tci converter and denzo plugs
10-05-2010, 10:30 PM
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tci converter and denzo plugs hey guys does anyone have any experiences with tci torque converters or the high heat range denzo iridium spark plugs. been thinkin about picking some up and wanted to see if neone had feedback lmk thanks
10-05-2010, 11:42 PM
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I have a TCI 3200 in my '01 Formula for about 15k miles, and raced the car at the track in various 1/4 & 1/8 mile competitions. No issues.
Don't know on the plugs tho. I run the NGK TR55's.
Don't know on the plugs tho. I run the NGK TR55's.
10-06-2010, 06:49 AM
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FTI all the way mine is a 9.5" billet lock-up. Mine is a 3600 stall speed. If you drive normal you can not tell it's in there till lock up when it pulls the rpm's down. I love it.
I just broke my tranny yesterday and I'm taking the stall to Greg at FTI (on the way there now), to have him go through it and restall it to a 4000.
I just broke my tranny yesterday and I'm taking the stall to Greg at FTI (on the way there now), to have him go through it and restall it to a 4000.
10-06-2010, 10:13 AM
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You should go read reviews on the TCI converters in the auto section. You get what you pay for regardless. I feel if you want a good converter go with a Yank, Edge, Circle D. I have heard to many bad things about the TCI's for me to ever use one unless someone gave me one.
10-06-2010, 11:24 AM
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My little TCI 3000 was pretty nice for a low mods car
but the clutches in them are for ****. Even if you don't
pour Trick Shift fluid in it, which makes them more like
diarrhea.
But good feel, nice balance (unlike the Fuddle) and
the thing was damn efficient (>97% by 5000RPM).
Their higher stall speed ones, however, are much
less so (3500, about 95% by 6000; 3800, really bad).
I think well of TCI's manufacturing process, but you
would want better materials if they had that option.
Thing is, once you ask for custom you pay as much
as any other custom outfit pretty much.
All you get from performance converter guys is talk
about the performance. Durability and the details like
how they balance, whether you can take WOT lockup
more than once, etc. you really have to probe hard for.
but the clutches in them are for ****. Even if you don't
pour Trick Shift fluid in it, which makes them more like
diarrhea.
But good feel, nice balance (unlike the Fuddle) and
the thing was damn efficient (>97% by 5000RPM).
Their higher stall speed ones, however, are much
less so (3500, about 95% by 6000; 3800, really bad).
I think well of TCI's manufacturing process, but you
would want better materials if they had that option.
Thing is, once you ask for custom you pay as much
as any other custom outfit pretty much.
All you get from performance converter guys is talk
about the performance. Durability and the details like
how they balance, whether you can take WOT lockup
more than once, etc. you really have to probe hard for.
10-06-2010, 01:53 PM
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im trying to do reserch but from what you guys are telling me im better off with a fti converter im looking into the specs on the lashway converters as well
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10-06-2010, 03:22 PM
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There's a lot more than specs to it, and be sure what they
spec encompasses what you care about.
For me, efficiency and durability are two big ones, and are
hardly ever part of the "pitch". There's a difference between
the converter you'd buy if you were racing a trailered car
and pulling the motor every winter, and the one you'd want
to drive hard for 50 miles every day and race monthly.
Don't be hesitant to ask the dumb questions, and don't be
in a hurry to make up your mind. But do get your mind right
about what you want so the guy on the phone can give it
a proper guess.
And if you have the opportunity to drive another car with
the mods you have and a likely converter, that's worth
way more than any salesman's opinion. Then you can ask
the Interwebzes about longevity, quality and customer
service.
spec encompasses what you care about.
For me, efficiency and durability are two big ones, and are
hardly ever part of the "pitch". There's a difference between
the converter you'd buy if you were racing a trailered car
and pulling the motor every winter, and the one you'd want
to drive hard for 50 miles every day and race monthly.
Don't be hesitant to ask the dumb questions, and don't be
in a hurry to make up your mind. But do get your mind right
about what you want so the guy on the phone can give it
a proper guess.
And if you have the opportunity to drive another car with
the mods you have and a likely converter, that's worth
way more than any salesman's opinion. Then you can ask
the Interwebzes about longevity, quality and customer
service.
10-06-2010, 10:23 PM
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^^ some good advise in there^^
When I called Greg at FTI he asked what I wanted to do with the car and then gave his advise on what he thought would get me to those goals. I liked him. And when I asked about durability he said put it in, and try to break it, it won't happen I liked that answer. The car drives so nice, I will never drive an auto without a stall again. That was my experience.
And call more than one manufacture, then you can make an informed decision. That is what I did.
Also I dropped mine off this morning at 9am or so and they said they would need 2 days to get it back to me, which was fine with me. But then at 4pm today Justin called me from FTI and said it's done. I thought that was really great. They went through it cleaned it up changed the stator and I'm ready to drive it and see what it's like now.
When I called Greg at FTI he asked what I wanted to do with the car and then gave his advise on what he thought would get me to those goals. I liked him. And when I asked about durability he said put it in, and try to break it, it won't happen I liked that answer. The car drives so nice, I will never drive an auto without a stall again. That was my experience.
And call more than one manufacture, then you can make an informed decision. That is what I did.
