Torque Converters

You may not know this, but when you drive an automatic transmission car, you have the upper hand over your car’s torque converter. The reason? The reason is simple: torque converters transfer your engine power output to the car’s transmission, which means that every time you shift gears, you are commanding the torque converter for more power. However, if it starts causing problems, you may no longer be in the driver’s seat, which is why being aware of its common failing signs is vital to extending its lifeline and enjoying uninterrupted rides now and again. As soon as you notice problems in its working, visit your auto mechanic to get it fixed or replaced, either with a turbo 400 torque converter or any other.

3 Signs That Indicate a Failing Turbo 400 Torque Converter

Slipping

If your car shudders when you start it and put it in gear, the chances are that your torque converter is damaged. The slipping happens when you are driving or changing gears and may accompany odd noise. Since the primary role of a turbo 400 torque converter is to efficiently convert engine power into hydraulic pressure for the transmission to use for shifting gear, if it is malfunctioning, you may experience slipping in overdrive.

Overheating

Many sports cars and high-end models come with a transmission temperature indicator that informs you when the car’s transmission is overheating. When the transmission starts to overheat, it also performs differently and often does not change or engage gears at all. It usually overheats because of a failing torque converter that does not smoothly transfer power output to the transmission. If your car keeps overheating, visit your auto mechanic to get the issue resolved. In case it’s damaged beyond repair, choose an appropriate converter, be it a turbo 400 torque converter or any other.

Damaged Torque Converter Seal

The best way to find a broken torque converter seal is to observe fluid leaks. If you notice fluid leaks in your car, make sure to get it inspected by a skills auto mechanic as it can permanently damage both the converter and transmission, putting a dent in your pocket. It’s also a good idea to get the seals replaced regularly, as they wear out over time because of many reasons.

In a Nutshell

While you are the master over your car’s torque converter when driving, a failing converter can take a toll on the transmission as well as your driving experience, which is why repairing it soon after you notice the failing signs is vital. If you are looking for high-performance transmissions and/or a turbo 400 torque converter for your sports car, no matter the make and model, get in touch with us to discuss your requirements.

Have you ever wondered what a lockup torque converter, or when should a torque converter lockup? If you have, then let’s explain each of these to you, and generally, all you need to know about a torque converter. But first off, you already get the picture that this is a major component in your car. And that being so, its function aid the car’s performance.

Understanding Torque Converters

A torque converter is a coupling that sends rotating power to a rotating driven load. This power moves from the prime mover such as an internal combustion engine before it gets to the load. It can, therefore, be said that the torque converter creates a connection between the power source and the load in an automatic transmission.

This component is also connected to the flexplate directly, and the latter connects directly to the crankshaft. A torque converter has the major characteristic of multiplying torque if the output rotational speed is low. And this multiplication enables the fluid from the turbine’s curved vanes to deflect off the stator.

The early designs of the torque converter caused an RPM slippage of fluid between its turbine and impeller. When that happens, there is often a disturbance in the oil and this turbulence leads to the generation of heat. Automakers began to use air vanes positioned outside the torque converter in a bid to reduce the heat and cool the oil.

Nonetheless, this structure was used in small vehicles and it showed very little success. The oil was moved through the transmission cooler just to reduce the heat, but at the expense of energy and fuel being wasted.

What Is a Lockup Torque Converter?

Lockup torque converters are a type of converter that has a clutch. The engagement of this clutch causes the engine to lock to the transmission input shaft thereby leading to a direct 1:1 drive ratio. A lockup torque converter is used since it offers fuel economy, enabling you to use fuel minimally while on that joy ride.

History of Lockup Converters

Lockup torque converters gained popularity when it was discovered that manual transmissions are more fuel-efficient than automatic transmissions. The old torque converters also led to a loss in RPM between the gearbox’s crankshaft and input shaft. For this reason, it earned automatics the name slushbox at the time.

On the other hand, car manufacturers had to meet fuel economy targets set by the government. Accordingly, automatic transmissions were made to have an overdrive which helps to improve fuel economy. And this overdrive enabled the engine to turn while in lower RPM as the vehicle accelerates at a fast speed.

While this was an advantage, it wasn’t all so rosy when the engine turned slowly given that there was a slippage of the torque converter. As the torque converter slipped, it generated heat, which could potentially affect the converter and transmission negatively.

