Small problem w/ TCI 3800
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From: on the dyno tuning in MD
Small problem w/ TCI 3800 Took my car to get the tranny built and get a TCI 3800 installed. One small problem, which could have been avoided, cost me getting my car back in time for the last bracket racing weekend of the year.
The TCI converter takes different bolts than the stock ones, but they don't supply them and they don't put anything in the box or on the converter to tell you this.
The installer thought that you were to use the stock bolts since nothing told him otherwise, and when he tried, the converter threads stripped
I can't really fault the installer, because according to him, the bolt started in OK, but then stripped when it was almost tight. I can understand that when working over your head through that cramped starter hole, this could happen without realizing it till it was too late.
Anyway, the trans has to come back out and the converter has to be drilled to accept bolts with nuts (per a phonecall to TCI).
I just wish TCI had either supplied the correct bolts, or put something in there to notify people that the stock ones don't work. That small detail would have let me
today instead of typing this 
Just wanted to let others know so they can make sure to get the right bolts before attempting the install!
The TCI converter takes different bolts than the stock ones, but they don't supply them and they don't put anything in the box or on the converter to tell you this.
The installer thought that you were to use the stock bolts since nothing told him otherwise, and when he tried, the converter threads stripped
I can't really fault the installer, because according to him, the bolt started in OK, but then stripped when it was almost tight. I can understand that when working over your head through that cramped starter hole, this could happen without realizing it till it was too late.
Anyway, the trans has to come back out and the converter has to be drilled to accept bolts with nuts (per a phonecall to TCI).
I just wish TCI had either supplied the correct bolts, or put something in there to notify people that the stock ones don't work. That small detail would have let me
today instead of typing this Just wanted to let others know so they can make sure to get the right bolts before attempting the install!
How Much Did Your Tranny Work Involve, What Did You Get Done , And How Much Power Do Yuo Think The Trannys Good For Now I Ask Cauz That Thpe Modding Is Comming Up For Me In Bout A Yr And I Just Tring To Get An Idea What Im In For
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That is very very odd. I bought a pretty new used one and put it in myself. I destroyed the stock bolts as that was the only way I was going to get them off. I bought new bolts exactly the same as the old ones but a little longer(10mm threads I think) and it went in fine, no prob, torqued down and everything. I didnt need bolts or anything else
Last edited by BYOFICR; Nov 8, 2003 at 05:51 PM.
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From: on the dyno tuning in MD
Originally Posted by Jpr5690
humm ya sure your installer didnt **** up anything, i mean im no tranny genus but something stinks with your story
Like others have said on here, and TCI told me when I called them, you have to use different bolts. Apparently they forgot to package them in mine, because I know they weren't in the box when the converter arrived - I opened the box to look it over.
It is not a huge deal, just wanted others to know so they could check that they have the right bolts before putting the tranny/converter in - it is harder to tell for sure when it is up there like that.
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Hmmmm...that makes me wonder about mine. I bought bolts that were a bit longer for mine but still hade the factory thread size, they went in tight as hell but that sucker is on there good.
Even had a mechanic friend check my work when i was done and he thought everything was good
Even had a mechanic friend check my work when i was done and he thought everything was good
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Verdad Gallardo hey if you get time can you answer my question that i asked eariler. im really intrested in hearing your responce being im looking at doing this proiject in the future also when everything is on the road some feedback would be appriciated if its not a big inconvience to you 
If TCI doesn't tap the bolt holes for their LS1 converters the same 10x1.5 thread as the stock converter, then that is really stupid on their part. Kevin Winstead needs to clear this up as to what the holes are tapped.
Last edited by 2xLS1; Nov 9, 2003 at 12:40 AM.
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From: Lexington, NC
Ditto I didnt recieve any bolts in on my converter and it isnt installed yet, I would like to know if my converter will accept the factory threads so I can know if I need new ones or not. Please help Kevin.
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From: Farmingdale NJ
I can't believe they told you to drill the converter lugs out and use bolts and nuts. That's a REALLY crappy way to mount the converter, and IMO it's REALLY crappy customer service from a company that FORGOT to send the bolts and FORGOT to tell you not to use the stock bolts.
I'm not trying to bash TCI here but for all I read in these forums, I would expect far better customer service from a large company like TCI.
I'm not trying to bash TCI here but for all I read in these forums, I would expect far better customer service from a large company like TCI.
My TCI Streetfighter has nothing in the box but the converter,
two big-*** stickers and an instruction sheet that mentions
nothing about bolt type (or about needing anything special).
Then again, a single sheet for GM, Ford & Chrysler might be
neglecting a few specifics.
The holes are tapped already but painted through, maybe this
made the start of the problem (like, should have chased the
threads with a tap before trying to run the bolts in, which
is always a good idea on a new piece). Maybe the dude was
sick the day they mentioned that in mechanic school.
two big-*** stickers and an instruction sheet that mentions
nothing about bolt type (or about needing anything special).
Then again, a single sheet for GM, Ford & Chrysler might be
neglecting a few specifics.
The holes are tapped already but painted through, maybe this
made the start of the problem (like, should have chased the
threads with a tap before trying to run the bolts in, which
is always a good idea on a new piece). Maybe the dude was
sick the day they mentioned that in mechanic school.
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From: Lexington, NC
Ok guys I just looked under the cardboard in the box my converter came in, there were 2 big tci stickers an installation sheet and some anti-sieze lubricant. Im thinking that the lubricant needs to be applied to the stock bolts. You guys who have messed up the stock bolts, did yall use the lubricant?
WeS
WeS
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From: Farmingdale NJ
onebadz, if a bolt thread requires lubricant to install there is a problem with the tapped hole to begin with.
I spent 9 years as a machinist, and I can tell you to get an interference-fit thread you have to use very precise equipment beyond what a standard production bolt threading operation will yield. I highly doubt (hope) that was not a design feature.
Are you sure it's an anti-seize and not a thread locker? I couldn't imagine installing a TC bolt with anything other than Loctite.
I'm sure Kevin will eventually pop in here (probably Monday from work) and give a better idea of what went wrong there. Chances are the converter requires different bolts, most aftermarket converters do.
I spent 9 years as a machinist, and I can tell you to get an interference-fit thread you have to use very precise equipment beyond what a standard production bolt threading operation will yield. I highly doubt (hope) that was not a design feature.
Are you sure it's an anti-seize and not a thread locker? I couldn't imagine installing a TC bolt with anything other than Loctite.
I'm sure Kevin will eventually pop in here (probably Monday from work) and give a better idea of what went wrong there. Chances are the converter requires different bolts, most aftermarket converters do.
.
FormerVendor
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From: Falkner, MS
BLK02WS6,
I'm sorry to hear about your problems. When we first started making the LS1 converters, we drilled and tapped them for that factory Metric bolt. We had several complaints about the factory 10mm bolt being difficult to find. Approximately 3 months ago we began tapping the LS1 converters with a 7/16x20 thread and include the bolts with our converters. It sounds like we left the bolts out of the box. (You might double check though, sometimes they get wedged inside the cardboard inserts during shipping.)
I'm sorry to hear about your problems. When we first started making the LS1 converters, we drilled and tapped them for that factory Metric bolt. We had several complaints about the factory 10mm bolt being difficult to find. Approximately 3 months ago we began tapping the LS1 converters with a 7/16x20 thread and include the bolts with our converters. It sounds like we left the bolts out of the box. (You might double check though, sometimes they get wedged inside the cardboard inserts during shipping.)