Identifying those GM 300mm Dampers

The springs used in the dampers may be a bit confusing because the dampers can have as many as 12 springs or as few as four. When the 300mm style converters were first introduced, they had two possible dampers available. The damper used in V8 applications had a 6-pocket design and a full set of 12 springs, six inner and six outer (see Figure 3). The damper used for V6 applications was a 4-pocket design and used eight springs, four inner and four outer.

Since the single ovate spring has the same spring capacity as the conventional inner and outer set, they can be interchanged. The 6-pocket damper has about 515 Newton-Meters (380 ft-lbs) of capacity, whether it has 12 conventional springs or six ovate springs, and is used for the V8 applications. The 4-pocket damper has about 380 Newton-Meters (280 ft-lbs) of torque capacity with either type of spring, and is used for most V6 applications.

As long as all of the spring cavities (pockets) are being used, this is a good method of separating the V8 from the V6 dampers. This method works well on most 300mm converters, i.e., the TMAX, TMBX, TLBX and TLCX code converters. With the 280mm converters, you may find a few exceptions. For example, the VJCX code converter may be found with a 6-pocket damper with only four pockets being utilized. In this case the damper should be treated as if it was a 4-pocket damper and only used in V6 applications (see Figure 5).

It is very important to have the correct damper springs for each application. If the damper springs are too heavy, the TCC engagement feel will be firmer. This may or may not turn out to be a drivability complaint. The real problems are created when the damper springs are too weak. If the damper springs bottom out during torque reversal before the TCC releases, the release feel will be like a kick in the backside.

---

Don’t rely on converter codes to identify a 300mm converter damper. Counting the number of spring pockets is the best method of separating the dampers – provided the spring pockets are being used. Also remember that the graphite-type lining (which looks like most aftermarket high carbon) was only used for early Corvettes and F-cars. Most ECCC applications will use the woven carbon lining.

---

Performance engine builders have been using ovate springs for valve springs for years. Ovate springs are also being used in the accumulators of some late model 4L60-E transmissions.

For most converter shops, previously trying to identify 300mm dampers was like being placed into a barrel and being told to stand in the corner. Hope this information makes identifying the 300mm dampers a little easier.