Abstract: Since the higher cost and difficulty in mesh quality control of full blade simulation method, a pseudo-lumped-blade simulation method (PLSM) was proposed to analyse the blade-row interaction as well as its effect on the performance of the hydrodynamic torque converter. Firstly, a three-dimensional, transient, single-blade passage model was established based on a D400 hydrodynamic torque converter. And then the PLSM was used to calculate the time-independent blade's torque as well as the time-dependent impeller torque, so as to further study on the blade-row interaction effect and its impact on torque converter performance. Finally, the PLSM was validated in pump wheel, turbine and idler pulley samples. The results show that, the most error of the torque is less than 11.1% and the analysis error for the original characteristic of torque converter is less than 4.37%. It implies that PLSM is effective and reliable, and can not only reduce the calculation costs, but also be of great help to further study the blade-row interaction for hydrodynamic torque converters.