This heat also impacted on fuel economy, thereby overriding the purpose the overdrive was used in the first place. Accordingly, a lock-up of the converter helped to curb this slippage, and at the same time reduce heat and improve fuel economy.

Stages of Operation

The operation of the lockup converter is a bit complicated but one can still gain an understanding of it. In this case, there is a lock of the turbine to the torque converter’s case by the hydraulic pressure and this occurs when the crankshaft and input shaft are to turn at the same time while driving.

The engagement of the lockup clutch causes the fluid in the converter to rotate and at a speed similar to other components of the converter. The good thing is, heat is curbed significantly and so is the oil turbulence. The movement of the fluid can be attributed to the circulation which cycles the fluid through the cooler.

Furthermore, the lock-up mechanism takes advantage of a frictional clutch which is managed by a hydraulic pressure circuit. The engagement of the mechanism causes the components of the torque converter to serve as a rotating flywheel mass. As a result, this helps to reduce the load on the radiator while promoting fuel economy.

Lockup Torque Converter Failures

A torque converter lockup clutch may fail and there are different ways this failure can occur. For instance, this component can remain locked up, and as such, it causes the engine to stall as the car is braked. Another way it can fail is if the component does not lock and that results in increased fuel consumption as well as radiator temperature.

Finally, the converter can tend to slip when it is engaged, thereby allowing the engine speed to increase at a constant speed. It is worth noting that a torque converter may not lockup for the following reasons:

• • A cold engine temperature: There are cases where the converter may not lockup except the coolant temperature reaches 120°F.
  • Lockout of the overdrive unit: An overdrive unit that is locked-up causes the torque converter lockup to also be locked out.

Signs of a Failing Torque Converter

There are times when your lockup clutch will not engage, and you can easily spot out when that happens. To this, you need to pay attention to the transmission shift timing and quality. You can also use an auxiliary tachometer since there are cases where the lockup clutch engagement may be gentle with a minor change of engine speed.

On the other hand, torque converters will tend to unlock from the application of the brake or at the release of the throttle. The disengagement of the clutch may be easier to spot out compared to the engagement, given that it occurs gradually in some cars.

The Bottom Line

A lockup torque converter is important in automatic transmissions to reduce slippage. And once slippage is curbed, heat generation is minimal while fuel economy is improved. This and many more have been outlined above to give you an insight into this component and why you may need one.

If you own a car with an automatic transmission, chances that you’ve heard the term “torque” or “torque converter” from time to time. But what do all these mean and how does a torque converter work? And most importantly, are there any benefits you stand to gain from installing an aftermarket torque converter? Let’s take a quick look.

 

What Is a Torque Converter?

A torque converter is one of the major components in an automatic transmission, and it can be likened to a mechanical clutch in a manual transmission. As a type of fluid coupling, a torque converter transfers rotating power from a prime mover to a rotating driven load. The latter helps to connect the power source to the load in an automatic transmission.

Furthermore, this unit is located between the transmission and the engine flexplate – And it enables the engine to run while the car is stationary, but transfers power once the car starts moving. An aftermarket torque converter, however, is a converter that presents as a spare part.

 

Internal Components of Torque Converters

There are three main internal components in the torque converter that aids in its operation. These components include a pump, turbine, and stator. There is also the transmission fluid that moves through these components.

1. Pump

A converter’s housing connects to the engine’s flywheel, whereas the fins of the pump are links to the housing. This pump spins and pushes fluid outwards; hence, it is a centrifugal pump. The operation of the pump helps to create a vacuum that attracts more fluid towards the center, which then enters the turbine.

2. Turbine

The turbine is connected to the transmission through the output shaft, and the turbine’s spinning causes the transmission to move the car. Once fluid exits the turbine, it moves in a direction opposite to that of the engine and the pump.

3. Stator

The stator is located in the middle of the torque converter and it helps to redirect fluid before it re-enters the pump. The stator is placed on a fixed shaft, even though it has an internal one-way clutch to enable it freewheel at certain operating speeds.

 

How Does a Torque Converter Work?

There are three stages of operation evident in a torque converter and these are stall, acceleration, and coupling. Let’s take a closer look at each.

1. Stall

Stalling is when the turbine cannot rotate even after the prime mover has applied power to the impeller. A real-life scenario is when a driver puts the car’s transmission in gear, and at the same time, applies brakes continuously to prevent the car from moving.

