Thread: Lock up converters??

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I'm looking at a Th-350 chevy trans. It has a lock up converter(older model w/ one plug). What are the draw backs of not connecting it? Can you DIY hook it up fairly easily w/ a power source and a toggle switch?

Any help is much appreciated. I found a freshly rebuilt tranny for a good price, as long as the lock up is not a big issue. I want to grab it before someone else does.

Mike

Mike if you have a th350 or 400 there are no provisions for a lock up converter. There 3 speeds only. If your looking for a trans with lock up then look for 200r or 700. They have the lock up converter your talking about and yes there are kits to switch to lock up, ( click the TCI add below)there are also hydraluic kits that will lock it up with no switches. Great product, I have one and it's far superior to switches.

Jud

Originally Posted by sleeperred90tgp

Mike if you have a th350 or 400 there are no provisions for a lock up converter. There 3 speeds only. If your looking for a trans with lock up then look for 200r or 700. They have the lock up converter your talking about and yes there are kits to switch to lock up, ( click the TCI add below)there are also hydraluic kits that will lock it up with no switches. Great product, I have one and it's far superior to switches.

Jud

Jud,

You may want to reconsider that statement. This has been posted on several technical sites on the net:

The HydraMatic 350 transmission was prevalent in nearly all GM, rear-wheel-drive cars and trucks through 1981. It was typically paired with Small Block V6 & V8 engines. It was produced as the TH350-C through 1984. This later version had an electronic lock-up converter to increase fuel-efficiency at cruising speeds.

That being said, since the TH350C is not an overdrive trans, the lockup is only there for gas economy. You can drive it without connecting the lockup.

Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

... since the TH350C is not an overdrive trans, the lockup is only there for gas economy. You can drive it without connecting the lockup.

That is what I thought I had read somewhere, but I wanted to be sure. I'm going to look at the tranny tomorrow so I'm happy to hear that from someone else before hand. Thank you very much.

Please do a bit of research on a company of your choice Maybe TCI, Carr, whoever you wish)for the lock up system. You can aquire a simple setup cheaply for the lock up to only engage when a manual switch is used with a back up on the TH350C and 250C for disengagement when you forget to flip the switch at a light. It uses the pressure port for direct clutch lock up so when it falls short on pressure, you have the converter clutch kick out so the engine doesn't stall.

Thanks for the info. The only lock up kit for the TH-350c I saw was one by B&M for around $180. Do you happen to know of any other cheaper kits that will work w/ a TH-350c?
If not I may just look into a DIY hook up when I get a chance to see the trans in person and read a little more.

For what it is worth the trans has a new 12" TCI lock up converter.
Mike

I bought the tranny today.
I got a TH-350c w/ a brand new TCI 2000 stall lockup converter for $500. The trans was freshly rebuilt by a tranny shop that is one of the sellers son's sponsors in junior drag racing. They had no idea he was selling it, so they beefed it up for him during the rebuild thinking they were doing him a favor for the cost. He literally just picked it up from them for me to come see. I got a 6 month warranty too from the trans shop. I also got to look around a garage of goodies in case I needed anything from headers to rear end gears.

This was said in another thread recently and I agree- hot rodders are some of the best people!!