Lock-up or non-lock?

[turboclam]

I know this issue has been slaughtered to death but I'm really going back and forth. I'm running a built 200 from Lonnie Diers and it's a lock-up. My new combo is in my sig. This is a street car with the occasional strip trip. I was set on a PTC non-lock but would really like to keep the lock-up for the hwy. Just read where lock-ups are making their way to high hp cars at the track. What's the baddest lock-up converter out there for a 200 and should I stay that route? Thanks

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

on which is the best, i have no idea
BUT i love my LU and for what i want, mine is getting it done.
11.74 3800 plus pounds i only go to the track 2 times a year and just about DD my car.
Nothing like cruising at 70 and low 2Ks RPM

 

[QWKRTNU]

I know this issue has been slaughtered to death but I'm really going back and forth. I'm running a built 200 from Lonnie Diers and it's a lock-up. My new combo is in my sig. This is a street car with the occasional strip trip. I was set on a PTC non-lock but would really like to keep the lock-up for the hwy. Just read where lock-ups are making their way to high hp cars at the track. What's the baddest lock-up converter out there for a 200 and should I stay that route? Thanks

Talk to Dust Bradford on the board he cab help you out. I was in the same boat and he convinced me to get a non lockup... my rpms r only about 150 to 200 more

 

[Big Turbo Scott]

I know this issue has been slaughtered to death but I'm really going back and forth. I'm running a built 200 from Lonnie Diers and it's a lock-up. My new combo is in my sig. This is a street car with the occasional strip trip. I was set on a PTC non-lock but would really like to keep the lock-up for the hwy. Just read where lock-ups are making their way to high hp cars at the track. What's the baddest lock-up converter out there for a 200 and should I stay that route? Thanks

Mike, sounds like you and I are debating the same thing. I spoke with a well know trans builder a day ago and he was adamant about running a Non L/U. Because my car is going to be a street car mostly and I plan on making many long distance hwy driving trips, Im leaning towards a L/U. If I only drove near home trips it wouldnt be a discussion. Guess you need to decide how many hwy trips your car will see and the distance of each trip. I know mileage isnt a concern of yours since your cruising around with 900 hp under the hood!!

 

[Grumpy]

Been driving with a NON LU here for a few thousand miles in the past month.. I am a LU guy !!! My imput is where do ya live ???? IF its flat then maybe I could live with a NON LU... BUT if your in part of the country that has hills I'd stay with a LU hands down !!! We have long hills especially on the highways... Non LU's drive me crazy goin up hills.. BUT I am a fussy old fart when it comes to drivability on a DRIVER .

 

[turboclam]

Kinda hilly here in Atlanta depending on which direction you go. I'm entertaining the idea of going to a 4l80e with a lock-up. Thanks for the input!

 

[SHADOWII]

Dusty had commented about the 4l80e requiring big cu inches to move the car in the lower gears. I suggested the 9/11, but he stated that it wouldn't help either.

 

[usetaboost]

I've been all over the net getting opinions on converters from almost every forum and every make of domestic vehicle. I'll agree with most people on the board that it depends on what you actually want out of your car. NLU 9.5 from dusty is the only way to go if you plan on conquering the 1/4 every weekend. LU if you just plan on cruising. I'm sure some will disagree but here in Iowa there's everything from steep hills to miles of flat highway. EIther way get one of dusty's converters. Even his 10" lu are reworked and more efficient that most if not all. Also if you plan on going lockup stay under 2800 otherwise it will be too loose on the top end unless you plan on some rpm. I know this contradicts my purchase of a 3200 10" lu but most of my racing will be done 1/8th mile and if it comes to it I can sell it or trade it or have dusty lower the stall. If I were you with that setup I would call Dusty and have a little talk with him or at least send him a pm and get his opinion on it. Just like everything it all comes down to your setup and what you want out of the car.

 

[turboclam]

Thanks for the info usetaboost. Yea I've been searching all over too. Can you get a PTC in a multi-disc lock-up? Is that the way to go? Are the Precision Industies still hold a candle?

 

[usetaboost]

That's something you'd have to talk to dusty about. With your setup and if it was me I'd go with whatever he suggests. You have too much on the table to leave behind with the wrong converter

 

[RatFink]

I don't miss a lock-up, and I cruise mostly.

 

[scgnx2]

I don't miss a lock-up, and I cruise mostly.

Yep..I ran a Non lock up for 12 years..Engine builder replaced it with LU. Its okay,
but really liked the old non lock way more. It just felt so much smoother.

 

[bison]

Thanks for the info usetaboost. Yea I've been searching all over too. Can you get a PTC in a multi-disc lock-up? Is that the way to go? Are the Precision Industies still hold a candle?

No. Multi disc LU converters are problematic to say the least and won't deliver the performance a proper non LU will. It's not even a worthy comparison. The evolution of non LU converters is light years ahead of LU converters.

 

[Rodney87GN]

I run a 9.5" PTC 3000 stall non LU and I don't miss the lock up at all either. Weather permitting, its daily driven to work (23 miles one way, mostly freeway miles) and cruised a lot so its a true street car. My car only sees the track about 3 or 4 times a year. Sadly I get more freeway roll races but thats where a PTC converter happens to shine.

 

[turboclam]

Hmmm.

 

[Flyin Brian]

My lock up was supposed to be bulletproof. I have broken it once already with my average combo. It is fixed now but the stall speed is mis-matched for my engine. I am driving through it on the top end now bigtime. Everyone says to lock it in third at the track but I get the feeling that I would be breaking something for sure if I did that. I plan to switch to a non lock soon.

 

[Dusty Bradford]

I can build a triple disc lock up and have done so for some 4l80e customers. If someone wants it, I can build it. My thinking on the situation is that if I can build a 9.5 non lock for $950 that will out run a $1200 triple disc lock up then that's what I want. Yes the lock up will climb a hill at 2000 rpm on the highway but that is the only advantage of the lock up.

 

[BEATAV8]

I'm another one that doesn't miss the lock up.

With a 200R4, 3.42 gears and a 28" inch tire, there's not much about a LU to miss on the highway.

 

[Ed Valvo]

I went Non-LU and like it. Bison is right, converter tech has improved over the years. People say it will run a bit warmer so install a good tranny cooler.

 

[turboclam]

If I went with a non-lock, would going to like a 3.23 or 3.08 gear make sense?