a few clutch questions???? - Diesel Forum

1997PSD4ME · 12-25-2005, 08:44 PM

hi folks,

getting ready to make a purchase on a clutch..

after much reading i think it will be a southbend, i have one problem....southbend's site is the most terrible site ever..i got more info from swamps on the clutches than from sbc [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

i see 4 types of clutches...1 of which i wont even consider which is the double disk pullin clutch

on that note i plan do some sort of fuel injector upgrade soon and dont think the sbc con is up to the task..

so that leaves
sbc con ofe or $900
sbc con fe... $1,000 whats $100 more if its a 100x better?

what are you running? anyone have the fe? swamps says "either engaged or disengaged" i like that but how is that for a dd application?
thanks for your input. please no arguements.. thanks ryan [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

ryanPSD · 12-25-2005, 08:56 PM

It really depends what your plans are for future mods. The Con O would work great as an OEM replacement, or for "some" added power, like Stage I's or equivilant. It's rated for some 350hp.

But for the price difference, I think the OFE (what I have) is well worth it. It is rated for 400hp. Once you start adding more fuel you will want more. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] It is a little added assurance that your clutch won't slip under power, and leaves plenty of room for more down the road.

I looked up your sig in another post and it doesn't look like you have a Luk or anything already, just stock? I'm running the Stage I's (hopefully II's someday) and I LOVE the OFE clutch. I am glad I got it. Pedal effort is like half of what stock was, and it has some pretty good bite, it feels very solid, but it's not too grabby. It is nice to lose the DMFW as well, mine sounded like rocks rattling in a coffee can.

Anyways, yeah I had a little trouble on the SBC website, but I had to call them for a couple parts that I broke (when replacing the clutch fork make sure it is NOT in font of the throwout bearing [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vomit.gif[/img]) and they were very helpful. I originally got mine through bean. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

My .02, get the OFE. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Unless you are planning on serious power (like Stage III's) I really don't think you need the FE.

Merry Christmas!

Dieselfever78 · 12-25-2005, 08:58 PM

CraigPSD has Swamps 175s and the OFE and his truck clutch is about like stock. When I get around to injectors I'll be going with the OFE also, but that won't be until the Luk is dead

-Michael

forrest11479 · 12-25-2005, 09:03 PM

I would suggest the con ofe as the fe is a pain in the *** on the street "very graby" if you would like a pric on one give us a call on monday.

Jeremy

1997PSD4ME · 12-25-2005, 10:24 PM

thanks for the help guys as always... i need to make a call tomorrow i guess. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

ryanPSD · 12-25-2005, 10:31 PM

Yes you do. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

timberjack · 12-25-2005, 10:33 PM

How is the South bend Con O? Would that be a grabby clutch as well.

How does it compare to the LuK clutch kit of similar (actually a bit less i suppose) cost?

I'm not planning many upgrades, maybe another one of Tony's chips for my 95. I just need a new clutch since the oem one is starting to sound goofy, and gets shaky at times. I'm also hoping for a lighter feel on the clutch pedal at the same time too.

Thanks,
Ken

ryanPSD · 12-25-2005, 10:42 PM

I don't have the Con O but I am sure it is closer to stock than the OFE. The OFE is really not bad at all, I'd say it feels more solid/strong than grabby, even it is totally daily drivable. That being said I'm sure you'll have no problems with the Con O, it will probably just simply be different more than anything.

I think the standard Luk kit is cheaper than the Con O. And, I know I am obviously a little biased on this [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] but I'd still say go with the Con O. I have heard of a couple (though rare) problems that only seemed to happen with the Luk. I have not seen or heard of anything going wrong in a South Bend clutch.

Not to steer you away from a Luk, I know how common they are, but I know there are one or two here who may chime in with their "my Luk broke, I got a SBC and love it." I'd feel confident getting one as an OEM replacement honestly, but only as an OEM replacement. Given what I've seen/heard (and experienced with my OFE) about SBC I'd go that route.

pawsranch3 · 12-26-2005, 11:53 AM

i went with the con ofe and i couldnt be happier, a lot smoother clutch, when you call to sbc talk to peter, great guy

alpena · 12-26-2005, 12:36 PM

timberjack,
I'm running the con O and so far it's working great! Big improvement over stock on pedal feel,no shakyness and the clutch is not grabby at all. Good for the daily driver and a few mods like myself. I can't comment on the luk's SMFW because I've never ran it. I did run their OEM (clutch) for the DMFW and had no problems. My DMFW was going bad so that is why I did the upgrade. Al

CraigPSD · 12-26-2005, 12:55 PM

I have the Con OFE in my truck. It is rated to 450 hp/900 ftlbs. The pedal is soft and the material is not grabby. The FE model is more grabby due to being an all FERAMIC material. The OFE is ORGANIC/FERAMIC.

This was by the far the best mod I have made. Its great for everyday driving and will handle a lot of power.

Good luck

Craig