ok i put a lockup switch in my 89 rs...
what are the pros an cons of using one.

is it bad to lock the torque converter while stopped at a light then launch the car?

 

You need to remember to unlock the converter every time you come to a stop, otherwise the engine can stall out or the clutch gets burned out. After the clutch burns out you no longer have to worry if the switch is on or off.

 

Exactly. Forgetting to unlock it is extremely hard on the drive train components, and the TCC itself.

Having an external switch is great, you just have to remember to unlock it.

 

ok so no go having it locked from a stop..

when should i lock it in? as soon as i hit 2nd?

i have my tc lock up switch ran through the ALDL

 

It should be locked when you are at cruising speed.

 

ok so no locking it under hard acceleration...or acceleration in general

 

No, all it will do is bog your engine down.

 

WELL I DID IT ONCE......

and it seemed to accelerate better

 

im thinkin most stock converters lock up at around 1500 rpms. not locking until u want to go is the idea. if your at an idle during the hole shot its not going to be as effective than if u can bring your rpms up without smokin the tires. so is it set up to work normal when the switch is off or on? i would think not having it lock up at all would be hard on the fluid and the converter at the least.

 

Locking up the converter while idling would engage the transmission, the same as putting a manual trans in gear and releasing the clutch pedal. A torque converter has a set stall speed, which basically breaks the drive connection between the engine and trans until engine rpm's reach a certain level. Locking up the converter does just that, locks it together. Driving it unlocked makes it operate like a regular non-lockup type converter, like what's in my 69. All converters have a certain amount of internal slip to them, and the locking type locks it together solid which helps to reduce friction heat and improve gas mileage. As long as the car is moving, I see no problem with when you decide to lock it up. Locking it in and out would be a lot of farting around while driving in stop and go traffic though, which is why it generally would want to be locked up once you're cruising.