TO LOCK, or NOT TO LOCK.

[HeatleyRacing]

That is my question.. Im enjoying reading all these posts about Lock up and non lock ups. Im trying to read between the lines and figure out what I really need since I prefer to make the purchase of a new converter ONCE.. THe following is a list of what my car currently has for modifications

RedArmstrong F7599H (107chip)
Red Armstrong Volt Booster kit
Red Armstrong XP Fuel pump
Red Armstrong Billet Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator
Scan Master 2.1 tuning/scanning tool
Applied Technologies valve cover breather kit
Racetronix Fuel Pump Hot wire and Body ground kit # RXG7-FPWHG
42# injectors
Stretched Intercooler and a half
Terry Houston 3” downpipe
Applied Technologies Stainless Pitbull exhaust w /cat
Precision T-49 Turbo
Applied Technologies Cold Air intake
Hotchkis front sway bar
Hotchkis rear bar
Hotchkis rear control arms
Air bags in rear springs
Mickey Thompson 235/60 Drag radials

Im sticking to my guns on this car and DO NOT want to go any faster than mid 11s in the 1/4 mile, because I refuse to put a roll bar in it. The car is only driven as a pleasure car when its nice out or to cruise nights and the local True Street races.
Im seeing that guys say the single disk lock ups get torn up locking the trans early for a lil extra performance. THe multi disks they say clatter and rattle. The non lock up guys say they are just as efficient and will perform as well..

What is the best thing to use to put my car into the mid 11s and retain some durability and the best driveability ??? Thanks

 

[mikestertwo]

Being that your car will be mostly street driven and a pleasure car go with a 10" LU in the 2800-3000 stall range. Just don't lock it when your racing. We went 11.49@117+ with a TA-49 and not locking the converter. What cam are you running?

 

[TurboDave]

You definately want a lock up converter. As for locking it at the track, I'd recomend not unless you're willing to go to a multi disc.

As for statements about NLU being as efficient as a LU. They "might" be alble to make that arguement on a race piece. But nobody in their right mind will try and make the claim that a NLU is as efficient as a LU on the highway, cruising, which is where the LU really shines, and should be the reason you would want one.
A nice moderate stall single disc lock up converter would be best for what you're looking at doing.

 

[HeatleyRacing]

Thanks for the insight guys.

Mike, It still has all the stock engine stuff. (including cam and valve springs) Im told I should at least think about doing a set of comp 980 springs in these heads to handle the extra boost pressure.. Also Mike, I believe Red told me this 107 chip locks the converter at 68 mph.. Will that toast the single disk LU verter?

 

[bison]

Id keep a stock style 12" converter in there for your combo as it is now. If you decided to go with heads cam, turbo in the future you will need more. even with the stock converter WOT locking will wear out the LU clutch eventually if locked under power enough times. It would take around 100 lockups to wear yours out at your power level.

 

[GNVYUS 1]

I'd be surprised if the car did mid 11's with those tires and the TA49 without any heads and a cam in a heavier than stock GN.

IMO, in order for you to get the mid 11 with your setup you're going to HAVE to lock the D5 in 3rd to get close.

BTW, isn't 68mph the end of 2nd?

 

[Russ Merritt]

PTS billet 9/11

Driveability, WOT lock-up capability with durability, no noise. Little extra cash but they work well.

 

[Junior Samples]

get toggleswitch, run wire to ground and other to F on ALCL, top pin on driverside. thats for lock up if you want to hit it at top of 2nd gear er whatever

turn off lockup is prple wire at switch on brake pedal..toggle inline going to ground i thinky.

note i also use a 700-r4 filter use original O ring and one that comes with filter. small rubber hose slipped over conector that goes to 4th gear switch will prevent it from shorting out from that filter

Im running a keith neil bolt together 2800 lock up..nice unit

 

[bison]

I'd be surprised if the car did mid 11's with those tires and the TA49 without any heads and a cam in a heavier than stock GN.

IMO, in order for you to get the mid 11 with your setup you're going to HAVE to lock the D5 in 3rd to get close.

BTW, isn't 68mph the end of 2nd?

Maybe in a stock cammed engine with an inefficient converter. i shift at about 82mph into 3rd.