I'm thinking about buying a TCI street fighter TC with a 2800-3200 stall from Jegs. If TCI isn't one of the best let me know.

 

TCI aint bad but there are better ones out there.
I run a TCI breakaway in my Z and I like it and have had no problems.
I have heard of bad customer service related to their products but I have had no problems with mine so I have yet to deal with TCIs customer service.
Vigilante and Yank make a better TC but at a much bigger price as well, I went with a cheaper alternative and have yet to regret it.

 

Nothing is wrong with TCI , I was one of the first few people to have there converter in my car a few years ago.TCI has been in business for ever, I run a streetfighter 2800, they didnt even have the superstreetfighter 3500 out when I bought mine,My converter has been in 2 different LS1 and is still going strong, They make very efficient converters you will gain mph and not lose mph like some other brands. But there are some good companies out there, I guess it just depends on your budget. Best bang for the buck would be the superstreet fighter for like 540.00 Great revies and some really good times with that TQ.

 

If I understand right, a "good" converter balances stall torque ratio and efficiency. You want the highest STR you can get, but it often decreases efficiency. Efficiency is important to that max mph is attained in the quarter. Minimal ET's require a higher stall torque ratio.

This is the latest thing I've been learing about. Prices vary depending on the geometry of the parts (impellers?, etc.) that are used and the materials. Vigilante converters use a billet cover... I know that's what makes theirs high in price instead of say, a TCI.

So people pick Vigilante because they feel they have a good combo of the two. They seem to perform better as well. So, you're putting yourself at a disadvantage if you want to be competitive by not running one as well. It's kind of like you're forced to if you want to be as fast as the next guy. If you can't beat them, join them?

Ben T.

 

The Vigilante is an excellent torque converter, if you can spend the extra money for one. They offer a 2 year warranty, a one time free stall change, 37 square inches of lock up clutch area. It is superior to anything that TCI offers in the way of the 9.5" torque converter. I will not warranty one of my transmissions, if a customer uses a TCI torque converter in front of it. Their lack of quality control and comeback ratio is to high for me.

 

I bought a used Vigi,I would never pay 700 for one new. P.I stands behind the Vigi, even your buying one used.

 

I was thinking of a TCI about 3 days ago but now I see its Vigilante all the way I'm not saying TCI isn't go but a warranty is reasuring

 

P.I offers 2 year waranty on all converters, regardles of owner. That is why all Vigis have serial tags. I have seen Vigis take plenty of abuse and they held great. Mine was in a cam + gas car before mine, still works like new. Vigis are expensive but they are worth every penny because they are built awesome.

 

Hey, neil350 do U remember how much it reduced your e.t

 

Hey probuilt, I would agree with you at one time TCI QC was alittle shakey But today they have some real good converters for use A4 guys, I have seen some really messed up converters from Yank, and Vig, TCI> ETC you get where Im going with that, every one has to make a mistake once in a while even the big boys of converters . I would put TCI 3500 stall up against a vig 3200 stall anyday , and u know that vig will stall to about 3600 , Ill bet the results would be dam close only difference is about 200.00 between the 2, I have had My TCI 2800 in 2 different LS1 in the last 2 1/2 years with no problems yet , Remember this is just me talking not flaming. we all have our opinions.

 

Talk like that make s me want a TCI instead of a Vig.

 

Hey wreckless Just to let you know my car is a 99 TA and with minor boltons and 273s in the rear my car turned 12.40s at 110mph, I did a lid and catback first, my car ran 13.50s 104mph and when I put the conveter in my car I knocked off 5 tenths and gained 1mph in the 1/4 after TCI converter 13.00s at 105mph, now im not saying that everyone gets the same results , I only wish at the time they had there 3500 stall out but they didnt . No one can pick a converter for , we can only give our experiences. If I had a lot of money and was really looking to go fast Id would go with a Yank pt4000, Bling.

 

I think it comes down to how big your going to go with mods.
I don,t plan on ever running more than mid 12s with my car, thats what would make me happy, if I was looking at hitting low 11s then I would seriously consider going with a vigi or a yank.
If your not going big then I think it would be better to save the money and go with a lesser converter.
But thats just me.

 

I plan for mid 12s to but while Im getting there the car is going to take ALOT of abuse. So I just want parts that will last.

 

Originally posted by boomcase; "I would put TCI 3500 stall up against a Vig 3200 stall anyday". You are probably right that both would do about the same in the quarter mile. I am stressing the fact of warranty & the converter clutch lockup area in the Vigilante, two strong points that I want on my side. I just sent back a 700R4 (just redone) that the customer put in a TCI torque converter in (against my advice, and not covered by the warranty), and it blew up (about 4 weeks ago). If TCI is improving?, great, that means less people getting screwed all the way around, and they get what they paid for.