A stator for a torque converter, including a pump side blade plate with a first outer circumferential portion and a turbine side blade plate with a second outer circumferential portion in contact with the first outer circumferential portion. One of the first or second outer circumferential portions includes an axially extending lip with a plurality of notches and the other of the first or second outer circumferential portions includes a plurality of radially outward protrusions disposed in the plurality of notches and the lip includes a plurality of at least partially radially inward protrusions in contact with other of the first or second outer circumferential portions and exerting force on the other of the first or second outer circumferential portions to urge the pump and turbine side plates together.