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one question: what about the torque converter? somewhere i saw a list, maybe here, maybe pirate, where someone laid it out that certain applications of this tranny have lock-up converters and that sort. now, here's where things get a little fuzzy for me- i KNOW what a "stall" converter does, but what does a "lock-up" converter do and would it be preferable to what i have?

oh, and just to be sure- i would JUST keep the bell housing and use whatever converter fits the volvo tranny, correct? in case there is a spline difference or something of that nature?


I missed some of this. Hopefully Randy's response above answers which converter to use.

The electric lock up can be installed on a switch, wich makes it more selectable. I know my buddy Bob was looking into if it would lock it up to the point that you could key start, but I told him I think fluid pressure would need to be present to do that.

Here's what wikipedia says about lock ups...

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pumping losses within the torque converter reduce efficiency and generate waste heat. In modern automotive applications, this problem is commonly avoided by use of a lock-up clutch that physically links the pump and turbine, effectively changing the converter into a purely mechanical coupling. The result is no slippage, and therefore virtually no power loss.

Yankee Tim