new to 7.3, trans torque conv. question

[vdog0531]

I bought my 03 7.3 about six months ago. ive put about 2500 miles on it since ive had it. this is my first diesel and the first vehicle where ive been very sensitive to how it shifts and accelerates. My mods are in my sig. My question is, when under normal acceleration, the speed will increase by my rpms will basically stay the same depending on my throttle input. Example, if i give it enough throttle to get to aprox 2000 rpms and keep my foot there, it will accelerate through the gears and basically just hover around 2000. Local people ive talked to with 7.3s and other diesels say that is normal. The torque converter can only transfer so much power when it is unlocked and it just is what it is. I am just so used to other vehicle that even when the torque converter is un locked, the rpms usually increase with the speed. Ive never had a vehicle with this much torque and power either though. If i hammer on the throttle, the rpms increase normal and obviously the speed increases. Its just weird to me at like one third throttle the rpms will just hang out within a couple rpms of each other while it shifts and gets up to speed. The trans was rebuilt 30K ago with a billet converter. It shifts good, drives good, and i dont really have any complaints, just kind of seeing if this is normal for a diesel, esp with the 4r100. I do love my truck and like i said, havent had any trans problems at all just am getting used to how much different the truck feels when the tc is unlocked compared to locked.

EDIT: my trans temps are never more than 150 either, even when it is 90 degrees out. That is based on the trans sender being in the designated location on the mag hytec pan.

[Dietoremain]

hmm sounds normal to me, but you can make your own TC lock up switch if you like.. i have one.

How are those tunes for ya?

[vdog0531]

Originally Posted by Dietoremain

hmm sounds normal to me, but you can make your own TC lock up switch if you like.. i have one.

How are those tunes for ya?

i like them. The truck had an edge juice with attitude when i bought it. Within a month i had a 3 pillar gauge set up and some custom tunes. Even on Innovatives aggressive street tune, which they say is mild and safe, makes the edge juice w attitude look silly. It seems to even idle better with the custom tunes and just smoother all around.

regarding my original post, i drove it around more last night and paid close attention and i guess its really only light acceleration that the rpms do not move much. But if i get it up to say, 2000 rpms, then back out a little, it will just hang out at 2 grand and go through all three gears and i'll be up to 45 ish and the tach hardly moves. These diesels are a whole new beast to me. love the power, thats for sure.

[countryraised]

that is completely normal operation for this engine tranny combo. I'm @230K mi on my original trans and it still runs just like that.

[hvprohop23]

Originally Posted by vdog0531

I bought my 03 7.3 about six months ago. ive put about 2500 miles on it since ive had it. this is my first diesel and the first vehicle where ive been very sensitive to how it shifts and accelerates. My mods are in my sig. My question is, when under normal acceleration, the speed will increase by my rpms will basically stay the same depending on my throttle input. Example, if i give it enough throttle to get to aprox 2000 rpms and keep my foot there, it will accelerate through the gears and basically just hover around 2000. Local people ive talked to with 7.3s and other diesels say that is normal. The torque converter can only transfer so much power when it is unlocked and it just is what it is. I am just so used to other vehicle that even when the torque converter is un locked, the rpms usually increase with the speed. Ive never had a vehicle with this much torque and power either though. If i hammer on the throttle, the rpms increase normal and obviously the speed increases. Its just weird to me at like one third throttle the rpms will just hang out within a couple rpms of each other while it shifts and gets up to speed. The trans was rebuilt 30K ago with a billet converter. It shifts good, drives good, and i dont really have any complaints, just kind of seeing if this is normal for a diesel, esp with the 4r100. I do love my truck and like i said, havent had any trans problems at all just am getting used to how much different the truck feels when the tc is unlocked compared to locked.

EDIT: my trans temps are never more than 150 either, even when it is 90 degrees out. That is based on the trans sender being in the designated location on the mag hytec pan.

Sounds perfectly normal, my 99 7.3 will stay between 2000-2200 RPM and get up to speed easily..enjoy the power