Experiences with TCI converters
Experiences with TCI converters I am planning on getting a torque converter in the near future. I want to get a converter before I do a cam or get headers. I would like to keep this converter as inexpensive as I can because I know the converter I am using with this combo (near stock) will not work with the one I have planned(approx. 400 c.i.d w/heads and cam). I drive this car every day all year round and would really like to get into the mid 12's with this converter purchase and some other bolt ons.
Current mods:FRA,TSP lid,3" cut-out.
Current tires are all season Yokohama in stock size on base 16" T/A wheels. I will get some drag radials next spring.
If you would like to recommend something please feel free.
Current mods:FRA,TSP lid,3" cut-out.
Current tires are all season Yokohama in stock size on base 16" T/A wheels. I will get some drag radials next spring.
If you would like to recommend something please feel free.
TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
Re: Experiences with TCI converters man i have some fairly new yoko-509's and they suck bad stock. Maybe they were k-mart specials but i can't hardly leave asr off with my A4 2.73 without getting all bent out of shape. I'm getting nitto drag's first thing this week
Re: Experiences with TCI converters samZ28: Yeah my 60's are in the 2.1-2.2 range I can't seem to do much better with these tires.
boomcase:If you don't mind me asking how much did you pay for the TCI3000?
boomcase:If you don't mind me asking how much did you pay for the TCI3000?
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,246
Likes: 3
From: Troy, AL
Re: Experiences with TCI converters With a TCI 3500, my '02 went 11.82 on a 1.61 60ft time with an internally stock engine, stock gears, in a full weight car. The converter feels great on the street and the clutch lockup is perfect. 
Re: Experiences with TCI converters
With a TCI 3500, my '02 went 11.82 on a 1.61 60ft time with an internally stock engine, stock gears, in a full weight car. The converter feels great on the street and the clutch lockup is perfect.
Did you do that on drag radials?
My major concern _was_ with the quality and performance of TCI converters(it's looking better now). I haven't seen too many people on the forum using them and have heard from quite a few that everybody but Yank and P.I are pretty much guessing on their stalls and STRs.
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Re: Experiences with TCI converters
With a TCI 3500, my '02 went 11.82 on a 1.61 60ft time with an internally stock engine, stock gears, in a full weight car. The converter feels great on the street and the clutch lockup is perfect.
Since TCS seems to be OOC, I am looking elsewhere for my future convertor/perf trans purchase.
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Verdad Gallardo TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,246
Likes: 3
From: Troy, AL
Re: Experiences with TCI converters Those times were done on radial tires (315/35/17 Nitto drag radials) and without nitrous.
It's the TCI Super Streetfighter 3500. TCI is NOT guessing on their ratings. They do have a dyno (I've seen it with my own eyes) and I can attest, my 3500 stalls to almost exactly 3500 (as tested by me.) It has a shift extension of 4900 when shifting at ~6200-6300 (as tested by me.)
It doesn't vibrate at all but I have had converters before that did. In most cases, you can turn a vibrating converter one set of bolt holes and the vibration will go away. I don't know why but I've seen it happen many times with various brands of converters.
Make no mistake, ALL converter companies have their faults sometimes and the more converters a company sells, the more mistakes you're likely to hear about (just because there are more people with them.) I've seen various brands stall too much, stall too little, vibrate, chatter clutches, and fry clutches. But most of the time, they work just fine.
It's the TCI Super Streetfighter 3500. TCI is NOT guessing on their ratings. They do have a dyno (I've seen it with my own eyes) and I can attest, my 3500 stalls to almost exactly 3500 (as tested by me.) It has a shift extension of 4900 when shifting at ~6200-6300 (as tested by me.)
It doesn't vibrate at all but I have had converters before that did. In most cases, you can turn a vibrating converter one set of bolt holes and the vibration will go away. I don't know why but I've seen it happen many times with various brands of converters.
Make no mistake, ALL converter companies have their faults sometimes and the more converters a company sells, the more mistakes you're likely to hear about (just because there are more people with them.) I've seen various brands stall too much, stall too little, vibrate, chatter clutches, and fry clutches. But most of the time, they work just fine.
Re: Experiences with TCI converters I have had my TCI 3K in my car for about 2 months now. I don't have any hard numbers yet- little league baseball takes up a lot of my time right now but, as far as quality goes- top notch. I don't have any vibration or any other drivability issues with the car other than traction- which is coming along with technique. Overall, I would not hold TCIs reasonable prices against them. Be very specific and honest with yourself and whoever you buy your converter from and all will turn out good.
