Cerametallic clutch

[pwerwagn]

Now mine has quite a few miles on it. somewhere around 40K, I would have to look to be sure.

I have abused it pretty good. I dont detune it when driving it. Still run the 0 plate and injectors. It held 546hp and 1188 ft-lbs.

I think if I was to power shift it between 4 and 5, it would slip pretty good. Other than that, I can dump the clutch in 2nd and it smokes the tires. Does the same power shifting into 3rd gear. If it dont have enough speed because of the tire spin by the 3-4th shift, It will shudder pretty bad. Ive only been able to smell clutch after a few races, but it also might have been brakes. not totally sure.



I still like mine. My next clutch will prolly be the spring dual disc from SBC thoguh.



--Jeff

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

One factor that's hard to equate, is comparisons from one brand and model of clutch against another - is a SBC FE setup compared to a LUK Cerametallic actually a fair comparison? I sure don't know - The LUK was represented to me at the time I bought it as good for about 500 HP and 1000 ft lbs torque at a price somewhere in the $600 range as I recall - I have no idea what SBC or other clutch makers offer in that power/price range, or how they would operate and survive under the same wide range of abuse that many owners apply to them.



So far, I am well within the claimed design capabilities for the LUK - I don't senselessly and needlessly abuse it, and it just keeps getting better and smoother as time and miles go buy.



If I had been comfortable with the added cost of an equivelant SBC, I have not the slightest doubt I would have been every bit as happy with it too, after recovering from the "sticker shock"...

 

[John Robinson]

I figure this would be a good thread to eat a little crow & praise the sbc products. I have sold, installed & even helped develop one of the "other" cutches that often get mentioned. After having many issues with the product & the company I have switched to southbend. I have installed 4 of the g56 conversions & 2 con-o`s . When They were installed in our shop all have left happy. I have learned it the hard way, STAY AWAY from made in china knock offs. Spend the extra $$ & be done with it.

 

[Billy Diesel]

Dunno what mileage you have on yours - but I should have included a qualifier - lifespan of clutches, like other drivetrain components - including tires - is VERY closely related to the use/abuse they must operate under!



Some guys get close to 100K miles from the same Michelin tires I only get 60K out of - some guys get less - the key is in how they are treated, and where they are driven... :-laf



Abuse brand "X", and it will fail early, just like brand "Y" will if treated the same way!

Gary, I knew you would be the first to quote, and also the first to bring brands into it. Almost as disappointing as the clutch you support so well!



I was bringing my experiences to the table. I gave an accurate description of my experiences, and didn't say what brand I was going to try next.



I am going to limp the clutch for a while, and then try something else. When I take it apart, I will take pictures and post them. I am very interested to see what the flywheel looks like.



And maybe I am harder on my vehicle than others. I don't know of many other people that have broke the front pinion in their daily driver... ... But my front brakes lasted 70K miles, I am still on the original rear brakes, and the original shocks are finally showing some wear after 100K miles and a half dozen rally races.



So Gary, if I get over 50K out of my next clutch, are you going to buy my LUK from me?? :-laf I'll keep it on the shelf in the garage just for you, right next to the stock clutch that also lasted 50K. The stocker was slipping, but at least it kept its composure to my right foot and didn't fall to pieces! (pun intended! I crack my self up, and my clutch too! )

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Gary, I knew you would be the first to quote, and also the first to bring brands into it. Almost as disappointing as the clutch you support so well!



I was bringing my experiences to the table. I gave an accurate description of my experiences, and didn't say what brand I was going to try next.



I am going to limp the clutch for a while, and then try something else. When I take it apart, I will take pictures and post them. I am very interested to see what the flywheel looks like.



And maybe I am harder on my vehicle than others. I don't know of many other people that have broke the front pinion in their daily driver... ... But my front brakes lasted 70K miles, I am still on the original rear brakes, and the original shocks are finally showing some wear after 100K miles and a half dozen rally races.



So Gary, if I get over 50K out of my next clutch, are you going to buy my LUK from me?? :-laf I'll keep it on the shelf in the garage just for you, right next to the stock clutch that also lasted 50K. The stocker was slipping, but at least it kept its composure to my right foot and didn't fall to pieces! (pun intended! I crack my self up, and my clutch too! )

"Bring brands into it"? Perhaps you hadn't noticed this IS a CERAMETALLIC thread?