Also I dropped mine off this morning at 9am or so and they said they would need 2 days to get it back to me, which was fine with me. But then at 4pm today Justin called me from FTI and said it's done. I thought that was really great. They went through it cleaned it up changed the stator and I'm ready to drive it and see what it's like now.
10-07-2010, 08:42 AM
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ive called fti tci lashway motorsports and yank. the guy i talked to at tci didnt seem to know what the hell he was talking about. iqve spoken with josh at lashway and greg at fti and like the massive amount of information and i appreciate the amount of time and detail they took to talk to me so ive narrowed it down to those two converters im talking to members that have each converter and getting everyones oppinions trying to make an educated decision
10-07-2010, 01:52 PM
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Speak to 5 people, get 5 different answer's. It's normal, and alot of good advice has been thrown your way.
I can only speak for myself. I'm not an advocate for anybody, nor TCI.
But you asked a question, so here's my answer.
I actually have raced my car in competition, and have about 80+ passes on my setup.
This TCI 3200 has about 14-15,000 miles on it. I put about 4,500 -5k mile per year on the car. Drive it wherever and whenever, and it works flawlessly.
Remember alot of shops offer a quality converter, tho they are built elsewhere, and carry's the shops name on it.
So inquire as to who builds it.
Remember, you're purchasing a definite product, so you should know where that product was definitely built.
This way you can decide if it fits in with what works for you, and makes sense in your mind.
All the best on what you decide to do.
I can only speak for myself. I'm not an advocate for anybody, nor TCI.
But you asked a question, so here's my answer.
I actually have raced my car in competition, and have about 80+ passes on my setup.
This TCI 3200 has about 14-15,000 miles on it. I put about 4,500 -5k mile per year on the car. Drive it wherever and whenever, and it works flawlessly.
Remember alot of shops offer a quality converter, tho they are built elsewhere, and carry's the shops name on it.
So inquire as to who builds it.
Remember, you're purchasing a definite product, so you should know where that product was definitely built.
This way you can decide if it fits in with what works for you, and makes sense in your mind.
All the best on what you decide to do.
10-08-2010, 03:13 AM
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It depends on your application. A car driven in the city 3-5 times a week will put a lot more stress on parts than a car driven once a month to the race track, down the strip in back. TCI is an okay converter. You could definitely do worse. Avoid eBay, no-name, and generic converters at all costs.
However if you're going to put 10K or more miles on your car a year, drop the extra 100-300 bucks and go for the upper tier converters. FTI has already been mentioned and that's what I had in my Camaro Z28. I had a 3200 that I put 17,000 miles on with no problems.
Vigilantie and Yank are also ones to consider and probably the highest end in the F-body realm.
Converters are truly you get what you pay for.
Also worth considering, if you're having a shop install the converter, talk to them about their experience with certain brands of converters (in LS1 F-bodies) in relation to your application. If they can't give you answers, time to look for a different speed shop.
Edit: In answer to your plugs question, I have no experience with the plugs you're asking about but I always used NGK TR55s in my LS1 F-bodies w/ GM High Performance wires with Heat shields and had no problem
2nd Edit: No matter what anyone tells you, ALWAYS install a tranny cooler w/ a stall. Period
However if you're going to put 10K or more miles on your car a year, drop the extra 100-300 bucks and go for the upper tier converters. FTI has already been mentioned and that's what I had in my Camaro Z28. I had a 3200 that I put 17,000 miles on with no problems.
Vigilantie and Yank are also ones to consider and probably the highest end in the F-body realm.
Converters are truly you get what you pay for.
Also worth considering, if you're having a shop install the converter, talk to them about their experience with certain brands of converters (in LS1 F-bodies) in relation to your application. If they can't give you answers, time to look for a different speed shop.
Edit: In answer to your plugs question, I have no experience with the plugs you're asking about but I always used NGK TR55s in my LS1 F-bodies w/ GM High Performance wires with Heat shields and had no problem
2nd Edit: No matter what anyone tells you, ALWAYS install a tranny cooler w/ a stall. Period
Last edited by nhraracer; 10-08-2010 at 03:30 AM.
10-08-2010, 08:34 AM
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i have already installed a trans cooler. the only reason i asked is because im wondering if going from a 5 heat range to a 16 heat range could do damage
10-08-2010, 08:59 AM
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It depends on your application. A car driven in the city 3-5 times a week will put a lot more stress on parts than a car driven once a month to the race track, down the strip in back. TCI is an okay converter. You could definitely do worse. Avoid eBay, no-name, and generic converters at all costs.
14-15,000 miles on it, and I put about 4,500 -5k miles per year on the car. It has taken the back to back competition runs in the later rounds at the track as well. There are alot of Converter's to choose from, but don't take anything away from this one, unless someone is doing the same with their own ride.
I agree, cooler is essential along with addl. capacity to aid in its cooling if possible.
I'm unfamiliar with a 5 vs.16 heat range. Maybe you want to look at a cross reference chart and see what the Denso equivilent to the stock plug is. Without mods to your car, going to a TR55's heat range in the Denso may show you nothing, but beating your hands up on the install...lol.
10-08-2010, 10:40 AM
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the only reason im asking is because the store i work out is discontinuing caryong denzons and they have a set for my camaro that are .99 apiece lol
10-11-2010, 10:38 PM
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yeah i spoke with josh and they got me setup pretty good. im looking forward to picking it up and getting it installed and car tuned with it