If you follow the heads-up street car scene to any degree, no doubt you’ve been witness to the near domination of Chris Rini and his ATI-backed Dodge Stratus in the NMCA Pro Street division and automatic Pro Mod competition over the last year and change, winning the 2010 NMCA title and resetting his own national record on several occasions. Rini’s performance left many scratching their heads, with a keen eye locked on his nitrous-assisted mount trying to determine just what he was up to. The answer to that question could be found right there emblazoned on the doors.

Behind Rini’s big block powerplant and Powerglide transmission rested ATI’s Outlaw Lockup Torque Converter, a weld-together steel converter with a serviceable clutch area and available in sizes of 10-1/2, 10-3/4, and 11 inches. ATI’s John Lane shared with us that this converter, utilized on many nitrous and turbo heads-up cars, drops over 500 RPM in just .02-second when going to full lockup, meaning the lockup is actually faster than the gear change. 100% lockup occurs in high gear at at 5 seconds into the run in most cases and provides the same zero slip and lighter rotating weight that clutch cars are afforded. ATI suggests the use of their Superplate flexplate and ARP bolts for maximum strength.

Following the success seen by Rini, nearly a dozen heads-up racers have already acquired one of these Outlaw converters for 2011. Further adding to its credit, Lane was pleased to share that in nearly two years of use, Rini has never experienced a failure with this converter.

• 100% in lockup in high gear
• Weld-together design with serviceable clutch area
• Full lockup occurs 5 seconds into the run and drops over 500 RPM in .02-seconds
• Available in 10-1/2, 10-3/4, and 11″ sizes