A tie rod assembly for a mid-turbine frame of a gas turbine engine comprising: at least one tie rod for connecting an outer frame case to an inner frame case, wherein the at least one tie rod includes an inlet passage branching between a first branch within the tie rod extending coaxially and radially inward, when installed in the mid-turbine frame, and a second branch within the tie rod extending in an axially downstream direction, when installed in the mid-turbine frame, and characterized by the second branch being in fluid communication with a low-rotor cavity through to a fitting that extends through the inner frame case and connects to a swirler tube, the fitting including a transfer tube and a cup boss, wherein the transfer tube is pressed, welded, or brazed into an opening in the hollow spoke, the cup boss is configured to be fastened to the inner frame case with fasteners and aligned with a hole in the inner frame case, wherein the fasteners are also configured to secure the swirler tube to an opposite side of the inner frame case from the cup boss, the swirler tube configured to direct a cooling airflow into the low-rotor cavity in the direction of rotation of the low-rotor to reduce turning and aerodynamic losses in the cooling airflow, wherein a restricting ring is located within the second branch or between the swirler tube and an inner diameter surface of the inner frame case, wherein the restricting ring includes a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of the second branch; and a plug (128, 128') located in the first branch to block flow through a portion of the first branch, the plug (128, 128') including a flange (129, 129') on a proximal end and a radially outer distal end (150, 150') located in the first branch, the flange (129, 129') being accepted within an opening (130, 130') in the tie rod adjacent an outer diameter surface of the inner frame case. at least one tie rod for connecting an outer frame case to an inner frame case, wherein the at least one tie rod includes an inlet passage branching between a first branch within the tie rod extending coaxially and radially inward, when installed in the mid-turbine frame, and a second branch within the tie rod extending in an axially downstream direction, when installed in the mid-turbine frame, and characterized by the second branch being in fluid communication with a low-rotor cavity through to a fitting that extends through the inner frame case and connects to a swirler tube, the fitting including a transfer tube and a cup boss, wherein the transfer tube is pressed, welded, or brazed into an opening in the hollow spoke, the cup boss is configured to be fastened to the inner frame case with fasteners and aligned with a hole in the inner frame case, wherein the fasteners are also configured to secure the swirler tube to an opposite side of the inner frame case from the cup boss, the swirler tube configured to direct a cooling airflow into the low-rotor cavity in the direction of rotation of the low-rotor to reduce turning and aerodynamic losses in the cooling airflow, wherein a restricting ring is located within the second branch or between the swirler tube and an inner diameter surface of the inner frame case, wherein the restricting ring includes a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of the second branch; and a plug (128, 128') located in the first branch to block flow through a portion of the first branch, the plug (128, 128') including a flange (129, 129') on a proximal end and a radially outer distal end (150, 150') located in the first branch, the flange (129, 129') being accepted within an opening (130, 130') in the tie rod adjacent an outer diameter surface of the inner frame case.