As of ETS2/ATS 1.43/1.44, the torque converter (TC) is incompletely emulated (borrowing part of its code from the clutch), which results in incorrect behavior and lacking dynamics. In particular, starting feels different and weak compared to real world TCs, and shifting has a torque gap. Crawling is also emulated wrongly. I hope the papers I found on the internet can help building a better TC using actual fluid dynamics. There's even a lock-up clutch described that eliminates efficiency losses at higher speeds.
Acausal Powertrain Modelling with Application to Model-based Powertrain Control
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PDF)
Modeling Torque Converter Characteristics in Automatic Drivelines: Lock-up Clutch and Engine Braking Simulation
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PDF)
Math-based Torque Converter Modelling to Evaluate Damping Characteristics and Reverse Flow Mode Operation
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PDF)
It would be nice if someone with a physics background could have a look at the papers and find out what's relevant for simulating. Maybe this is interesting for
@Oscar?
