Torque Converter Upgrades for Efficiency and Driveability

The factory Duramax torque converters work pretty well, until they start seeing higher mileage and/or engine upgrades that increase power. While that is the case for any application that uses a torque converter, diesel engines create a lot of torque and often tow heavy which decreases converter life expectancy. When torque converters start to fail, the clutches no longer hold, they become "looser", and less efficient which creates excess heat in the transmission. At the end of the day, excess heat is the #1 killer for an automatic transmission no matter how good or "bulletproof" it is.

What makes Aftermarket Torque Converters Better? 

Aftermarket converters are built to handle the demands of performance diesel engines. Billet covers, multiple clutches, billet stators, torrington bearings, heat treated hubs, reinforced and brazed fins are common upgrades offered in these torque converters.  

Billet covers are held to tighter tolerances to help with concentricity, strength, heat management, and to resist warping or flexing under stress. Clutch contact surface area, clutch amounts are increased, and high friction clutch materials are used to provide maximum contact and reduce slippage.

Housings are upgraded and reinforced to handle extra heat, increase strength, and prevent ballooning. Factory stamped steel housings warp and balloon under high heat, causing slipping, vibrations, and increased transmission temperatures. 

Billet stators are used to transfer the power from the engine to the transmission efficiently while holding up to high temperatures much better than a standard stator.

Reinforced and brazed fins prevent collapsing of the fins which keeps fluid dynamics in check thus increasing longevity. 

Conclusion

If you tow often or heavy, have performance upgrades that increase power, or drive it like you stole it, then you will benefit from a torque converter upgrade. With many different options available to suit your needs, there is a converter built for it. Allison transmissions are very stout units in stock form, but who drives a stock Duramax as a daily driver and doesn't tow? A triple disc torque converter, high friction clutches, billet internals, valvebody upgrades, and transmission coolers will help an Allison transmission handle whatever you can throw at it.