Re: Experiences with TCI converters got my new tci ssf 3500 to the track today cut a 1.785 60' on motor new best N/A was 1.794 60' 5.525@330' 8.161@84.84-1/8 10.663@1000' 12.791@105.68 1/4 this is a full 8 tenth off my old best N/A time what a difference the converter made. I made 3 passes on a 112 dry shot that where 11.83x my best 60' was a 1.644 this is on 245 nitto's new best on the juice was 60'@1.656 330'@4.838 1/8 7.521@91.44 1000'@9.858 1/4 11.831@114.27 needless to say i was bouncing of the walls. going to need some more tire if im going to get anything else out of the car had a number of runs where i spun wildly.
FormerVendor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: Falkner, MS
Re: Experiences with TCI converters BLK02WS6 said, "Which model (name) TCI is this? I heard some bad things about TCI concerning quality and vibrations - anyone else have good input like this?"
At TCI, we make the best converters in the industry. We work hard to test every new converter that we sell. We spend a lot of time performing R&D work, utilizing our converter dyno as well as actual cars. When the Colonel asked me what one of our SSF 3500 converters would stall in his '02, I told him 3500 and that's what it was. We have worked hard to maintain our reputation as a leader in the high performance torque converter for over 35 years. To this end, we have high quality balancing equipment for our torque converters as well as numerous other checks before they go out the door. I'd put our lock-up clutches against anybody elses in the industry as far as durability and smoothness of engagement. Our quality is second to none, because we are racers ourselves...we take pride in building the best parts out there.
Kevin
At TCI, we make the best converters in the industry. We work hard to test every new converter that we sell. We spend a lot of time performing R&D work, utilizing our converter dyno as well as actual cars. When the Colonel asked me what one of our SSF 3500 converters would stall in his '02, I told him 3500 and that's what it was. We have worked hard to maintain our reputation as a leader in the high performance torque converter for over 35 years. To this end, we have high quality balancing equipment for our torque converters as well as numerous other checks before they go out the door. I'd put our lock-up clutches against anybody elses in the industry as far as durability and smoothness of engagement. Our quality is second to none, because we are racers ourselves...we take pride in building the best parts out there.
Kevin
Re: Experiences with TCI converters I usually cut low 1.7 60's on 17" Nitto's with the TCI SSF 3500 N/A bolt-on car. With a best of 12.3@109.3mph w/1.69 60' at 1400' DA. I also ran 11.5@118.1mph w/1.64(spraying after launch)on a NX 125 shot same DA. The converter has been in my car since Feb. of this year and never had any problems with it. I'm hoping to cut some low 1.6-1.5 60's with some more bolt-on's.
Re: Experiences with TCI converters
At TCI, we make the best converters in the industry. We work hard to test every new converter that we sell. We spend a lot of time performing R&D work, utilizing our converter dyno as well as actual cars. When the Colonel asked me what one of our SSF 3500 converters would stall in his '02, I told him 3500 and that's what it was. We have worked hard to maintain our reputation as a leader in the high performance torque converter for over 35 years. To this end, we have high quality balancing equipment for our torque converters as well as numerous other checks before they go out the door. I'd put our lock-up clutches against anybody elses in the industry as far as durability and smoothness of engagement. Our quality is second to none, because we are racers ourselves...we take pride in building the best parts out there.
Kevin
Kevin
Is the SSF 3500 a good convertor for nitrous? Not running it any time soon, but have the motor set up to run it down the road.
Thanks to all for the input!
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Re: Experiences with TCI converters after I put my TCI 3000 Stall in My car started misfiring and I also have a rattle under the car and Im still clueless as to what it is. not flaming the company at all because the TC helped my time a lot I went from 13.2s to 12.70s with just the 3000 stall
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,246
Likes: 3
From: Troy, AL
Re: Experiences with TCI converters No offense, but that's kinda like saying you changed the air filter and the car started pulling to the left. 
The converter itself had nothing to do with those two problems. The INSTALL may have, but the converter didn't.
The converter itself had nothing to do with those two problems. The INSTALL may have, but the converter didn't.
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Re: Experiences with TCI converters I've heard a smaller Torque Converter sometimes will make the Car misfire I never really understood why it would do that but I read that on one of the boards , and also My car is also locking up and then it stops locking up. where i would drive it for about 10 minutes and it will stop locking for like 20 and then works fine. I have heard that is a problem because of the misfires but I have no clue
Re: Experiences with TCI converters I put in a TCI 3800 with a 2.7 str and its nicey nice! Not a lot of slippage driving around and helluva difference from stock.
Haven't taken her to the track yet but i'm sure I'll boil these street tires pretty easily..
Haven't taken her to the track yet but i'm sure I'll boil these street tires pretty easily..