Modifications to stock converter (kinda long read)

Modifications to stock converter???

I have a question about torque converter work. There is a local transmission shop that specializes in custom torque converters. The guys there seem very knowledgable and I am considering letting them do some work for me. I enquired about a custom built converter, and their answer was to basically build a new converter based on modifications to my factory converter. I just wondered what everyones thoughts were on this? There seems to be some very good positives to this method:
1. maintains 12" diameter which would cut down on heat
2. maintains lock-up feature
3. custom stall based on existing vehicle modifications up to about 3300 rpms
4. Very cost effective

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to get off cheap, I just hadn't planned on getting into this type of modification yet because I thought it would be much more costly. However, the guy I spoke with said that many of the aftermarket companies have a huge mark-up on their products and in many cases they are doing exactly what he plans on doing by modifiying a stock converter. He mentioned 3 parameters that he could modify to adjust stall speed: modifications to the stator, fin angle inside the converter, and something called the A/B ratio I think. Anyway, he said he would make these modifications then tig weld in several areas inside the converter to reinforce and add to the overall strength of the unit and this would only set me back a few hundred dollars including installation. Almost sounds too good to be true, but seriously they sound like they know their stuff. Also, they have two pro-mod cars that they professionally drag race.
Give me your thoughts, I'm curious as to anyone that has gone this route.
Thanks

I don't know, I mean a good precision industries converter with the lock-up feature can run anywhere from $750 to $1000 dollars. I just seems kinda logical to start with a well made factory converter and make the necessary changes from there and end up with a quality piece at a fraction of the price. I'm sure it would cost $500.00 plus to replace the factory converter from ford and when you consider a few hundred to modify and reinstall it you're actually in the neighborhood price-wise of a new aftermarket converter, you're just cutting the price by using existing parts. I don't know it this is a fair analogy and I know this is another can of worms, but why spend $200 dollars plus on a plenum elbow from accufab when dyno tests consistently show that no matter what brand you go with even with the addition of a larger throttle body you're only going to pick up ~5rwhp. My point, port your factory plenum and upgrade your throttle body. You would have spent less than half the amount of money you would have on the accufab and you'll end up with the same performance increase and you can spend that extra money on something else. JMHO

Well, the shop I mentioned previously is doing my valve-body today. This way I will get a chance to gauge their work and talk to them personally about converter options. I'll let you know what I decide. By the way, like I mentioned these guys primarily drag race and have this shop to support two pro-mod cars (whatever that is?) so all of their work is track tested on their own vehicles and the converters they are running are custom built from scratch. They are squeezing me in today, before leaving for some race in atlanta this thursday.

Got my car back this afternoon. They did the j-mod to the valvebody. Makes it shift much better and firmer even with the pressure backed down on my diablosport. The j-mod along with the 4.10s has really brought the car to life. Still trying to decide what to do with the converter, I get a lot of different answers from a lot of different people???