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Save fuel
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Cooler transmission
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Better responsiveness
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Maximum engine braking
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Safelock® Clutch Protection
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Benefits of a torque converter lockup kit
Save fuel
When the vehicle is driven under load (eg, towing) customers have reported savings of between 10-20% on their fuel use. We’ve had as high as 30% reported by several Mitsubishi customers. When unlocked, the torque converter is a fluid coupling which is not 100% efficient. It saps power from the engine and generates heat. This inefficiency is worse under higher engine loads (higher slip) and equates to lost fuel. By locking the torque converter this inefficiency is eliminated, and the engine power is not lost to heat. This results in better fuel efficiency and more power to the wheels. The lockup kit saves fuel if the torque converter is locked when the factory ECU would otherwise have it unlocked, so actual fuel savings depend very much on the driving conditions and style.
Reduced transmission temperatures
The torque converter is the primary cause of transmission heat buildup and oil degradation. Damage caused by overheating the transmission and poor servicing are the main causes of expensive transmission re-builds. Under high loads, the transmission temperature slowly builds up as the transmission cooler cannot remove enough heat. But by locking the torque converter it eliminates the primary source of transmission heat generation. This enables towing up those steep mountain ranges, low-range 4WD steep hill climbs, and driving in sand without overheating issues. Reduced transmission oil temperatures also prolongs the oil lifespan.
Maximum engine braking
Locking the torque converter during descents will improve engine braking. The slip in the torque converter is eliminated and the engine RPM actually jumps up. This higher RPM creates more engine compression braking effect and delivers the maximum engine braking potential for the situation.
Enhanced driveability
Two of the key complaints customers have with an automatic gearbox are gear hunting on the highways and the slush-box driving feel. When the torque converter is locked, the slush-box feel is gone. All the power is transferred to the wheels without the engine RPM flaring up and down, and it provides true manual gearbox feel and responsiveness. The other complaint is gear hunting on the highway. This is typically just the torque converter unlocking on a slight incline and then re-locking. Using a lockup kit to keep the torque converter locked eliminates this key frustration.
Safelock® Clutch Protection
Our kits are designed to properly integrate with the operation of the vehicle. This includes reducing torque converter clutch wear by only locking the torque converter under low slip conditions using the same criteria as the factory ECU. Safelock® also includes other features which unlock the torque converter to avoid gear shift shock, and when under emergency braking conditions to avoid any possible interference with the vehicle safety systems (eg, anti-skid braking or stability control). Smooth engagement is achieved using the same variable PWM electrical signals as the factory ECU.
What is a torque converter lockup kit?
Firstly, what is the torque converter clutch and how does it work ?
The torque converter is a sophisticated fluid coupling in automatic vehicles, that transfers rotating power from the engine, to a rotating ??.
A manual vehicle has a gearbox so hence does not have a torque converter.
The video below explains it in detail (4:34 mins).
What does a lockup kit do?
A lockup kit changes the factory transmission gear shift points of the automatic transmission. In some vehicles, factory shift points are designed for smooth gear changes to please the driver, and no consideration is given to individual driving style or load conditions, ie towing, uphill, engine braking, city driving, etc. These events can result in slippage within the torque converter which means the impeller is spinning faster, causing the transmission oil temperature to rise (excessive heat). Over time, excessive heat causes oil degradation (miniscule flecks in the transmission oil.). These 'flecks' are what cause the dreaded damage to automatic transmissions.
How do our kits work?
Our kits connect directly to the vehicle's ECU (engine control unit) to change the factory transmission gear shift points of the automatic transmission.
So why do we change the shift points? In some vehicles, these shift points are designed for smooth gear changes to please the driver, and no consideration is given to individual driving style or load conditions, ie towing, uphill, engine braking, city driving, etc.These events can result in slippage within the torque converter which means the impeller is spinning faster, causing the transmission oil temperature to rise (excessive heat).
Over time, excessive heat causes oil degradation (miniscule flecks in the transmission oil.). These 'flecks' are what cause the dreaded damage to automatic transmissions.
Play the video below to learn more about our kits. Click to pause at any time.
Engineering Expertise
Marshall has 30+ years of professional engineering expertise on defence projects and a love for 4WDing, caravanning, and getting off-grid into remote places.... this is what fuels our product ideas.
Our philosophy is simple...
Each MM4X4 product is either designed to solve problems or just make your driving experience better or safer. Carefully considered, and skilfully designed, developed and tested.
Supporting you all the way with Firmware Updates
We are continuously improving our products and offer firmware updates to the control unit for existing customers. Before ordering a firmware update via the Shop, please contact us to determine if your unit has the latest firmware version, and/or what improvements are available.
Firmware updates are free. The cYou only pay the return postage and handling to have the control module sent back to you.
All new kits ordered come with the latest firmware.
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