MagRed04C5

If the A4 is (1st 3.06) (2nd 1.63) (3rd 1.00) (4th .70 OD) then why do I feel 5 shifts. Is the OD a 2-stage deal?

C5JONNY

negative, count them again

Y2KMRC5

It's probably the converter locking up. You can feel it some of the time depending on the vehicle speed and torque output.

tbrowne

What you perceive as the 5th shift is probably the torque converter locking after the shift from 3rd to 4th gear.

C5JONNY

oh yeah, I forget that feeling, my sy3500 is shot and doesnt lock up anymore. sorry for the brief response.

screw991le

Thats why I drive around in third, until I get on the highway.

dads01dream

Huh.... I've got an SS3600 and feel it lock-up in the upper rpm range of second gear, just before it goes to third. Sometimes at certain throttle positions it can be very ANNOYING!!!

Is there a way to program the t/c to lockup when you want it to?

yankeevetteconvert

I have a SS3600 also and had similar problems.I had my tuner lock the TC only in 4th .Works great. Now I barely feel it locking up.Give it a try I think you will really like it.

dads01dream

THANK YOU!! For this tip, I'll be going down to ECS "sometime" after I install my alky system for a tune..... we'll take a look at the T/C then.

mlumb

so what does the torque converter do exactly?
i too feel like more than 4 shifts.
mike.

ArmyVette

It really does feel just like a shift. Maybe a little rougher than a standard shift depending on how aggressive your TC is. I feel mine when it engages and disengages.

It took me a little while to get used to the TC lock/unlock when I replace the stock TC with the 2800.

dads01dream

EXACTLY! You can only imagine how agressive my SS3600 feels at times when it locks up in "somewhat" part throttle situations. Maybe if I was running 3.73's the drag I feel in the drivetrain would not be as pronounced compared to my 3.42's. ???

ToplessTexan

It doesn't "feel like a shift", it *is* a shift. If you think about what the converter does and uderstand it as a variable ratio gear, then you see that when it locks up you are changing the overall gear. It's just a different kind of shift than the mechanical gear changes within the tranny. All result in a change in effective/cummulative gear ratio.

This is one of the places where your programming is influenced drastically by your particular combo of power/torque profile, converter, axle gearing, transmission characteristics, and driver preferences. It can take a little while to dial it in, but ain't it great to be able to do that.

dads01dream

So, I guess HP or LS1 can tune the t/c? What is it you're looking for to make adjustments?

MagRed04C5

In other posts it was stated, when doing high speed runs, that top speed is acheived in 3rd gear.
I have not attempted a high speed run in 3rd so I am not sure if the converter kicks in above a certain speed/rpm.
If the converter is not kicking in unless the shifter is in the "Overdrive" position wouldn't that be bad for high speed runs in 3rd?

yankeevetteconvert

Not with a 3.73 gear.Also the TC unlocks at WOT in any gear.

XTrooper

Yes. With HP Tuners or the other PCM editing software, you can program the converter to lockup when you want it to and not when you don't.

dads01dream

AWESOME!! Does anyone have a url for HP tuners? I'd like to do a little.... "shopping"!!