[hillcogolfer]

I have read a ton of good stuff on here about different ways of wiring in your converter lockup on a 700R4 tranny....but around my area locally I have talked to a few guys who have told me to forget about wiring it into operation (as one of the options), unless I just feel a need to have it locked while in 4th (O/D). Their rational is that having it locked in 4th gear would only have me running at 150 to 200 less RPM. I had heard stories about it making your tranny run too hot and eventually burning it up (to run it all the time unlocked)....but I read accounts on here about guys running them permanently that way....with no damage. I'm confused about who is right now.

I'm gonna be running a 3.73 rear end...and with the O/D of the 700R4 (in 4th gear), that will have me running around 2.7 to 2.8 cruising gear....WITHOUT THE CONVERTER LOCKUP. That isn't too bad for hwy cruising I'm thinking. Any comments about going "lockup" or "not lockup"?

If it doesn't make all that much difference, I'd just as soon forget about installing one (a lockup wiring kit).

 

[spacytracy]

My understanding is that if it does not lock up in overdrive, you will quickly burn up the trans.

 

[Crosley]

just run the T-700r4 unlocked since you appear to be leaning that direction.

If the transmission gets hot , usually the trans will burp some fluid out the vent or filler tube.

if the fluid hits the exhaust pipe, there may be a fire. In that case just pull over to the side of the road and exit the vehicle

 

[hillcogolfer]

700R4 lockup

No I can't say that I'm leaning in that direction....just trying to get some comments from people on here as to the feasibility of running it either way and since I had heard and read opinions saying it is fine to run it unlocked...as well as those opinions with the opposite view...I'm still trying to figure out which is right.

FYI the guy who I had build the tranny for me is one of the ones who said if it was him, that he would not bother with operating the lockup. He was speaking just about my transmission.... with my converter (a mild 1460/80 Dayton) but not about these transmissions in general I believe.

 

[monster76]

i know a few people who have never had a problem running with out lock but honestly lock up on the free way feels so nice and not mention longer trans life due to lower temps and better high way mpgs honestly lock up is a nice feature and it could last you a while with out lockup why not enjoy it

 

[dogwater]

I ran my Camaro w/o lockup for a few months but Ive got it working now,I like it more better.You could simply put in a switch, 2 wires that it. ”try it youll like it”

 

[pricesgarages]

i aways convert them to non lockup with the valve kit from trans go but have run stock 700rs with out with no failures im located in Wva its hilly and curvy ive talked to builders in the mid west in flat areas thell get hot running in od for long distance

 

[327NUT]

Why in the world would you run the trans without a lock up converter??....thats the whole genisis of the O/D transmission. Also whomever told you that running it locked up causes heat problems doesn't know what thehell they are talking about. Locked up means NO SLIP and that means less heat, better gas mileage and longer transmission life. I've ran several 700R4's with a L/U converter and it's just a great addition to driving the highway.

 

[SSedan64]

It also depends on the Model year.
From PATC's site:
" The TCC/TorqueConverterClutch wires don’t have to be hooked up on a 1985 up transmission. On 1982, 1983 and early 1984 transmissions the transmission will burn up if the torque converter doesn't lock-up."

I'm not sure how accurate the above is. Supposedly when the Stator redesign was done and 30-Spline Input Shaft upgrade happened, this increased fluid flow.

If you're not going to use the TCC Lockup I'd install a Non-Lockup Valve and a Non-Lockup TC as mentioned above.
Lockup TCs are very inefficient when running unlocked = lots of slippage = heat.
Better MPG & cooler running temps are worth using the Lockup.

 

[hillcogolfer]

lockup

Well guys...thanks for the great input on here....it sounds like maybe my (1991) tranny might be one that could run okay without the converter lockup engaged but even so....I'm gonna go with the majority opinion and put in some kind of kit to have it lock up in 4th.....so I could run it 200 rpms less and more importently it sounds like...have the tranny run cooler overall. thanks again....

Anybody got a vote on what are the simpliest kits out there?

 

[SSedan64]

They range from simple/cheap to fancy/expensive, $20 to $200.

Basic Cheap, uses a TH400 1-Pin connector > 700R4 Lockup Fourth Gear Torque Converter Lock up Kit | eBay

Same as Basic Ebay kit w/Toggle, wire & fancy name >> B&M 80217 - B&M Powerswitches for Clutch Converters - Overview - SummitRacing.com

BTO, basic to fancy kits.
Bowtie Overdrives

The speed controlled B&M kits are nice:
B&M 70244 - B&M Converter Lockup Controls - Overview - SummitRacing.com
B&M 70248 - B&M Converter Lockup Controls - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Torque Converter Lock up Kits - 700R4 Transmission Type - Search Results for Lock up kit - SummitRacing.com

Lock up kit - JEGS High Performance