A. Cost. A good four-speed runs from $1,000 to $1,200 and that does not include the maintenance of the clutch The TCI® usually runs $300 to $500 less for our basic setup.
Weight. Most of our racers have found that the automatic is 50 to 60 pounds lighter than a standard four-speed. The weight alone saves wear and tear on the valve train and the drive train.
Performance. The TCI® Automatic transmission's performance is outstanding. Several of our racers who have switched from the four-speed have experienced improved performance. In fact, they have been surprised because the Automatic has been more responsive off the turns than the standard shift transmission, plus the engine picks up much quicker. With the TCI® Automatic they have had excellent throttle response in the corners and on restarts. In addition, the TCI® Automatic is consistent for every race, so you don't have to adjust the clutch before each event.
A. Actually, we offer two types of Circlematics. The clutch pedal style and the latest 'clutch less' style. The clutch pedal style works similar to a standard shift transmission. Using a clutch pedal arrangement, the driver's hands are free to work the shifter and steering wheel. To take off, you simply depress the clutch pedal, select the desired gear and slowly release the clutch pedal while feathering the throttle. Unlike driving a manual shift transmission, once the vehicle is underway you may shift from low to high or from high to low without depressing the clutch pedal.
The 'clutchless' style works similar to a Powerglide with a working torque converter. It is very simple to install because the shifter is the only external control required. To take off, you simply put the transmission in low gear and slowly depress the throttle. Once you're moving, you can shift to high gear; even at wide-open throttle! Reverse works the same way as low gear. And, because it's a reverse shift pattern, there's no chance of bumping the shifter into neutral or reverse during upshifts.
A. We recommend using a hydraulic clutch pedal with a push-type cylinder to activate the detent lever. Mount the slave cylinder to the transmission bellhousing. Just drill your bolt holes into the bellhousing and mount a bracket.. that will hold the slave cylinder securely in place. The detent lever must move 1/2" to the rear of the transmission to allow the body to fully release or "dump" the pressure. The TCI® return spring must be mounted to the detent to provide sufficient force to return the detent lever against the stop.
A. The pedal style uses a standard shift pattern of a Powerglide transmission; Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Low, and the 'clutch less' style uses a reverse shift pattern; Park, Reverse, Neutral, Low, Drive.