SO, is there some ego-driven reason you felt compelled to bring personalities into this, rather than keeping it on-subject? I sure didn't make any demeaning, pointless and unnecessary personal references towards you...



SHEESH!

 

[getblown5.9]

I ran my LUK Cerametallic Flywheel Eater for a total of 11 months. It had no more than 20k on it when i took it out because it would slip on any shift under throttle. I had 12 track passes, no sled pulling and 1 towing trip on it in that time.

When I pulled it there was a groove in the pressure plate as deep as the pucks on the clutch disk, and the groove in the flywheel wasn't much better. With this material removed the clamping force had to be a fraction of what it should have been. I learned the hardway, I threw away $590 on a clutch that wasn't worth a darn and ended up switching to a clutch that would handle ANYTHING I could throw at it!

Here are the pics
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And here is what I switched to!
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Here are the pics

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I ran my LUK Cerametallic Flywheel Eater for a total of 11 months. It had no more than 20k on it when i took it out because it would slip on any shift under throttle. I had 12 track passes, no sled pulling and 1 towing trip on it in that time.

That is what puzzles me!



While it has become obvious the Cerametallic is more abrasive than other similar clutches, some guys drive them for years, often in pretty well modded trucks and heavy RV towing - and yet other guys get low mileage and problems with the same clutch.



And sure, the competing brands have their fair share of issues that surface on this board as well, but not as high an apparent percentage. Sure, installations vary, and driving habits play a part in the lifespan of any clutch, but it has become pretty clear that for the broadest selection of power holding and overall driving quality, the predictability and support of SBC with their product line is the one all others must be compared to, and factored in when price vs quality is concerned.

 

[South Bend Clutch]

That is what puzzles me!



While it has become obvious the Cerametallic is more abrasive than other similar clutches, some guys drive them for years, often in pretty well modded trucks and heavy RV towing - and yet other guys get low mileage and problems with the same clutch.



And sure, the competing brands have their fair share of issues that surface on this board as well, but not as high an apparent percentage. Sure, installations vary, and driving habits play a part in the lifespan of any clutch, but it has become pretty clear that for the broadest selection of power holding and overall driving quality, the predictability and support of SBC with their product line is the one all others must be compared to, and factored in when price vs quality is concerned.

Gary, for you to finally say that after all these years earned you a 1/2 price ticket to one of our new spring loaded dual disc kits if you would ever care to own one of our products. This coupon does not have to be redeemed until you are good and ready.



Peter

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Gary, for you to finally say that after all these years earned you a 1/2 price ticket to one of our new spring loaded dual disc kits if you would ever care to own one of our products. This coupon does not have to be redeemed until you are good and ready.



Peter

:-laf :-laf :-laf



Peter, I don't recall EVER criticising ANYTHING but your pricing - your personal and business integrity - as well as your product line has ALWAYS been top notch - I certainly hope you understood that, and haven't considered me as some sort of opponent or enemy - shucks, I've freely stated in several related threads that if I ever need another clutch, it will undoubtedly be one of yours!



BUT, cheapskate that I am, I'll certainly keep your generous offer handy, altho' at my power level and typical truck usage, it's WAYYyyy overkill! :-laf



Regards~



Gary

 

[Big MAK]

Peter; hang up the internet and get my new input shaft kit out to John at Floor-It :-laf http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0tzIOD22WE



You guys rock.



I'll have to try out one of those spring loaded DD's whenever I get crazy and bomb my tow rig. I'm getting so many high perf spare parts laying around I may not be able to resist pretty soon... .



edit... THROW SOME DECALS IN THE BOX! The power this clutch (4200 DD cm) is holding is frk'in amazing I'd be happy to advertise what's putting it to the ground.

 

[Billy Diesel]

That is what puzzles me!



While it has become obvious the Cerametallic is more abrasive than other similar clutches, some guys drive them for years, often in pretty well modded trucks and heavy RV towing - and yet other guys get low mileage and problems with the same clutch.

Sounds like severe quality control issues.....

 

[pwerwagn]

Hey Gary, how bout you throw that 1/2 price coupon my way??



I think my cerametallic is on its last leg now. It started slipping worse and worse over the last week. I finally slid the plate full rear ward to make it last longer.

Im seriously considering the new spring dd from SBC. Only problem I have is, I dont really want to invest that kind of money with a 1-1/4" input shaft. so then I would have to spend some more $$ on the 1-3/8" input. And combined, thats a pretty big step towards an auto. Just dunno what to do...

