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Cerametallic clutch

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SPDiesel Transmission Controller

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Update

After 2000 miles on the LUK cerametallic clutch - no problems - works great and holds my small 400ish HP just great. The only problem I had after install was difficult release, but replacing the slave cylinder remedied that. The transmission is another story though. Difficult to get in reverse unless you work it in another gear first. I don't produce torque numbers above 700 so the clutch is fine. No chatter when backing with a trailer (35' 5er).

John:cool:
 
I sorta wanted to get a few miles on my Cerametallic before forming a solid opinion...



But I too now have a couple thousand miles on mine - probably not yet fully seated in, but good enough for a review. There is no denying that the Cerametallic exhibits a tad more of an aggressive nature than a conventional type - probably more so than a SBC, for instance, tho' some of their users also comment on their slight tendency to be more positive or grabby on engagement. I have absolutely NO complaints with mine - what little aggressive nature it displays is totally acceptable, indeed, EXPECTED in this type of clutch material. Mine was used backing our 5er uphill, no problems, but was well aware of the positive engagement it provided. First gear starts are absolutely no problem - second gear starts when unloaded will OCCASIONALLY come in with a rush at the last bit of engagement, but not objectionally so.



Would I buy another? you bet!



Would I pay another $400 to be totally free of any slight evidence of chatter or grabbiness? NOT A CHANCE! ;)



I'm entirely satisfied with my pruchasing decision!
 
I have had my Cerrametallic sitting in my garage for a month now, hopefully it will be in the truck soon. My plan is to see just how much it will hold on my way to a double disc clutch, I'll not mention who's double (don't want to stir anyone up) but they are very close to my location. I'm sure I will regret not getting a SBC, after all everyone does, right :D .
 
I seriously doubt you will be UNhappy with a SBC - with me, it was as much about $$$ as it was my particular application - so far, fully satisfied on BOTH counts...



If I could have matched claimed specs AND the price with a SBC, that's what would be in my truck right now!
 
Since I have a 5-speed, I had to get the new flywheel to fit the Cerametallic. The new combination has the clutch pedal all the way to the floor before it releases, but it does release. The first couple hundred miles had really notchy shifts, and the clutch was very grabby. It was so bad that I was doubting that I installed it correctly. However, I got to pull our Bobcat a couple of hundred miles this weekend, and that really seemed to work the clutch in. It is still releasing at the end of the pedal throw, but it is easier to get in gear and doesn't grab as bad. Liking it so far, but only time will tell.
 
Originally posted by dberry

I have had my Cerrametallic sitting in my garage for a month now, hopefully it will be in the truck soon. My plan is to see just how much it will hold on my way to a double disc clutch, I'll not mention who's double (don't want to stir anyone up) but they are very close to my location. I'm sure I will regret not getting a SBC, after all everyone does, right :D .



A dual disc in your neck of the woods has got to be a good one.



I too have a LUK sitting in the floor, hope to stick it in next week. I have seen too many SBC problems around here to put one in.
 
Nick, I only max out at a bit over 311 HP and 725 TQ - LUK represents the Cerametallic as holding AT LEAST 1000 ft lbs torque - mine shows NO signs of slippage in hard pulls at max power - Comp on 5x5 - but neither did my stock clutch for the first year - I have no reason to doubt the Cerametallic will be fine for the long haul - it keeps feeling better and smoother every day as it seats in...
 
Reading this thread has been an education, to say the least. I just hope the Cerametallic holds better than their ProGold. I got one for a 92 W250- I lost motion in all gears, clutch engaged or disengaged. Turned out to be the adaptor between the transmission and t-case had stripped, but there was a 25% restock fee (Rocky Mountain CLutch in ColoSpgs), so I put the LuK in. Big mistake. It wouldnt hold the modest loads (<18K GCVW) and low HP (<250) as well as the stock Sachs clutch held at 230K mi- the LuK actually got hot and started stinking (not sure on slippage- wasnt bad if it did) pulling a 7500# trailer up "junkyard hill" on CO94 east of the Springs. I kept the Sachs for a spare and recently put it in my 91 when the T. O. bearing (installed, coincidentally, by RMC) started to eat at the pressure plate teeth. Am I baised? You bet. Will I jump to get a SBC clutch? Not any time soon. I figure the Sachs will hold 750lb-ft, and it's gonna be a while before I hit that mark. I'll burn that bridge when I get there. But you can bet I am NOT getting anything with the LuK name on it, and neither are any who come to me for an opinion.



Daniel
 
* * U P D A T E S * *

Hey those of you who posted on this thread last year about installing the LuK clutch, how about some updates on how the clutch is holding up and wearing?



I'm close to purchasing a clutch for my '96, and I am leaning toward the SB 6-speed OFE upgrade.



