ATI Torque Converters Help LS Engines Put More Power To The Pavement

The thought of ATI Performance Products often brings visions of dampers and pulleys. For good reason, since ATI has built a decades-long reputation for providing many of the best engine components in the industry. But ATI also offers a range of high-quality drivetrain products for our beloved LS-powered vehicles, like the firm’s excellent lineup of street and strip torque converters. We say street and strip because ATI’s approach isn’t a crude one-size-fits-all solution. The company builds converters around exact combinations, which is why they are a popular option for both cruising and competition.

LS Combo The World!

A naturally aspirated swap, nitrous or boost, blower vehicles, race-specific applications–ATI Performance Products can sell you a converter for almost any need. Through its Streetmaster, Treemaster, and Outlaw lines, the company offers a varying degree of converters for everything from classic cruisers to drag strip bruisers. Streetmaster is the obvious choice for most of the LSX audience, since we’re more about built street cars that occasionally hit the strip. But moving up to Treemaster or Outlaw achieves a level of race-proven performance that’s common in turbo LS drag cars, radial-tire race cars, and drag-and-drive cars.

The Strength Of Streetmaster

For LS-powered cars, converter choice depends heavily on engine displacement, cam size, vehicle weight, and transmission type. For example, a converter that works perfectly behind a stock LM7 in a 3,700-pound Silverado would be completely wrong for an old school Nova that’s been fitted with a turbocharged LS3. Correct converter selection is vital since any LS that’s been fitted with an aftermarket cam and a power adder generally features a higher powerband. A properly matched converter allows the engine to flash immediately into its torque curve rather than lugging below it while minimizing low-RPM slippage and reducing heat buildup.

According to ATI, the Streetmaster converter generally provides an 800 to 1,000 RPM increase in stall speed when used with stock-style rearend ratios and mildly modified engines. That edge is just enough to enhance bottom-end torque characteristics without sacrificing the comfort or efficiency of cruising. Naturally, the Streetmaster’s durability is a great addition to any LS swap. Each unit features a 4140 turbine hub that’s CNC-machined for accuracy, a fully furnace brazed pump and turbine, a new pilot, a new mounting ring, a billet stator cap, and Torrington roller thrust bearings.

For those of us who own factory LS cars, the best option is the SuperStreet Master. The SuperStreet Master adds a lock-up clutch and upgraded racing internals, like furnace-brazed fins, hardened hubs, and the option of a billet cover. Because of the mechanical lock-up clutch, the SuperStreet Master totally eliminates slip, which, among other things, optimizes the unit for cars with overdrive. That translates to better highway cruising and improved fuel economy. Like the Streetmaster, the SuperStreet Master is designed for modified engines and weekend strip use.

Treemaster And Outlaw

If you’re stepping your LS-powered ride up to serious strip duty, check out ATI’s Treemaster and Outlaw torque converters. Designed and manufactured in-house, both the Treemaster and Outlaw feature all-new components. Both units are available in Minimum Reaction Time or Bolt-Together options, with the Treemaster being perfect for drag racing and the Outlaw perfect for high-horsepower builds. What’s better is that ATI keeps plenty of components on hand so they can custom-build a torque converter to your exact needs and, most of the time, ship it out the next business day.

Pretty much anything with LS power can substantially improve ET and drivability simply by having a converter that’s better matched to the engine’s actual torque curve. Instead of purchasing some generic converter, head over to ATI Performance Products to find a unit that’s tailored to your ride or build a unit that’s custom to your ride. ATI’s lineup of Streetmaster, Treemaster, and Outlaw converters is built around making sure every bit of your LS engine’s hard-earned power actually reaches the pavement. Whether you’re cruising an LS-powered Chevelle, hammering on a turbocharged 5.3 at the drag strip, or competing in a drag-and-drive event behind a TH400, ATI has a solution designed to maximize the potential of your combination.