TCI Breakaway Converter
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 716
From: Poplarville, MS
TCI Breakaway Converter I bought a TCI Breakaway torque converter from Summit in September. Last week it broke and filled my trans full of metal shavings and now my trans has to be rebuilt also. I called TCI and they said I bought the converter from Summit and that I needed to deal with them. So I call Summit and they say that the TCI only warranties this converter for 90 days. I would like to think that a TCI street converter would hold up longer than 4 months. With only a 90 day warranty I guess TCI doesn’t have much faith in their product. I will never buy another TCI product.
There was just a big thread on someone asking about another one of their converters. Sounded like it was hit and miss. I used one for a couple years though and had no problems until the Trans let go and took the converter with it. It was the Ultimate Street Fighter though I think..
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
Sorry to hear of your troubles.
Here is the thread that JustAFool mentioned:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...t-fighter.html
Having used several TCI converters and now having a Yank, I know you will be very happy with it.
Here is the thread that JustAFool mentioned:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...t-fighter.html
Having used several TCI converters and now having a Yank, I know you will be very happy with it.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
The problem you report has happened to many TCI users on this forum over the years. Typically, the weak clutch material - because the front cover is from a stock 4 cyl. converter - fails under the rigor of the stock LS1 lock-up protocol (PWM). The result is crap being strewn throughout the trans and complete failure.
Your SS3200 will have a billet front cover with a much stronger clutch. However, to be on the safe side, your rebuild should include a Transgo or Sonnax shift kit with a revised torque conveter clutch valve that eliminates PWM.
Read this thread for a full explanation: https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...education.html
Your SS3200 will have a billet front cover with a much stronger clutch. However, to be on the safe side, your rebuild should include a Transgo or Sonnax shift kit with a revised torque conveter clutch valve that eliminates PWM.
Read this thread for a full explanation: https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...education.html
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 716
From: Poplarville, MS
I think it was the sprag that broke and not the clutch. It was metal shavings in the trans not clutch materiel and the TC made a clucking noise when you shut the engine off.
Now that I know TCI is not going to warranty it I plan to cut it open this weekend.
Thank for the info. I installed a Transgo kit in it the first time I rebuilt it, but I don’t recall anything about a revised torque converter clutch valve. Do you have any info on that?
Now that I know TCI is not going to warranty it I plan to cut it open this weekend.
Thank for the info. I installed a Transgo kit in it the first time I rebuilt it, but I don’t recall anything about a revised torque converter clutch valve. Do you have any info on that?
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Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 716
From: Poplarville, MS
I think it was the sprag that broke and not the clutch. It was metal shavings in the trans not clutch materiel and the TC made a clucking noise when you shut the engine off.
Now that I know TCI is not going to warranty it I plan to cut it open this weekend.
Thank for the info. I installed a Transgo kit in it the first time I rebuilt it, but I don’t recall anything about a revised torque converter clutch valve. Do you have any info on that?
Now that I know TCI is not going to warranty it I plan to cut it open this weekend.
Thank for the info. I installed a Transgo kit in it the first time I rebuilt it, but I don’t recall anything about a revised torque converter clutch valve. Do you have any info on that?
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Verdad Gallardo Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
RevGTO is referring to Page-3 of the TG HD2 instructions:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...questions.html
The TG and Sonnax shift kits replace the troublesome PWM TCC valve with a simpler On/Off TCC valve. Most aftermarket converter companies suggest using a On/Off TCC valve to extend the life of their lockup clutch. GM uses a PWM valve so that the TCC engagement cannot be felt; I think most of us here prefer to feel it engage. (If you remove the check ball at the end of the input shaft you will feel it more like a shift.)
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...questions.html
The TG and Sonnax shift kits replace the troublesome PWM TCC valve with a simpler On/Off TCC valve. Most aftermarket converter companies suggest using a On/Off TCC valve to extend the life of their lockup clutch. GM uses a PWM valve so that the TCC engagement cannot be felt; I think most of us here prefer to feel it engage. (If you remove the check ball at the end of the input shaft you will feel it more like a shift.)
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 716
From: Poplarville, MS
Up-date. My Yank SS3200 finally came in yesterday. I got it installed today along with the trans I rebuilt. This converter is definitely looser than the TCI Breakaway. Yank says that you need to break it in for 150 miles before you can go to WOT or you will void the warranty. I tell you it takes a lot of self-control not to just floor it and see what this bad boy will do. One thing I did notice is that the trans shifts are not as firm with this converter. After the break-in period I’ll post an up-date. Thanks for all the advice.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
This is where the VB and separator plate mods with the Transgo kit are helpful. With that smaller converter, you need better fluid feed to get firm shift quality.
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 716
From: Poplarville, MS
I have the Transgo HD2 kit and the Transgo separator plate with mods. I drilled the 3rd apply hole to .125. I didn't say the shifts were bad just not as firm or hard with the looser converter. Going from a 2200 to 3200 stall I think is normal for the converter to adsorb more of the shift firmness.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
Yep, that's definitely true when going from a larger to smaller converter size, like 11" to 9.5". I'm not sure if it's true based on stall speed alone on the same converter core - like going from an SS3200 to SS4000. In my case going from 3000 to 3600 produced no change in shift quality. BTW, My 2-3 feed hole is drilled out to .155.
Last edited by RevGTO; Mar 9, 2014 at 02:26 PM.
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 716
From: Poplarville, MS
Wow that is huge. The Transgo Instructions say not to go over .101 or you may have a flare on the 2-3 shift. So I was afraid to go bigger than .125. Next time I have it apart I may try drilling it that big.