Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Anybody NOT rip the center out of a 12.25 SBC?

[WadePatton]

They've changed the rating on the MU 0090 ofe to 400-525 HP. (it used to be 400+ ) That looks like it would be just dandy for me and much more economical than the 13" upgrade.



I've talked to a few folks who have ripped the middles of the 12. 25" clutches and had to go to the 13" job with flywheel.



I'm sure there is somebody somewhere who is using a 12. 25 ofe, near my projected power level/application*, and real happy about it. Please step up and be heard. Tell me how dang sweet it is!



*projected power level is a little over 400, with DD-UFM first, (clutch here) DD3's next, then a tuned 40. No towing, standing start racing, or sled pulling, just spanking chebbies and fjords and v8 cars. Basically -hualing MFA.

 

[jwilliams3]

Usually when you hear of people ruining their South Bends,

it is because of going over the max power rating of the clutch and also the dreaded sled pulling which these clutches are not designed for.



I would go with the Top dawg from South Bend Clutch CON FE 13X1. 25" conversion for your 5 speed!

That is one hell of a clutch and with your power (which you will want more of after the Comp box and DD3's and 40 turbo thats already 400rwhp+)

Down the road you wont have to upgrade! Think of it as saving money ahead of time!



My opinion.



--Justin

 

[pnwradar]

I'm running DD-3's, Comp, and PDR-40 -- dyno showed just shy of 450 Hp. My OFe has been in since this spring, no problems I've noticed.



-jon-

 

[WadePatton]

JON WINS!



First person to post with the setup I'm working on who thinks his 12. 25 clutch is adequate!



What sort of hauling are you doing or do you jest HAUL BUTT?



BTW I have posted on the SBC site. I made a bloody mess of it though. The posting window doesn't work in my main browser. It'll take 'em a few days to respond.

 

[pnwradar]

Biggest load I've hauled is a few sheets of plywood, maybe a few kegs of beer. Never even hooked anything up to the hitch. I use this truck for my commute into town, and for scaring any ricers between work and home.



-jon-

 

[TxDieselKid]

Peter is the man, call him and ask him personaly. He is the nicest guy you could ever meet in the clutch bussiness.



Andrew

 

[drawson]

When I had problems with my Con O in Calgary this summer Peter told me about an upgrade center for the O & OFE that he had just come up with.



South Bend clutchs are great but there customer service is even better!!!!!!!!



You can't go wrong with the South Bend

 

[JTroiano]

I had a con FE for about two weeks and it started to pull the center out I think. When I pulled it out the disc was getting cone shaped and it wasn't from to much heat. I couldn't get it in gear when stopped. It didn't slip but I think it was just to much power. I am getting my 13" upgrade this week. Peter is great and is very fair. I would get the biggest badest one now. I will have to pull my transmission out for the third time to put the new clutch in. I have it down to about 2 1/2 hours. Spend the money.

Jon T



PS and I do have the DD3s now. They are great.

 

[South Bend Clutch]

We have found that horse power coupled with towing (especialy in 1 tons) is where the problem most occers. Beleive it or not, sled pulling and drag racing is not as hard on the center of a disc as is pulling a 15,000 lb trailer 2,000 miles. We can make the 12 1/4" not slip with the big horse power but because it is not slipping is why the center can rip out. We have made heavier springs in the dampend portion of the disc to try and cure the problem but the 50 kits that we made are still out being tested. If you have your truck pumped up and don't hall with it, the 12 1/4" clutch is fine. If you plan on putting that truck to work then I would recommend the 13" upgrade.



Peter

 

[WadePatton]

Kewl,



Thanks Peter, sorry for the negative title on the thread, but that was the refrain many users were singing. And I wanted to find someone with a different song.



I'll go with a 12. 25 now and take it easy when towing--and if I start towing a lot, I'll do the 13.



I'd just love to do the 13" first, but I still have injectors and exhuast and turbo to buy.



I hate to call you vendors up and bother you when I'm not quite ready to plunk down the change. And I like lots of input. SBC was already THE choice (thank TDR members for that), I was just pondering the application.

 

[MCummings]

I'll second what Peter said.



I drag raced, power shifted and shhh,, don't tell anybody,, but I "Popped" the clutch several times in 2nd and 3rd, and 4th,, but it slipped when poped from a stop in 4th



The center ripped out after ~5K of towing 30,000 pounds.



It broke after 200 miles of towing 28,500 pounds with my Comp on 3x5 and DD1's. The clutch let go 1 mile from the house on a shift from 2nd to 3rd. (Not a powershift, just a normal synchronized shift)



Peter worked out a deal with me and I got a 13" Flywheel and Kick-Gas clutch.



So far multiple passes at the drag,,,,, several, several, several, several 0-60 and 0-90 MPH runs,, darn street racing, and soon to be a dyno run.



Raced a '02 Camaro 350, 6-speed, T-tops, Twice. I won one buy a car length, and he won one by half a car length.



This clutch is way kick-gas. Definatly worth every dime. Handles powershifting just fine Not that Peter would tell you to powershift your truck.



My experiance

Hope this helps,

Merrick Cummings Jr