Security in Paperwork
One thing you won't receive from a local transmission rebuilder is paperwork verifying a dyno test, complete installation instructions, a warranty card, and a helpful list of "Do's and Don'ts" to prevent you from making a bad mistake during install and break-in.

Whether you take advantage of it or not, having the option to fill out an official looking warranty card helps ward-off the cognitive dissonance sometimes associated with large purchases.		This included chart certified that our C6 has been dyno tested to measure Main Line Pressure, Cooling Pressure, Cooler Flow, and Output Torque at idle and wide-open-throttle with the transmission in all positions (Park, Neutral, Reverse, First Gear, Second Gear, and Drive).
This stack of easy-to-read installation instructions for the shifter, converter, cooler, and the transmission itself can make even the most reluctant hobbyist feel good about the installation they are about to embark on.		Here's a shot of this article's author carefully reviewing the all important list of "Transmission Do's and Don'ts" supplied by TCI. Even an experienced transmission swapper can learn a few things from this list. We'll cover the highlights in the next section.

Installation Do's, and Don'ts
The TCI literature pack contains a good list of precautions to be taken during the installation and break-in of your new transmission. We've highlighted a number of the key steps here. Whether you are installing a TCI or any other transmission, these tips are a good reference.

Backflushing your transmission lines prevents contamination. With the lines disconnected from the transmission and cooler, we flushed them with Kooler Kleener from Napa.		We added a quart of TCI's Max Shift to the converter prior to engaging it to the input shaft and front pump.
This is a critical measurement that will ensure your converter is properly seated prior to lifting in underneath the car. For a C6 you should have 1-1/8" from the bellhousing to the face of the converter. Using a straight edge removes any doubt in measurement.		Perhaps you've seen this motorcycle jack in previous FordMuscle articles? It helps safely lift the tranny into place by offering a large surface area. Great for a solo install.
We used these 3.5" long pilot bolts to run the face of the bellhousing up against the block without tightening any bolts. A great way to prevent cracking the case!		Here's a video showing how much play a converter should have when the converter is seated properly and the transmission in mated correctly. The converter must be free to move a minimum of 1/8" but no more than 3/16". If no end-play exists, the converter is improperly installed. See Video
Torqueing down the flexplate to converter nuts using Loctite is recommended.		The TCI instruction asks for 4 quarts of fluid prior to break in. The rest is added during break-in.
Lifting the rear wheels off the ground ensures no unnecessary stress is placed on the transmission during break-in.		Keeping a fire extinguisher and the remaining fluid to be added within reach is a smart idea.
Once the engine is running add the remaining fluid.		With the wheels off the ground, going through all the gears with light throttle and checking the fluid level is recommended. With the selector in neutral or park the level should be one pint low. We verified there were no leaks and then hit the road.

The list of precautions included with the TCI Do's and Don'ts is evidence that they have a good account of the common mistakes and neglected procedures that are often made by the enthusiast. For the complete list of Do's and Don'ts see www.tciauto.com.

Final Thoughts
This is the part of the article where we tell you how pleased we are with
the new TCI C6 package installed in Project Torino. However, there's
nothing more to add that the video's on page one of this story don't
already tell. If you missed them, be sure to click back and see just how
firm yet civilized the StreetFighter performs. Is there some reason why
every OEM automatic transmission doesn't come this way?