What’s more, sufficient input power applied helps the torque converter to produce maximum torque multiplication – and the resulting multiplication is referred to as stall ratio. This stage of operation usually lasts briefly when the load starts to move initially since there will be a significant difference between the pump and turbine speed.

How to Check Your a Converter’s Stall Speed

One way to check a converter’s stall speed is to place the vehicle in Drive and press on the brake firmly – the throttle can be depressed fully for some seconds. The maximum RPM displayed is the stall speed of the vehicle’s converter.

What may be evident, is the tires spinning, due to the fact that the brake system may not be able to hold the engine back. The latter is known as brake stall speed and it is lower than the true stall speed.

2. Acceleration

In a situation where the load is accelerating but there is a large difference between the impeller and turbine speed, the torque converter will produce torque multiplication that is lesser compared to what would’ve been attainable under stall conditions. Nonetheless, the actual difference between the pump and the turbine speed will determine the amount of multiplication that is produced.

3. Coupling

Coupling is a stage of operation where the lock-up clutch is applied, which brings about fuel economy. Here, the turbine has achieved approximately 90 percent of the impeller’s speed. Also, torque multiplication is no longer evident and the torque converter’s operation can be likened to that of a simple fluid coupling.

 

Benefits of Aftermarket Torque Converters

There are several benefits of a torque converter, and some of these are:

1. Multiplication of Torque

A torque converter performs differently from a regular fluid coupling.  The latter matches the rotational speed, however, it is unable to multiply torque. In contrast, a torque converter can multiply torque in cases where the output rotational speed is low to the extent that it allows the fluid from the curved vanes of the turbine to be deflected off the stator.

Moreover, this fluid deflection occurs while the stator is locked against its one-way clutch, thereby providing the equivalent of a reduction gear. Torque multiplication also occurs when there is a difference between input and output speed.

2. Slippage

Some torque converters are built with a “lockup” mechanism. What the lockup does, is to bind the engine to the transmission rigidly when their speeds are almost equivalent. This operation helps to prevent high levels of slippage, and loss of efficiency.

Also, this helps to eliminate wasted power and at the same time improve fuel efficiency as high as 65 percent. If there are continuous high levels of slippage, however, it could make it difficult for the converter to dissipate heat.

When this happens, it could damage the elastomer seals that are responsible for retaining fluid within the converter. As time goes on, the fluid inside the converter may leak completely, thereby causing it to stop working.

 

The Bottom Line

A torque converter is a useful fluid coupling in automatic transmissions given the range of benefits it offers. From its ability to multiply torque, to preventing slippage that will bring about performance efficiency.

Nevertheless, it is worth noting that several components including the impeller, stator, and turbine aid its operation. Likewise, the three stages of operation are what finally leads to the resultant benefits reaped from using even an aftermarket torque converter.

 

Cars have come a long way from not only offering high horsepower, low emissions, but driveability which was once a bone of contention. These days, fuel economy, power, and speed can be found in auto shift-cars and for those who may have had a hard time abandoning their gearshift, there should be no second thoughts given these enhancements.

However, to get the benefits from today’s technology, you need to select the right torque converter for your automatic. This is because a torque converter does not only link the engine to the transmission, it tunes the connection to give the most power while minimizing heat.

The power of driveability and reliability lies in its hands and as such, choosing the wrong torque converter can twat your dream of a stout gear-bangin’. For this reason, if you have plans to speed up your car and get some fuel mileage irrespective of the shift pattern you’ve settled with, then it begins with falling back on the torque converter basics.

What Is a Torque Converter?

A torque converter transmits the engine’s torque to the transmission which enables you to move along the road. What this means is that it connects the power source to the load by transferring rotating power from a prime mover to a rotating driven load.

Torque converters can be found in automatic transmission vehicles and as such, they replace the clutch in manuals.

How Torque Converters Work

A torque converter’s mode of operation is similar to fluid coupling because it multiplies torque when the rotational speed is low to the point that it allows the fluid that is coming off the curved vanes to deflect off the stator.

A quality converter will minimize stall in other to prevent slushing that may lead to overheating. It can also ensure that the right power band is selected to get you into gear and the stall required is used to enable you to halt when necessary.

Major Parts and Components

The major parts you’ll find in a torque converter are impeller or pump, turbine, and stator or reactor.

