There are many questions you may have about transmissions, so we have compiled a whole page of Frequently Asked Questions to help you with your transmission questions. From Transmission dimensions, to gear ratios, and the meanings of some common tranny terms such as “lock up”, “stall speed”, and lot’s more. Here’s a sample ...
Popular Automotive Math Formulas and Conversions
RPM = mph X gear ratio X 336 divided by tire diameter.
To convert from:
Miles to Kilometers, Multiply by 1.609344
Liters to Cubic Inches, Multiply by 61.023744
Inches to Millimeters, Multiply by 54.4
millimeters to Inches, Multiply by .0393701
Do I need a computer or special wiring to install a 700R4 in my non computerized car?
No, the 700R4 and 2004R only need voltage to control the torque converter clutch solenoid, all the shifts are performed hydraulically. We wire our transmissions up internally so all you need to do is attach a 12 volt source to the supplied pigtail and the trans will do the rest.
What is “Lock-Up”?
The term “Lock-Up” refers to a clutch inside the torque converter that , when applied, locks the internal components of the converter together to achieve zero slippage in the converter. These type converters are found almost exclusively in overdrive transmissions but were also incorporated into some 3speed automatics with electronic control.
Why do I need a “Lock-Up” torque converter?
The greatest source of heat in an automatic transmission is the torque converter. This is because there is a constant source of friction within a converter and as we know, friction creates heat. Even the most efficient low stall torque converter will never stop slipping so you will always have that source of heat generation in a non locking converter. When you add stall speed to a converter you are raising the RPM that the converter must attain before it transmits full engine power back to the transmission. While this is great for performance, it creates an even greater heat and efficiency problem. To make matters worse, in an overdrive transmission, even with steep gears, the engine rpm’s at cruise may be substantially less than the stall speed of the converter, a recipe for disaster. By applying a Converter Clutch you eliminate this slippage and heat source, allowing you to have the benefits of a performance oriented stall speed, plus economy, efficiency and lower operating temperature.
What do you mean by stall speed?
Think of a torque converter as two fans facing each other. The first fan is attached to the engine and as it spins moves air to the second fan which causes it to spin as well. This second fan is attached to the transmission. As the speed of the first fan increases it pushes greater amounts of air to the point where the second fan is turning at nearly the same speed. This would be considered stall speed. In the torque converter these “fans “ are moving oil instead of air and by manipulating the angle of the fins, size of the converter and internal oil flow we can alter the speed at which the converter passes engine speed back to the transmission.
There are a couple of ways converter stall speed is rated, “brake stall” and “flash stall”. Naturally a converter slips the most at idle by design, so when you are stopped at a light it doesn’t drag the engine down like releasing a standard clutch. When the light changes and you ease on the throttle the converter begins passing engine torque to the vehicle gradually as rpm increases giving you a smooth ramp up to acceleration. This holds true for both stock and modified torque converters. If you were to hold the brake on and apply throttle till the engine stopped making rpm this would be “brake stall” speed. This is hard to measure because most performance vehicles will overpower the brakes and begin spinning the wheels before the stall point is reached. If you were to observe the tachometer as you made a full throttle launch with little or no wheel slip the tach would swing up quickly then stop and rise more slowly as the car accelerated down the track. The point to which the tach would quickly swing to would be the “flash stall” speed. You can also measure flash stall by having your transmission in top gear with the kickdown linkage disconnected and floorboarding the throttle, at approximately 45 mph. this will indicate flash stall as well.
There are a great many variables used in rating a converters stall speed including, cam size, engine torque, vehicle weight and gearing to name a few. An 1800lb. t-bucket with a mild small block can use the exact same converter to achieve 2000rpm stall speed as a 3800lb. Chevelle with a warmed up big block would use to obtain a 3000 rpm stall speed. The difference is in the torque converters ability to transfer engine power back to the trans. A heavier vehicle with more torque will need a higher rpm to achieve this transfer. That is why it is important that your converter builder have as much information as possible about your engine and vehicle combination so that he may design a converter to best get the power your engine makes transferred to the trans and rear wheels in the most efficient way possible.
What is COMPUSHIFT?®
COMPUSHIFT® is a revolutionary, state of the art product designed by HGM Automotive Electronics Inc. The COMPUSHIFT Transmission Control System (TCS) operates automatic shifting and converter clutch lock up for the 4L80E, 4L60E, AODE and 4R70W transmissions. COMPUSHIFT® is fully programmable and user friendly. Adding an electronically controlled transmission into a street rod, truck, RV or vehicle was never so easy.
You can email us with your questions. We’re happy to help. [email protected] or visit our website at www.phoenixtrans.com
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Phoenix Transmission Products has been providing quality performance built automatics since 1983. Its is our mission to provide the best in service and products for all your transmission needs. We are a company owned and operated by car enthusiasts who understand the value of your project and will work with you to achieve your performance objectives. All transmissions are custom built to order to provide a trans and converter matched to your engine, vehicle, and driving requirements. Unlike many of our competitors, all of our torque converters are built in house to insure the greatest compatibility and highest quality possible. All of our performance automatics are thoroughly Dyno tested in our 15,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Weatherford, Texas, just 30 minutes west of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. You’re welcome to come by and visit us if you’re in the area, we’re always glad to see you! Call or e-mail us with any questions you may have about our products and services. We’re here to help!
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