TCI Streetfighter VS 85 2004r

[T- Type Tim]

Need some help deciding what to do here. The transmission I have in the car now is the factory 2004r(85 t-type) 10" art carr non lock up, 87' 1-2 accumalator, shift kit. Have had a couple rebuilds on it , but have been unhappy with shifting and overall performance. I have heard there are some differences in the 87 tranny than the one I have. I am thinking about getting the TCI street fighter(lock up) 2004r. Any opinions on this transmission/ converter as a replacement for the 85' is welcome.

Tim

 

[Blazer406]

Need some help deciding what to do here. The transmission I have in the car now is the factory 2004r(85 t-type) 10" art carr non lock up, 87' 1-2 accumalator, shift kit. Have had a couple rebuilds on it , but have been unhappy with shifting and overall performance. I have heard there are some differences in the 87 tranny than the one I have. I am thinking about getting the TCI street fighter(lock up) 2004r. Any opinions on this transmission/ converter as a replacement for the 85' is welcome.

Tim

IMHO.... Don't buy a TCI tranny.... there are several Buick Vendors here that can give you a real GN tranny... or one that will hold up behind lots of power. Board member Brian has tons of good feedback.... Chris at CK Performance is another..... Bruce at PTS is another.... Lonnie Diers is another.... Buy one from one of these guys and you won't regret it.

 

[brian]

DO NOT get a TCI trans. Not for a Buick anyway.
Not so much of a big deal with a Chevy. But it will not be happy behind a Buick.

Brian

 

[tzque]

Please excuse my ignorance . I have a 10 in art car non lockup converter sitting on my gargage floor . What is the difference between that one and the one sitting in my GN now.

 

[tzque]

I asked before I searched

 

[T- Type Tim]

Not questioning your guys experience with TCI, but what s so bad about them? I've heard the converters were junk, and was willing to eat the cost for a decent one. THX

 

[JDSfastGN]

There should be no problem getting the 84-85 BQ transmissions to shift just as well as the 86-87s. the only differences to my knowledge are a few small valve body changes and having a smaller servo. With a shift kit, better servo and everything clearanced correctly inside, it should shift very well. Keep the tranny you have and get it rebuilt by a reputable 200-4r builder and it should keep you happy for a long time.

 

[Blazer406]

Not questioning your guys experience with TCI, but what s so bad about them? I've heard the converters were junk, and was willing to eat the cost for a decent one. THX

IMHO... these trannies are as tempermental as the engines.... i.e. you can't take a Buick engine to a Chevy guy... and expect him to crank out good engines.... the Buick 3.8L has different specs all the way around and if you build it to Chevy clearances... it will likely not live very long. I think the trannys are every bit as quirky as the engines.... and if you don't use a builder that does them all the time (and I don't mean.... "yea I built one of those 6 months ago")..... you are asking for trouble.

For instance.... the '86-'87 cars had unique valve bodies (BRF) very sought after by people that do know these trannies. When you get someone selling one of their catalog trannies.... you are almost gauranteed to get a tranny that was built from a 2004R core... that could have any valve body from any 2004R. This will affect the shift quality... feel... and actual shift point. Why chance getting a sub-standard tranny.... especially when the $$ difference is not worth mentioning....

Board member "Brian" has GN BRF tranny's complete on here all the time in the $1500 range.... (shipping included and ready to go with no transmission core required).....and sometimes (for a little less) Monte Carlo CZ valve body trannys (some like it just as good... some like it better than BRF's).... and I have NEVER heard a bad post from anyone even down in the 10's with one of his trannies.

Chris @ CK Performance also has an excellent reputation on here as well.

Len Freeman (LVGN I think) is another board member that knows his 200's.... he is in Las Vegas I think..... (not sure how close that is to Chandler, AZ)

Take it for what it is worth....

 

[Lee Thompson]

A friend of mine

Bought a TCI streetfighter straight from TCI--supposed to be setup as a TR trans. Didn't last 1000 mile. He and I tore it down and all I will say is I would NEVER suggest anyone buy one.
The 84-85 BQ is a very good core. As mentioned above --can be made to do all you want.