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CNKS
05-07-2005 20:08:48
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The original post is getting long and involved -- Buickanddeere and Lil-Farmer -- you both like shift kits. I do little manual shifting, and I am towing fast enough, usually 60-65, that the transmission does not shift down to 2nd gear. So the only shifting that occurs frequently is the lockup in 3rd gear. Obviously this adds heat -- does the shift kit do anything for the lockup? As to the Hypertech -- the info I have found indicates that for 1992 GM vehicles, there is a "Street Runner Power Chip" for unmodified vehicles, gives max power at full throttle -- I am more concerned with maintaining rpm at 60-65 mph, and don't use full throttle except when passing, usually not even when accelerating. I don't pass many people when towing a trailer. It also "increases the rpm for torque converter lockup". I do not know if I want that, because as I have said before, I would like it to stay locked up longer at crusing speed, and not unlock on a minor incline on an otherwise level road -- on hills, yes. Unless the higher speed means it stays in longer -- I assume it means it says UNLOCKED at a lower rpm than stock. Someone mentioned that there is more oil flow when unlocked because of higher engine rpm -- the initial rpm when it unlocks without accelerator change is slippage, meaning higher temperatures. If I then push the accelerator, down, yes there is more rpm, and more oil flow than when it first kicked out on its own, but part of that is also slippage resulting in heat. The other is a "ThermoMaster Power Chip". Requires a cooler thermostat. I understand the benefits of cooler air, as my vehicles improved performance is easily felt in colder weather. But, is the cooler thermostat going to help in the summer, as it is going to open and likely remain open when towing. I believe it currently has a 190 degree thermostat, and I can tell by the gauge that is does cycle, even in hot weather when not loaded, not sure it will do that if the engine is loaded all the time. It "lowers the temperature of the incoming air/fuel mixture and the coolant temperature." If the air temp is 80-90-100 degrees +, and the thermostat is open anyway, due to the load/engine/air temperature -- how does it lower the temperature? It sounds like snake oil to me, much like the ignition system I did not need. Does anyone have before and after results? I need seat of the pants differences, or at least temperature gauge differences, or lockup torque converter differences, not something I have to use a stopwatch for. Both the shift kit and the chips are inexpensive changes, and won't break the bank if they don't work -- but I need to have more confidence that they will work before I try them. A gear change is more expensive, but will likely be beneficial. Worth the cost, I don't know. Speaking of the gear change, what do I have to do to make the speedometer read correctly? The conversion kits I have seen for that cost more than the shift kits or chips -- have not studied it closely though. I did install a second external oil cooler yesterday, and drained the whole trans and put in synthetic oil. I rent trailers, so far, and have not rented one yet to see if it helps lower the trans temperature. It "appears" to have lowered the unloaded temp, but I have never paid much attention to the trans temp unless towing.
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