The pump is similar to a centrifugal pump and it has several longitudinal fins which help to move the fluid around its outside diameter to the turbine. The turbine is connected to the drivetrain through the input shaft of the transmission and as this component moves, so does the car. The stator, on the other hand, is the fluid director and what it does, is to change the fluid flow between the pump and the turbine.

The Must-Knows

Engines and transmissions have evolved over the years, and so have torque converters that aid in the functionality of the duo. That is why you will find a number of high-end street cars today powered with the same converter that was once considered race-only converter. The latter are converters that use the same technology as steel stator designs to give them the strength to withstand the applications they are used.

Now that’s out of the way, here are some ways on how to speed up your car using the torque converter basics. Today, there are great cars with a promise of high horsepower, speed, and fuel economy, however, car enthusiasts’ expectations for these cars have also soared.

To meet these expectations, there are a number of torque converter basics that can give your car an edge in the competition with millions of others out there. The goal is to aim for the right torque converter, and not just one that is a perfect fit between the engine and the transmission. Accordingly, the basics you should keep in mind are:

Use quality fluid and filter to service your unit.

The use of fluid and filter of good quality can never be overemphasized since it can help to combat excess heat. One thing you may want to be on the lookout for is the amount of heat produced by your car since it could affect how long it services your needs.

Use a cooling system for your transmission.

A cooling system will also help to regulate your engine’s temperature and prevent overheating. Keep in mind that no matter the quality of torque converter you settle for, more priority has to be given to combat heat. Thus, this calls for a cooling system to be paired with quality fluid and filter.

Provide all the necessary information to your technician.

Torque converters may strive to achieve the same purpose, but they are not all built to fit the same car.

Your car being the same as your buddy does not mean that you can use the same torque converter as them since no two cars are the same and one size cannot fit them all.

At this juncture, it is good to know that there are companies that specially design torque converters to fit how the car will be used and the driver’s needs.

These companies have tech lines which you can use to reach out to them to provide as much information as possible about the torque converter you need to be built.

Remember, information can never be enough and the most important include rear end gear and tire size, camshaft specs, and engine size.

Use a lock-up converter.

For reliability, increased fuel mileage, and driveability, a lock-up becomes needful.

It can greatly reduce the transmission’s heating issues as a result of too much slippage from a higher-stall converter.

You’ll find a lock-up converter in an overdrive-style transmission and the converter features a clutch that when engaged, creates a near direct drive effect.

What this does is reduce slippage to a minimal level irrespective of the stall speed which, in turn, helps to combat the heat that could potentially kill the transmission.

Consider the camshaft.

Camshafts and converters have a close relationship and they may be helpful in selecting the right converter.

A camshaft can greatly determine the powerband of the engine combination and as such, it plays an important role in helping you select the converter.

Matt Kehoe from B&M, for instance, outlined that before its company can provide accurate converter recommendation, they need to know the exhaust and intake duration at .050-inch lift.

In his opinion, a 2,000 or 2,400-stall converter is a good choice when one considers cam duration up to 248 degrees.

On the other hand, a 2,400 or 3,000-stall converter is a better option for cam duration up to 268 degrees while a 3,000 to 3,600 stall converter is a good way to go for advertised cam duration over 272 degrees.

These values may look vague, but what they actually mean is that to get optimum performance, you need a torque converter with just the right amount of stall that will not generate heat.

There’s also the benefit of allowing the engine to sit idle in gear especially if a stock camshaft is used.

Determine the right stall speed, then choose wisely!

We’ve stressed the need to get the right stall speed in order to prevent overheating, but it might be difficult to ascertain when the stall is right.

That’s no longer the case when you consider a number of factors. The first is determining if your car currently has the right stall speed by determining:

• • • • If your car clunks when its put in gear.
      • If it slips when accelerated on the highway.
      • If it heats excessively after being driven for long.

Research all your power-adder predicament options.

Performance-enhancing add-ons such as blowers, turbos, nitrous, etc. have a unique torque curve which varies depending on the type of power adder. As a result, if you plan on using any of these, then you need to ensure that your torque converter of choice has been customized to meet that torque curve.

Bringing Speed and Drivability to Your Ride

These torque converter basics will ensure that you get a unit that is just right for your car which is one that can provide optimum performance. You will also be able to determine if the camshaft in your car is the right one and if there are needs for a replacement. It all boils down to this: there are important factors you need to consider before settling for a torque converter that will make you enjoy every minute you’ll spend on the road.