Any Experiences with The LuK TorCon TC0017 Torque Converter?

[West 1]

Mine is bone stock from 2008 tune but a few years ago a new Techm was installed maybe it is updated? It wouild still be GM program though.

 

[Chris2144]

It will still have the tc slip in the tuning though.

We had a discussion about this a while back. I think if you are using an aftermarket market converter and/or have afm disabled you should remove all tc slip.

 

[West 1]

My 6.2L did not have AFM at the factory. I think all 2007 and 2008 6.2L were built with no AFM. Don't have that to worry about.
I may consider a tranny tune just to improve shift points and reliability in the future. I have no interest in modifying the engine tune. It runs fantastic as is and runs well on 87 octane.
It is rated with less HP than the Escalade version which has the Premium fuel requirement but I don't need the extra 30 HP. It is a beast as is for me.

 

[Marky Dissod]

I have no interest in modifying the engine tune.

You would be very interested, if you fully appreciated that a thorough and proper engine tune also improves durability and longevity, not just performance.
If you're just talking about 'canned' tunes or unaltered mail-order tunes, you are correct, though.

 

[Chris2144]

I just did the trans tune on mine.
Changed the shift points a little and converter lockup.
Converter feels solid holds well.
I also increased idle a little bit too. I’m gonna drive it for a bit I may adjust a little more.

 

[Chris2144]

So here are some pics of some of the things I have changed. It not anything major but I think definitely helps a lot.

Torque converter slip, you want to zero out all desired slip tables even though my 6.2 doesn’t have dod I still went in and zeroed out all the tables for it.
I have read that this will prolong pr valve life because when slip is desired the valve is moving back and forth rapidly to achieve the amount of desired slip.

Shift points. In the shift schedule I changed shift points to extend through gears a little more.

 

[Marky Dissod]

@LSCALADE, please explain to @Chris2144 how to properly disable torque converter clutch slip.
For bonus points / extra TCC longevity feel free to disable the TCC in 4th gear.

 

[LSCALADE]

So here are some pics of some of the things I have changed. It not anything major but I think definitely helps a lot.

Torque converter slip, you want to zero out all desired slip tables even though my 6.2 doesn’t have dod I still went in and zeroed out all the tables for it.
I have read that this will prolong pr valve life because when slip is desired the valve is moving back and forth rapidly to achieve the amount of desired slip.

Shift points. In the shift schedule I changed shift points to extend through gears a little more.

On the apply ramp 4WD Lo look at that table and you may see ZERO values at around the 20rpm splip mark. Shift that table to where Zero is under the Zero slip and keep the rest of it the same.

For the apply and release, if you set them to something like 130mph you should be ok or you can do the 318 on apply and 315 on the release.

I have mine set to where after 50% throttle the numbers shift to 318 and what it does is when you get into the throttle and you cross that 50% mark the TC unlocks and you feel it like a 1/2 gear change.

 

[Chris2144]

I thought keeping the converter in lock up up would be a good thing for keeping heat down.
I had 4th gear unlocked and a good ways through 5th I test drove it and immediately noticed higher trans temps like up to 170 pretty quick. I changed it to have lockup in forth and a little lower in 5th and also run 5th out a little more in part throttle and trans temps came down with the converter being in lockup more.
With this luk being a multi disk clutch I thought it would be a good thing.
I’m no expert by any means though

 

[Chris2144]

Ok I did notice that the tcc unlock is gone on part throttle increase in 6th I’ll try that

 

[Just Fishing]

Thanks for the info, @MWD_CTSV . I have disabled lockup in 1-4 with my original converter and intend to reenable lockup (but with zero slip) when I install a new converter, so I'll have to find out more info about whether their clutch material can be used with zero slip.

Be careful with 0 slip and an aftermarket converter.
It can cause increased converter pressure, that gets transferred to the crankshaft.

Something about the piston design can cause some thrust bearing issues (drove me insane!!).
@NickTransmissions

I currently rock a double clutch Circle D converter with reduced slip in the tune.
I also have less overall pressure set for my lockup clutches.

 

[Just Fishing]

Also with the 6 speed, you have different settings for tow mode and regular.
some of it is trial and error until you figure it out.

I have mine setup to remove converter lockup when in tow mode, but I allow it in 6th speed.
that way I can put it in tow + M - 5 if I don't want it to lockup at all.

I have a large transmission cooler to keep temps under control.

 

[Chris2144]

Why do we want to keep the converter unlocked.
Especially in tow/haul mode the added stress will build unnecessary heat and having a dual disk tcc that is rated for way more it should not have a problem.

Is there something I don’t know about with the 6l80 that would make it need this.

I’m seeing anywhere from 40-75 psi of tcc line pressure when it’s locked depending on how much throttle is applied.

 

[MWD_CTSV]

I thought keeping the converter in lock up up would be a good thing for keeping heat down.
I had 4th gear unlocked and a good ways through 5th I test drove it and immediately noticed higher trans temps like up to 170 pretty quick. I changed it to have lockup in forth and a little lower in 5th and also run 5th out a little more in part throttle and trans temps came down with the converter being in lockup more.
With this luk being a multi disk clutch I thought it would be a good thing.
I’m no expert by any means though

Yes, TCC lockup (even with slip) is a lot less heat than no lock. In the mountains on some tight curves I saw over 200 really quickly in the lower gears with no lockup. 4th is the weakest clutch vs 5&6, so I chose to only lockup 5&6, but that has a definite negative when it comes to running extended use in 4th vs the excessive heat created.
You are the first one with experience and real data with the Luk dual clutch, but I agree that it should handle slip or no slip without issue. In fact, I expect the dual clutch to better handle small amounts of slip, as well as greater hp with full lock.

 

[MWD_CTSV]

Why do we want to keep the converter unlocked.
Especially in tow/haul mode the added stress will build unnecessary heat and having a dual disk tcc that is rated for way more it should not have a problem.

Is there something I don’t know about with the 6l80 that would make it need this.

I’m seeing anywhere from 40-75 psi of tcc line pressure when it’s locked depending on how much throttle is applied.

That is a good data point to show that the Luk is calibrated to work with the stock programming. Presumably the dual clutch can dissipate the friction and heat across more surface area to greatly improve the operational lifetime.

 

[Chris2144]

Before I put the trans tune on it was working fine with the stock tuning.
After I got done with the install I took it for a drive and logged it with hp tuners so I could see any changes.
Biggest thing was there was no more shuddering, I did see some converter slip while logging but it was only going up one particular hill low rpm around 30-40 percent throttle.
I did not feel anything.

Now after I tuned it there is zero slip and when the tcc is locked the tcc line pressure is very smooth unlike with the factory converter the pressure would bounce around trying to control the slip.

This is a very budget friendly converter and at least for a stock application it performs great.

I have about 5k miles on it and so far everything is good.

In town 80 degrees Outside slow under 40mph tcc unlocked trans temps can get up to 170-180 but as soon as you speed up and the converter locks temp drops to around 140.

Mind you this is with the stock trans cooler which is next on my list of things to do.