To TCC lockup, or not to TCC lockup
Ok, I've got some questions about TCC lockup after doing some reading, and I realize I may have been quite mistaken about how a Torque converter really works.
I circle track a car (and the occasional road race)...it's an automatic, it's what the racing gods have given me, so going to a manual isn't an option. I'm trying to figure out how to get the most out of the transmission. I've altered shift pressures and shift speeds to get me the most out of each gear seeing how I'm always all throttle, or on the brakes, but I'm lost on the torque converter. At first I thought I could just tell it to engage at every gear at 30 mph, and disengage at 15 so it would always been engaged, but after some reading I've learned that it could hurt some of the torque because of the way it works (yeah, after all that reading, it assumes you already know enough to understand why....I don't). I'm racing it, so abuse is part of the game, I'm ok with that part. But what I thought I understood, I'm pretty unsure of now...one thing was at lower rpms disengaged it could enhance torque and act like a gear reduction...really???
So is it beneficial when racing an automatic to ever go into lockup, or always go into lockup, or only at certain times....argh! Understand my dilemma?? Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.
Now the car in questions is a 2004 Cavalier. I know this is the V8 board, and I apologize for coming here. The 4 cyl board is kinda deadish, and I'm looking for some info that I believe can be applied to all transmissions, not just a 4 cyl, and this board seems to be the most active transmission board. I'll provide my tune going both ways, anyone wanting to throw some suggestions would be a great help...thanks!!!