Vaughn
 
Too bad you don't have the flywheel for it. I am putting a new FE in mine. My OFE has 20k on it and is in great shape, But I am getting ready to change injectors, and it will slip if I add any more power.
 
Vaughn MacKenzie said:
Hey those of you who posted on this thread last year about installing the LuK clutch, how about some updates on how the clutch is holding up and wearing?



I'm close to purchasing a clutch for my '96, and I am leaning toward the SB 6-speed OFE upgrade.



Vaughn



After over a year with the LUK, I wish I had put something else in.



I slipped it bad shortly after having put it in, so bad that the realease point moved from the bottom of the pedal to the middle! I am assuming that a lot of material was lost on the flywheel. I called the place I bought it from, and they tried to sell me a new slave cylinder assembly. I told them that wasn't the problem, and that was the last they tried to help me.



The clutch is grabbier than *****, basically like a toggle switch. Either on or off. The only plus side is that it hasn't slipped since that one time.



Summary: I wish I had bought something else... . :(
 
I have about 10k miles on mine. It is working fine. It is grabby at first but it gets better. You cant slip this clutch, it is in or out. It pulls my trailer great. I have no complaints I got my $ worth. Oh yeah, my wife drives this truck more than I do and she is okay with it!
 
AH!



A year later (after my last post in this thread), and It's popped up again. Time for an update on my LUK Cerametallic:



I replaced my slipping OEM clutch with a LUK Cerametallic about 15,000 miles back. Our truck is used primarily in towing our 5th wheel - about 15,000 GCW. It will NOT slip under the heaviest use *I* have applied to it - and my truck is currently at about 400 HP and LOTS of Tq!



I've had several guys send PM's asking about the LUK, how I like it, and does it hold. I *always* point out that the Cerametallic *I* have is clearly more positive in application than a stock clutch, but once fully seated from break-in use, and with reasonable driving skill, grabbiness or driveline chatter is easily eliminated or minimized.



ANY clutch CAN be abused, suffer from complicating associated mechanical issues - or just plain be operated by owners without a clue!



I'd gladly buy and install another in a heartbeat if I had it to do over - mine is entirely satisfactory to date.
 
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Gary, my clutch is failing and I will need one soon. I'm looking for an alternative to the expensive SBC. My question is where is the best place to purchase the LUK? Also, are there any different holding capacities to choose from like the SBC or is there only one? Thanks Clay
 
trqmnstr said:
Gary, my clutch is failing and I will need one soon. I'm looking for an alternative to the expensive SBC. My question is where is the best place to purchase the LUK? Also, are there any different holding capacities to choose from like the SBC or is there only one? Thanks Clay



I used South Carolina Clutch - I believe they are a TDR advertiser - ask for TOM, and tell him Gary from Vacaville California sent you - it's been a year, so he may not remember, tho' we had several phone and email exchanges at that time.



Folks will next pop on with the "you get what you pay for" bit, but all the scattered and occasional issues that creep in with the LUK have ALSO surfaced many times with SBC and other competing brands, *I* selected LUK based upon price vs specifications vs performance - as long as a potential buyer remains aware of the positive nature of a performance clutch like the Cerametallic, and has no driving disabilities or other serious associated driveline problems, the LUK should get the job done for you, just as it has me.
 
Thanks for the response Gary. My clutch has started engaging higher and higher on the clutch stroke. I assume this is the clutch wearing. I'll check out South Carolina Clutch. Thanks
 
I'll be puttin a Cerametallic in my 98 here soon, purchased from Mr. Donnelly. I believe he said the Cera held like 486hp in his 04, is that right Joe???

--Jeff
 
I bought a Luc Cerametalic clutch about a year ago. My Luc pro gold just wouldn’t hold anymore. The first dyno that I went to with my new clutch was up at Piers and I laid down 419hp ???? on torque I cant remember right now and then I hit 520hp/1200tq with water/meth and propane. My last dyno was at Imlers Diesel in Sacramento California and I dynoed 541hp/1000+ tq and then I did a 607hp/1180tq with water/meth. My clutch has been holding up just fine. I have had it slip when hammering on it out on the highway with the water meth on. It doesn’t really slip it just chatters and shakes violently, but all I do is back off of the throttle and then it grabs and it will hold. I think most of my problem has to do with the hydraulic system on my pickup since it does have over 215,000 miles on the stock slave cylinder. I have no complaints what so ever it has done everything I have asked of it and more. Would I do it again? Yes I know that I am probably going to have to go to something else when it does finally give up the ghost, but until then I will just keep flogging it. :-laf



Stomp
 
607hp??? dang, thats impressive. I would have never guessed it would hold that much. I figured it was good to 515hp or so.

thanks for the info.

--Jeff
 
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