SEMA 2014: TCI Debuts 4L60, 6R80 Converter & Quartermaster Clutches

Autocrossers and even truck enthusiasts have been clamoring for better transmission control, and the folks at TCI Auto have come up with what could quite possibly be the perfect solution. Their new 4L60E Auto-X transmission provides the end user with full electronic control of the transmission through their EZ-TCU control unit – and adds engine braking.

tci2According to TCI’s Kevin Winstead, “All of the tricks are done within the valvebody. Later on we’ll introduce a valvebody for people to be able to update their transmissions. The engine braking works in first, second, and third gear. If you’re doing something that requires a retrofit into an older car, a late-model F-Body, for instance, the EZ-TCU with this unit is perfect. This is for the guy who wants to get out there and do some autocrossing, or even a Pro Touring car.”

The Auto-X package [PN 371175] includes everything necessary for installation; the transmission, a torque converter, fluid, the EZ-TCU, a transmission cooler, fluid, and even a paddle shifter setup that mounts behind the steering wheel.

In addition to the new transmission, TCI also introduced their brand-new bolt-together triple-disc torque converter for the Ford 6R80 transmission.

ci2“This particular converter will allow us to lock up the engine at wide-open throttle. It’s a bolt-together three-clutch design that will allow the customer to fine-tune it for their application. We can send out a stator that will allow them to optimize the stall speed for what they need,” says Winstead.

Internally, the 6R80 converter boasts furnace brazing and hand-reinforced TIG welds on the turbine blades. The converter has an O-ring groove for sealing purposes, and bolts together from the flexplate side of the billet front cover. Unlike other bolt-together designs on the market where the fasteners are in an outer, welded-on ring, this particular design keeps the fasteners within the converter’s footprint. With no tuning changes, Winstead says that this converter is worth half a second of ET based on their internal testing.

qm1Also in the booth was a pair of brand-new 10.4-inch Mustang clutches from the company’s Quartermaster division. Both single-disc and dual-disc converters were on display. The Optimum-SR lineup of clutches feature organic discs and a billet pressure plate, and offer stock-type drivability with excellent holding power. Kits are available for the 201-14 Mustang GT and Boss 302 in the single-disc variety, and the dual-disc design adds coverage for the 2007-14 GT500.

The billet design reduces rotating mass significantly, and the proprietary spring technology is 100% rebuildable. The clutches are also compatible with OE hydraulic release bearings, or Quartermaster’s Tri-Lite II release bearing systems, which feature a return spring. These clutches are legal in both Pirelli World Challenge and Continental Tire Series competition.

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About the author

Jason Reiss

Jason draws on over 15 years of experience in the automotive publishing industry, and collaborates with many of the industry's movers and shakers to create compelling technical articles and high-quality race coverage.
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