Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 1 3/8 input shaft

[Niro]

just wondering when the 1 3/8" input shaft is needed like around what power level or mods?



Im getting a 98 12v and wont do any towing or sled pulling, but maybe an occasional trip to E-town or some ricer on the street



thanks



Carl

 

[Johnstra]

I'm going to piggy-back on your post 'cause I want to know the same thing. I'm looking to get a CON OFE or CON FE and I don't know if I should consider going with the 1 3/8" shaft.

-john

 

[SRadke]

Unless your doing hard core sledpulling, holeshots, or third gear launches your stock shaft will hold up just fine.



-Scott

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

The 1-3/8" upgrade is like in the $900 vicinity too.

 

[thaile]

I think a lot of it depends upon the clutch you are going to run. If you are going to run a pretty aggressive clutch to hold the power and have a good time Oo. Oo. Oo. Then you are going to have to upgrade the shaft. I was running hard one time and shifted 2nd to 3rd to 4th and when the clutch hit on 4th all I heard was a snap and I was dead in the water. Input shaft looked like a candy cane and then broke. Oh well then I just had to upgrade and with a better clutch then you can add more power.

 

[C. Harlan]

I'm going to piggy-back on your post 'cause I want to know the same thing. I'm looking to get a CON OFE or CON FE and I don't know if I should consider going with the 1 3/8" shaft.

-john

I have had both clutches... GO WITH THE FE!!!! Ask Jared (JaMan)... He can even tell you I told him the same thing, and he ended up with an OFE... I still remembered the day he called, telling me he wished he'd have listened to me. . :-laf I love my FE... . Wouldnt have anything else but an Iron Giant DD from Southbend. If you need help with installation, PM me. . I did all of them myself. Good luck with the your decision!



-Chris-

 

[AndyMan]

Wow, it's interesting that this topic came up! I am going to buy a 96 here in a day or two. It has a Mitchell DD with the stock 1-1/4 shaft. The shaft is stripped or broken or something, the truck won't move. With it running, you can push the shifter into any gear... no go.

I was contemplating taking that clutch out and selling it to fund another shaft and clutch. I was going to go with another 1-1/4 and a SBC clutch. Truck is ~400hp. Should I just upgrade the centers in the DD and get the bigger shaft, or sell the DD buy a SBC and stock shaft?

Thanks for the thoughts and comments.

 

[JGheen]

I have heard that the stock 1 1/4" shaft will take up to around 700-800 HP, according to Joe Donnelly. I believe in the latest issue of TDR(49?) in his clutch write up he mentioned he made 800 HP?(I think, either that or 700) and was still running the stock shaft with no problems. It is obviously a good idea to go with the bigger shaft for unmatched reliablility and strength, but I personally would just hammer on the 1 1/4" till it breaks then you have a good excuse to change to the larger shaft and a DD. Oo. But that is just me.

I am making around 450-500HP right now and hammer on my truck everyday, stock shaft, so far so good, (knock on wood) :-laf



Or if you really want to do it right, just got with an NV5600 conversion since it already has the 1 3/8" input as well as another gear. That is my next big upgrade I am saving for. Oo. Then come the twins!



Joe

 

[thaile]

I would just upgrade the discs in the Mitchell dual disc to accept and then purchase the larger input shaft. Just my opinion though. I think you will like the Mitchell dual disc clutch. Oo. Oo.

 

[BTighe]

i just posted this same question on another board yesterday. i bought an ofe, dynoed, then realized 450hp aint gonna cut it. i just talked to peter at southbend and ordered and FE disk, 1 3/8 input shaft and the flywheel with the upgraded bearing. i want to be able to do 4hi launches in 3rd. this also works for me because when i burn up this FE i will have the shaft for the DD already. good luck and remember, bigger is better.

 

[BTighe]

just wondering when the 1 3/8" input shaft is needed like around what power level or mods?



Im getting a 98 12v and wont do any towing or sled pulling, but maybe an occasional trip to E-town or some ricer on the street



thanks



Carl

this truck is a 5spd right. if your not pulling or racing with a real beefy clutch you stock shaft should be fine. in other words, what everyone else before me said