lock up/ non lockup

[griftymcgrift]

can anyone explain this system to me for my 4l60e? i just dont get when and why a converter would lock/unlock

thanks

[Tru2Chevy]

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/torque-converter4.htm

some cars have a torque converter with a lockup clutch. When the two halves of the torque converter get up to speed, this clutch locks them together, eliminating the slippage and improving efficiency.

- Justin

[griftymcgrift]

cool, thanks, how do i tell when its locked/unlocked and can i mash the gas then or should i not?

[Tru2Chevy]

You can floor it at any time, locked or not. I believe that if you go WOT on any stock 700R4/4L60/4L60e it will unlock right away and downshift (depending on what gear you were in and how fast you were going).

- Justin