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Re: [GMCnet] "six-speed" transmission [message #61688 is a reply to message #61583] Mon, 26 October 2009 07:07 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
Gary Casey is currently offline  Gary Casey   United States
Messages: 448
Registered: September 2009
Karma:
Senior Member
Emery,
I see your point, but the problem is that a torque converter is a relatively inefficient way to multiply torque. Yes, the engine speed might go up 300 rpm like you say, allowing the engine to produce maybe 10% more power. But perhaps half of that extra power will be lost in the transmission, so only 5% will get to the wheels and 5% will be lost as heat in the oil. In that condition the torque converter will be running at about 90% efficiency. In third gear the gearset is running at 100% efficiency(locked up) and in 2nd gear it will have an efficiency of about 99%. Sure, the engine will be running faster, and less efficiently, in 2nd gear, but the transmission efficiency may go from 90 to at least 96%.
Putting more power in doesn't necessarily produce more power out. As you say, it may allow you to "split the gears", but not very efficiently. I guess I'm not a fan of complex torque converters. We had a Dynaflo 4100 once when I was a kid and I remember studying it really hard to figure out how it worked.
Gary



________________________________
From: Emery Stora <emerystora@mac.com>

I never said that there was a free lunch. Unless one has one of these
on their GMC they usually really don't understand the benefit. In
fact, the torque converter begins to generate a lot of heat and you
can watch the tranny temp gauge start to climb so it should be watched
closely so you don't overheat the transmission.

However you get about 300 or so more RPM in Drive which can keep your
speed up going up a grade. The Roe electronic controller that I use
with my switch pitch turns it off in about 30 seconds. I then look at
my temperature gauge and sometimes move the switch to the override
position if the temperature is not too high so that I can maintain
speed to the top of the grade. However, if it is a long grade and my
speed starts to drop off I turn the switch pitch off and downshift to
second on the transmission.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM


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