Does the car need tuning after TC install?

The engine is stock with 120k and the TC is 3400. The transmission feels like it shifts 5 times instead of 4. Is this normal without tuning? Will tuning fix this? Or is this a tranny problem? Thanks for for any help!!!

[MysticZ28]

Originally Posted by 99WS6TA

The engine is stock with 120k and the TC is 3400. The transmission feels like it shifts 5 times instead of 4. Is this normal without tuning? Will tuning fix this? Or is this a tranny problem? Thanks for for any help!!!

It can only shift 3 time ... 1-2;2-3;3-4 ... If you are wot into 4th the TC won't lock up until you back out of it.

Sometimes with a AM TC even with normal acceleration the TC may not lock up right away and may even lock, unlock and then lock again.

[nhraformula]

i had a converter tune done when i added the tc.

[Ed Blown Vert]

What you are feeling is the TC locking up. Normal.

Yes, all is well!!!!! That's right it should only shift 3 times but I feel 4 shifts. The last being the TC locking up. I appreciate it!!!

[MysticZ28]

Originally Posted by nhraformula

i had a converter tune done when i added the tc.

What did they do on your converter tune?

[nhraformula]

Originally Posted by MysticZ28

What did they do on your converter tune?

upped shift points,changed line pressure, deleted torque management and some other stuff i cant think of now.
the tune cost 150.

I plan on getting the mail order basic tune from TSP or ThunderRacing.

[MysticZ28]

Originally Posted by 99WS6TA

I plan on getting the mail order basic tune from TSP or ThunderRacing.

Save it and get a dyno tune when you do H/C ... unless you spend a lot of time at the track and want to squeze ever last hundreth out.

Setting your shift points is an exercise in futility unless you know exactly where you power curve is ... Torque management is good for a couple of hundreths ... Line pressure, just makes your shifts feel more impressive and some TC manufacturers recommend against with high stall converters.

[MNR-0]

Feeling your converter lockup nice and firm is a sure sign all is well. Mine locks up smoothly like a 5th gear.

I'm only about 3 hours from TSP and it is my understanding that you can get the dyno tune at a discounted rate if you by the basic tune from them first.

[nhraformula]

Originally Posted by MysticZ28

Setting your shift points is an exercise in futility unless you know exactly where you power curve is ... Torque management is good for a couple of hundreths ... Line pressure, just makes your shifts feel more impressive and some TC manufacturers recommend against with high stall converters.

any ls1 tuner will know where to set shift points. i did the converter before the cam and speedinc did the basic converter tune. they only upped the shift points by maybe 300rpm in every gear, but it made a difference for the better.

[MysticZ28]

Originally Posted by nhraformula

any ls1 tuner will know where to set shift points. i did the converter before the cam and speedinc did the basic converter tune. they only upped the shift points by maybe 300rpm in every gear, but it made a difference for the better.

Unless you have a dyno run to back it up or doing a series of runs while adjusting shift points, you are just guessing.

That said, what every LS1 tuner knows is the stock shift points are set so conservatively that upping them by 300 rpm over stock is a no brainer, for the most part.

Though 300 rpm will show an improvement over stock, what you don't know is whether 200 rpm over or 400 rpm over would have actually been optimal.

[nhraformula]

Originally Posted by MysticZ28

Unless you have a dyno run to back it up or doing a series of runs while adjusting shift points, you are just guessing.

That said, what every LS1 tuner knows is the stock shift points are set so conservatively that upping them by 300 rpm over stock is a no brainer, for the most part.

Though 300 rpm will show an improvement over stock, what you don't know is whether 200 rpm over or 400 rpm over would have actually been optimal.

i have a feeling busy tuners as speedinc know where improvements are to be had.

[mighty username]

they only happen to have Jim Moran as a tuner, who is quite possibly one of the most experienced LSx tuners in the country.

[hammertime]

Originally Posted by 99WS6TA

The engine is stock with 120k and the TC is 3400. The transmission feels like it shifts 5 times instead of 4. Is this normal without tuning? Will tuning fix this? Or is this a tranny problem? Thanks for for any help!!!

It was already stated above, but yes, you are feeling the lockup of the converter. Probably never noticed it before because the stock converter is already much closer to a fluid coupling when the electric clutch is engaging. Your looser converter probably lugs the engine just a bit as the clutch engages, feeling like another shift.