Digital Corvettes Installs A TCI® Drivetrain Set-Up

FIGHTING BACK FROM INJURED RESERVES

In the dead of winter, it’s not rare for most Corvette enthusiasts to park their rides and wait for warmer weather. However, this January I didn’t have any choice, because all forward gears in the ’85 C4 went kaput. Even before dropping the transmission pan, I knew I was in trouble. A horrible burnt plastic-like smell radiated from under the car. I later found out that the smell was from chunks of fried clutch material. Great…

After reviewing advice from old DigitalCorvettes.com threads, I began researching companies that rebuilt the 700r4s. There were actually dozens of companies that rebuilt them from stock configurations to the extreme performance transmission. However, many of these companies were quickly checked off the list for a multitude of reasons, primarily because of an abundance of negative feedback seen on several forums. So I began making phone calls to the companies that were highly recommended, and it wasn’t until I spoke to Stanley Poff, Brand Manager with TCI® Auto that I truly felt confident in the services they could provide me.

In the weeks after my transmission had taken its own life, I had moved out of state, forced to the leave the C4 behind. It was now clear that trying to mess with a rebuild was going to make things very difficult, but Stanley reassured me of a straight-forward solution, the complete StreetFighter® installation package, which consisted of the following:

TCI® SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL TORQUE CONVERTER - #242800

TCI® CORVETTE STREETFIGHTER TRANSMISSION - #373000

TCI® 700-R4 UNIVERSAL TV CABLE - #376800

TCI 700R4/4L60E LOCKING DIPSTICK - #743865

TCI® PERFORMANCE COOLER (3/4"X7 1/2"X15) - #823500

TCI® MAXSHIFT PERFORMACNE TRANSMISSION FLUID - #950600

Now this kit was going to cover my bases to a tee. No trying to order multiple parts in time for a builder, no worries about rebuilding the toasted transmission, and I could have my trusted mechanics from Blue Ribbon Auto Service of Waldorf, MD do the install. Within just two weeks of placing the order, TCI® Auto had completely built and dyno tested my StreetFighter® 700r4 transmission and shipped it directly to the shop.

Our ’85 up on the lift, with its exhaust system and drive shaft removed.

Paul is nearly ready to lower this battle-torn transmission.

You’re right Paul; the old transmission does smell like burnt G.I Joe figures…

Paul carefully inspects the rear side of the engine to make sure no additional repairs are necessary.

After 23 years of service, our stock transmission rests on the shop floor, waiting for a ride to the junkyard.

Felt like Christmas morning as Steve and Paul opened the neatly packed box of TCI® goodies.

GREASY KNUCKLES, SERIOUS BUSINESS

Once at the Blue Ribbon garage, I went over the shipment details with shop owner Reiner Oberst and mechanic Steve Conley. Everyone was impressed with the quality of the packaging. Not only were all parts present including the tech manuals, but the transmission was tightly secured with thick foam padding. There’s nothing worse than seeing new parts carelessly tossed in a box, so it was nice to see TCI® make sure even this final step was done with care.

At last, it was time to put wrench to bolt and start cracking on the transmission. Mechanic Paul Brown dove into removing the exhaust system, drive shaft and undoing all electrical connectors in and around the old transmission. Great headway was being made, and soon Paul had the crippled stock transmission removed and set to the side. We’d return to the old transmission later to snag the speedometer gear and a solenoid to complete the swap. With our old slush box out, Paul was able to inspect the rear of the engine for any leaks or potential trouble spots. A clear report meant he was ready to begin installing the TCI® StreetFighter®!

Our second box contained the transmission cooler, Max Shift™ performance fluid, locking dipstick and text manuals.

Reiner goes over the new transmission and removes the universal vacuum switch, since our 700r4 runs with a computer (well, it's basically a Sega Genesis).

Before the new transmission could be mounted, the new torque converter needed to be primed and slid onto the input shaft. Sticking with the stock 2000 stall rating, we have gone back with TCI® Saturday Night Special® torque converter (# 242800) which will work to maintain road manners and fuel mileage, yet still provide plenty of umph off the line. After the converter was prepped and slid on, Reiner gave Paul some extra muscle to line up the new transmission. With it bolted into place, Steve and Paul could begin swapping over the speedometer gear and wiring up the TCC solenoid.

Reiner gives Paul a hand as they set the new TCI® transmission into place.

The transmission and torque converter are seen mounted into place.

Steve and Paul fish the dipstick tube up through the already crowded engine compartment.

Paul properly secures the new TCI® Saturday Night Special® torque converter.

Paul persuades the speedometer gear from the original transmission with a little slight of hand.

Steve holds up the speedo gear and gives it a close inspection.

Once removed, we can see the old housing for the speedo gear.

Steve does a thorough inspection of the newly installed TCI® transmission.

Once back to ground level, Paul finishes reconnecting the distributor cap and filling the transmission with fresh fluid.

The installation of the TCI® transmission was performed at Blue Ribbon Auto Service.

By this time the beauty of the TCI® kit was really making itself known. Throughout the entire day, there weren’t any surprise hurdles for the mechanics and no extra parts were needed to make it work. Matter a fact; just as I was starting to get anxious to fire it up, Paul began to reinstall the drive shaft. And before installing the exhaust, the guys did a lengthy inspection to make sure everything was squared away. Then they added Max Shift™ fluid and cranked up the engine. Once fluids warmed and their levels were checked, Paul was able to take the ’85 out for a test ride to make sure each gear, and overdrive, was engaging properly. With that clean bill of health, I was ready for the 250 mile drive home.

HIT THE GROUND RUNNING

Even within the first miles of driving this rejuvenated C4, I could notice a dramatic difference by having the TCI® StreetFighter®. Shifts under any throttle input were being executed with precision, where the stock transmission seemed to slowly loaf around. Much of this difference is thanks to the Stage 1 shift kit installed during the build from TCI®. The shift kit, coupled with the auto/manual valve body, means I can simply leave it in Drive, or drop it down to 1st and take over the reigns myself. Knowing that next gear is available exactly when I shift is a huge improvement, and it makes for a more enthusiastic drive. I even put this new setup to the test on a spirited Sunday drive through the Blue Ridge Parkway, where the proper gear is as important as staying between the guardrails.

SO WHAT'S NEXT?

Well we still need to install the transmission cooler. With the ’85 running both front and rear fans on the radiator, we just didn’t have enough space for the cooler. Reiner suggested we not hack it up, but devote some time later to either trimming the shroud or making a small bracket. Either way we’ll keep you updated and have it installed before the summer sizzle sets in. Until then, there’s plenty of pavement to be conquered and tires to punish. Thanks for saving my bacon TCI®!

Article and photos courtesy of DigitalCorvettes.com

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