Exactly... .11 isn't too much greater. I'd assume STR is increased to keep the "feel" similar, not so much the torque multiplication. I wish I knew the STR of the Trailblazer converter...it may very well be 2.1 from GM. But I'd tend to lean towards 1.8-1.9 I'd like to see someone get a TT2600 and a Trailblazer stall and open them both up to see the internals.

Well lockup equals higher efficiency up to 100%. When you get into higher stall units, small diameter, and changing the STR you effect efficiency. I wish I could tell you how but I can't exactly say.

Lockup keeps the converter from slipping under cruise and lowers heat. The slippage is what causes higher cruise RPMs and less fuel economy...that's what lockup does for ya.

 

I don't know how they build them,but do I know for a fact that more than one converter manufacturer has bought Yank converters to copy them.According to Mike at Yank it doesn't matter if they cut one open and copy everything"they still won't get the clearances right".I've tried converters made by other manufacturers and never got nearly as good of results.Yank does custom converters for Lingenfelter and prototypes for GM,so I guess they know what they are doing.

 

Actually, I've heard bad things about Yanks' custom-stalled converters. I've heard about people sending Yanks own stock converters back to them to get restalled at different speeds, with poor results. I've been advised to go to Yank for an off-the-shelf converter, but if I want anything custom, I need to go elsewhere.

This would be consistent with the idea that all Yank does is repaint the TB converter to make the TT2600, and install different stators into the TB converter to make the TT3000.

 

It sounds like you've made up your mind that you want a Trailblazer converter,and are just looking for someone to agree with you.If you look at the fastest truck list you will see that almost all of the 25 fastest trucks are running Yank converters.A trailblazer converter won't harm your truck,but you won't see much if any performance increase either.If you just want a safe or cheap option leave the stock converter in your truck.

 

You tryin to point fingers here toward me or what? I'm simply stating facts the best I can with evidence, not bias ambiguous incomplete info.

That TT2600 just isn't going to be impressive. If the Trailblazer converter stalls around the same RPM, they are going to act nearly the same. Both will offer some increase in performace, the key is SOME. It's not like you're going to be "wowed" with the TT2600 over the Trailblazer one if the TB one stalls at the same RPM.

Most run Yank converters in truck as they are the only company offering truck specific converters that can hold full towing capacity and still drive nearly stock. Most people drive trucks for their utility and not to race. Sure you can have a converter made that exceedes the OE lockup capacity with a multiclutch 9.5" case, but there's no way you can tow 7000lbs with it. The heat will kill it along with your tranny. If I was going all out, I'd be running a PI converter hands down NOT a Yank.

 

No, whitt1, I haven't made my mind up about anything yet. But anyone who knows me knows I do endless research before making a decision, which is what I am doing. Research consists of asking questions and sharing knowledge, which is also what I am doing here.

I've done lots of research offline on this topic. I've PM'd lots of people, talking back and forth about it. I've accumulated some knowledge on it. I've listened to other people's experiences, and I've also read every single post on this forum, and others, related to the Trailblazer torque converters, and Trailblazer torque converter vs. TT2600 torque converter, and the TT3000 torque converter. I think I'm pretty well versed. And I think the TT2600 is in fact the stock Trailblazer TC, simply repainted, just as others have told me they either already knew or highly suspected.

You differ with me. That's fine, you can do that. But when I ask you for data or information, I don't seem to get anything of substance. That's also your prerogative. But please don't change the subject to what my motivations might be. I may or may not get a Trailblazer, a TT2600, or a TT3000 torque converter. I may not get a torque converter at all. That's pretty irrelevant, because at the end of the day, some people may have benefitted from all of this research and question-asking. And if that's all that comes out of this, I'm okay with that. I think that's what these forums are all about.

So I'll pose the essence of this thread back to you as a question - if the Trailblazer and TT2600 converters are in fact one in the same converter, why would anyone want to pay $200-$300 more for the Yank?

 

Some increase in performance would be fine with me. Not everyone here wants to take their truck into the 11's. I'd like to increase the perfomance of my truck and still retain all of the stock capacities. I lowered my truck 3" in back, but with higher spring rate springs than stock so my payload and tongue capacities are still max as they were from the factory. I'd like to do the same with a converter, if I decide to get one. Because of this, I was pretty much only looking at the TT2600 and TT3000. I am actually a little leery of the TT3000 just because I can't find anyone who has towed 7,000 lbs or more with it with success. And with this new information, I am now looking at the Trailblazer converter.

 

I think excessive research, negating most comments you see .. debating may be a better word. I see why your doing it, but I still find it annoying. Let me restate that ... I understand why you debate things, but I don't like it. (My opinion, not a flame)

You get what you pay for. I don't think you will find anyone who has towed 7000 pounds with their half ton truck with a converter. Usually the most you will see for that much performance orisented would be around 4-5000.

I've towed a 16x8 utility trailer with 3 full size ATV's on it, estimated at roughly 3000 pounds). I didn't do it with all the power, but I would without thinking twice about it. Just be sure to use tow/haul since it keeps the converter locked a lot of the time.

 

Naked AV, they sound so simular i dont see a differance other than the name. I say get the Trail Blazer convertor, and with the money you save buy a smaller pully for the Radix and up the boost a little. In the 1/4 you'll be ahead of where you would be with just a TT3000.

Just my .02.

 

I've accepted a lot of (most of, actually) what I have heard, because the people I have received unput from have had good sources, or experiences that back their input. It's just that most of that has been offline over the last 3-4 weeks, and you haven't seen it. Also, I'm wondering, have you read all of the posts at ls1tech.com on this topic? I have. There are nearly two full pages of posts on it. I've contacted the one guy who did end up getting the TB converter, and a couple of other people who posted on the topic.

Please tell me when the amount of research becomes 'excessive', I'd really like to know. My criterion for the end of research is when there is a clear answer. Up until now, there really hasn't been a clear answer, just conjecture. When it comes to what kind of gum to buy, I don't do a lot of research, I just try the gum. When it comes to something that may end up costing me hundreds (or perhaps thousands) of dollars in parts and labor, I do considerably more research. And I rarely have to go back and redo what I've done once I've done it. Is that a bad thing?

When whitt1 offered his input both times, I politely asked him where he got it, or why he had it. I noticed that he didn't (or chose not to) answer either question, and came back with more opinion on something different, finally accusing me of having already made up my mind. Usually when someone reacts that way, they are offering opinion based on...well, not much. Are you asking me to accept what he has said out of hand, in order to not be annoying? Or should have I just ignored him? I'm not sure what you're saying here.

Finally, if I end up being the first one to tow 7-8,000 lbs on a converter rated to tow 7-8,000 lbs, wouldn't that be a good thing? Wouldn't that be helpful to the group? You said "You get what you pay for...", which is true most of the time, but in this instance, if the TB and TT2600 are exactly the same converter, wouldn't you be getting a lot more than what you pay for with the TB converter (or a lot less than what you pay for with the TT2600)?

Please tell me what I could do differently, I'd really like to know. Not that I'm going to change, I may not, but I am really curious as to what exactly you think I'm doing wrong. I'm trying to get what I need done here, but at the same time, be a good citizen in the process.