But now, if I had a 1/2 price coupon for a spring dual disk... :-laf :-laf



I think what I have found with the cerametallic is this:

It holds great, great power, as long as you dont let it slip. As soon as the slippage starts, the holding power goes down exponentially. I slipped mine a total of 2 or 3 times now bad, and since then It is easier and easier to slip, unlike the stock clutch was. It slipped, but never got worse. This one is getting worse by the day.



--Jeff

 

[pwerwagn]

Oh yeah, BTW, mine did hold 546hp and 1188 ft-lbs without any slippage. Unless you shifted fast and dumped the clutch, it held great... .

--Jeff

 

[Cummins724]

My Luk Cerametallic took a beating for 40k miles pulling 15k# trailers up mountains daily & running the truck hard in between. I can honestly say that the clutch held 500hp+ for a good run. I had a problem from day 1 engageing gears, but not too bad. I blew the clutch springs into pieces this week & it still holds, but grinds going into 4th gear. I called Peter at SB & he was very helpful & knowledgeable in directing me to my new clutch... . the DD 3250. Thanks Peter!

 

[Huntmastr1]

Well after 13k miles the clutch is holding fine. The pedal is still nice but the release is jerky to say the least.

When hauling 9 round bales appr. 15k lbs, It was downright obnoxious trying to ease up to a fuel pump on an incline.

This clutch is for playing not for working a truck as it is meant to be worked. IMOA!!!! I drive in Houston over 40k miles a year this clutch is not made for this. But neither is a 6 speed

 

[RobertP]

Well after 13k miles the clutch is holding fine. The pedal is still nice but the release is jerky to say the least.

When hauling 9 round bales appr. 15k lbs, It was downright obnoxious trying to ease up to a fuel pump on an incline.

This clutch is for playing not for working a truck as it is meant to be worked. IMOA!!!! I drive in Houston over 40k miles a year this clutch is not made for this. But neither is a 6 speed

sounds like to me, that you need a Con OFE. that will engage much smoother and will also hold the power you have very well.

 

[South Bend Clutch]

Hey Gary, how bout you throw that 1/2 price coupon my way??



I think my cerametallic is on its last leg now. It started slipping worse and worse over the last week. I finally slid the plate full rear ward to make it last longer.

Im seriously considering the new spring dd from SBC. Only problem I have is, I dont really want to invest that kind of money with a 1-1/4" input shaft. so then I would have to spend some more $$ on the 1-3/8" input. And combined, thats a pretty big step towards an auto. Just dunno what to do...

But now, if I had a 1/2 price coupon for a spring dual disk... :-laf :-laf



I think what I have found with the cerametallic is this:

It holds great, great power, as long as you dont let it slip. As soon as the slippage starts, the holding power goes down exponentially. I slipped mine a total of 2 or 3 times now bad, and since then It is easier and easier to slip, unlike the stock clutch was. It slipped, but never got worse. This one is getting worse by the day.



--Jeff

I can build the clutch with the 1 1/4" splines. With the spring design it will be much easier on the input. But, if you are going to be crazy with the driving or doing competition, I would recommend the input upgrade.



Peter

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Hey Gary, how bout you throw that 1/2 price coupon my way??

FAT CHANCE! :-laf :-laf :-laf



Peter made ME that public offer, and I'm half tempted to take him up on it purely for backup - just as I do with VP-44's and lift pumps! :-laf



LESSEE, now where DID I put that SBC phone number...

 

[glhs]

Peter; I think Gary said that because his clutch is going out and he knew you would read this. :-laf :-laf :-laf

getblown; That pressure plate looks like mine but I'm running a 4 puck single disk from Peter which seems to be holding just fine. Taking it to the track next week looking for 12s.

 

[pwerwagn]

FAT CHANCE!



Peter made ME that public offer, and I'm half tempted to take him up on it purely for backup - just as I do with VP-44's and lift pumps!



LESSEE, now where DID I put that SBC phone number...

ha ha ha. I was just kiddin, Gary. :-laf If you want my advice at all, take his offer and keep it for a spare. If/When your luk starts to slip, it doesnt last long. Mine still moves, but I am not driving it to work anymore (have to drive the stupid jeep) just to save the clutch until I can get the $$ together to get the new DD.

Anyone want a relatively low mileage Luk for a good deal? :-laf



Now, just have to decide between the 1-1/4" or the 1-3/8"... ...



--Jeff