Ray, my main concern with this set up is the clutch in the lock up converter. Unless someone has seriously upgraded clutch material and surface area, I question how long it would live in our application. I am trying to get answers about that from different converter companies before purchasing.

I may wind up not running a lock up. With both the hollow input shaft and clutch in the converter being weaker links, I would rather build a non lockup than build something that has to come out for rebuild again in a year or two. Couple places sell low rpm converters. Combine that with a nice cooler and it would mitigate heat issues.