What Differences With New Torque Converter

[Alan Reagan]

What performance/driving differences would I notice by changing to a good after market torque converter? My transmission has to come out next week and I'm thinking now is a good time to upgrade.



Same question goes for the valve body.

 

[Diesel Power]

BETTER MORE POSITIVE SHIFTS AND BETTER LOCK UP. ALSO IT WILL RESPOND BETTER TO THROTTLE INPUT! :-laf

 

[Buffalo]

Feel free to correct me on this but, I've heard that the stock TC delivers 60% of the power to the rear wheels & the DTT TC is supposed to deliver 89% (all before lock-up).



I do know that when I had an ATS TripleLok installed in my '91. 5, it made a world of difference. Much tighter converter. Driveability is excellent, also.



I had my stock TC "tightened up" by Hughes Torque Converters, in Phoenix, years ago. At a stop light, it was too tight. Had to really stand on the brake pedal to hold it down. Once it got rolling, it was still too loose. The ATS is perfect!!! In Hughes TC defense, I've heard that their converters are better, now.

I think a lot has been learned about TC's mated to diesel engines. My understanding is that, the earliest TC were actually designed for high-revving gas engines & had too high of a stall speed for the diesels. I know my stock one stalled-out at 2200 rpms. & the engine red lined at 2600 rpms.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Alan Reagan]

Thanks, Diesel Power and Buffalo. I think I'll upgrade with the opportunity to do so. This auto doesn't feel like it has near the power of my 01 Six speed.

 

[BillGotthelf]

If you have never had a good TC the easiest way to explain it is to watch your tach. As you accelerate you see the tach going up to 23-2400 before shifting and when you reach lockup speed (appx 50) you'll notice a drop of 400-600 rpm as it locks. With an aftermarket TC the transmission shifts lower in the rpm range and you'll see only about 100 rpm difference when it locks up. What does this mean to you? Smoother shifts, cooler trans temps, slightly better mpg and less stress on the lockup clutch.

 

[CBrabec]

Alan Reagan, I'm having a full DTT transmission done in three weeks. I was only planning on doing the TQ & VB, but with my mods I have, my DTT installer suggested that I also go with Billet input & output shafts. If you ever plan on putting an extra 120 hp towards your truck, I would recommend doing this extra step all at the same time. Will cost less in the long run (labor cost that is), and once you have a bullet proof transmission, the sky's the limit. Just my $. 02

 

[Alan Reagan]

Thanks, guys. I'm going in to talk to the guy doing the work today. I've known him for several years and he owns a nice performance shop near Atlanta. I'm going to get his input on what I need to do while the transmission is out and let him do it. I just wasn't sure what I should "feel" with a new TC and VB. I appreciate the responses.