nuzee

iTrader: (2)

I got a TCI3500SSF installed this past weekend. Thanks go out to Drew778 & CAT3 for having it done so quickly.

Here’s some initial impressions:

This converter is much tighter than I expected. Even feather-light throttling the car responds. Cruising around the city just takes a little bit more throttle. The car will still pull along at idle if I let off the brake. It feels like the parking brakes are dragging when you first accelerate. Accelerating at regular rate can be done without going over 2000 rpm. This is all well within my range of acceptability.

I think I would qualify as an extreme critic of loose, high-stall TCs because of the traffic situation that I drive in. In my normal drive to & from work, I never go fast enough to have the TC lockup. So slow speed & from-a-stop driving manners are imperative. That said, this TC’s driving manners is a very nice surprise.

Now on to the fun part, the performance! The hit is violent. It is uncontrollable with street tires. I need more seat time to get used to it. I can’t wait to get it out on the track and see what it will do with Hoosier QTPs.

Before with the stock TC and my low-end biased cam, I had to always be careful not to throttle too quickly or else I’d break the tires loose. Now I can throttle it somewhat quickly and not worry about spinning. However, all it takes is a full push of the throttle to get the car to scream for traction.

For now I won’t render a verdict as to which setup I like better on the street, the stock TC/low-end cam or the 3500 TC. Both have their pro’s & cons on the street. However, I am confident that the 3500 TC will get me better ETs at the strip. How much better is something that I’m anxious to see.

Scotty-Z

iTrader: (5)

Excellent short write-up and exactly what I was looking to hear before I order a similar converter.

Thanks and I'm glad you're happy!

nuzee

iTrader: (2)

I'm glad you find value in my post. I hope your experience with your TC is just as positive as mine.

I've driven various old school torque converters in the past. Its amazing how tight they are able to make a 3500 stall nowadays.

BTL FED

iTrader: (9)

I ran the SSF3500 on the street for about 1.5 years with 2.73 gears and I liked it alot, it was a great street/strip convertor, on a stock 2000 Z28 I went 8.7 1/8th mile just changing to the SSF3500 I went to 8.1's. Both runs were on et streets Great little vertor

4mula

nuzee , nice write up. the only thing that sucks when youre in stop and go traffic to where the converter never locks up is gas milage.
mine took a big hit with chicago traffic.

JBGRAYTA

Yea, it is a kick *** 'verter. Cant really run street tires on this thing, cause you'll just spin and spin. I've launched it before on street tires and it won't move. Makes quite the smoke show though.

MetallicBluews6

iTrader: (2)

Just got mine. You are right, my first impression is that I felt that my parking brake was on when I would gently press on the gas. But when I mashed the gas peddle the tires spin and the car takes off like a bat out of hell. I am very happy. Cant wait to line up with an STI and EVO and see whos got a better launch now that I got the verter and NITTOS.

Brett H

iTrader: (2)

I too installed my SSF3500 this past sunday and my initial impressions are good. I was surprised at the relative "tightness" the convert had. It was nothing like I had expected from my readings. I expected it to "slip" a lot more.
I haven't really gotten on it yet as my stock GS-C's just can't handle it. I should have the MT drag radials on by tomorrow or thurs but from a roll the car pulls a lot harder and the 3:42's with this stall works well. The car runs strong now, I can't wait to see it once the pcm relearns itself and I can run in the high octane table with more timing
Some obersvations I have made that have me concerned are the slight banging sound at idle as well as a shutter at how speeds, initial slow acceleration from a stop and while in reverse. Also the car doesn't seem to like low speeds like 40 mph. It has trouble finding a gear and staying locked up but that may be a product of my stock shift points for the 2:73 gear. I have read other experiences where members have also experienced this "banging" sound from the converter install but I don't ever recall it being explained as to why. Perhaps Kevin Wilstead @ TCI can chime in on this one.
I too will post up more info once I get some more *** time on the converter.

JNorris

iTrader: (4)

Great write up. It is hard to beat a TCI3500.


John

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

Great write-up! I think you'll be really happy with the 3500. I did a lot of debating beween the 3500 and the 3000. Like you, a lot of my driving is in town with a lot of on/off throttle. One of the reasons I went with the 3000 is that I didn't want so violent of a hit ... even so, the 3000/2.2 makes mince meat out of 245 Nittos. I think you'll have to run DR's on the street if you intend to jump on it now and then. But it sounds like your driveability is very good, like mine.

JustAnIlluzion

iTrader: (60)

great read.. how much are u guys paying for these? is the install straight forward?

formulajunky

I got mine in to badass two words ....Raped Ape. On my bfg and bottle it moves nice now love the luanch at 2600 woo

4mula

before the cam the 3000 would fry the nittos, now traction really sucks. im

XLR8NSS

iTrader: (4)

What do your rpms drop to on the upshifts?

Joel_SS

iTrader: (8)

Can you eloborate a little more on this banging noise? Ever since my SSF3500 was installed I hear a banging noise from the console area right where the shifter is.. I almost sounds like something is binding up.. It seems to happen most at 2k or so RPM ans then stops around 3k and above. I ripped the console out and cannot find nothing lose and I even replaced the whole shifter assenbly and it still does this.

Other than that my TCI 3500 has been awesome! It is not loose at all, and low speed lockups can be a pain sometime with the cam and bucking but some tuning tweaks can fix that..

nuzee

iTrader: (2)

I'll try to review my scan logs to see if I can find out. If I didn't save it, I'll definately try to get that info in a few weeks during my next outing. You got me wondering about it too.

nuzee

iTrader: (2)

The 1-2 shift occurred ~6280 and dropped to ~4842. Then the 2-3 shift occurred at ~6464 and dropped to ~4960.

XLR8NSS

iTrader: (4)

That is nice. My old Yank ST3800 dropped to right around 4800 on the upshift and it was SWEET!! I have a TCI 3800 that I'm thinking will be just a little hotter.

Drew778

iTrader: (2)

So where is the the before and after times