Torque converter lockup ?

[81NMVETTE]

Was reading about my year of Vette (81) and it said that 81 was the first year for the cumputer command control it controlled fuel metering as well as Torque converter lockup. My question is what is Torque Converter lockup ? The set rpm where the converter will engage ?. Just wanted to know for my own info.
Thanks all .
Earl
P.S. I am headed to Phoenix on wed. to attend the Barret and Jackson auto auction. Anybody want me to pick a car or two up for them ?.

 

[GerryLP]

Finally...

Hey NMVette,

I am glad to find someone here from NM and owner of a Vette and an L81 at that!

The lock up in the 1981 locked-up 2nd and third gears. This lock-up feature helped the gas milage and it also prevents converter shake-up.

Have you joined the L81 Corvette Registry yet???? If not, then you are welcomed to join at http://www.l81vetteregistry.com/ .

The is also a great group and they are also willing to help on your issues; however, it takes an L81 owner, for the most part, to know about L81 issues...give us a try

 

[81NMVETTE]

Hey Gerry
Well I dont really get my Vette until Feb. 20 That is when I will have all my money in line and I can pay cash for the car. But I have been reading up on the cars and next to driving the car I think reading about them is second best. Thanks for the info on the torque converter That clears that question up .

I see you live in RR allso I am in Rivers edge 3 area. I will be sure to keep an eye out for you. Is your car a stock Vette ?. Mine has a stroker in it as well as some other mods and to tell the truth I had to look and see what the heck a stroker was lol. Anyway I have learned a ton from this board . Let me know where you live in RR and perhaps we can meet for lunch sometime I know I still have a lot of questions that i still need to ask,
Earl

 

[GerryLP]

Most definetely, Earl!

A good oportunity will be when you get your car. I am sure you'll have some questions about L81's, and we can meet and talk about these and other issues.

Again, I got to plug the CAC and the L81 Corvette Registry. They have an inmense knowledge base, and they can help. So ask away in this forum, and you'll get your answers.

Strokers are sweet engines. I have a different engine than the stock, but still have the stock heads and block in the garage. I am still trying to make my goal of 300 Hp average at the wheels. I am still about 100 Hp average away. But definetely I love to work on it and see the results of my efforts.

 

[Vette/Berlina-coupe]

Hello Hill: -you asked what is "Converter-lockup"; --believe your '81-C3 is first year for the nifty TH700R-4speed(w/Lockup-converter earlier employed on the TH350-3speed); -but it doesn't "lock-up the gears" (screeeech!), ---the Torque-converter acts both as a fluid-clutch (hydraulic-slipage enabling your engine to idle although not in Nutral) and is said to multiply the engine-torque by a factor of 2x at full-throttle stall (stress not recomended); --plus, at some throttle/computer-determined highway-speed, the TC also employs a clever 12"/ring-like clutch which upon engagement makes the TC solid like a regular manual-trans.clutch. When it engages, you can observe your Tach. droping several-hundred rpm's, --which was to reduce fuel-consumption demanded by Feds. Although have sucessfully had one apart to do a shade-tree rebuild, --am far from an expert, so others may wish to elaborate... Bob vH
:eyerole :z :TALK

 

[81NMVETTE]

Thanks for the info !
It looks like a great idea. However me being in the Electronics field I am always leary of things being controled by electronics lol.
Ohh btw I have seen listings for vette parts and I see listed by the name of the part "NOS" what is NOS ?

Earl
Hey Gerry drop me an E-mail at midwestartbuyer@yahoo.com
I would like to see your car and I have a ton of ? that I still have about our year of Vette.

 

[Jack]

I believe this is correct:

In regard to parts ... NOS means new old stock. Meaning the part was manufactured some time ago but is still unused & is new. NOS designation differentiates NOS parts from those that are reproductions. Many times, NOS parts are no longer in production ... with possible exception of reproductions.

On the other hand ... NOS is also a brand name of a nitrous oxide system ... NOS is probably the leading brand. There are many manufacturers & models of them. All work by injecting a dose of nitrous oxide (N02) gas (dentists' laughing gas) into the intake charge ... increasing sbc horsepower by as few as 50hp to as many as hundreds more hp.
JACK:gap

 

[dman535]

Actually the transmission is a TH-350-C. Starting in 1980 These transmissions were used across the board. On any non-ecm (computer) cars the lockup was controlled with a combination of the brake pedal switch and a vacuum switch.

 

[GerryLP]

-but it doesn't "lock-up the gears" (screeeech!), ---the Torque-converter acts both as a fluid-clutch (hydraulic-slipage enabling your engine to idle although not in Nutral) and

Bob vH, thanks for the additional details. I guess I generalized it a bit in my efforts to keep the answer short. ..:L

Hey Gerry drop me an E-mail at midwestartbuyer@yahoo.com

Not a problem Earl. Yes! I can imagine that you may have some curiosity on the L81.