what is a torque converter used for on the auto transmissions? had my gear box rebuilt and saw the put one in and dont know what it does..???

It converts torque......














......sorry just had to.

But seriously have a look here http://auto.howstuffworks.com/torque-converter.htm

what is a torque converter used for on the auto transmissions? had my gear box rebuilt and saw the put one in and dont know what it does..???
the torque converter is pretty much essential in an auto gearbox. you had one in your gearbox before they reconditioned it, and they probably replaced it.

simply put, the torque converter acts like a clutch for your auto 'box, matching the revs of the engine with the gears. in the auto 'boxes in the magnas, it would be two facing plates with vanes on them which are close together, but don't touch, and are surrounded by transmission fluid / oil. the one attached to the engine spins at the speed of the engine, and one attached to the gearbox is moved by the forces the other generates through the transmission fluid.

as you can probably guess, this is an inefficient way to spin up the gearbox, as opposed to a direct connection that manual and sequential gearboxes have. some/most auto gearboxes have a locking mechanism once the speed and/or revs reach a certain point. this helps with fuel economy at highway speeds. I don't know if the magna 'boxes have this or not.

cheers,
.wook

EDIT: arrgh! beaten to the punch. lol

thanx

the torque converter is pretty much essential in an auto gearbox. you had one in your gearbox before they reconditioned it, and they probably replaced it.

simply put, the torque converter acts like a clutch for your auto 'box, matching the revs of the engine with the gears. in the auto 'boxes in the magnas, it would be two facing plates with vanes on them which are close together, but don't touch, and are surrounded by transmission fluid / oil. the one attached to the engine spins at the speed of the engine, and one attached to the gearbox is moved by the forces the other generates through the transmission fluid.

as you can probably guess, this is an inefficient way to spin up the gearbox, as opposed to a direct connection that manual and sequential gearboxes have. some/most auto gearboxes have a locking mechanism once the speed and/or revs reach a certain point. this helps with fuel economy at highway speeds. I don't know if the magna 'boxes have this or not.

cheers,
.wook

EDIT: arrgh! beaten to the punch. lol

Yes they do, I can feel when mine engages, the rev drops a few hundred, and increase
a few hundred when it disengages, its like having an extra gear.

Yes they do, I can feel when mine engages, the rev drops a few hundred, and increase
a few hundred when it disengages, its like having an extra gear.

I notice the same thing, happens around 70k's an hour