Does Torque Converter upgrade requires a tuning?

[novemberr]

Hello,
I'm going to upgrade to GM 300mm HP Series 6L80 Torque Converter from CircleD.
Do I need to turn off lockup in PCM?
Does BlackBear Traditional Tune Service include such operation?
Thanks for help.

 

[Marky Dissod]

I'm going to upgrade to GM 300mm HP Series 6L80 Torque Converter from CircleD.

Good.

Do I need to turn off lockup in PCM?

No, please don't, this would be counterproductive.

Does BlackBear Traditional Tune Service include such operation?

Of course, but unnecessary in your case.

The question he did not ask:
Typically, aftermarket torque converter tuning is only required when the upgrade involves a significantly higher 'stall speed' than OE spec.
Except for hardcore racing, this has become very rare for 6L80/6L90 and nearly useless for 8L90 & 10L80 due to their vast gear spreads.

The take:
if the torque converter upgrade does not involve a significantly higher stall speed than OE spec, upgrade & go.

 

[novemberr]

Good.No, please don't, this would be counterproductive.Of course, but unnecessary in your case.

The question he did not ask:
Typically, aftermarket torque converter tuning is only required when the upgrade involves a significantly higher 'stall speed' than OE spec.
Except for hardcore racing, this has become very rare for 6L80/6L90 and nearly useless for 8L90 & 10L80 due to their vast gear spreads.

The take:
if the torque converter upgrade does not involve a significantly higher stall speed than OE spec, upgrade & go.

Appreciate your help.
My truck has been tuned with BlackBear. Will the tune have any impact on new CircleD converter?

 

[Marky Dissod]

My truck has been tuned with BlackBear. Will the tune have any impact on new CircleD converter?

How can anyone possibly answer that for sure without details about this 'CircleD' converter that you have not yet provided (they make others, which one?),
like the detail I mentioned at least 2x?
Did you ask BlackBear this specific question? If you did, I bet he asked you to describe your converter.

But IF (IFF) the stall speed is unchanged, then the tune and the converter have accounted for each other, rest easy.
If NOT, ASK YOUR TUNER, who will ask you, 'what's the stall speed of your new converter?'

 

[novemberr]

How can anyone possibly answer that for sure without details about this 'CircleD' converter that you have not yet provided (they make others, which one?),
like the detail I mentioned at least 2x?
Did you ask BlackBear this specific question? If you did, I bet he asked you to describe your converter.

But IF (IFF) the stall speed is unchanged, then the tune and the converter have accounted for each other, rest easy.
If NOT, ASK YOUR TUNER, who will ask you, 'what's the stall speed of your new converter?'

I'm sorry that I didn't tell the detail.
The converter is GM 300mm HP Series 6L80 Torque Converter.
This is the basic version with

• Converter Diameter: 300mm - 12"
• Stall Speed Options - Factory (1800-2000rpm)
  

 

[Marky Dissod]

I'm sorry that I didn't tell the detail.
The converter is GM 300mm HP Series 6L80 Torque Converter.
This is the basic version with

• Converter Diameter: 300mm - 12"
• Stall Speed Options - Factory (1800-2000RpM)

No worries, just making notes for future readers; the devil is in the details.
In your case the details are pretty much GM OE, so, no worries, move along, nothing to see here ...
If your torque converter had been 'looser', and/or had a significantly higher stall speed, then tuning would be strongly advised, if not required.

• Any torque converter designed to behave similarly to 'THE' GM OE converter in terms of stall speed, requires zero tuning adjustments.
• Any torque converter designed to behave similarly to 'A' - but NOT 'THE' - GM OE converter in terms of stall speed, requires very subtle tuning adjustments for peak performance, but can get away with no tuning and may go unnoticed except at very light throttle inputs, especially while heavily loaded
• the greater the difference between a GM OE torque converter, vs the aftermarket toque converter, the more important the tuning becomes,
  and the more noticeable the absence of tuning will be; that is, driviability will suffer

 

[novemberr]

No worries, just making notes for future readers; the devil is in the details.
In your case the details are pretty much GM OE, so, no worries, move along, nothing to see here ...
If your torque converter had been 'looser', and/or had a significantly higher stall speed, then tuning would be strongly advised, if not required.

• Any torque converter designed to behave similarly to 'THE' GM OE converter in terms of stall speed, requires zero tuning adjustments.
• Any torque converter designed to behave similarly to 'A' - but NOT 'THE' - GM OE converter in terms of stall speed, requires very subtle tuning adjustments for peak performance, but can get away with no tuning and may go unnoticed except at very light throttle inputs, especially while heavily loaded
• the greater the difference between a GM OE torque converter, vs the aftermarket toque converter, the more important the tuning becomes,
  and the more noticeable the absence of tuning will be; that is, driviability will suffer

Appreciate the explanation. I'm good to replace just the converter.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Appreciate the explanation. I'm good to replace just the converter.

Replacing it with the CircleD option you cited earlier is a good idea; go for it.

 

[Foggy]

I'm sorry that I didn't tell the detail.
The converter is GM 300mm HP Series 6L80 Torque Converter.
This is the basic version with

• Converter Diameter: 300mm - 12"
• Stall Speed Options - Factory (1800-2000rpm)

You are fine with your current tune.. That is very close to stock stall rpm
You'll like the extra 200 rpm of stall. Less "creeping" at stop lights.. Little more
low end punch. And of course a better converter and way better clutch materials
Enjoy !!!!

 

[mikez71]

What I have heard, is some aftermarket clutches don't like to slip.
So you *might* need to reduce or zero TCC slip, if you notice any chatter.
Some aftermarket TCC's also use the woven fiber, like stock.