subject of having the torque converter lock up functional or not and as it is mentioned already in this thread its not necessary but at the same time the techs all say if you drive a long time on the interstate or 65+ miles and hour you stand a better chance of shortening the life on you transmission from overheat issues the best route would be to just wire a toggle switch in to be able to turn the lock up on and off should be cheap enough and easy enough and anything to prolong the life of your transmission is always a good idea. As for the engine stalling when you come to a stop the 700r4 will automatically disengage the torque converter lock up so you can leave the toggle switch on the on position for normal driving but when you wanna go out and flog it you can turn it off. That is how my cutlass is wired up so when my wife drives it i can have it on so if she wants to hit the highway i dont have to worry about her burning the transmission down.

 

[DRIVEN]

As for the engine stalling when you come to a stop the 700r4 will automatically disengage the torque converter lock up so you can leave the toggle switch on the on position for normal driving but when you wanna go out and flog it you can turn it off. That is how my cutlass is wired up so when my wife drives it i can have it on so if she wants to hit the highway i dont have to worry about her burning the transmission down.

I stand corrected. I've replaced at least a dozen failed lockup solenoids in the FWD versions (TH125c, 4T40E) in 80s and 90s GM cars so I assumed it would be the same for the RWD versions. I apologize for the misinformation.

 

[Oldsmoletick]

Working for a GM dealership I went and talked to a few mechanics on the subject of having the torque converter lock up functional or not and as it is mentioned already in this thread its not necessary but at the same time the techs all say if you drive a long time on the interstate or 65+ miles and hour you stand a better chance of shortening the life on you transmission from overheat issues the best route would be to just wire a toggle switch in to be able to turn the lock up on and off should be cheap enough and easy enough and anything to prolong the life of your transmission is always a good idea. As for the engine stalling when you come to a stop the 700r4 will automatically disengage the torque converter lock up so you can leave the toggle switch on the on position for normal driving but when you wanna go out and flog it you can turn it off. That is how my cutlass is wired up so when my wife drives it i can have it on so if she wants to hit the highway i dont have to worry about her burning the transmission down.

Not to hyjack, lol, but is the same true for a th350c?

 

[tmoneymr2]

@drivien-Ya I know where your coming from i currently own a 1991 pontiac sunbird that has the torque converter lock up solenoid bad in it so i had to unplug it to keep my car from dying at stop lights I'm just limited to only in town driving with it. As for the TH350C being the same I would have to check as I have never dealt with those trannys before.