The team at TCI Automotive wrapped up development on a couple of exciting new products just in time for the PRI Show this year: their new Diablo race shifter and a brand new lightweight flexplate.
The new Diablo shifter builds upon the company’s popular Outlaw series, with a truly universal design for use with popular GM, Ford, and Chrysler transmissions and can be configured for applications from two to six speeds (forward/reverse patterns). It can also be configured with a pair of buttons on the handle for engaging single or dual stage nitrous oxide, your transbrake or line-lock operation, and shift points. The design also allows for front or rear exit on the cable.
“This is a one part number, one SKU shifter that can be used for two, three, or four speeds without having to switch out gates — you just unbolt it, move the gate, re-bolt the gate back into place and go. It’s a great shifter,” says TCI’s Trent Goodwin. “If you’re a drag racer and you switch from a Powerglide to a Turbo 400, you can keep the same shifter and not have to buy new parts.”
The Diablo will be available in a blackout or standard brushed metal finish, with a billet steel handle.
TCI is also showing off their all-new Lightweight Flexplates, designed with dual bolt patterns for LS and small-block Chevy converters. TCI has manufactured these from gas-nitrided 4140 forged steel and has significant lightening holes to reduce rotating mass and overall weight, dropping the weight by near or just over one pound depending on the model, and also providing a great look in the process.
“Any time you can take weight out of the rotating mass out of a valvetrain setup, you’re going to increase horsepower and run quicker down the track,” Goodwin says.
TCI will be producing these flexplates initially for small- and big-block Chevrolet and LS applications.